davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
All crazy men are conceited.
LEGENDS OF THE NAvAJoEs.

From the San Francisco Chronicle.
 Although the Navajo reservation ad- joins the Mesa Verde National park, where so many cliff dweller ruins are found. 1t is with difficulty that a Navajo can be induced to act as a guide to the ruins When one is found willing 70 show the way he cannot be induced to remain in the immediate vicinity, and when night comes on he moves miles away.
 A curious tradition, and one accounting perhaps for their abhorrence of the cliff dweller region, is that ages ago, when the cliff dwelers and their enemies were engaged in an exterminating warfare, the corner wee finally driven into mighty river, and, drownin, the souls of tho cliff dwellers were transmitted into the bodies of fishes. And from that time to this a Navajo cannot be induced to eat fish.
 Another legend no less curious, relates to the Ship Rock. About 35 miles due west from Pennington, N. M, and with in the borders of their reservation, sit uated in the midst of the desert, stands a
  looms to the height of 20o0 feet above the surrounding plain. It rises from the cen ter of an immense and gradually slopiag mound, which gives it a towering ap- pearance and its outlines can be seen for many miles in various directions.
 The rock derives its name from its ap- pearance when seen from a certain di- lection, whence it resembles full-rigged ship, stranded and petrified. The Indian legend Is that in the dim and misty past they had their habitation in a distant land beyond the great ocean, and that the rock was situated in their ancient coun- try. Once upon a time the tribe being closely pressed by it's enemies, and m danger of total annihlation, the survi- vors climbed into the cracks and crevices of the great rock and mplored it for protection. The applications were heard and shortly the rock began to move. It crossed innumerable wastes, gradually reached the ocean, which 1t crossed, traversed more wastes and deserts and finally arrived at it's present resting place, when the refugees sprang from it's bosom. Thus, the tribe remained upon the face of the earth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12

tions are upheld at harvest time, Rye and barley are also promising. The government report on June is we'll nigh conclusive evidence that the country is to be blessed with great food crops-possibly with record crops in wheat, oats, rye and barley. These are our chief food crops, and the only missing member is corn. The outcome of the corn crop, especially in the great surplus states, remains to be reported. The weather that has brought within sight and reasonable assurance the other food crops surely must have given the corn crop a good send-off
 These crops are filling the country with hope and confidence today. Noth- ing so readily and thoroughly dispels Eiliousness and blues as great crops crops that fill the pockets of producers, keep the wheels of the railroad a-mov- ing, meet the cravings of the hungry, and go i.4 part to maintain favorable balance in our expor. trade.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12

primitive but absorbing. Possibly they would all be considered the A, B, c, n New York, out l like those blue lights and the electrical whzz -and-click en- frances one. I love to see a perfect gen. tleman charged" and ready to accom- Ilish all sorts of electrical edals. This may be q primitive taste. but don't you think that sort of thing in a vawder- vile house is better than a boiled-down version of Camille played by Miss So- in-So, formerly of -and-Such theatre tand sorry that she isn't "of it'' still.)
 The show of the Circus Carre was thor oughgoing, seaworthy vaudeville, every act fresh from the can and well served, ss good for Jersey City as for Amster- dam, and as characteristic of Holland of U. S. A. The audience widowed in It. They didn't take it as ravenously as at the Flora-being of a more sophisticated Caliber-but they were easily and fre- quently pleased. They took their stimu- lants in the theatre buffet, and a kindly management gave them plenty of time for that pursuit. Tke buffet was at least third of the show
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
Way Down South In Dixie

The New York World is right when 1t says concerning; the famous song of the south:
 In thinking that the old words-"cinna- mon seed and sandy bottom and the rest are not good enough, the ladies are mis. taken. What set "Dixie" going, what made Lincoln call it the best song of the war, what makes New Yorks theatre and restaurant audiences thrill with it, though they may never have been further south than Atlantic City, is it's spirit. The words have "go.' By the memory of the lips that have sung them they should be pro- tected from change. Only so can the song retain it's history and it's sentiment
 Tie Dixie" of the sixties should not be changed either in word or note. What was good and inspiring through cut the bravest war of all times is bet ter now, for every word and every note in it is full Of memories dear to every southern heart. No, the old song must Lot be changed. It is popular in every section of the country now, and the time may come when 1t will be reeog- nized as the national ballad.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
Condition of Wheat and Oats

Men and horses are to have enough to eat in the coming year. This is well assured by the government crop report just issued showing the condition of the wheat and oats fields on June 1. Vine indicated winter wheat crop is 43,290,O00 bushels; of spring wheat, g93, ,9S0;00O bushels-total indicated wheat crop, 737,27O, ,OOO bushels! The harvest of 1901 alone exceeded the prospect O. the present year, and favor able weather can readily make the growing crop the largest ever known hl the agricultural story of the country.
 A bumper crop of oats is also indi. cated, the outturn being put at 1,009,- 444GO0 bushels. Never before has pats crossed the billion-bushel line, always assuming that present indica.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
Praise for Floral Parade.

q have lived in Washington, D. C., Tor 26 years, and during that time have seen the great majority of big parades in the Capital City, and quite a number of the great showings in other large eastern cities, but l have never seen anything that surpassed the floral parade which witnessed on the streets of Birmingham Wednesday," said D. c. Grayson of Washington yesterday.
 Birmingham really and truly did her self proud in the effort on the floral parade given for the entertainment of the veterans There was not carriage or vehicle of any kind in the line that was not complete in it's beauty and the num- Der of entries was q real credit to your city.
 T should have dsliked to act as judge to award the prizes. All of the carriages and automobiles were so artistlcally dec orated that it must have been a great task for the judges to decide on which were entitled ot the prizes.
 'I think that Birmingham is n great city, indeed, and she has by no means reached her zenith. Of all cities in the southland I believe that your city has the brightest prospect for the future
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
THE PAY OF BANK CLERKS.

From the New York World.
 The suicide of bank teller who stole to support his family in what he regard- ed as appropriate style brings up an old question anew. Is clerical labor of the higher routine kind adequately com- pensated? The fact that the bank em- ployee referred to was a model husband and father enlists for him a sympathy denied the defaulter who leads double life or steals to meet gambling losses.
 But is $15OO a year a sufficient salary for a man in a position of trust calling for considerable intelligence, and great fidelity, while requiring by the unwrit- ten law for this kind of employment certain scale of living?
 Printers, plasters, bricklayers and iron workers earn as much for labor demand ing skill without responsibility, but ex- acting physical qualifications not required Of the clerk. Trade workers, moreover, are under no necessity of keeping up appear ances." They are not subject to the hun dred little temptations to social extrava- gance which beset the clerk.
 The question of the adequacy of the bank employees salary thus becomes one of social conditions. If he is willing to ac- cept the trade workers standard of living his remuneration will appear to compare rayorably with that received by skilled mechanical labor. If 1t is assumed that clerical labor entails the obligation Of maintaining a social position the banR clerk is undoubtedly underpald
 To what extent, if any, it becomes in- cumbent on the employer of clerical sal aries in excess of the current rate IS a matter of interesting speculation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
Veterans First and Foremost

The glorious feature of the Eigh- teenth Reunion. which is now history. was the generous attendance of the veterans themselves. Men who have attended all the reunions declare that with one singl3 exception the attend ance of veterans in tke reunion just ended was the very largest of the en- tire series. The Richmond reunion of last year did exceed the Birmingham event in that all-inportant respect The unvoiling of statue to the memory of Jefferson Davis in the old-time capital of the Confederacy naturally drew out 8 vast number of veterans. Birming- hams centrality attracted nearly as many. Greater numbers filled the strees of Louisville and New Orleans, hut in those numbers were not so many veterans as came to this city this week. This is indeed the browning glory of any reunion, for primarily this great annual southern event was plan ned to brighten their last days, and any reunion that does not keep them in view first, last and all the time is l failure, no matter how glittering it may be otherwise.
 This should be borne in mind at Memphis, where the next reunion is to be held. That city is centrally located also, and it will surely be asked to en. certain 50,00O visitors, possibly 750OO In those numbers will be from 10000 to 12,000 veterans, and to properly en- tertain such numbers s25,O0O will bare- ly suffice. Twice that amount would be none too much. But whatever the available amount may be, large slice of it should be devoted to the care and entertainment of the veterans. With the passing years they will need addi- tional care, and our sister city will do well to make it's plans for housing and feeding the veterans known at an early day throughout the states that joined the Confederacy.
 The veterans, in other words, are the pith and point of any reunion It was so at Richmond last year; it was so in the reunion just ended in this city, and it shoul be even more so in the Nineteenth reunion to be held next year in Memphis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
LEPERS PATHETIC APPEAL.


 There is indeed a touch of pathos in the small paragraph that crept into the news paper dispatches few days ago announce ing that the leper settlement on Molokai Island, in the Hawaiian group, has peti- toned the government to let the battle ship fleet sail close enough that they might see it, as these afflicted persons are not allowed to leave their island. It Is to be hoped that the government can grant this request. Those of us who are free to pass here and there in the world cannot well realize what it must mean to .hese people who are lmitcd to a Pacific island to live out their days without sec ing anything of what is going on in the world There they must wait, wait for the end wrought by a terrible disease. Uncle Samsean afford to burn much money in firing salutes, etc. Let him. even if it will cost something extra, grant the ap- peal to the lepers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
Things At Chicago Cut and Dried

The millionaire Senator and Roose- welt boomer from Oregon, Mr Bourne, is not disheartened in the least by the grists of Taft delegates turned out daily by the national committee, for he cries out this week, as follows:
 This country must be sleeping, otherwise I cannot explain why it is not preparing to utilize the greatest asset it has. The returns from Chicago make no difference. The prospects are just as encouraging that Roosevelts name will be substituted for that of Taft. Just wait.
 Well, we will not have to wait long, for on Tuesday next the national pow WOW of the republicans will be con vened in Chicago. The faithful are rurrying thither this very moment, and national committee is commission ing Taft delegates by the dozen every decided to seat IT Taft delegates, thus giving the rotund war secretary 504 delegates out of total of 9S0. Any more would be superfiuous. And yet the remarkable MT Bourne continues to predict Roosevelt landslide. Either the delegates have two sets of convic- tons and instructions, or else the Ore gon Senator is talking through his hat"
 The remarkable pre-convention fea- ture of the Chicago gathering is the absence-almost total absence-of any popular enthusiasm for the aspirant who plainly has secured a majority of the delegates. And no one outside of seems to care what the platform con tains. MT. Taft will fight in the open for Rooseveltian policies, and under ground he seems to be holding out diff ferent proposals, for all the trusts and magnates are lining up behind him. To the last one of the list the trusts favor him as much as they stand ready to denounce either Bryan or Roosevelt.
 The tariff plank will be model of trimming between the Many and the Few, and all can rest assured that the election of Taft means the maintenance ill all essential respects of Dingleyism. It meant that in seven years of Theo- core Roosevelt, who came to power an outspoken revisionist, history will re- peat itself if the favorite of the trusts is elected.
 The entire business at Chicago is readily forecasted, the nomination of T vice-president alone excepted. The air is full of mentions" but the fel- lows of the hour are chiefly popular joxes. No one can forecast with any degree of assurance the Taft running mate. He will be man who can se- cure either votes or dollars or both. All else is practically determined and settled, even clinched and cinched.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
Deed of s.iIl and vaIor.

Capt J. w. Wilcox of Macon, Ga, now at the head of the Department of Eastern Georgia United Confederate Veterans, was a comrade of Maj. A. de Valcourt in the famous Washington battery of New Orleans.
 "In 1863, at Bermuda Hundred, near Petersburg, Va. the Confederate infantry made a dash against Ben Buffers artil- lery and captured some of his guns, said Captain Wilcox. "Then it was that young de Valcourt of the Washington battery performed a deed of wonderful skill and bravery. A Yankee gun that had fallen to one side was pointed toward Artillery man de Valcourt, who rushed up to the cannon, and, unaided, turned it around, loaded it and nred it on the enemy. It seemed almost superhuman. General Course, who was in command of the Con- federatae forces, rode up and asked who the young artillerman was. When he learned his name he said, For that he- roc deed I will make him a captain -
 Captain Wilcox said he was delighted with the Birmingham reunion. ''I have attended many of the reunions, but missed the one held in Richmond last year." he marked q can say this, however: With the exception of the New Orleans re- union this has been the best that I re- call.
 T have been especially struck with the spontaneous demonstration of the crowds of spectators massed on the streets to witness the parade. In Louisville we had a fine parade and the crowd was large but the people were undemonstratiye They looked, in fact, as if they were view ing a funeral procession. The Birning- ham crowd has been truly southern. The reunion has been a splendid success in every respect"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
The Former Reunion.

We have been accustomed to speak ot the reunion of 1894 as one of the largest ever held" said D. B. Grace. 'I thought it would be hard to duplicate it. But the reunion of this week has thrown the for- mer event far in the shade. Not only has this crowd been a record-breaker, but all the features of the reunion have exceed ed the highest expectations. Birmingham has risen to the occasion and the brilliant .srccess of the reunion has been nothing short of revelation.
 It is an interesting fact that Capt. H. ]. McCrossin, the chief marshal of the I arade, filled the same position IA years ago. He distinguished himself in 1894 and he seemed to have been equally success sul in marshaling the forces this time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Deaf Mute Among Veterans.

Among the interesting characters at the reunion was James H. Jernlgan, who is superintendent of the leather working department of the Louisiana school for the deaf at Baton Rouge. MT Jernigan has the reputation of being the only deaf mute who served in the ranks on either side during the four years of the civil war. He was educated at the Geor- ga school for the deaf at Cave Hill, where he finished in 1S56 He enlisted at Talladega, Ala, in the ffty-eighth Ala bama infantry He was shown around in Birmingham by ". O. Connor, himself q veteran, who has been at the head of the Georgia school for the dead for 40 years. MT. Jernigan IS hale and bears his TO years well.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
General cas.leman's Comments.

Maj Gen T. w. Castleman, command ing the Missouri division of United Con federate Veterans, was enthusiastic over the reception given the veterans by Bir- mingham For a city of your size and age, l consider it marvellous. No better entertainment has ever been given us' and the whole programme has gone or without a hitch.
 For the Louisiana division l wish to offer our heartfelt thanks for the many llindnesses you have extended us. Our stay in your midst has been continual holiday, and the kindly manner in which you have cared for every detail is sure to bring you a reward.
 ''The plans as carried out at Hotel Cor don were admirable, unequaled by the eff forts of any other city. Your small audi torium is the one small flaw of the re- union.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
LINES TO A SKELETON.
Anonymous

Anonymous.
 Behold this rumi Iris skull, Once of ethereal spirit full. This narrow cell was life's retreat, This space was thoughts mysterious What beauteous visions thronged this
 spot! What dreams of pleasure long forgot! Nor hope, nor joy, nor love, nor fear, Have left one trace or record here. Beneath this mouldering canopy Once shone theb right and busy eye; But start not at the dismal void; If social love that eye employed If with no lawless fire it gleamed, But through the dew of Kindness
 beamed-
 That eye shall be forever bright, When stars and sun are sunk in night. Within this hollow cavern hung The ready swift and tuneful tongue. If falsehood's honey 1t disdained, And when it could not praise was
 chained;
 If bold in virtues cause it spoke, Yet gentle concord never broke, This silent tongue shall plead for thee When time unveils eternity. Say, did these fingers delve the mine? Or with its envied rubies shine? To hew the rock or wear the gem But little now avails to them. But if the page of truth they sought, Or comfort to the mourner brought, These hands richer need shall claim Than all that waits on wealth and fame. Avails it whether bare or shod, These feet the paths of duty trod? , If from the halls of ease they fled TO seek afflctions humble shed; If grandeur's guilty brbe they spurncd And home to virtues cot returned, These feet with angels wings shall vie, And tread the palace of the sky.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
Congressman HefIin.

'It has been a grand reunion," said Congressman J. Thomas Heflin last night. "The parade was remarkable both in point of numbers and stirring features, and was wonderfully inspiring.
 Birmingham has indeed distinguished itself I have talked with scores of the visitors and have heard only words of praise for Birmingham. I have never known such unanimous verdict in favor of any community. The way Birmingham has cared for this immense crowd has been most remarkable. It has, in -hor., achieved a triumph of which every Alabamian must, feel proud"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
OUT OF THE ORDINARY.

OUT OF THE ORDINARY. He crossed the sea a dozen times, Saw many lands afar; He travelled from the frigid climes To woo the southern star. He visited the Caucasus,
 Spent SIX months in Thibet; Through China which is populous, He drove a wagonette. He made the trip from New York town To the Antipodes, Saw people white and black and brown And pine and sandal trees. He trotted round this earthly ball. North, south and east and west, Observing cities large and small, From Butte to Budapest. But what I started out to say
 I'm sure you'll think it strange, Forsooth, unlike most peoples way And not of common range Is that my friend, who liked to roam As mortals seldom do, Made no attempt when he came home To tell how much he knew.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
Prosoerous BIount.

"The growing cotton crop in Blount county is in fine condition" said M. '. Algood of Oneonta, who has been at- tending the reunion. "There has been too much rain, but recently the weather has Teen all that could be desired. Our farm CTS are in excellent spirits and business at Oneonta is prosperous.
 ''Blount county has been well repre- sented at the reunion and every body is enthusiastic over its splendid success"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
Forming Currency Associations

The national banks in New York city have taken steps to organize a cur rency association under the terms of the Aldrich-Vreeiand bill. They see DO emergency coming, but they do not propose to be caught mapping during the six-year term of the bill. By form ing an association they would be in position to secure 75 per cent of emer- gency circulation on deposits of com mercial paper and the like. All banks go loaded up with commercial paper, whereas few if any of them carry large quantities of state, county or city bonds.
 Ten banks, each possessing capital of S5OO,O00, can in contiguous territory form an association. The Alabama and Georgia banks could form one, and possibly the Alabama and Mississippi banks could perhaps organize an asso- citation. The spirit of compliance with the law, with all its defects on its head, would seem to dictate the organ ization of an association which could sleep in abeyance until an emergency arose. One is not due in the life of the bill six years, but this is not per haps a prudent reason for refusing to organize against the possible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
Amonq the Greatest.

T have attended the last 14 annual reunions of the veterans" said w. 0. Connor, principal of the Georgia school for the deaf of Cave Spring, and Bir- mingham has treated us gloriously At one reunion Tn New Orleans there were more veterans in line, but with that ex- ception Birminghams attendance leads them all. We have been delightfully."- sur prised at the manner in which Birmlng- ham has arisen to the occasion
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-12
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
Trom the New York Press,

From the New York Press.
 woman's idea of reckless extrav- agance is for man to do something that he can really enjoy.
 The trouble with caution Is 1t keeps you out of things you ought to be in and in things you ought to get out of
 The reason brains would be bad thing for women is then they wouldn't have any better judgment than men.
 The thing that makes a man brag about being an amateur gardener in the country is he knows none of his friends can never be induced to go out there and see it