davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
By my chrIstendom,
Mrs. Birdsonq is Free

!. About a year ago Mrs. Angie Bird Rong killed Dr. Butler of Monteeello, Copiah county, Mississippi, her fam Nv phvsician. in order to protect her honor as a woman. She was tr1ed' honvicted and sentenced to serve i've Nears in the penitentiary. The su- nreme court confirmed all the pro- reedings in the trial court.
 ! But an appeal was taken to Govern sor vardaman. and he set the prisoner yree before she had served a day In fnrison. He became convinced that Dr. Butler had aspersed her character hfter he had wronged her, and on that eonyiction he granted full pardon.
 This Is an extension of the unwrit- 4en law. It has been applied In Vir- ssinia to men only defending family honor. but Governor Vardaman practi- eally renders it available to women also. In Maryland, too, in recent nase a mother was acquitted who had Killed her daughters betrayer. GOV ernor Vardaman plainly says that II "a male member of the Birdsong 1aih' Nv had killed Dr. Butler verdict or .niltv would not have been rendered. He sees no justice in drawing sex line in the unwrltten law, and so he turned Mrs. Birdsong free. The un- written law is thus marching on, and no one can now name It's Inllts ahu possibilities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
Rinht But lmuracticahle

No doubt Alex. T. London, who is no novice in legal and political affairs. presented in yesterdays Age-Herald the true secret of overcrowded Jails in this city and county In substance he says that if all local officials were paid in fixed salaries instead of fees which they can increase by scheming efforts the jails of neither city nor county would need enlarging.
 But MT. London's proposition has no practicability in it. When the coun- ty school superintendents are able to prevent the passage of a bill calling for more competent school officials, we may be sure no bill abolishing fees can be passed in either house, or even considered. Besides section 96 of the constitution of 1903 stands in the way, and was devised to stand in the way, for it provides that if fees are abol- ished in Jefferson county they must be abolished in every other county of the state.
 The pointed proposition presented by MT. London may as we'll therefore be dismissed. We must build jails to suit the operations of the collectors of fees. There is no help for it--no other way out of the trouble. MT. London's points are correct. but they are not feasible and practicable. They canont be fitted to Jefferson county because they would not fit Winston or Washington counties.
 MT London says that Imprisonment for debt, chiefly costs, shall In fact be abolished in Alabama, and that "the costs of administering the crim- inal law be made a public charge as 1t is everywhere else in civilized countries" All true, very true, but it is as much out of our reach as Is a flight to Mars.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
AGED WOMAN MAKES 7s QUILTS.
At 90 Mrs. Margaret Barnett Works With Her Needle for Orphan Boys.

From tho Los Angeles Examiner.
 With record of seventy-eight patch work quilts made in little more than a year for the boys at tho Mckinley home, Mrs. Margaret Barnett Saturday celebrat- ed her ninetieth birthday anniversary.
 At Immanuel Presbyterian church, where Mrs. Barnett is a member and reg ular attendant, the Aid Society honored her at luncheon. A large birthday cake was presented by Mrs. W. c. Paterson and adorned with ninety candles and the silver haired woman was showered with congratulations.
 In spite of her many years, Mrs. Bar nett Is in full possession of all her facul- ties and she is able to get about better than many women but half her age. She goes down town alono as well as to the needles. As soon as the Mckinley Boys home interested her Bhe began to make quilts for the boys there.
 'T have made seventy eight quilts" she said, "and hope to be able to make three more; then will have made one for each bed in the home"
 Mrs. Barnett was born In Scotland, but was brought to this country when but two years old. Of her seven children but three are living
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
BANKHEAD FOR PRESIDENT.

From the Walker County News.
 Some critics may seem disposed to make light of what we are now about to write, but that is nothing more than is expected. We usually say what we think, and wa have the best of reason for putting for ward the name of Senator John Hollis Banlphead of Fayette for the democratic nomination for President in 1908.
 The time has been when 1t would have been a piece of folly to think about a southern man for President, but this sec tional prejudice is all a thing of the past Tho fight has always been between the east and the west for the nomination of party standard bearer, but in all cases the south is looked to for the vote. If man can be selected who can carry both the east and the west with the vote of the solid south, his election would be assured, but this is no easy matter Why. then, not compromise by putting out a south ern mani
 And if a southern man, who Is better fitted than Senator Bani5head? We doubt very much if there Is any better ma terial in the entire south. Certainly there is no one more popular and better known. It is true, as hss been said. that he Is not thoroughly in accord with the poli- cies of our present state administration, but he is honest in his views and in- sists on fair treatment to all interests. The fact that he was chosen unanimously to fill the vacancy in the United States Senate over the protests of the gov ernor. shows In unmistakable terms that he is in accord with the people. Further, in his speech before the democratic eau GUS of the Alabama legislature he said that foreign capital had been the basis of our progress and prosperity; that with all our resources and energy we should not have attained to present greatness with out such capital. The legislature has tax foreign money, which shows that Sen- ator Bankhead's views are accepted as better than those of our chief executive
 Senator Bankhead's record of twenty years in Congress Is without a blot or blemish. He served on some of the most his experience in his official career has brought him in touch with the great prob lems confronting the American people
 We would like to see the south have a chance at the presidency. It would be a departure from the old custom, and at this fast az. everybody Is looking for something new The man who is in touch and has a hold on the people could win, and that man is John Hollis Bankhead.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
The t-lI Question.

Tt is easier now 10 get into jail than 1t Is to get into the poor house." said lawyer who is much interested in the question, "and I don't know but that of the two the poor house is the best hotel.
 This question of feeding people by the state is coming up in the asylum inyesti- gaton. It stated that the patents are fed for S1A cents per day. The sheriff of Jefferson must be clearing at least $50 per day or more with the state allowing him 30 cents per day.
 1T understand that quite number of prisoners were relased on bond prepara- tory to pr. Bragg's visit. It Is currently rumored that the sheriff has over eco warrants to serve whom the Jail situation will permit.
 When the price of 30 cents per day was made for feeding prisoners 1t was done to cover the probable cost to coun- ties having but few prisoners where the feeding is sometimes let to contract by the sheriff, as he could not afford to keep a cook at the price.
 What this county needs is house of detention for misdemeanants and a quick trial for those charged with anything other than felonies. The police court has this, why not the county7"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21

ture sell almost every article, and they have recently angered the retail lumber dealers by selling all forms of forest products.
 The battle is one in favor of com- petition in trade, and it is as deeply important as Is the battle the general government Is waging against the Standard oil and other trusts. The mall order houses sell everything from a baby's crib to burial casket, and If they are permitted to ruin the retail dealers the small towns will fall into decay, for the factories of the trusts have already abolished all small industries. The consumer Is asked to refuse to contribute to the ruin of his home town, and the jobber begins to see that he is about to be eliminated. leaving only the great manufacturer- a trust no doubt-and the mall order houses in the field.
 Chicago is the head and center Of the mall order business, which has grown until 1t aggregates hundreds of millions a year. Manager Clark of the Home Trade league is arranging to get from the jobbers and manufac- turers for the retail dealers the same prices that the catalogue houses do, and then he says the former can whip the latter to a finish, for he lives at the door of MT. Farmer.
 The fate of the American village Is at stake, and the result of the battle is watched with interest, not only in the west, but in every other section of the country. It is a phase of tho great contest between monopoly and competition, and if the battle be lost competition will indeed be In sore straits in this country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
War AQainst Catalogues

|, Five hundred thousand retail mer- rhants in the west have formed a combination and have formally de- elared war on the great mail order Houses of Chicago. They say the bulky catalogue must "go," else they themselves will be steadily but surely driven to the wall. The once prosper pus stores in the small towns are be- coming, so the retailers say, commer- c'll graveyards.
 The big militant organization in the west is called the Home Trade League of America, and its headquarters have been located in Chicago, where 1t can watch every movement of its we'll entrenched enemy. Its programme Is comprehensive. It demands for the local merchants as good rates as they give the mail order concerns. Local merchants by tue thonsands are pledg.ng themselves that they will not buy a dollars worth of goods from 1obber or manufacturer who sells to s~- -aatalagua house. HQuses of that na-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
LockERBIE STREET.

By James Whitcomb Riley. Such dear little street 1t Is, nestled away From the noise of the city and heat of the day, In cool, shady coverts of whispering trees, With their leaves lifted up to shake hands with the breeze, Which in all its wide wanderings never may meet With a resting place fairer than Lock- erbie street. There is such a relief from the clangor and din Of the heart of the town, to go lettering in Through the dim, narrow walks. with the shelterins shade Of the trees waving over the long prom enade, And littering lightly the ways of our feet With the gold of the sunshine of Lockerbie street. And the nights that come down the dark pathways of dusk With the stars in their tresses and odors of musk In their moon-woven raiments, bespangled with dews And looped up with lilies for lovers to use, In the songs that they sing to the jingle and beat Of their sweet serenadings through Lock- erbie street.
  o my Lockerbie street. You are fair to be seen Be 1t noon of the day, or the rare and serene Afternoon of the nght-you are one to my heart, And love you above all the phrases of art, For no language could frame and no lips could repeat My rhyme haunted raptures of Lockerbie street.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21

confidence in him to believe that he would take that stand at any rate"
 What are the chances of the nomina- tion of southern manY
 "Well, as I said before, the honor will go to Bryan, if he wants 1t But, aside from this, I think the time has come if 1t is ever to come, when the south ought to be permitted to have a candi- date for the presidency We have plenty of good men who measure up to the re- quirements of the place. Charley Culber- son would make a good President; so would Hoke Smith, John Sharp Williams and Joe Bailey. They are all good men and big enough for the job.'
 Anything in the talk of downing Bryan by the favorite son dodge?"
 ''I don't believe it would work" said Griggs. Bryan is too strong with the people to be set aside by clique of leaders. We have got to depend on Bryan to settle the nomination. He can have 1t himself. but he can't dictate the nomina- ton of somebody else.''
 "what are the chances, of democratic success next year7"
 ''Now, have been making unverided predictions of democratic success for so many years that I refuse to keep 1t up. I'll say this. however, I don't believe Roosevelt could be elected for a third term"
 What will be the issuer'
 '"rhe issues will be the tariff the trusts and anti-centralizaton of government"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
THE ENvlABLE GOAT.
No Digestive Troubles, Although He
 Devours Everything.
From the Providence Journal.

From the Providence Journal.
 In a stable on South Water street in this city there is a goat. He is a black goat with a pleasant, open countenance and a bandaged left hind leg. A man who was passing the stable the other day stopped to look at the goat, which was strolling about the place gazing longingly at a kitten upon which he may have had designs.
 While the man was standing there a young man came out of the office, and in answer to the strangers question, said; ",rhe goat came in here a little while ago with his leg broken and he stays here. He'll eat anything he can get into his mouth, but he's especially fond of pa- per"
 The visitor took from his pocket bit of paper and passed 1t oourteously to the goat. The animal smelt of 1t and. deciding it was a choice tit-bit. chewed and swal- lowed 1t with every appearance of de- light.
 He came into the office the other days" said the young man, "and ate a freight bill for 80 cents, and if the coin had been around he'd have eaten that. too.
 He had large package of newspapers for lunch last week, and we don't dare leave anything around that isn't fastened down."
 'I wish," said the man, as he looked at the goat, who had begun on an empty peanut bag, that had the appetite and digestion of that beast. I'm dyspeptic.' And with another wistful glance at the animal and mournful sigh he went away
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
LNahoma's Election

The delegates to the Oklahoma con etitutional convention were reconVened md they have set the date of the pro noead states election for September u7. Governor Franz will issue the needful proclamation. He Is canoi- Mate for the republican nomination. snd this fact renders him supporter of the statehood movement.
 The convention made legislative apportionment without waiting for the reurns of the federal census. One helegate stated on the floor of the convention that the federal census is but a device to furnish the republicans pf the proposed state with pollock lat the expense of the general govern ment. The plan worked well in Cuba, and it is to be tried in Oklahoma.
 The constitutional convention Is ready to meet any emergency that may present itself. It does not pro- nose to adjourn sine die. It will sim .ply adjourn, and President Murray will be authorized to call the convention Together whenever necessity for con Nening arises.
 Between the political schemers at home and the ones in Washington pklahoma has hard road to travel to Eeach statehood. But she is sitting ready in the boat and no doubt the result will in the long run be satis- factory. The republicans are still, however, seeking an excuse for keep ang her seven electoral votes out of 4he contest of 1908.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
DOGS IN TERRIBLE BATTLE
rom the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. N GAUNT foxhound, the muscles In P his graceful Hanks drawn taut
 with hunger. his long, supple body scared from many an exciting chase and his dropping ears. half bitten, off is the sole survivor of the colony of ahan- doned dogs on McPike's Island, twenty five miles above St. Louis on the Ms sssippi river, the victor of a desperate midnight duel with the last but himself of a hunger-nad island pack.
 Through sheer hunger and despair the dogs lost their strength. One by one the weaker were devoured by their compan- ions until two were left-the foxhound and great yellow, shaggy dog. a mon grel from tho city streets fierce and hardy.
 More than fifty dogs of all kinds and species were abandoned to starve on the deserted island by their owners, who either took them there themselves or employed ferrymen, who have now ad- vanced the price from twenty-five to fifty cents for each dog taken to the is- land since the Humane Society has be- come vigilant.
 Many of the stronger dogs attempted to swim to the Missouri shore. which Is close to the island, but the swift current formed a half circle and swept them back to the island. The smaller ones attempt ed to reach the mainland on piles of drift wood, but were unable to cling to the logs, as they rolled In the water and drowned.
 Day by day the Alton ferrymen saw the diminishing number They fought continually among themselves. As soon as one was unable to defend itself from its gnashing companions 1t was torn to pieces and devoured. Finally only the two were left. the fierce mongrel and the hound.
 Side by side they paced up and down the long course along the shore of the island. They seemed to be postponlng the last great encounter between them in hopes of being taken by hunters or res- cued in some manner from the barren island.
 Days passed by and still the two dogs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
Passlnu Comment.

'T know an attractive married woman who has contributed aer share to Greater Birmingham. She has designed. made the contracts for and superintended the cree ton of twelve houses, four of them cot tages and eight, two-story structures. She has sold all but one, and is living in that, said citizen.
 "In the typhoid fever investigation for the time there seems to be lost sight of the question of foul sewer that smells to heaven" said physician.
 "When pr. Bragg attempts to move the prisoners we arc going to make him show that the jail is insanitary. Why, 1t Is healthier now than the South Highlands" said a man close to the sheriff
 q hope the Federal government can put the American Tobacco company out of business, for they have ruined many small tobacco grower, and large ones, too' for that matter" said a North Carolinian'
 Tt is not so easy to secure postofflee box as formerly. You have to prove to the satisfaction of the postmaster that you arc not working a fraudulent scheme said a box renter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
DON'T MARRY BY PHONE.

From the New York World
 If the higher courts of Texas affirm the decision of the Nolan county court that a telephone marriage is not legal mar riage there will be rush of remarriages In Texas, where the telephone fad has been quite popular. The s25o,o0o estate of the late Thomas Wemberley, ranch man. is tied up on this legal point. Upon his death, some months ago, contest of tho will was made by certain rela- tives. and the question of the legality of the marriage was raised by oounsd for relatives of the dead ranohman. This question was fought upon every ground. The court held that a marriage ceremony to be legal must be solemnized by a minister or judge or other authority in tho presence of the contracting parties and witnesses, all of whom shall attest the ceremony
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
ALABAMA PRESS

Marion County News: We believe 1t would be better to have biennial ses- sions of the legislature regardless of cost, for 1t seems that the men we elect nave very good hindsight but bad fore sight.
 Huntsville Mercury: The opponents of Alabama chivalry, the members of the State National Guard. now encamped here, are a smart, clean-cut, well be- haved lot of young gentlemen. whose presence Is welcome and of whom we are proud.
 Mobile Register: When prohibition goes into effect in Georgia by virtue of the signature of Gov. Hoke Smith, the gover- nor will lose $6o.OOO in bar rents now paid by the lessees of the Piedmont ho- tel, of which Governor Smith is a part owner. This will be s6OOOO worth of per sona1 sacrifice by Governor Smith. and we can all admire him for a sincerity that costs so large an amount.
 Tuskegee Standard: The handsome union station at Birmingham Is an honor to the state and an ornament to the Magic City. It Is pity that all the railroads are not to run into it, as the inconvenience to the public will be great by their failure to do so The Louis vile and Nashville railroad should be more public spirited and consult the in terests of the public to a greater extent than to have it's depots separate, as it has in several cities of the state.
 Cullman Tribunei If Alabama really wants to raise up another statesman as great as John T. Morgan, she has the material in the person of Richmond Pear son IIobson. The people should keep their eyes on this young man. who has developed into true statesman so early in his youth. There are no heights to which he may not climb if he continues in the wise way in which he has started. The politicians are talking about whom they will make governor four years hence but tho people are thinking of Hobson.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
cHlcAGo's BIGGEST INFANT.

Special to The Times Democrat.
 A baby weighing eighteen and a half pounds. said to DC the biggest infant ever born in Chicago, who came to town Monday night, is to be named Fred Busse, in honor of the mayor. The youngster' s last name Is Ross. He Is the son of Harry Ross, living at IS Halsted street. The proud father is hopeful that his plump son will forge career like Mayor Busse. Grover Cleveland and Secretary Taft. Besides breadth. the boy seems to have a Fairbanks kind of longitude, for he came within an inch of being two feet tall
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21


 From the Charleston News and Courier. The growth of Gov. Charles E. Hughes In public esteem Is a matter which con- cerns the entire country. He has not shrunk from making enemies. On the contrary. ho appears to have courted the i'll will of the republican organization in New York. He has openly opposed the wishes of leading party men. He has refrained from forming alliances. He has held himself aloof from Theodore Roosevelt and all others. Yet his con- duet has been so admirable his strength of character and vigor of intellect so manifest, hts zeal in the interest of all classes so marked, that he has gained friend and supporter on every hand
 Charles ID. Hughes is ambitious. He Is the strongest man in his party in New York state today. He has earned the confideroe of the entire country. He would like to be President. No one will dou5e that Suppose he shall resolve to enter tho contest for the republican nom nation. It Is still more than a year before that nomination will bo made Many things can happen in a twelve month, and Governor Hughes would at least make matters very interesting for Messrs. Roosevelt, Taft, ct d., and in- cidentally, for the democrats of the coun- lry at large
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21

VA southern man for the presi-
 E ! dency next year is nonsense. There is only one man in sight to lead the democracy next year. and his namo Is William Jennings Bryan. If he wants the nomination that's all there will be to 1t. Bryan dominates the democratic stu- ation as thoroughly as President Roose- welt controls the republican party
 This emphatic declaration was made today by Representative James M Griggs of Georgia, chairman of the dem ocratio congressional campaign commit tee. He has been travelng about the country bit of late, and has had an opportunity to feel the democratic pulse on the subject of the presidency. He thinks that If Bryan says he wants the nomination, the democratic convention will go through the form of naming him without a struggle.
 T don't see anybody in sight but Bryan continued Griggs provided, of course, he wants the nomination"
 'Is there any doubt about his want ing it?'
 T don't know whether he wants to run or not. I have not heard anything from him on the nomination. and so far as know he has not taken anybody into lleve he would want to run if he thought 1t would be for the interests of the party to have another candidate. have enough