davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-11

shocked as you are, when discovered it. Well
there is and 1t is called "Utriculraa Neglecta.
would suspect anything with name like that
though
This little child of nature-thats pretty
thought isn't it? I'll say 1t again. This little child
of nature has nice, sweet, gummy substance on
the surface of it's leaves for the sole purpose of
attracting bugs and insects. When the poor unsus-
pecting bug is sufficiently attracted to crawl upon
of these leaves, this vlllainous flower folds IT.
self up and the poor unsophisticated bug is held
prisoner. He never has another opportunity to
associate with criminals
Now--if this pretty little posy's existence de-
pended upon unsuspecting and trusting bugs.
could be lenient in my judgment but 1t
doesn't 1t gets its nourishment from Mother
Earth and Mother Earth ought TO be ashamed of
herself to nourish such degenerate
1t pains me to have to tell such tale about
flower and | feel perfectly sure | will be called
many mean names by as many dear ladies who
love flowers. So my dear flower worshipplng Ia
dies, to save myself from your censure, VIII sug-
gest way this flower can be criminally usefui;
Suppose you planted three or four OF these Utrcu-
laria Neglecta" around your garden judicously For
instance-put one under your rose bushes that the
insects have nearly devoured and within month
your roses will be sound, whole and blooming with
a renewed vigor and beauty Another you might
plant in the center of your pansy bed Dear cum
ming little pansies, think what blessing good
strong criminal, like this would be to them
I have been wondering since learning Of this
flower If Professor Burbank could not manage to
grow a giant one Think that over. We could
plant one in the cellar, another in the attic, and
within a night or two all the rats and mice in our
house would be dead. If this cannot be accom-
pshed he might give us pocket editions. They
would be invaluable at the sea-shore. Just nut II
down beside you in the beach, or near your bed In
the hotel then sic it on the mosquitoes. Cinch
The next step in criminology leads us to insects,
BEES ants ETC. I'll tell you about everything ex-
cept the "etc." | don't know very much about
that
Not long ago | read very interesting article
on the different causes Of crime and among other
things the author spoke of Drink as being
prime mover Well. / believe that is all right
Then he went on to compare the effects of liquor
Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-11

your nice warm cover
is ruthlessly thrown
aside and you, helpless,
are put into a tub of
very wet water, either
much hotter or con.
siderably colder than
you expected. Now, how
would you like to be
called a criminal just
because you let out a
howl of mingled rage,
surprise and despair?
Babies might be Grim
inals. but l will trust
a yelling kid a heap
further than a silent
man. l don't believe in
SuppreSsing your feel-
ings.
Crime is contagiousl
That is a claim / let
pass without a chal-
lenge.
Haven't you noticed
1t yourself? You read
in the morning paper OF
a robbery, the next
morning you read of
two, and so on for
probably ten days or
two weeks, until the
police stamp out the
epidemic. The reading
or hearing of crime sug-
gests the idea to an
other and he plans a
robbery on his own
hook, taking care to =
avoid mistake S Of the I,
one who was caught
but he makes a mis-
take, too-they all
do, poor wretches-
and is caught and l
Gagged also.
In reading of the
crime haven't you
often caught your
self saying or think
ing, "Now what he ougl
| had been doing that
you? If you have not y
You are evenly balan
will power, correct train
man who Is born in po
wickedness, who is bro
Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-11

is not my intention to give
e a scientific discourse on
couldn't IL |
would, but there are a good
many interesting little items
connected with the subject
that we can all understand.
They appealed to me, were
within my reach and, as | am
neither scientist or criminol-
ogist, | think they will inter
est others who, like myself,
have other things to do
than study the why"
\ when" and wherefore"
y of the criminal.
Criminology would in
terest a great many more
of us If 1t were not for
the name, we cannot get
past that. The mere word
suggests brutality and re-
pulses a large majority
who might really enjoy the
subject II they could over
come this feeling.
l promise you no head
measurements or statis-
tics, and will tell nothing
that might disturb the
peace of your slumbers.
Did you know there is
great criminal, a mur-
derer in fact, among the
flowers? No, neither did
I until recently and l was
Just as surprised and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
SERIOUS FIRE ON
 THE HIGHLANDS

A serious fire, apparently of incendiary origin. broke out in the residence of Ed ward Wald, on Highland avenue and Ash street. last night shortly before 12 o'clock, resulting in a loss of about $7500 to the house and contents.
 Both Chief Bennett of the fire depart ment and MT. Wald, the occupant of the house. are firm in their belief that the fire was one of incendiary origin. The blaze originated in the front bedroom of time a blaze was started in the parlor. It Is thought likely that someone broke into the house and set fire to the bed in the front room.
 When MT. Wald woke up and discovered that his home was burning he rushed to the bedroom and attempted to extinguish the flames, but the blaze was burning so furiously that he was forced back, and when the fire department arrived the whole front part of the house was well enveloped in flames.
 The Wald home is heated by a furnace in the basement and it was impossible for the fire to have originated from grates This adds strength to the suspicion of in- cendiarism.
 The Wald residence is itself valued at S20 900. The insurance on the house is $5OO0 and on the furniture $4000
 The fire caused much excitement along Highland avenue and several hundred people were attracted to the scene despite the late hour.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
Ambassador GYiScOr1
 May Resign Position

Rome, December 26.-The fact that the American ambassador, Lloyd C. Griscom, has given up the lease of Del Drago pal ace, where he has made his residence since coming to Rome, has given rise to various reports with regard to the am bassador's future intentions. Among these is a report that the United States govern ment has purchased the palace for the use of the embassy; another Is that Mir Gris- com will seek new quarters in which to reside.
 Inquiry at the foreign office and among attaches of the court, however, indicates that it is the ambassadors intention to retire from the diplomatic service. It is stated on good authority that he already has forwarded to Washington his resigna- tion, in which he declines to take office abroad after the retirement of President Roosevelt.
 It is understood that MT. Grsicom has informed King Victor Emmanuel and the minister of foreign affairs, Signor Titton, of his decision. Both expressed deepest regret at this step but after listening to the ambassadors explanation they agreed with him that it would certainly be to his advantage to return to his home volun- tarily, so that he might take an active part in the political affairs of his coun- try.
 Mr. Griscom is known to be a close personal friend of the President-elect, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
FINAL CHAPTER OF
 ROYAL ROMANCE

Washington. December 26.-(Speeial.)- The end of the romance of Katherine FL kins and the Duke of Abruzz is to be like the final chapter of an old-fashioned novel, in which the heroine fees with her memories to convent walls and the hero betakes himself and his wounded heart to the wildernesses of the world to seek forgetfulness.
 The authoritative announcement in the early part of this month that there would be no marriage between Miss El1ns and the Italian prince and cousin of king, was hardly cold when the cable brought from Rome the report that the duke was planning to be off to the uneXplored mountain fastnesses of India. Subse- quently dispatches have confirmed this report.
 It was learned today that Miss Elkins' attitude toward society for the next six months at least, and perhaps longer, will he more serious than ever was anticipated. She is going to try to forget by giving her time up entirely to the study neces- sary to fit herself to be a trained nurse.
 Arrangements have been made by Miss Elkins to begin the serious work of study
 
 this city on Monday week. She has en- ployed a professional nurse to be her guide in the early steps of the course which she is to take.
 The course which Miss EllIins will have to follow, under the rules of hospital training will include attendance at all lectures clinics and operations. She will lave to spend a certain number of hours each day in the various wards observing the treatment of patients and fitting her. self to take temperatures, dress wounds, apply bandages and do all the offices wh.th nurse must perform for the sick.
 It is said that Miss EllIins' tuition will cover only six months. This period has been fixed by her as a time in which she could decide whether she would like her studies She will not live at the hospital as ether nurses in training have to do, but she will have to put in most of her days there and frequently nights, if she hopes 10 keep up with the course.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
COUNTESS CASSINI
 MAY WED AMERICAN

Paris, December 26.-(Special.)-As a re- suit of a mountain climbing experience, the much admired Countess Cassini, the daug hter of Count Cassini, now Russian ambassador to Madrid, has at last found her fate and her friends expect her en- gagement to be announced most any day Several months ago, while at Spiez, in Switzerland, the countess attempted a terilous climb and found herself in a position of great danger, when she for tunately encountered Alexander Moseley, a handsome young clubman of Richmond Va, who was descending by the same pass. They met, he saved her, and the constant attentions of MT. Moseley to the countess since that time have caused their friends to consider the engagement a matter of course.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
STATE IF ANARCHY
 IN 4 MINING TOWN Troops Are on Guard to Pre- vent Burning of Property SIX PERSONS ARE DEAD United States Marshal Disappeared After the Fight, and It Is Believed
 That He Is Dead-Ruins of
 Building Are Searched.
SIX PERSONS ARE DEAD

Lexington, December 26.-(Special.)- are guarding the little mining town of Stearns, Whiteley county, tonight to pre- vent miners from destroying lives and property, burning up the town, as they have threatened. The Somerset company, State Guard, arrived there at o'clock on a special train. They are there to pro- tect the $2OOo,o0O plant of the stearns Lumber company and the marshals will pay more attention to preventing rioting generally although they will be supported by the troops whenever necessary.
 Twenty-Five members of the Lexington company, State Guard, were ordered out tonight, leaving for Stearns at o'clock. Rioting and bloodshed are expected every minute. Stearns is full of armed miners and mountaineers and all are angry.
 Therry Simpson, who led the trouble of yesterday, in which two officers and four miners were killed, is still at large, and is understood to be with his henchmen in the mountains ready to descend upon the town at any moment.
 This descent is expected tonight or to- morrow. United States Marshal Ryan, who disappeared after being wounded during the fight on Christmas Day, has never been seen since the fight, and it is feared he has been killed or that he is being held prisoner in the hills by the Simpson band. If this Is the case he is regarded as good as dead as Simpson and his men are infuriated at the death meted to their comrades and the burning of the hotel at Stearns yesterday.
 search of the ruins of Simpson s hotel in which it was believed several men had lost their lives, was made this afternoon but no bodies were found. It s now believed they had an underground means of escape, as when call was made on them to surrender yesterday they put their women and children out of the building and defied the officers
 When the officers dynamited and fired the building to get them out, only few left. and these were shot down, either killed or wounded.
 Several of the wounded were carried off to the hills on the backs of their com rades, and it is known that several are missing, but as these were not found in the ashes it is supposed they got out through an underground passage,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
WARNING IS GIVEN
 ID COUNC|LMEN PittsburgerS Must Not Leave
 City Under Penalty VOTERS LEAGUE ACTIVE Some of the Councimen Want to Turn States Evidence, But the Prose-
 ton Will Not Accept Testi-
 mony of This Kind.
VOTERS LEAGUE ACTIVE

Pittsburg, December 26.-(Speeial.) )-Sev- enteen councilmen involved in the graft exposures have been notified not to leave the city under pain of immediate ar rest This warning comes direct from the Voters league headquarters. When of ficials of the league were asked tonight if the councilmen thus warned were wanted merely as witnesses they laughed, and one said Hardly"
 Earnest effort is being made by one or more of the seven councilmen already under arrest to turn states evidence, and offers have been made by some one to the prosecution, which had refused point blank to consider it. President Veil of the Voters league today made the fol- lowing statement:
 We don't want the testimony of 'souealers. We do not need it, and will not grant quarter to any one. We have refused to do so and I want to serve notice that no attorney has authority to offer immunity to any one before the trial. The Voters league has enough evidence, and more than enough, to send every man under attest to prison, and also to at tend to others who are mixed lip in the case.
 Yes. there are others to be arrested; many of them.'
 Late evening papers printed the story that it is the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Pittsburg Street Railway companies that are after the grafters, and that the two corporations are putting up the money not from a standpoint of morals but for self-proteetion. They are said to believe it is cheaper to send few dozen grafting councilmen to the penitentiary than to pay out each year the many thou sands of dollars which they have been forced to do to protect themselves against adverse legislation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
REVOLUTION BUT
 NJ BLOOD IS SHED VenezueIa Under New Regime
 and Peace RelgnS CASTRO LOSES MILLIONS Former President Will Lose Property Left Behind Owing to Claims of
 Fraud-President Gomez
 Takes the Palace.
CASTRO LOSES MILLIONS

Caracas. Venezuela, Wednesday, De- cenber 23-CVia Port of Spain, Trinidad, December 26)-The presidency of Juan yincente Gomez has been recognized by the eountry-at-large, officially and unof- fcially. and Venezuela is through with one of the most popular revolutions in the annals of the republic, a revolution in which not one drop of blood was shed.
 The authority of President Gomez is ac- cepted as supreme. Even Gen. Celestine Castro. brother of the former president, who was chief of the department of Ia chf.a. has turned over to the new mili- tary commander of that district all of the arms and ammunition in his posses sion, amounting to 6O00 rifles and 100000 rounds Of ammunition. Celestine Castro s acceptance of the new regime is regarded as final and conclusive evidence that his brother is no longer a factor in the situa- tion.
 President Gomez is showing in many ways his desire to propitiate all interests, promote business, both local and foreign, and improve foreign relations
 Cipriano Castro is being sued in the Caracas courts for moneys and property alleged to have been obtained wrongfully. Among others Madame Crespo, widow of former President Joaquin Crespo, has brought action to recover two years rental of the Mirafiores palace.
 These various actions probably will re- suit in Cipriano Castro losing properties to the value of S2,O00000, which he left behind in Venezuela when he sailed for France about a month ago. The doors of the country have been opened to all Venezuelans residing abroad and all for mer patriots and revolutionary agitators have been urged to return. The cattle monopoly maintained for so many years by Castro has been abolished, and the press has been given its freedom. All the political prisoners in the land excepting the men who were connected with the recent plot to assassinate President Gomez have been freed and the President has settled the dispute with his neighbor on the west. the United States of Colombia. This difficulty has existed for many years and arose over a contested boundary line. A decree issued today opens the Seula river to Colombian navigation and re- stores the frontier customs house at Villa Misar.
 Jose de Jesus Paul, who was minister of foreign affairs in the Castro cabinet, received two days ago a dispatch from Cipriano Castro at Berlin reading as fol- lows:
 "Declare the Dutch warships pirates. Suspend the payments to the powers un- der the Washington protocols. l am for warding you a solution of the difficulty.
 This communication has been received here with ridicule.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
MORE WITNESSES
 AT UNION CITY

Union City, Tenn, December 26.-(Spe- cial)-The state has secured service or attachments on the three important Wit nesses who were absent Thursday when an adjournment was taken for the holi- days and these three men will be placed on the stand Monday morning when the trial of the eight alleged night riders charged with the murder of Capt. Quen- tin Rankin, is again taken up. These three witnesses are Will Rogers, Walter Hope and J. w. Thurman, all of whom nave been threatened with death if they ap-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27

New York, December 26.-(Special )-The committee appointed by Governor Hughes to inquire into the business and methods of Wall street held its second weekly meeting today in the chamber of com merce. Chairman Horace White presiding. The committee met at 10:30 o'clock, when Wall street was taking a vacation. The object of todays meeting was to near the report of the subcommittee appoint ed at the recent meeting of the commit tee Maurice Muhleman was elected sec retary. MT. Muhleman was formerly dep uty assistant treasurer of the United States. and was secretary of the Hep burn committee.
 At the conclusion of the meeting today,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27

Cuthbert, Ga, December 26.-GSpecial.)- Loaded with Christmas whisky, crowd of young negroes tried to take Cuthbert yesterday afternoon.
 They attacked Rad Bridges, a young man, and Alex Bridges, his brother. See ing his brother in danger, Alexander hur- rled to his aid. Another negro, standing near rushed on him with a knife. Bridges, revolver in hand, warned the negro to keep off, at the same time backing away. The negro continued to advance and Bridges fired four times, every shot talk ing effect.
 The negro, Alex Glenn, fell dead in his
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27

pear as witnesses for the state against the defendants here in Union City.
 The attachments were served today and the men will be brought here tomorrow.
 For the present no more suspects will be allowed to make confessions to the state attorneys as they believe they have sufficient evidence at the present time to secure convictions on every indictment that has been found by the grand jury. 1lis statement was authoritatively made by Attorney General D. J. Caldwell this afternoon and came after there had been a strong rumor on the street all day that Ethelbert Rogers and John Ratliff, two prisoners held in the barracks, and Ed Marshall, who is under a $2o,000 bond for alleged implication in the murder of Cap tain Rankin, had confessed and turned states evidence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
Biq Explosion of Fireworks.

Americus, Ga, December 26.-A terrific explosion, jarring and alarming the city, resulted tonight from the accidental dis charge of carload of fireworks at the store of H. Thomas, a small frame struc- ture A cigarette started the pyrotechnic display. Dynamite crackers by hundreds exploded, while skyrockets illuminated the heaveas Enlightened teams dashed through crowded streets and excitement became intense until the fire department finally subdued the flames.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27

there is no doubt in the minds of the of- fieials of the Italian government that MT. Griscom will be retained in the diplomat ic service Both the King and Queen, in their expressions of regret have voiced the feeling of the people, among whom Ambassador Griscom is a great favorite.
 When questioned tonight about his re- ported resignation, MT. Grseom refused to reply directly but he did not deny the report. He merely said that he had no statement to make on the subject.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
Disastrous Train Wreck.

Reidsville, Ga, December 26-On the Georgia Coast and Piedmont railway near here today ar incoming passenger train fin rounding curve on high embank- rhent jumped the track turned over and rolled in heap into a ditch 40 feet be- low. The passenger list consisted of F persons, all of whom were seriously in- sured, several of this number receiving broken limbs and severe contusions. The names of the injured were not learned tonight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
Baptist Sunday School Union.

The Baptist Sunday School union of the Birmingham district will meet at the Southside church at o'clock on the aft noon of January 3. The programme is as follows:
 Song service led by Stephen A. Allsop
 Devotional exercises T. H. Johnston.
 Business session.
 ''The Ideal Attitude of the Pulpit To- ward the Sunday School" First, from the pastors standpoint, Dr. Blake; second, from the superintendents standpoint, M l.. Bonner.
 ..The Pastor in the Teachers Meeting, ' Cha rles A. Brown
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
CHRISTMAS MURDER IS
 SHROUDED IN MYSTERY

it is the belief of the police that the man was robbed after he had been killed
 There was nothing on the body that would give a clew to the identity of the victim This leads the police to believe that the man had been lured to the spot and killed for revenge and that his val uables were taken to give the idea that he had been killed in holdup. The de- tectives say that those who killed him re- moved all traces or marks by which he could be identified.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
Only Rumors Heard.

Philadelphia, December 26.-The report from Rome indicating that Ambassador Griscom will retire from the diplomatic service at the end of President Roose- velt's administration could not be con- firmed tonight at the home of MT. Gris- coms relatives at Haverford, a suburb of this city. Clement A. Griscom, the ann bassador's father, and other members of the family, left for Florida early this evening, but inquiry at the residence brought forth the statements that there were "rumors that MT. Griscom was com ing home in March.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27

Chicago, December 6.-(special)-A Christmas murder, shrouded in mystery,
 was brought to the attention of the police of Chicago and Forest Park when the body of a man. apparently 25 years of age, was found on the prairie at West Iweltth street and Desplaines avenue, Forest Park, late today. The body was well dressed and according to the police he was man of refinement. No valuabes or money was found in the clothing. and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-27
FINANCIAL COMMITTEE
 PROBING WALL STREET

Chairman White made the announcement that the committee had adopted the rec ommendation of the subcommittee on plan and scope to begin the investigation by an examination of the produce ex- change and the New York cotton ex- change. and that the next meeting of the whole committee would take place January II. MT. White said further that the subcommittee on ways and means had recommended that the members go on with the investigation defraying the expenses temporarily out of their private purses until some other means was found to reimburse the members and continue the work. MT. White said that it was expected that the work of the commit tee would be finished in about three months.