davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24
FIRST DEMONSTRATIONS MADE
 FOR AMERICAN MINING CON- CRESS-PRACTIc TESTS BY
 EXPERTS HIGHLY INSTRUCTIVE.

One after the most interesting fea- lures of the sessions of the mining con gress at Pittsburg was the dedication of the government plant for testing ex- plosives. Congress appropriated $15O,OOO for it's establishment and beginning oper- ations December 3.
 After the dedicatory exercises several tests were made in the different depart- ments The first was gas and dust test in a big steel gallery. It involved six -tenths of so-called safaty powder stemmed with one pound of dry fire clay in the presence of 20 pounds of bituminous coal dust GOO mesh fine). The dust was placed on shelves inside the Imine or gallery in imitation of actual mine con- ditions. The charse was exploded Gas in the case when in actual operation the coal is blown down), but the coal dust did not ignite And there was no general explosion. This was a favorable showing
 Test No. was a gas and dust gallery explosion. It showed the effect of an elec- tric arc of 240 volts D. c. on mix ture of gas and air containing per cent of methane and ethane.
 The mixture ignited and thus under the
 
 Test No. was pulled off with the aid of cannon swung pendulum fash ion. One and one-tenth pounds of black blasting powder was used- When fired the cannon swung back 353 inches, show ing the powder charge to be more dis ruptive.
 Test No. was another gas and dust gallery explosion. One and one-tenth pounds of black blasting powder was used in the presence of 20 pounds of road dust (actual mine dusD not screened. The charge was fired; the gas and coal dust ignited and a terrific explosion followed, flames leaping the length of the mine and the compression blowing back the relief caps. The result showed the combination exceedingly dangerous It was also sure death under real mine conditions, for any miner inside.
 Experts here appeared with the Draeger oxygen appartus, consisting of metal and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
 TESTING PLANT READY

glass hood with chemical chambers strapped about body and air bag.
 Three experts, using the apparatus, di- rectly after the mine explosion rushed amid smoke and vapors to the point of actual explosion, demonstrating what was possible.
 Test No. was a flame test, showing the size of a flame and the length Of period the flame exists when coming from certain so-called safety powders. Noth- ing was proved. It is hoped to find Q powder that will explode so quickly that gas and dust will not have time to ignite.
 Test No. 6 proved that under certain conditions gas and air with the right proportion of methane and ethane may be exploded by electric sparks. This test was made in a gallery.
 Tests Nos. 2 and 9 were gallery tests made in the presence of coal dust and road dust containing moisture. In the first instance 30 per cent moisture was used, in the second 12 per cent. No ex- plosion took place, showing the combina- tions safe, or reasonably so.
 Test No. was to show the effect of emery wheel sparks in a gallery on gas and dust with the usual per cent of methane and ethane. There was no ex- plosion. proving the wheel to be reason ably safe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24

as a permanent system were these: Red Star Coal company, general offices at Birmingham.
 Empire Coal company offices at Bir- mingham.
 Bessemer Coal, Iron and Land company offices at Birmingham.
 Abernant Coal company, offices at Bir- mingham.
 Alabama Fuel and Iron company offices at Birmingham.
 Brilliant Coal company, Birmingham. Galloway Coal company, Birmingham. Barney Coal company, Birmingham. Black Creek Coal company, Nauvoo, Alabama
 Nauvoo Coal company, Nauvoo Black Crow Coal company, Birming- ham.
 Blocton-Cahaba Coal company, Coleanor Cahaba Southern Coal Mining company, Hargrove.
 Central Coal company, Birmingham. Climax Coal company, Maylene. Cordova Coal and Coke company Bir- mingham.
 Crescent Coal company, Birmingham. Pratt Consolidated Coal company Bir- Davis Creek Coal and Coke company, Abernant.
 DeSoto Coal Mining and Development company, Birmingham.
 East Pratt Coal company Birmingham. Eldorado Coal company, Birmingham Export-Pratt Coal company, Birming ham.
 Fairehild Coal and Coke company, In- land Gilreath Coal and Iron company, Bir- mingham-
 Great Elk company, Carbon Hill. Imperial Coal and Coke compa ny, Bir- mingham.
 Lehigh Coal company, Lehgh.
 Little Cahaba Coal company, Piper. Little Warrior Coal and Coke com pany, Birmingham. Mabel Mining company, Warrior.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24
FALLING OFF IN COAL PRoDUc- TON IN ALABAMA FOR 1908 IS
 ATTRIBUTED TO FINANCIAL DE- PRESSioN IN ENTIRE COUNTRY.
By WILLIAM RYAN.

The rate of coal production in Alabama increased from 1,44s.O17 tons (20OO pounds to the tom in 1897 to IA, 424,S63 in 1907
 The figures for 1908 will not be available for compilation until about the middle of January. but State Mine Inspector J. M Gray estimates this years output at about 125oo,Oo0 tons. The falling off is attribut- able chiefly to the industrial depression resulting from the panic of October, 1907 That depression was acute in the early part of the present year and on July l, while the depression was still being felt, the United Mine Workers called a strike in this district which lasted for two months.
 The strike was thoroughly organized, but the operators, with the exception of 10 or F small commercial companies, decided to maintain the open shop principle and continued to operate their mines in the face of intimidation and bloody violence.
 For the first two or three weeks of the strike coal production was naturally cur tailed. However, not only were the fur naces which were running on July 1 kept in blast, but some time before the strike was called off, on September l, several idle stacks were blown in.
 The operators made a plucky fight from the start. It was an earnest and a sue cessful fight in defense of what the op- orators insisted was a great principle, namely, the right of all men who wanted to work to do so without hindrance on the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24
ONE OF THE MEN WHO EARLY POINTED THE WAY TO SUCH MAGNIFICENT ACHIEVEMENTS IN ALABAMA.
By FRANK V. EVANS.

When the coal industry of this district shall have reached that position toward which it is each year rapidly approach ing; when these black diamonds shall have transformed these beds of ores into pig iron, the iron into steel and fin ished products; when the springs of mil- lion watches shall be annually wrought from the heaps of crude stuff which make now these rugged and inexhaustible hills and the fire lights of industry shall be emblazoned upon every section of Ala bamas mineral district; when Birming- ham shall have attained a population of 100000 souls, sustained and supported by a hum of industry made possible by coal so richly possessed as natures gift to this state; then must the historian of the development record the name Of Henry F. DeBardeleben as one of the great pioneers who pointed the way to such magnificent achievement.
 First at Pratt he demonstrated possi- bilities, and never through the vicisstudes of furnace fluctuations and the harsh manner of changes by combination and otherwise has, Mir. DeBardeleben slack ened his energies nor exhausted his wonderful resources for the development of the wealth of this district, which lies in it's coal deposits.
 As a prospector he has always been alert, as developer a marked success, as a wealth producer a benefaetor to his state and people.
 The several years intervening between his retirement from the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company and 1904, MT. DeBardeleben pursued a quiet, unosten- tatious, but not inactive life. He was in search of new fields for increased de- velopment and he found them.
 Tn 1905 Mr.. DeBardeleben with J. M Overton of Louisville and other asso- ciates organized the Alabama Fuel and Steel company, now operating under the title of Alabama Fuel and Iron company, and to the great work of this devel-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24
LIST OF COMMERCIAL COMPANIES JOINED MOVEMENT FOR THE OPEN SHOP DURING STRIKE.

Milner Coal and Railroad company, An niston.
 Red Feather Coal company, Blocton. Samoset Coal company, Samoset.
 Seaboard Coal and Coke company, Coal City.
 Sayre Mining and Manufacturing com- pany, Birmingham.
 Sibley Brothers Coal company, Birming- ham.
 Southern Clay Manufacturing company Chattanooga, Tenn.
 Southern Coal and Coke company, May lene.
 Superior Coal and Coke company, Bir- mingham.
 Stouts Mountain Coal and Coke com pany. Birmingham.
 Walker County Coal company, Birming- ham.
 West Pratt Coal company, Birmingham Yolande Coal and Coke company, Bir- mingham.
 New Connellsvlle Coal and Coke con- pany Birmingham.
 Big Sandy Iron and Steel company (Col w. P. Pinckart, presidenD, Birmingham. Roden Coal company. Birmingham.
 Warrior Pratt Coal company, Porter. Standing together for defense and for promoting a spirit of law and order, the operators effected a permanent organiza- Eon that will, it is believed, be far-reach- inS for good. Certain it is that the big concerns appreciated fully the prompt and earnest cooperation of the smaller oper ators; and they gave them credit for large share in the open shop victory
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24

Birmingham is making 140,000 tons Of pig iron a month, and it did not make more before the panic.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24

All industries connected with iron and steel gravitate this way. The Walker Harbison refractory plant going Up at Wylam is fine example.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
Results by Districts.

So far as known McCracken county
is the only one in the state that went
unanimously for Taft Saturday. There
would have been contest here, as
there was in Galloway, Graves. Car
Isle and Hickman, If there had been
anyone present to contest: but aside
from the employees of Ed p. Franks,
Internal revenue collector, nobody in
Paducah was opposed to Mr.. Taft,
and so when the motion to instruct
that the vote be unanimous. and it
was.
The First district is safely for
Taft. Giving TO Fairbanks half the
Trigg county delegation and all the
uninstructed delegates from Living
ston county and the contesting dele
cation from Galloway. which he
never will get. Taft has so 1-2 of the
.14O delegates carrying credentials
signed by their county chairmen.
These delegations are: Lyon I;
Marshall 3. McCracken "a, Hickman
q, Fulton 6, Carlisle 3. The contests
in Galloway, Hickman and Carlisle
counties have no merit in them and
are part Of Deboe's program to con-
test. where he can't control and trust
10 luck for a division. In Graves
county the county chairman proper
ly called and conducted a convention.
which instructed for Taft. and the
happy rump convention will not be
considered. Most of the Livingston
county delegates are for Taft. and
probably all the uninstructed dele
gates will support Taft.
When the contests are over, at
least. nine county organizations of
the thirteen will be opposed to De-
Doe.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
A SUPPLEMENTAL
ENUMERATION OF
SCHOOL CHILDREN

Superintendent Carnagey, of the
city schools, probably will recommend
to the school board at the next meet
ing that the secretary of the boarG
make comparison between the names
of the children enrolled in the schools
and the lists as returned by the enum-
orators, to determine how many names
have been omitted from the census.
\ preliminary investigation shows
about 2SO names omitted and there
are a number of other cases, where
parents have reported that no enumer-
ator called. The schools lose the per
capita from the state, which amounts
TO about $3.50 for each child of school
age. where the children are not listed
during the month of April, and an APP
peal will be made to the heads of fam
lilies to report at once if they have
been overlooked that a special enum-
orator may be sent and the names
placed on the school lists in regular
form.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
No Demonstration is Likely
and Crowds Are Orderly
Soldiers on Guard.
Commonwealth is Ready For
Trial Tomorrow.
KELSIE KIRK HAS MADE BOND.

Murray. KY, April 27.-(Speclal)
Close to 10 soldiers are stationed
in Galloway county, but they are
gradually sitting into Trigg county, 1t
is believed, and by the time the cir
cult court adjourns none will be left
besides a detail sufficient to protect
witnesses and Jurors from a night
rider attack.
1t Is believed that few or no sol
diers will be in Paducah before May
3 or 10, and possibly a local company
will be organized by that time.
The petit jury was empaneled to-
day to try some small criminal cases,
and the same jurors probably will
serve to try the night rider cases,
tomorrow If they go to trial. The
will be ready.
The recommendation of the COM
Imonwealth's attorney Saturday that
the west side men. who were accused
of night riding, be held under bond
until another grand jury convenes,
was followed by Judge Cook, who en-
tered the order.
Kelsie Kirk gave bond Saturday
night and was released from custody.
This leaves only three men in the
county Jail charged with night rid
ing.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
ACCURATE ESTIMATE OF LOSS OF LIFE
AND DAMAGE In SOUTHERN STATES MADE

peared during Friday afternoon, fur
ther south than either of its predeces-
sors. This was the storm which de-
molished Amite, La, and Purvis,
Mss. towns in which the wreckage
was worst.
Pictures Tell the Story.
Why fatalities were so unusually
large is apparent today from a glance
at photographs which have arrived
here from many portions of the tor
nado belt. They all tell the same
story. Whole blocks of what were
formerly little residences and cabins
lie spread over the ground in separ-
ate boards.
Houses which were thus scattered
about were mostly negro habitations
The homes of the whites held to-
gether better and the photograph
show that many of them with the
upper half of the structure ripped off
but leaving below projections which
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
BANDANA ROBBERY

The detectives and police depart
ment are still quietly investigating tie
robbery of the bank at Bandana last
Thursday and saying nothing. How
ever. the detectives say that nothing
sensational has been discovered. bu:
q little evidence here and there Vas
been pickd up. The case against John
Bulger and Ernest Elmendorf. cha'g-
ed with being common gamblers. who
were arrested Saturday afternoon
were continued in police court this
morning. Detectives maintain their
arrests have nothing to do with The
robbery.
b. II. Hahs, assistant cashier of the
Bandana bank, and one of the Pin
kerton detectives left at noon today
for Marion. where 1t is said that the
detectives have two suspects.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
MRS. PROBUS' FUNERAL

The body of Mrs. J. B.
Probus, wife of Mr.. J. b.
Probus. of Albuquerque. N. NJ,
who died Friday. will arrive tomor-
row morning at 7;4O via. st. Louis
and Cairo Burial will be at Mt.
Kenton, near Lone Oak. The funeral
will be at the residence of Mr.. E. F.
Adams, GA Jackson street. under the
auspices of Ingleside Lodge, 1876, I.
o. o. F. The pail bearers will be
Col. ]. f. Potter, Mr.. w. l.. Cavitt.
w. c. O'Brien, II. L. Conner. V. q.
Berry and A. ], Bamberg. Mrs. Sallle
Mcclure. sister of Mr.. Probus. and
Mrs. Mae Banner. niece of Mr.. Pro-
bus, of Greenwood, Miss, are here.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
CHANGE
CAUSES DAMAGE
OF VARIOUS KINDS

blackberry winter" came in yes
terday afternoon with the rain and
wind storm that visited this section
and did slight damage to trees and
fences. The top of a fine silver ma
ple tree in the yard of Mrs Buckner,
Eighth and Jefferson streets, was
blown down and other damage of a
minor nature done. To-day 1t is COO
and crisp but it is not believed fruit
will be damaged.
storm still RACES.
Mobile. April 27.-Reports receiv
ed today state that the storm of the
last three days is still lowering in this
section. More damage resulted last
night. All wires are down. Fort De-
post, Ala, is under martial law.
Fruits Are Ruined.
Sioux City, Ia, April 27.-Hun-
dreds of thousands of dollars damage
was done early today by severe
snow apd hail storm which swept
Iowa. South Dakota. and Nebraska,
The plum and cherry crops are ruined
and the apple crop is badly damaged
The fruit coop was in bloom.
cyclone In Islands.
|. Paris. April 27.-Tremenduous loss
of life, and immense property damage
are reported in cyclone. which of
fetal dispatches state swept Comoroa
archipelago in Mozambique channel.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
W. A. CORCORAN

w. A. Corcoran, 80 year old, died
last night at Topeka, Kas., where he
was flagman for the Santa Fe. Until
two months ago Mr.. Corcoran was
one of the most popular flagmen on
the Tennessee division of the Illinois
Central. His brother, Edward Cor
coran of this city. is hagman on the
same division. Mr.. Corcoran was
member of the Brotherhood of Rail-
road Trainmen. Besides his father
Anthony Corcoran, of Nashville. he
leaves five brothers and two sisters
in that city. The funeral will take
place at Nashville.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
OHIO'S CITIZENS
ARMED TO RESIST
N. R. INVASION

Columbus, O., April 27.-A good
supply of arms and ammunition to
protect themselves against the invas-
ion of night riders from Kentucky is
being rushed to the river towns along
the Ohio side of the river, in the to-
bacco district. The governor has de-
cided to arm the citizens, in prefer
ence to sending the militia, as with
this plan there will be no expense
aside from the ammunition used, in
case it shall become necessary to re-
sort to shooting. As a precaution
against abuse of this equipment, the
government will furnish guns and
ammunition onil to such persons as
shall be recommended by the local
authorities and the receivers of guns
will-be placed under bond and sworn
in as officers of the law
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
RAISULI SLAIN =?

Paris. April 27.-Ralsuli the MoroC
can bandit. was assassinated, accord
irg to a Tangier message, Conhrma.
ton leaves little doubt that the out
law was slain. II is reported he fell
victim to hostile trlbesmen, who
waited an opportunity to kill.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
MBN
OF GLADI4TOR'S
CREW ARE MISSING

London, April 27.-The admiralty
report shows that three drowned
bodies were recovered, two seamen
died in the hospital and thirty-one
men are missing from the cruiser
Gladiator, which colllded with the
liner st. Paul Saturday. No one will
be punished for the collision, accord
ing to reports. although the naval
board is investigating The Gladia-
tor is 6eiag dismante.ed SO divers can
hunt for the bodies, The st, Paul Is
docked for examination.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
PURE FOOD AND DRUG LAW
COMMISSION Is NAMED

DR.. S. II. Winstead. Broadway and
Seventh street, has been appointed a
member of the commission to draft
rules and regulations for the en-
forcement OF the pure Food and
Drug" law, an important enactment of
the last legislature. The commission
Is called to meet at the Seelbach in
Louisville at s o'clock on May Z. DR..
Winstead appreciates the honor of
being named on so important and
preventative a body and will attend.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27

With only ten out of IFS counties
missing. William Howard Taft has a
lead of about 200 uncontested dele
gates over Charles Warren Fairbanks.
but the number of contested delegates
! IS so large that on the outcome OF
the contests entirely the result in the
| Republican state convention will de-
pend The Seventh district is the
only one In the state without a con-
test. and In that district Taft was vie
torious.
Interest In tho mass conventions
was greater than ever before In the
Republican party, and the attendance
ot voters In all OF the counties was so
large that many conventions had to
be adjourned TO the open air in order
that all Of the voters might have a
chance TO participate
The result OF the mass conventions
shows that by districts Taft also has
an advantage. The First district is
close Taft leading on uninstructed
votes.
Fairbanks has carried the Second
district.
The Third district is close, with the
Taft forces having a slight advantage.
The Fourth district was carried by
Fairbanks.
The Sixth district result depends
upon the contests in Konton and
Campbell counties.
The seventh district, with all coun-
ties reported and no contest. has been
carried By TAFT.
The Eighth district has apparently
gone for Taft.
The Ninth district Is close. Taft hav
Ing a lead. but so many delegates are
contested that the result IS uncertain.
The Tenth district Is close, with
Taft In the lead.
The Eleventh district appears to be
for TAFT Contests In Pulaski. Whit
ley and Knox, three Of the largest
counties. will have a material bearing
on the result.
In Louisville and Jefferson county,
comprising the Fifth district, the re-
suit was: Taft, 5.G74 against 2,O12
for Fairbanks.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
Child TASTES I've

Melber. April 81. Especial. THE
eighteen-months-old daughter OF Mr..
and Mrs. Edgar Houser, of Melber,
secured a can of concentrated lye late
Yesterday. afternoon and while I'M
watched tasted some of 1t. Her mouth
was burned badly, but Dr.. E. E. Davis
was called and attended her.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
FLEE FROM PLAGUE

Willemstad, April 27.-Fear of a
bubonic plague epidemic, which will
close all the ports. is causing a gen.
eral exodus from Venezuela. Porto
Cabello is swarming with refugees.
Fabulous prices are offered for steam
ship passage. The disease at Caracas
is of malignant type. Castro is TAX
ing sanitary measures.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
Buried Under Merchandise.

Lawton. Okla, April 81, Three wo-
men clerks in Koehler's dry goods
store, one of the largest In the city,
were buried under merchandise today
when shelves along one side of the
store tumbled over on show cases.
The cases saved the clerks from
death. One was fatally injured.
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
NO SOLDIERS IN
PADUCAH- LAST
DETACHMENT GOES

The details of rs members of Conn.,
pany c, of greensboro left this morn
ing for Murray to join the detail
which went out Saturday. They car
'ried full equipment, including dog
tents Eight men of the Whitesburg
company passed through last night
en-. route from Hppklnsville. They
caught the Nashville. Chattanooga &
81 Louis accommodation ard arrived
az Murray az : O'clock SATURDAY pishts
The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-27
wHEELER'S PROMOTION

Washington. April 27.-Benjamin
| Wheeler. of California, has been of.
fered an assistant secretaryship of
the commerce and labor bureau.
Wheeler is now on the immigration
commission and has asked the presi-
dent for time to consider the offer.