davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
APRIL CRIMINAL
 RECORD WAS BAD Negro Population More UnruIy
 Than Ever Before
950 ARRESTS WERE MADE
Six Bold Highway Robberies Commit ted Within City Limits-Arrests for Drunk and Disorderly
 Conduct Numbered PA.

The criminal record of Birmingham for April shows a number of startling facts. There have been six bold highway rob berries committed in the city limits, one of them in connection with murder. The negro population has caused more trouble and been more unruly than ever before.
 There were $50 arrests, about three fourths of which were convicted. This record is large as last month when sev- eral hundred gamblers were arrested, and vagrants were numerous, but the fighting blood has fully made up for the slackened lines in these directions.
 Sxty-two were arrested for assault and battery with all kinds of weapons, from a potato through the list of bottles, bricks, boxes, billies, rocks, clubs, razors and pistols. An immediate cause for these figures Is the fact that PA were arrested charged with drunkenness or disorderly conduct, showing that whisky also held sway.
 While in previous months the number of gamblers arrested has seldom fallen below fifty whites and fifty blacks, there were only thirty-five of both races this past month, and only six of them were white.
 Burglary and larceny, both petty and grand were on the increase, there being seyenty-eight cases, and most of them were convicted. Seven hundred and twen- ty-four prisoners boarded with Judge E,aa pin
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
ANSWERS QUESTIONS.
Judge Feagin Explains Workings of
 the Juvenile Court Law.

Judge Feagin yesterday received let ter from w. B. Arbery, mayor pro tenn of Jacksonville, Ala, expressing few of the difficulties he and many other magis- trates in the state are having with the juvenile court bill, and asked for an ex- planation.
 The judge replied at length that in the first place the statue being a penal law, does not go into effect until thirty days after the adjournment of the legislature, but that when 1t does go into effect boys under IA years of age can either be turned out on probation under the care of a probation officer, or may be sent to the authorized reformatories.
 That for the whites is the Industrial Home at East Lake, while the other for negroes is located at Speigner's farm The object of the law, he explained. was to keep the youths out of the criminal 1ails. He also added that all mayors courts are legally juvenile courts and come under the rule.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01

Greene, lis corrOboratiVe evidence of my assertion that the agitation for removal is purely local. He mentions the con gregaton of Father Coyle and of the First Presbyterian church, but he must remember that the jail was where it now is before either of those churches were built. The churches came to the jail; l; the jail did not go to the churches
 My interest in this matter is not at all personal l went before the Board of Revenue because I thought that both sides of the question should be presented. l think 1t will be a great disadvantage to the county to have the jail removed It will retard the work of the courts and will add enormous expense on the coun- ty. The jail has been where it is for many years. All the property which has built up around it was built with the full knowledge of it's location and in the face of the fact that there was no likelihood of it's removal
 "I asked the Boasd of Revenue noe to submit the question to the voters of the county because l believed there was not enough general interest in the question to justify such action. The only obtec- tion to the jails remaining in it's pres ent location seems to come from purely local interests. It is not pleasant to live dn the vicinity of a jail, l know, but in densely populated district like this, which is growing all the time, somebody has to live In the vicinity of 1t and l see no reason why 1t should be fosted on some other community because some peo- pie have moved near the present jail vol untarly and of their own accord and now seemingly seek to get rid of a bad bargain which they have made for them selves.
 q shall continue to advocate non-re- moval of the jail. I have no personal in- terest but l believe that the whole coun- ty will be better served by allowing it to 1 remain where it has been for these many years. Of course we have to have a new Jail and more court room. That must be worked out by the architects I have not thought of any special design for this structure. but We must have a new one, even if it has to be as Dr. Stagg re- marked to me tonight, "A Pittsburg dream jail such as was pictured in The Age-Herald last week. !"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
ROBINSON ON TRIAL
 IN CRIMINAL COURT
Charged With the Murder of Police. man Wm. J. Thompson at South
 side City Jail.

A big crowd of spectators was present In the criminal court yesterday during the trial of H. S. Robinson, charged with the murder of William J. Thompson. A number of ladies, relatives of the de- ceased and the defendant, were present inside the bar, and followed the case with keen interest
 From the evidence of the state wit nesses it was shown that the deceased was a police officer of the city of Br- mingham and the defendant WAS q guard over the city prisoners; that on the morn- ing before the killing the deceased and the defendant had a dispute at the southside jail and that on the morning of the killing the trouble was renewed at the same place.
 R. B. Lewis testified that he was a member of the city fire department and was stationed at the Ninetesl.a street station; that he was present at the time of the tragedy. but could not well de- scribe how it happened.
 Pete Turney testified that he saw Rob- inson with a pistol in his hand and ;hat Thompson reached towards his pocket for his pistol; that Robinson fired and a. few seconds later fired again, after which Thompson fell.
 Reuben Morris testified .hat ne was standing a few feet away as the time; did not see the first shot fired, heard it and looked toward the men; saw Robin son walking backwards away from Thompson who followed him: saw Thomp- son trying to reach for his pistol; saw Robinson fire the second shot and then grabbed 'Robinsons hand and took the pistol from him.
 On cross-examination witness stated that when Robinson was backing away from Thompson they were only four feet apart He did not see any pistol with Thompson.
 pr. B. G. Copeland and Dr. oscar Hayes testified to the nature of the wounds and their location
 Several witnesses were examined by the state which rested its case at o'clock yesterday afternoon. It is probable the case will occupy today and tomorrow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
AUTOMOBILE CAUSED
 THE BIGGEST FIRE
PROPERTY DESTROYED DURING APRIL AMOUNTED TO BUT s7ooo. FlFTY-FivE ALARMS TURNED IN DURING THE MONTH.

The destruction of John Whitfield's au- tomobile was the largest fire in Birming- ham last month. This is quite a peculiar record for the fire department. It will be remembered that MT. Whitfeld's auto house and the machine burned up near the first of April, at loss of about $35O0.
 The next largest fire during April was that in the old O'Brlen rooming house on the corner of Eighteenth street and First avenue, amounting to about S15OO. All of the others were simple roof blazes and negro cottages. The fire requiring the hardest fighting was that when the water supply was off on account of a broken water main. and three negro houses were destroyed.
 There were fifty-five alarms last month many of which were false and the esti- mated loss amounts to about s7000, which is exceptionally low.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
MORRIS HOTEL WAS
 CLOSED LAST NIGHT
Deserted for the First Time in
 Eighteen Years
CLIFFORD LEASE EXPIRES
Understood That pr. Griel, the New Owner, Will Make Some Extensive Alterations on the Building
 In the Near Future.

For the first time in eighteen years the Morris hotel, once the most important hotel ir Birmingham, will close it's doors. and today all the lodgers will pack up and move, while out-of-town visitors ae- eustomed to put up at this hotel will be turned away. The Cliffords, who have had the hotel leased for the past year or more. will today turn the property over to the owner, pr. S. J. Griel of Montgomery.
 The Morris hotel really shut up shop last night at midnight, for at that time ended all contracts with employees and no business was transacted nor guests admitted after that hour. The plans of the Clffords are not known, but 1t is understood that MT Clifford and all his family except Bert, his son who is one of the lessees of the hotel will take trip to Europe The son. 1t is said, will remain here to look after some property and business affairs
 number of business men have vis- tied Birmingham and looked over the Morris hotel property since the an- nouncement was made that the Cliffords would surrender their lease on May 1, but so far as known no one has under taken to continue the operation of the hotel and the property will remain idle until the owner makes some disposal of have the building remodeled at an early date, either as a hotel or an office build ing. The building is very substantially constructed, but, of course, on rather old-fashioned lines, yet with certain changes can readily be made fit for either hotel or office purposes.
 With the existing conditions among the hotels of Birmingham the closing of the Morris hotel will be loss keenly felt, as it is a well known fact that all the hotels of the city are crowded to their capacity nearly every day in the week. and for a whole month it has been al- most impossible for a travelling man to get a room at the leading hotels after 9 o'clock at night.
 More good hotels are needed here and this encourages the general belief that tho Morris hotel property will not re- main idle long but will soon be remod- eled and put in frst-class shape as an up-to-date hotel
 J. R. Breast who has been day clerk at the Morris for some time, announced last night that he would leave at once for Tennessee to assume charge of the hotel and cottages at Eastbrook Springs, fourteen miles north of Tullahoma. MT. Breast has lately purchased this proper ty, which, in addition to the hotel and co..ages, includes 400 acres of land upon which are located seven mineral springs.
 E. Denio, the night clerk at the Morris, will take a similar position with the Birmingham hotel beginning today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
INSISTS ON BEING
 PLACED IN JAIL
NEGRO WOMAN GIVES HERSELF UP AND SAYS THAT SHE KILLED A WOMAN SUNDAY MORNING WITH A RAZOR.

''I come to give up." said Ella Mont gomery, negro woman, as she entered the wardens office at the city jail last night. q killed a woman, and I want you to lock me up.'
 When questioned it was found that Ella is the woman who cut another last Sunday morning over the Johnson saloon. The injured woman was found and car ried to the Hlllman hospital. Ella heard yesterday that her victim was dead, and hurried to give herself up
 However, the worden investigated and found that the woman was not dead but had gone home from the hospital with every chance to recover. Ella seemed quite relieved at the news. but insisted that she be locked up, so the warden placed charge of assault and battery against her. This was case of break ing into jail.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
MOTORMAN HURT BY
 ELECTRIC FLAMES
Has Face Severely Burned When the Controller Burns Out On a North
 Ensley Car.

E. C. Young, a motorman of the Bir. mngham Railway, Light and Power com pany, was painfully injured yesterday aft ernoon when a controller burned out on the North Ensley car.
 At Eighteenth street and Eighth ave- nue flames suddenly burst from the con troller, burning a large hole through a sheet of iron in a minute, while the ex- plosion shocked the whole car and knock ed the motorman into the street His face was seriously burned. but otherwise he was only shocked. Shaw's ambulance answered the call and carried the injured man to St. Nincent's hospital.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
Charged With Copper Thefts.

Judge Feagin yesterday bound over to the criminal court Raphael Wax, Jew, charged with burglary and grand larceny He is alleged to have been stealing brass and copper wire from the Birmingham Railway, Light and Pawer company. Two little negro boys, accompices, were first arrested. and they implicated Wax.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
DR. STAGG PARTLY ATTACLS
 THE VIEWS OF JUDGE D.
 X. GREENE ON JAIL QUESTION
tCoNTINUED FROM FACE 5o

march out every day. l think the man who made the syllogism would admit that much. l myself have seen as many as thirty prisoners being carried away from Jefferson county jail, and I thought that the influence of the public morals was just about the same as if the same num- Der were being taken into the old jail, instead of being taken out of it.
 My friend said further: But do you know that the most impressive thing to me, was neither the eloquence that the judge did not use, nor the convincing facts of which he forgot all about while he was speaking before the board, inn pressed me near so much as this great number of criminals who appear before the tribunal of justice in our county, and l have got a sneaking notion that there is something rotten in Denmark"
 T said to my friend: I hope you won't mention that because the preachers of Jefferson county have lately come into possession of some facts that are go- ing to give them the finest opportunity of making a fool of themselves, since the days when Birmingham was a vil lage.
 q asked my friend: What do you think of the decision of the board to let the people have a say SO?
 "1ie replied: I think that was very wise. The people less frequently err than do those who handle matters close at hand. For instance. it has taken the preachers a long time to learn that they are not infallible-they kept telling the world that they alone could handle the scriptures, until one day the world said, You don't know what you are talking about" and there was the biggest fuss the world ever saw over the Bible. Some times people hesitate to be governed by the opinions of sheriffs and criminal judges. about criminals And it has been the case in many cities that the people have gotten up and walked out of town with the old jail and sometimes they have walked around the corner with it, and sometimes they have walked a mile away with it. But do you know that the judge misrepresented you, when he said you advocated putting the jail on Red Mountain or Fairview or anywhere else. More than that did it ever occur to you that this First Presbyterian church could get along without you. and that the crim- inal court could get along without Judge Greene?'
 But I said: Wait awhile, you don't mean to tell me that that could be in the next fifty years?
 My friend hit his stick on the floor and said;
 ".Yes. sir; it can be done today.-but I'll tell you one thing that can not be done-neither Jefferson county nor the city of Birmingham can get along with the old jail in its present shape and on its present site If old Cato were in Bir- mingham, his saying would be: ''rhe jail must be moved whether you preach at the Presbyterian church or Judge Greene rules in the criminal court, or whether both of you go out of town, to md the philosophy in the old saying:
 .'That what goes up must come down,
 Either on the head or on the
 ground. ""
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
Chancery Court.

In the chancery court yesterday Chan cellor Benners rendered the following decrees:
 J. R. Vim vs. w. W. Garrett, decree declaring defendants pleas insufficient and overrulng same. demurrer to amended complaint overruled, defendant allowed twenty days to file answer.
 Phare Brothers vs. Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company, demurrer to complaint overrruled, defendant al- lowed twenty days to file answer
 M. Spragner ct al. vs. King Lumber company, demurrer to complaint over ruled, defendant allowed twenty days to file answer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5.) ments they have been crying for. It looks like near-sightedness.
 That they should not only have taken in Elyton, but incorporated everything in reach, I consider an outrage. As 1t now stands the ends of the whole Greater Birmingham movement are indefinitely delayed"
 May Not Hold Water.
 Several prominent lawyers, including a legislator were of the opinion that the recent action of Elyton voters will not hold water. They say Elyton was in- corporated years ago. when it was the county seat, and the old limits still exist, and that the property taken in by the line just voted upon is not a legal part of Elyton.
 This will raise quite a good deal of dis cusslon and may bring the matter into the courts Just what the procedure will be is not determined
 So far as Green Springs is concerned Birmingham will not be forced to pay taxes on the property. Mayor Ward said yesterday that municipalities do not have to pay any taxes whatever. He is also of the opinion that should the new towns overload themselves with bonds they will never get into Birmingham, even should they repent.
 Among the visitors to the baseball park the proposition is receiving considerable attention. They joke over being arrested t-t... .l.I.. an umpire. and do not like the idea of visiting another town to witness Birming- hams baseball team play.
 Graymont In Same Boat.
 Col. T. o. Smith, a resident of the new ly incorporated Greymont. which took ac- ton similar to that or Eiyton, is of the opinion that Elyton has done what was for her own best interests,
 We did not object to coming into Bir- mngham," he said. but we objected to the manner and restrictions which Bir- mingham proposed. Why should we be forced to come into Birmingham and pay city taxes on immense acreage which is bringing no revenue to the owners? Is it not likely that the city taxes collected from us would have been used in making municipal Improvements in some other portion of this great city
 If we must pay city taxes we want to know that the money Is to be spent in Improvements in our section. Elyton feels the same way There is a great deal or improvement work to be done in the ter ritory taken in by Elyton and l do not blamc the residents for taking such ac- ton as will insure them that their money will be spent at home.
 "lt is after all a purely business propo- sition'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
RECORD OF THE COURTS.

The dull monotony of the courts was stirred up into a state of commotion yes terday when Mrs McPeeters, the plain tiff in a suit against the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, on trial in the circuit court before Judge Lane, swooned and fell to the floor after leaving the witness stand.
 Mrs McPeeters is an elderly lady who alleged in her complaint that she had received internal injuries while a pas senger on street car. After being re- moved from the court room in an uncon- scious condition, consultation was held between the attorneys. resulting in consent Judgment for $2600.
 Little progress was made in the trial of w. II. MacAfee, assignee. vs. Atlanta and Birmingham, Seaboard Air Line Rail- way company, on trial in the circuit court before Judge Coleman. A recess was taken at Il o'clock to allow Walker Percy to attend the federal court where he was subpoenaed as a witness in the Chisolm case. When court convened in the afternoon Horace Graham of Phila- delphia was called to the witness stand. It is expected that both sides will agree to what MT. Graham will testify. as he is the attorney who prepared the con- tracts between the railroad company and the contractors.
 In the circuit court. before Judge Lane. the jury in the case of Annie l.. Howle vs. Western Union Telegraph company returned verdict for s275. David Ross Kind vs. Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company; dis missed
 A judgment by consent for S250 was ren- Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company.
 The following suits against the Ala bama Steel and Wire company were dis missed by the plaintiffs: Jim Johnson. pro ami; Walter Johnson, pro ami; Jeff Rhodes, pro ami and Joe Crawford, pro ami.
 The case of Mary J, Rabitte vs Ala bama Great Southern Railroad company was commenced yesterday afternoon.
 judgment for s756O was rendered in the case of G. G. Alexander vs. Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad company.
 Circuit Court Docket. The following docket is set for trial in the circuit court today; White Swan Laundry company vs. Joe Neal, garnshment; Marion Hardy, pro ami. vs. T. A. Mclaughlin, dama ges: Carl Roegner vs, City of Avondale ct al, damages; Carl Roegner vs. w. R. Star buch ct all, damages; M. H. Turtle vs. J OfCa. bany vs. Kansas City, Memphis and Bir- mingham Railroad company, damages; Claude H. Everett vs. Kansas City, Mem phis and Birmingham Railroad company damages; J. w. Dement, vs. Birmingham Mineral Railroad company, damages; NJ. M Given vs City of Birmingham, dam ages; NJ. M. Given vs. City of Bessemer, damages.
 City Court.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
Doc Held for Owner.

rested a fine pointer dog which is being held for the owner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01

Try the oawk for haif-tone and lIno IustratIons. Aae-HeFaId aulldInA i,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
Judoe oreene's Statement.

When seen last night Judge Greene said that he had been too busy to give the letter of Dr. Stagg the attention it deserved but that he was unshaken in his former opinion that the county jail should not be removed from it's present site.
 ''Dr. Stagg's letter" said Judge
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
City Court.

In the first division of the city court yesterday, before Judge Sharpe, the case of Motion McWhorter vs. Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company was on trial and has not concluded.
 The following docket is set for trial in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01

the first division of the city court today:
 Augusta Jenkins vs. the Cable company, damages; Eugene Little vs. Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, dam ages; G. T. Carpenter vs. Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company. damages; James Hutchins vs. Birmlng- ham Railway. Light and Power company, damages; F. Basenberg, transferee. vs. l.. M Lawrence, appeal; C. Huffstutler vs. N l. Thomnson damages
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
Criminal Court.

In the first division of the criminal court yesterday the case of H. S. Robin son. charged with the murder of Police man William J. Thompson was on trial. The state rested it's case at adjournment time. The defense will begin this morn-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01

The following docket is set in the fourth division of the city court today:
 First National bank vs. Railroad Com- press company, Berney National bank ct al, William L. Little vs. R. D. John ston, H. M. Harton, w. J. Gilmore ct al, Lizzie Harris vs. Howard Harris, Jennie Brown vs. John Brown, Ella Washington vs. George Washington, Polly Harper vs. William Harper.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
ELYTON'S JOKE IS SUBJECT
 OF GOSSIP ON TIRE CURBSTONES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-01
City Chancery Division.

In the fourth division of the city court yesterday, Judge Senn rendered the fol- lowing decrees in chancery cases: Carrie Tate vs. John M. Tate, decree pro confesso.
 Coal City Coal and Coke company vs. Alabama National bank, decree allowing plaintiff to amend original bill.
 A. B. Vandergrift ct al. vs. Three Rivers Iron company, decree sustaining demur- Ter.
 murrer to cross bill overruled The following cases were dismissed: Mollie Byrd vs. William Byrd, P. U. Me- Cary vs. William Gilbert, F. Linberger ys. Alice Linberger.
 City Chancery Docket.
 The following docket is set in the