davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
WADING THROUGH
CONGO IN BLOOD
Rubber Hunters Fight Their
Way to interior
FIERCE BATTLE IS FOUGHT
Regiment of Native Troops Is To Be
Employed To Conduct a Party of
Scientists Through The Congo
On a Special Mission.
FIERCE BATTLE is FOUGHT

Washington, January 4.-(Special. 1.-THE
history of the exploitation of the Congo
by the Ryan-Leopold combination contin-
ues to be written in the blood of natives.
Rubber hunters sent from America by the
neutrality-suspicious. Standard Oil combina-
ton are fighting their way through the
territory with Belgian soldiers. One
sanguinary battle in which 1875 'niggers''
and five porters of the white party were
killed, took place several weeks ago and
the details of the fray have just reached
here in a letter to a friend of one of
the Americans.
Belgian soldiers, equipped with the latest
pattern of fire arms, met hostile natives
armed with flint locks, and the killing
was practically one sided. With the Amer
lean employees of Ryan and King Leopold
are Arthur F. Smith, member Of the
United States geological survey who was
given a leave of absence so that he might
explore the Congo for Ryan; NJ. K. Shaler
of Washington, also a member of the
geological survey; Sydney H. Ball, Uni
ted States government geologist, son of
Judge Ball of Chicago; a stenographer
named Oliver, a former United States
army officer named, Mohun, 1.-TWO Austria
lians; the Reid brothers, and several
Belgians.
Hostile natives recently attacked the
party of explorers, six miles inside the
corporations concession near the Kasai
river, and in the battle that followed 125
natives were killed, while five porters
of the exploration party were killed and
several others wounded. None of the
Americans were wounded.
The battle lasted an entire day, the re-
treat of the explorers occupying the next
two days during all of which they were
constantly harassed by the natives before
they reached safety.
The first news of this battle has just
reached Washington through letters TO
friends of the group of Washington sci
entists who entered the service of the
Leopold-Ryan-Guggen company for
the purpose Of making a geological and
scientific survey of the country. The
letters indicate that further battles may
follow.
In this battle 25 soldiers under command
of Lieutenant Empartoria of the Belgian
forces, with the scientists, fought great
number of natives. The latter were
mostly armed with flint locks which they
got from the Portuguese trading posts.
The tremendous possibilities of the
campaign which the big international cor
poration has inaugurated may be judged
from the statement given in the same
letters that a regiment of native troops
is to be employed to conduct he scien-
lists through the hostile country. The
natives are described as very fierce, large
ly cannibals, and in the habit of eating
every white man they can cut off Despite
the conditions, the strong force of
troops, magnifcently equipped and pro-
vided with every possible facility, ex-
poets to cut its way through the heart
of the company's immense concession,
which includes about one-third of the
Congro Free State.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
CLARENCE DARRoWs VIEWS.
Pettibone's Counsel Says There Was
Nothing to the Cases.

Los Angeles, January 4.-Clarence OAR
row, the Chicago attorney who directed
the defense of Haywood and Pettibone,
now in the California hospital here, re-
ceived the news of the verdict with great
pleasure. 1T is unnecessary for me to
say that l am delighted. l am gratified
beyond measure. l had on the other hand
expected an acquittal, but to know it is a
great satisfaction"
Mr.. barrow then dictated the follow
ing message to Pettibone:
Congratulations. Come here. 1 have
flowers enough for two funerals
Commenting further upon the result
Mr. Daryow said
There was never anything to these
cases, but Orchard. He related weird,
fantastic, exciting story, but there was
no confederation of IT. that tended of
itself to incriminate anybody. The coun-
try had seen in the Haywood trial what
a monumental liar he was. 1t was not
safe to take the life of any man on such
testimony. In the Pettibone trial the
people had become accustomed to the
story of Orchard and thoroughly dis
credited it, Very little attention was
paid to it.
Il still think that the prosecution should
now dismiss the case against President
Meyer. Even Orchard testified to very
little against him and no one else did
The fact that he was admitted to bail
showed that the prosecution held their
case against him to be weak"
Referring to the logical result of the
acquittal of both Haywood and Pettibone,
Mr.. Darrow said:
Il think the Western Federation of
Miners has a large field of usefulness.
The struggle in Colorado was character
lied by many acts on both sides that
would not have been done outside OF Il
great Industrial war. 1t is necessary for
both miners and mine owners to organ
ize They ought now to try to work to-
gether and build up the mining industry
of the west. They can If they try. Ger
tainly the acquittal of these men is the
best thing that could possibly have hap
pened to all classes in the community. If
these men had been hanged 1t would have
resulted In greater bitterness and hatred
and ultimate disaster to both sides.
"The action of counsel for the defense
in submitting but a small amount of
testimony and making no argument to
the jury was bold and audacious thing.
But 1t was justified in the light of the
verdict" he concluded.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
MAY FORCE TILLIS
TO KEEP CONTRACT
MONTGOMERY LIGHT AND WATER
COMPANY ALSO TRIES TO PRE-
VENT HIM FROM DIsPOsING OF
BONDS HELD AS COLLATERAL.

Montgomery, January 4.-(Specia1)-
Suit has been brought in the federal court
to make Richard Tillis keep an alleged
contract to buy $4,000 worth of Mont
gomery Light and Water Power company
bonds; also to prevent him from attempt
ing to realize on bonds held as collateral
for a loan of $4,000 to the same COM
pany.
The company refuses to pay because
the purchase contract has not been kept.
Til1is refuses to buy because of close
money. To renew the note Tillis will de-
mand the equal of Is per cent interest,
it is said. The company is willing to
pay if Tillis will buy.
To prevent disposition of collateral the
court has restrained Tills until a hear
ing of the case can be had. The liti-
cation in no way involves the light COM
pany.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
WSCOUNT AOkl HOLDS
OUT THE PALM BRANCH
CONTINUED rnoM PAGE y

=
-~-~~~~~-~-~~~-~~~-~~~-
sure you of these things just as l sail
from your shores and after so pleasant u
sojourn in your midst, and feel freer
TO speak the honest dictates of my heart
in this regard because of the recent
friendly assurances reported to have been
sent by my gracious sovereign through
Secretary Taft to your great President.
Japan wants peace with America now and
always, and she will omit no effort to
make that desire a reality. 1 pm con-
WINGED that America reciprocates that
good will and shall bear that report
across the ocean.
Ministers of Peace.
You, gentlemen of the chamber of
commerce Of San Francisco, are the real
ministers of peace and internal comfy.
You stand for that upon which the most
lasting good will is based. Your mission
is trade, industry, commerce and the de-
velopment of natures resources. 1t fol-
lows, as night from day, that from these
must come friendship, mutual under
standing and kindly good will. Japan and
America need each other and that need
will grow stronger with the years. They
have a thousand interests in common and
not one rational ground for serious differ
ence. >Let me leave you, gentlemen, with
Tie Lidl Lie Spllll Which Ids
prompted you to extend this delicate cour-
tesy to me as an individual is not mis-
understood. The honor you do me is in
tended primarily for my country and
would not have it otherwise. l shall in
terpret you action as a message of good
will from San Francisco to Japan and as
an expression of your desire to be good
friends. | gladly carry this message, as
sured of it's kindly reception at the other
end"
United States District Attorney Devlin,
Consul Kioke and Vice Consul Matsubara
also spoke, expressing sentiments of
| friendship and good will. Tonight Wis
| count Aoki and his wife, who before her
marriage was a German baroness, were
entertained at dinner given at the home
| of Consul General Kioke. Prominent
} Japanese in the local colony and several
| Americans, among them United States
| District Attorney Devlin, were also in
| vited.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

At o'clock Monday afternoon prac-
tieally every store and business house in
Birmingham of any Importance will close
in order that its employees may go to
the polls and vote and work for Greater
Birmingham. A petition pledging the
signer TO do this was circulated among
the merchants yesterday by committee
headed by R. NJ. Goodall as chairman
and Culpepper Exum and John L. Raul.
Owing to the extremely bad weather it
was impossible to see every merchant,
and it is urged that every store in the
city close at o'clock.
The petition and the names of those
signing it, which includes all of the larger
stores, is as follows:
1--WE, the undersigned, agree to close
our respective places of business on
January 6 at o'clock and to allow our
employees to go to the polls and vote and
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
MEN At THEATRES NOW
KEEP SEATS BET WEEN ACTS

When John Barleycorn was done to
death several days ago, habits and Gus
toms, established for years and years,
also went to sleep.
No more is the theatre deserted be-
tween acts.
When the curtain went down on the
first act at the Jefferson last night Willie
Thirst observed to his neighbor: 1T is
time to go to meet our friend"
Jaw, quit We kiddin'," returned his
companion. There is no use in eontin-
uing that old gag" And the lady seated
between them broadly smiled.
Mr.. Staylate walked into the doors of
his home last night shortly after 8
o'cock. His wife threw up her hands.
"Why, John" she cried, when did you
first feel the illness? Or what is the
matter? You haven't been home so early
in 10 years"
"Ah! dearie," returned Mr.. staylate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
EdwardsvilIe Dlspensary.

Admission, January 4.-(Special. THE
mayor of Edwardsville called special
meeting of the city council last night to
receive petitions and hear complaints.
if any, against the operation of the dis
pensary in that city another year. A Pc
tition signed by the ladies was presented
by w. A. Brown; one signed by the
children of the city was presented by
Miss Edna Johnson; one signed by the
men of the city will be presented later.
Mrs. J. H. Dunn, Mrs. J. G. Johnson
Col. W. C. Mcmahon, Prof. c. Y. Ken
nedy, Rev. ]. G. Johnson, and w. A.
Burgess spoke against the dispensary.
Judge Caruth refused to call an election
for prohibition and the question of dis
pensary or no dispensary will be settled
next Monday night by the council
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
WeYchantS viii Close
To AHOD Clerks to Vote

exert their influence for the good Of
Greater Birmingham:
"Goodall, Brown & Co. Doster-Nor-
Ellington Drug Co., r. C. Hewes. w. T.
Beasley & Co.. E. V Gregory, WILLIAM A.
Biles, Jefferson County Building & Loan
Co., Perfection Mattress Co., Lofts Saks.
J. Friedman & Co., Armstrong Hat Co.,
Burger Dry Goods Co., Steel-Smith Dry
Goods Co., Drennen & Co., Louis Pizitz,
w. S. Brown, Porter Clothing Co., Yield
ing Bros. Co., J. d. Collins, C. w. Cody,
E. Hewes, F. e. Enslen, n. A. Graham,
Jr., T. King, Earle Bros, Klotz & Gold
man, NJ. Well s. Bro, D. & A. Rich
FEEDER & Berk Birmingham Arms & Cycle
Co., Warren Bros, H. C. ABBOTT & Bro,
Caheen Bros, Ferd Marx Store, Love-
man, Joseph & Loeb, J. Blach & Son.
Hirsch Millinery Co., Cox Shoe Co. and
Gable Piano Co.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
SALooNkEEPER'S DILEMMA.
Prohibition Finds Him With Large
Stock, But In Debt.

Talladega, January 4.-(Special.)-J. G.
Slavery, a saloon dealer, found himself in
rather a queer attitude on the coming
in of prohibition. During the past three
months his sales have been small, and
January l found him with a stock and
fixtures worth $21OO, and debts to the
amount of $3.50. The law did not permit
the stock to be sold in the state, and
no purchaser could be found outside of
the state and the debts were pressing.
After thinking over the situation Mr..
Slavery decided to turn over his entire
stock to some honest trustee for the
benefit of his creditors-not even reserv-
ing to himself the property exempt to
him by law-instead of going into bank
ruptcy and claiming his exemptions. To-
day he filed a deed assigning to w. H.
Boynton of the Isbell National bank, who
was not a creditor, his entire stock, fix
lures and accounts, for the benefit of his
creditors, in value about $21Oo, liabilities,
$3.50.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
OLD TRANSFER SYSTEM.
New Plan Too Cumbersome and viii
Be Abandoned.

The present street car transfer sys-
tenn will be abolished The present
system, requiring passengers to ask for
transfers at the time of payment of
fares, and requiring the conductor to
punch the line on which the passenger
wishe s to be transferred was judged
cumb and several complaints
have been heard.
Alderman G.. II. Estes had a consulta-
ton with President Ford of the Bir-
mingham Railway. Light and Power
company yesterday, and the officials of
the company agreed to restore the old
system of transfers, or one very sim
liar.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
STUDENTS GOING BACK.
Large Numbers of Them Passed
Through Birmingham Yesterday.

The streets of the city were thronged
yesterday by students returning to col
lege.
TIL ere was a multiplicity of uniforms
and military caps, and the squared
headgear worn by pupils attending
schools for young ladies.
There was a large party of young
ladies' en- route to Nashville, VIII ere they
attend the Belmont college. The party
was chaperoned by Mrs. ]. 3. Murphy.
and among the young ladies were
Misses Olive Baughrnan, Annie Preanse.
Kath elm Turneye, Bessie Murphy, Hazel
Thampson, Alice Grigsby and Rebecca
-Woodley.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
Haywood Well Pleased.

Denver, Col, January 4.-William d.
Haywood secretary treasurer of the
Western Federation of Miners, arrived in
Denver tonight from the northwest.
When shown the Associated Press dis
patch in reference to the acquittal of
Gsorge A. Pettibone at Boise he said:
II feel like l had been acquitted again.
This is a more complete indication than
dence introduced or argument made by the
dence introduced or agument made by the
defense and the prosecution was cogni-
zant of everything we had and 1t had
months to strengthen it's case.
ut confirms what has always been con-
tended by the fede, cation that there was
a conspiracy on by the administrations
of this state and Idaho and the Mine
Owners association to convict us and
then wreck organized labor in the west
II am equally jubilant at Pettibone's
acquittal as my own, and notwithstanding
the reiterated statement by Governor
Gooding, it is now safe to presume We
will all leave Idaho alive"
The action of the state in dismissing
the case against Meyer, he said, was just
what he had expected.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

II have made a New Years resolution,
and this is the beginning. / will come
in early this year. and see more of you
and the children" And another woman
smiled broadly.
Mr.. Merrymaker was observed night
before last standing on the street cor
ner when the hands on the clock indi-
Gated the eleventh hour. fIe was for
lorn. why don't you go home" queried
a neighbor. there's nothing doing in
the city"
WELL replied Mr.. Merrymaker, my
wife is a very nervous woman, and were
I to step into the hall before Il o'clock
I would fear the result. I am making
my returns a trif1e earlier each night,
and by June it may be that 1 can go
home by 81
These and other customs and habits are
passing away since the death of the said
John Barleycorn.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
PLUMBING INSPECTION.
Report For Year Shows Collections
Amounting To $4363.

The report of Plumbing Inspector Ee-
kerle for 1907 will show collection OF
$43es. or 5000 more than the year previous.
The plumbing department is now one of
the most active in the city hall. One
dollar is charged for each permit, and
plumbing work has been far greater than
ever before.
Against immense opposition Mr.. Eckerle
has finally won out before the City Coun-
Gil and now has the revised plumbing
laws on the statute books. He states
that 1907 was the liveliest known for a
long time.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
Associated Carpenters Elect Officers.

The Associated Carpenters of Ala
bama have elected the following Of
ficers: President, Frank S. Crow vice
president, Gentry Gates; receiving sec
reiary G. II. Wigley: financial secre-
tary, J. A. Steele warden, L. S. Dick
son. directors, Gentry Gates, L. S.
Erickson and w. Parker. The Asso-
ciated Carpenters of Alabama is the
organization chartered last month by
number of dissatisfied members Of the
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners. It is the first labor organ
ization in the United States to form
Itself into corporation. Inquiries for
information relative to forming sub
sidiary organizations all over the state
were received. The associat ton will
hold meetings every Thursday night in
the Bricklayers' hall, 2027h First ave-
nue..
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
speciaI Officers At theatres.

Chief of Police Bodeker yesterday an
nounced his intention Of detailing police
men at the Jefferson theatre to assist
the parties in taking their carriages and
TO prevent disorder. There has been pre-
vious complaint at this point.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
Belmont College For Young
Women

Mid Winter enrolment, Jan. 20-22,
1908. Eleven Schools including Academ-
ic, Music, Art Physical Culture and
Expression. Write for catalogue and
terms. Room for only a few new stu
dents Address REGISTRAR, Belmont
College, Nashville, Tenn.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05
PERSONAL

Ed Cohen, who with Emil Loeb manages
the New York office of Loveman, Joseph
& Loeb, is in Birmingham consulting and
planning with the buyers of this estab-
lishment prior to their going east for the
purpose of purchasing stocks for the
coming season.
Mr.. James Harvey, nephew of Frank
O. Harvey, who left his home in England
December II, 1907, has arrived and will
be with the Harvey Furniture company
the year 1908, and will reside with his
uncle, Frank O. Harvey, No. 1925 North
Thirteenth street.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-05

On account of moving to Louis
vile, KY, I will begin Tuesday,
January 7th, at IL A. NJ, to sell
all of my furniture and other
household articles. Same must
be sold Immediately. Call at
Mrs. j. c. Marks, 1920 Eighth
avenue, North.
Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-05-15

ca for his exit He lost no time In
stepping through the still open win
dow and in moment more was skulk-
Ing across the lawn.
Lord Croyland," began Miss Har-
net, who had followed from the bill.
Hard room with Imogene clinging hope
lessly to her arm-"Lord Croyland, l
want to thank you for
The words died suddenly upon her
lips, and she leaned for support against
the wall.
who's thereT called a voice In the
darkness from the stairs In the hall.
"Quickr' whispered Richard to the
terror stricken girls. Its your IA
ther! Go back into the billiard room
and slip upstairs when you get the
chance. There! It's all right Leave It
to me-"
He gave them no chance 10 disobey,
but pushed them through the door,
while he spurred his brain for some
good excuse to account for his presence
In the library at this unseemly hour.
who's thereT' Mr.. Renwyck called.
and this time Richard answered back:
Hello! II is /! Wil-er-I mean
Croyland. Is that you, Mr.. RenwyckT
He grabbed a book at random from
one Of the shelves, then drew the hall
portieres aside, to discover his host.
revolver In hand. on the dim Lit stairs,
arrayed In long white night robe.
which made him look more gaunt and
angular than ever.
"Oh, it's you" said Mr.. Renwyck In
great surprise. 'T thought l heard a
noise-a shot or something-and got up
to investigate. Why In the name Of
heaven aren't you in bedr'
"Im awfully sorry to have disturbed
you" the Texan answered easily. 'I-
I-stumbled over beastly chair In the
dark. Too bad. upon my word! You
see," he exnSined. II couldn't sleep, so
! came dowh here to take liberty and
book"
Mr.. Renwyck glanced at his cos
tune. which. with the exception Of his
dress coat. which had been exchanged
for house jacket, was the same his
guest had worn earlier in the evening.
The hnancfer thought for moment
then descended the stairs, entered the
library and switched on the electric
light The first thing to catch his eye
was an open window. which Richard
In his haste had failed to close.
The Texan interpreted the blank as
tonishment so clearly written on Mr..
Renwyck's face and proceeded to en-
tighten him.
Fresh air. he murmured easily;
'it's so beastly warm, you know. l
rather fancy I'm bit feverish. really"
Mr.. Renwyck frowned thoughtfully.
Lord Croyland." he asked, did you
open that window yourselfT
ITO be sure" lied Richard suavely,
while he screwed In his ever ready
monocle thanking God that he had not
laid 1t aside Somehow the thing SEEM
ed to give him confidence now. 1t
was something to cling to. mo harm.
| trustT
well. no." returned Mr.. Renwyck
slowly. "only don't understand why
II didn't raise hullabaloo. I'm posi-
tive set the burglar alarm, and
He took n step toward the wall. "By
George. It's turned orr
Now, Richard knew nothing what
Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-05-15

them. He acted so strangely. too.
about that check the other night. One
hundred thousand dollars! Humph!
| wonder II he has hundred thousand
dollars. begin to doubt it-doubt II
exceedingly"
Meanwhile the Texan reached his
room, mopped his brow and hunted for
his brandy flask. 1t seemed to him
that he wanted a good stIff drink as
he wanted nothing else In all the
world. He failed to ind his flask In
Its accustomed place and surmised &C.
curately that II he found Woolsey
Bills he might strike Its trail. The
valet's sleeping room was next his
own. 30 without ceremony the master
pushed open the door, admitting food
Of light. He did not nnd his flask, nor
did he nnd his servant either. for the
room was deserted. and the bed had
not been occupied.
"Ahr' observed the Texan thought
fully. "Bre'r Fox has changed mas
ters for the second time. Humph! A
little awkward to eKplain-for me,
mean"
On Restmore 4 heavy silence fell
again, which was broken. as before,
only by that antique clock and Its soft
chime as II struck another quarter
hour. Then two dim. ghostly figures
crept slowly up the stairs and entered
Miss Harriet Renwyck's room. In a
little while they were safely tucked in
bed and lay whispering In each others
arms.
"Oh, Harriet. darling" breathed Miss
Imogene. wasn't he-er-just splendid
when he told that bouncerf I don't be-
lieve he's an Englishman at all"
"Nonsenser' the other laughed. "Of
course he's an Engiishman. Now try
to 60 to sleep"
II would be discourteous In the ex.
treme to state that lady had been
guilty Of another "bouncer," but at
sny rate Miss Harriet clasped drowsy
little figure to her breast thought OF
Texas and smiled into the darkness
happily.