davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09
WESSON AGITATED.
Serious Charge Against School PrinCi.
pal Causes Stir.

A sensation has been created in
Wesson by the arrest of Prof. G.
H. Williams, superintendent of the
Wesson High School, on a charge
of illegal cohabitation. The town
has been divided over the services
of Prof. Williams as school super
intendent. This is his second
term, Prof. Williams having come
here from Missouri last year.
When he was reelected last sum-
mer by a vote of three to two in
the School Board of Trustees his
opponents held an indignation
meeting and demanded that his
contract be cancelled, which the
board refused to do. Some time
ago Janitor Bostwick reported al
legged irregularities in the conduct
of Prof. Williams, but after an in
vestlgation the board decided that
there was nothing in the case. The
mayor also investigated the report
with the same result.
James Day, employed at the
school as engineer, some days ago
reported that Prof. Williams was
locked in his office with one of the
girl pupils, Miss Louise Ford, sew
|enteen years old and the daughter
of highly respected parents. This
was Investigated and again the
board reported that there was
nothing out of the way. The grand
jury at Hazlehurst, however, Mon.
day returned an indictment against
Prof. Williams, charging illegal
cohabitation. He was arrested and
taken to Hazlehurst, where he gave
$500 bond for his appearance for
trial today.
Miss Ford Indignantly denies the
charges, and her father is aroused
over the connection Of her name
with the case. All of the teachers
in the school are standing with
Prof. Williams in the trouble and
tuesday. after returning from Civ
ing bond in Hazlehurst, he was Civ
en- an ovation by about 300 students
and the teachers in the High
School.
When the indictment against
Prof. Williams was returned, the
school trustees were dumbfounded, /,
for they had investigated the
charges the janitor had made and
could moi find anything in them that
would justify them in censuring or
discharging Prot. Williams for
any misconduct.
The board is composed Of some
LOT the Leading citizens Of Wesson,
land they believe that Prof. VIII.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09

We love the man with roses on
his tongue; the man who sees the
boys dirty face, but, mentions his
bright eyes; who notices your shah
by coat, but praises your studious
habits; the man who sees the faults,
but is slow to blame. We like to
meet man whose smile would
gladden., brighten darkness, whose
voice is full of the music of the
bird, whose handshake is inspira-
tion. He makes US forget our
troubles as the ravens croak is for
gotten when the wood thrush sings.
God bless the man of cheer! There
is plenty of trouble here, and we
need no increase Of it.-Calton
(Tex.) Courier.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09

experiment station; Prof. E. R.
Lloyd, director of farmers insti-
tutes; H. G Stringfellow, boil
weevil expert; R. S. Wilson. dem
onstrator, department of agricul-
ture; w. R Perkins, professor of
astronomy; Prof. j. w. Cox di-
rector of the delta experiment, sta
tion, and others.
The lectures will be given in the
cars where seats can be obtained,
except where evening lectures are
provided for, and these will be
held in some public hall to be pro-
vided by local citizens.
A rate Of one fare for the round
trip, with a 50-cent minimum, will
be given from points between those
where stops are made to such
points in order that as many peo-
pie as possible may attend the lee
lures The complete schedule for
the train is as follows:
Monday, Dec. ID Terry, 9 a..
M; Crystal Springs, 1906 a. m. !;
Hazlehurst, 11:05 a. M; Wesson,
1910 a. m; Brookhaven, 1:10 b.
M; McComb City. 2:55 p. m. /;
Magnolia, $50 p. M; Raymond, s
p. m. Evening lecture at Raymond
at 8 p. m.
Tuesday, Dec. Is Utica. 6 a.
M; Hermanville, 1920 a. M: Clos
ter, 1:31 p. M; Centreville, 2::30.p.
M: Woodville $50 p. m. Even
ing lecture at Woodville at s p. m.
Wednesday, Dec. is Fayette, 8
a. M; Port Gibson, 1920 a. m. !;
Vicksburg, 1915 p. M: Rolling
Fork, $40 p. M; Hollandale, 4:45
p. m. Leland 6:O5 p. M; Green
vile, TO p. m. Evening lecture
at Greenville at 5 p. m.
Thursday, Dec. IL Shaw, 8 q.
HI. Cleveland. 1910 a. M; Mound
Bayou, 1l:10 a. M. Shelby II m
Duncan, 1 b. nj Glarksdale, 2:l0
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09

liams is innocent of such grave
charges and are backing him up, as
the majority of the citizens are
doing.
/, A petition was gotten up and
presented to the Board of Trustees,
signed by every lady teacher in the
school; stating that such charges
against Superintendent Williams
were slanderous and circulated by
his enemies to injure him in his
school. Wesson Enterprise.
The trial of Prof. Williams on
the above charge, which took place
in the Circuit Court at Hazlehurst
Monday, resulted in his acquittal.
The general public was shut out by
Judge Potter from the proceedings
of the trial.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09
Farmers and School Meetings.

The undersigned, accompanied
by Supt. Claude Bennett, will hold
combined school and farmers meet
ings as follows:
Grange Hail. Thursday, Dec.
10th.
Heuck's, Friday, Dec 11th.
Pleasant Grove, Saturday, Dec.
18th.
Samples of forage crops, seeds
for distribution, specimens of boil.
weevil. instruments for testing
milk, etc., will be carried to these
meetings.
Pressing business necessitates the
withdrawal of all engagements
made with exception Of above, un-
til after the holidays.
All parties interested in receiv-
ing instructions in the best meth
DDS of cultivating cotton under boil
Weevil conditions are earnestly re-
quested to be present.
Very respectfully,
EDGAR GREEN,
Gnnnial AUn,a+ Cnxy er,.i .io,4l+,,,o
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09
ProIltabIe advertising

Madison county may be slow
about some things, but she has been
one of the first counties in the
State to grapple with the boil wee-
vii proposition and take active steps
to fight the pest BY appointing d
commissioner and going to work
establishing demonstrative farms.
Madison County Herald.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09
Christmas Goods!
Holiday Buying
Should be Done
Now!

Every days delay means that you
must choose from a smaller selection.
Don't forget our store hen you are
making your holiday purchases.
We have hundreds of Christmas ar
ticles especially selected for this par
ticular time of the year and especially
for you.
Unless you personally look over our
stock you cannot possibly know of the
great variety of goods, nor can you i'm
agine how beautiful they are, either in
value or attractiveness.
Keep this in mind-those who come
first have the best selection.
Our stock is very large, but the way
we are selling these Christmas articles
the selections will,not last long.
Note some of the things we excel in.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09

p. M; Tutwiler. 3:55 p. m. !; Green
wood, $40 p m. Evening lecture
at Greenwood at 8 p. m.
Friday, Dec. 18- -Yazoo City, 9
a M; Flora, II a. m.; jackson
1890 %. m.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09

Secretary Of State Power reports
that since he assumed Office on Jan.
q last the Governor has appointed
nearly 400 notaries public, though
all of them have never qualified,
the contingency necessary being the
payment of a five dollar fee to the
State Department, only 81 having
come across, and in the absence Of
the commission, the appointment is
invalid. TWenty-odd Of these Off
GERS were appointed during NoYem-
Der alone.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09

Gov. Noel left Sunday for WASH
ington to attend the Congress Of
Governors, leaving Lieut.. Gov.
Manship again at the head Of the
State government during his abb
sence. It is stated that Lieut.. Gov.
Manship will have comparatively
easy time of it during the absence
ct the governor, as, he will not
molest any Of the work the latter
had in hand. and will attend only
to the new matters which come up
during the week and the regular
routine Of the Office.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09

A county fair association has
been organized at Gloster, with
the following officers: w. IF. Berry
hill, President; ]. M. Smith, First
Vice President; E. M. Mayhall,
Second Vice President; w. d.
Campbell, Secretary; o. P. Nc
Pherson, Treasurer. A Board of
Trustees, composed of twenty-one
of the citizens of the county, was
made Board Of Managers.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09

Or. /. W. Cooper and Rev. T.
w. Adams left Tuesday for the
Mississippi Conference, which con-
venes at Yazop City today.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09

Jack Frost was much IN evidence
this morning.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09
BRUSHES.

We show stock not usually seen
outside the big cities.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09
COMBS.
BOOKS AND BIBLES.

In every known binding. For Home,
Library and Church use. Prices we're
were never more reasonable. Our big
stock gives US chance to command
best prices and you get the bepetit in
low pricrs.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09
For Your CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

This store which has served you so we'll for
SO many years is now prepared to give the
best service in its history.
We have gathered here the largest and finest
stock of holiday goods ever shown in this
and we have marked the prices the lowest you
will find anywhere.
We make Christmas shopping easy, for our
stock has been gathered to suit your every
need, big or little.
The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1908-12-09

JEWELRY and WATCHES
Watches from 81 up to s75, all guar
anteed good time-keepers and just
what the boys want.
AS usual the Jewelry stock of the
t wn is ere.
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09

is no argument to justify the Me-
groes staying out of business on
that account The white man is
centuries ahead of US in wealth,
experience, in resources of every
kind in weighing articles, IN
measuring goods, in trade, in art
and commerce.. La selling he
can give more for less money, IN
fact he can freeze the poor str!v-
ing ambitious Negro out of bust
ness for that matter, but is there
any sane reason why we should
not help our brother to rise If he
has the courage to try? The
very persons who have money
enough to patronize every foolish
thing run by white people throw
ing their money away, would be
the most exacting when it comes
to trading with people of their
own race. There are higher con.
siderations in racial help than
merely a careless thought of
avarice, mercenary harshness.-
Chicago Conservator.
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09
Bryan "6ody OF Death"

90 wretched man that | am
who shall deliver US from the
body of death? ?" Is the Cry of
the wise sagacious democrats in
reference to Bryan. Why our
contemporaries, the Register and
the Leader, are so Infatuated
on Bryan. we fail to be cognizant
of. Clendenin and W. T. Scott
think. in season aid out, we have
no king but Caesar They
idolize Bryan. Bryan has dem
onstrated beyond reasonable
doubt. that he is not the man of
the hour" that he is not the
champion of the common peo-
pIe;' that he cannot defeat Re-
publican candidates, regardless
of whom they are, that he is not
a statesman, commensurate with
the day and time.
If Johnson be nominated the
Republicans will, and have need
to be, more concerned than if
Bryan is chosen. What great
feasible princi pie has Bryan
enunciated. or Messrs. Scott and
Clendenin?
What real reason has be given
worthy of the office of presi-
Dental aspirant?
He is gifted with fowery dec
IarationS with unsound basis. He
and the democrats simply take
the opposite to that of the Re-
publicans and assert what they
believe. Professionalism, has
lost its efficacy-''Equal rights
TO all and special privileges to
nome" is naked lie in the demo-
cratic platform, and we are sur
prised at the southern gentlemf n
Messrs. Tlllman. John Sharpe
Williams, Jeff Davis, ct al for
allowing their ancestral repu a
Iation as to truth and veraclty
to be so tiagrantly polluted.
Surely southern gentleman Of
tue oIigarchical stock. will not
lie, directly nor indirectly?
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09
Dement'S Administration.

1t is travesty on Justice and
pollticaI cowardce for men to in
vent all sorts of stories defama-
tory to the present state admin
lstration, which administration
has been conducted wise econom.
lea equitable and just.
Meu should rise above such
petty thing and seek to obtain
office on their individual merits
and not on the fancied dement's
of others. Deneen has made an
excellent governor and the flu
ture historian will attest the fact,
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09

The report of the city commit
tee shows that great care ability
and economy are used In the
management of the city offices;
especially that of city clerk j &.
Smith. Mr.. Smith is a young
business man who is not d
stranger to such work as clerk
of the city of Springfield, tho
that is no small volume of work.
We said during the race for off.
ces, Ii months ago. that we Sin.
cerely believed HIM competent to
fill the place With credit to him
self and the people, and we have
not been disappointed in that be-
lief Mayor Reece is also show
ing himself to be competent as
mayor Of a great munich paiity,
we are glad to give them credit
for their good services. These
kind of people need not fear ask
ing the peoples suffrage.
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09
Negro Clerk in Big Down Town
Store.

The Wolf Brothers, located at
Monroe aud State Streets, who
have for a number of years given
a complimentary dinner to thou
sands of Chicago newsboys have
done another splendid thing in
the appointment of a memb Der of
our race to "a position as sales.
man IN their large clothing EN-
pOrium. The Conservator in
behalf of the race extends vote
of thanks to thls philanthrppic
clothing firm and congratulates
Rev. Vim. Gray. The honor is
worthiIy bestowed The Chicago
CCnserVator.
Little by little the race will
rise to heights a few years age
undreamed of.
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09
Race Patronage.

In considering the Negroes
possibilities to run groceries, dry
goods stores, or Garry on any
kind Of business. it is only cruel
to eckon the ablIity0to succeed
from standpoint of comp petition.
We cannot compete with the
white man in business, but TT ere
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09

PoIiteness and self respect are
the cardinal principles that go to
make a genuine man or woman.
We cannot be too, polite. That
does not mean nor imply subser.
viency.
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09
ORR ADVERTISING RATES.

For display matter one time, 1be
the inch; over one time, 10c, months
or one year, special prices made.
Reading matter, one time, &c the
line; seven words to the line; over
one time SC; for long articles OF
church advertising some reduction.
For cubs, socials, ect., when mat
ter contains over IS words and unde,
200 send SO cents if you desire it pub
lished in full. MANAGEh.
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09

Mr.. Chairman; I call your at
tention to the fact that base ball
now has the floor, politics to the
contrary outstanding.
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09
EDITORIAL
Saturday. May 9, 1908.

Taft IS too big a man to be
crammed down the lhroats of the
people without due mastication.
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09

Beware Of fakirs. A fool knows
OF his error when its too late
wise men see in the future.
The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-05-09

Political integrity is the road
but thieves reap what is sown.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-05

ed in the narrow passageway that l
could not pull even one of them out.
Those behind pushed forward. and as
stood there the little ones piled up on
one another. Those who could stretched
out their arms to me and cried for me to
help them. I tried with all my might to
pull them out, and staid there until the
flames drove me away"
Another teacher, Miss Pearl Lynn. mar
rowly escaped death She was carried
toward the rear entrance by the rush OF
the panic-stricken pupils. and fell at the
bottom of the stairs with numbers Of the
children on top Of her. She lay there I'M
able to rise because of the weight of the
bodies upon her She was dragged from
the mass of dead children just in time to
save her own life.
Pulled Out Of Windows.
AS soon as the alarm was given Mrs.
Walter C. Kelley ran from her home.
which is not far from the schc~ihouse.
to the burning building. The front por-
ton of the structure was mass OF
flames. and. frenzied by the screams of
the fighting and dying children which
reached them from the death trap at the
foot of the first flight of stairs and be-
hind that closed door. Mrs. Kelley ran
to the rear. hoping to effect an entrance
there and save her children. She was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-05

joined by man whose name is not
known. and the two Of them tugged and
pulled frantically at the locked door.
They were unable to move 1t in the
slightest. and there was nothing at hand
by which they could hope to break II
down.
In utter despair of saving any OF the
children they turned their attention TO
the windows, and by smashing some OF
these they managed to save few OF the
pupils.
''They could have saved many more"
said Mr.. Kelley last night. IF the door
had not been locked. Nobody knows how
many of the children might have made
their way out before my Vile mad
reached there if the door had not been
locked If half a dozen men had been
there when my wife and her companion
arrived at the schoolhouse perhaps they
might have broken down the door, but
the two could do nothing, and the flames
spread so rapidly that it was all over
in a few minutes"
Oscar Palmer. a lad of eleven. is one OF
the heroes of the fire. Though his face
was fearfully burned and he suffered ter
ribly from burns on his arms and hands,
the boy rushed a mile to the CollinwoOd
fire department to inform them Of the
fire. When he found them gone he hur-
ried back to the school building and tried
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-05
SCHOOL FIRE TRAP
CAUGHT NEARLY 200
Continued from First Page.)

above the heads of the children. They
knew then that the fire had crept along
under the first floor and was eating away
the joists. Soon the flames were darling
between the children back on the stair
way or lying in heap behind the door.
Outside, women dropped to the ground
in swoons. where they were merclfully
allowed to lie until all was over. So great
was the mass of children at this point
that when the floor fell through, the top
of the heap of blackened bodies reached
from the basement floor to the level OF
the ground.
The local fire department. a volunteer
organization, was powerless. They could
not force a stream above the second moor
and they did not possess ladder that
would reach the bottom of the hre escape
on the rear of the building. Hugh Nell
rath fourteen years old, son of the chief
of the Collnwood police force. led line
of nic-stpcken children down the es-
cape to point where ladder would nave
saved them all Many of them were too
terrified to jump and ran back into the
building McIlrath followed. determined
to bring them out again. and ne ana they
were never seen alive again.
Michigan Southern railway from neigh |
boring factories and business establish
ments men came to the work OF rescue. |
but so swift was the spread of the fire
that they had little opportunity to aid
many of the children in effecting an es-
cape
Statement of the Principal.
Miss Anna Moran, the principal of the
school, denies that the doors opened to- |
ward the inner part of the building, and
insists that they were never locked dur |
ing school hours. She said:
when the bell rang I and l suppose |
other teachers thought it was a regular
fire drill. Every child in the school has
gone out over and over again from the
second floor to the open air in one minute |
and thirty seconds. You can judge from
that how quickly reached the nrst |
floor. When we neared the front door we |
saw the flames coming up the basement
stairs and without knowing 1t we led those |
little children into the very face of the
fire. 1t is not true that the doors opened
toward the inside and they were not |
locked. The trouble was that only one OF
the double outer doors was open. The
other was fastened with spring at the
top. Before the janitor got it open the
children had wedged themselves into the |
vestibule and the others in a panic |
stumbled and climbed and crowded over |
them. 1t was frightful-so near safety.
IF i could have turned my line back
third floor. but they kept coming down |
and We could not stop them or do any
thing to save them. Men from the out |
side were trying to pull the children out, |
but they were crushed so tightly togetner |
that no human strength could clear a
passageway. Dozens of them died within
a foot of absolute safety
A rigid investigation Is promised into
the cause of the fire. Gov. Harris last
night announced that the state authorities
would look into the matter in a most mi
mute manner. He issued instructions to
the department of workshop and factory |
inspection to commence an investigation
at once.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-05

to the utmost the danger of such a disas-
ter here. We are fortunate, in my judg-
ment, in having few large or high nom
freproof buildings. and 1 believe that we
ings which are not fireproof or rather fire
resistant. since we are told that absolute
ly f1reproof buildings cannot be found any
where. We are fortunate also in that
most Of our buildings are not overcrowded
and that We do not pack too many chill
dren into a schoolroom.
II am sure the fire drill Of our public
schools would take the children out Of all
the exits and not out of one only, as was
apparently the case at Collinwood. The
Jefferson School building, where perhaps
there are more children than in any other
grade school. and where the stories are
high. has the sliding fire escapes which
empty the building in remarkably quick
time under the fire drill of the teachers.
At the same time the Commissioners will
see to it that nothing is left undone that
is within their power to make the school
buildings safer and I am sure that the
officers and teachers of the public schools
will see that no exit doors are locked dur
ing sessions and that the fire drill Is con-
stantly and effectively kept up
Orders in Force.
Many precautions to prevent in the Dis
trict schools a fire horror similar to that
at Collinwood yesterday have been taken
by the local authorities. While panic.
with loss of life is liable any place, Supt.
A. T. Stuart declared, all mechanical pro-
visions and preliminary instructions look
Ing to prevention of a panic at such
times have been observed here.
A. T. Stuart, superintendent of public
schools. stated that in January. 1904. fol-
lowing the Iroquois Theater disaster in
Chicago. he issued an order instructing
janitors and others In charge of school
buildings never to lock any OUTSIDE doors
used for exits or entrances. not even
basement doors. while schools are In SEES
sion. AS a further precaution. janitors
and others were ordered never to lock
eloakroom doors and thus prevent pu-
pills from passing In one end and out of
the other. If one door is closed, it is
stated. the cloakroom would easily become
q trap. The order also prohibits the bolt
ing of one of double doors.
Supt. Stuart stated that he communi-
Gated with all of the supervising prin-
cipals and all high school principals today
to learn If the order is being enforced and
all replied In the affirmative.
Supt. Stuart also explained that build
ing regulation prohibits any of the exit
doors Of the schoolhouses from Opening
in
Capt. James F. Oyster. president OF the