davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
SELECTION MEETS
GENEROUS APPROVAL
Number of Other Matters Discussed
BY the New Board at a Meeting Held
in the Offices of the Hsttiesburs
Trust 6 Banking Company.

The newly elected members of the
city council held meeting last
night in the office of Mr.. N. r. Mo
Cullough, in the Hattiesburg Trust &
Banking Company's building, the pur-
pose of which was to discuss and be-
come acquainted with the affairs of
the city government.
While the meeting was of an in
formal character, at least one import
ant matter was settled and that was
the selection of a city attorney. There
were several applicants for the place.
but the new council decided to tender
the place to an attorney who was not
an applicant, selecting for this i'm
portant place in the city government,
Mr.. d. E. Sullivan.
A committee was appointed to no
tify Mr.. Sullivan that his services
were desired for the city by the new
council. and accordingly he was this
morning notified of his selection. He
expressed his high appreciation of the
honor conferred and said that while
he was not an applicant he still did
not feel that he could ignore the
wishes of the incoming council when
they had so signally honored him, and
he accordingly agreed to accept the
place. This selection will give very
general satisfaction, as Mr.. Sullivan
is conceded to be not only one Of the
best lawyers of the city, but of the
state, as for that matter. He has
served the city in this capacity be-
fore and is familiar with all the
duties pertaining to the position. His
selection as city attorney will give
general satisfaction and the new coun-
Gil is to be congratulated In making
such a good start. -
1t is understood to be the purpose
of the new council to fix the salary of
the city attorney at the sum of 800
per month.
A number of other matters were
discussed by the newly elected men,
bers. chief of which was the. financial
condition of the city. The council will
have about $4,000 with which to pay
current expenses for the year, 1909,
and how to figure the expenses so
that they will fall within the income,
is matter that was given consider
able attention.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16

WILLIAM
RETICENT'
Hearst News Service

Berlin, Dec. 16.-Under the watchful
eye and attentive ear of Secretary Of
State Won Schoen, and with American
Ambassador Hill also present EN-
peror William today gave an audience
at Potts Dam Palace to Drs. Davis
and Felix Adler, American exchange
professors
Secretary of State Won Schoen was
present to insure against the kaiser
making any utterance that might
prove embarrassing, and he succeeded
admirably for the kaiser's remarks
were harmless and inocent in the ex-
treme.
The emperor expressed admiration
for President-elect Taft and said that
he hoped to be able to welcome Roose-
velt on visit next year.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
ORDER RESTORED
IN CARACAS TODAY

Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 16.-Mar-
tial law reigns in thss city today. Ev-
cry effort is being made to prevent
a recurrence of the riots of last
night, when houses we're stoned, win
dows broken, buildings fired and mer-
chandise carried from looted stores
and burned.
The animus of the mob was leveled
at friends and adherents of president
Castro, who is today in Berlin.
Plaza Bodvar was the scene of the
widest excitement.
The president was burned in effigy
and the statue of Castro was hauled
through the streets and demolished.
For many hours the authorities
were unable to cope with the fury
of the mob.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
LUCKY To ESCAPE
DEATH BY HANGING
District Attorney Mcneil Accepted
Compromise Measure with Much Re-
Iuctance, It Is Said-Hard to Secure
Jury to Hang White Man.

Daily News Special.
Jackson, Dec. 16.-The unexpected
termination of the Birdsong murder
case at Hazlehurst yesterday fur
nishes striking illustration of the
fact that 1t is we'll nigh impossible
to get a jury in Mississippi to ad-
minister the death sentence to a white
man charged with murder, especially
if the accused has plenty of friends
and family influence.
The facts in the Hazlehurst tragedy
are still fresh in the public mind, for
the killing occurred just one week
ago today, the slayer being DIR. Tom
Birdsong, prominent dentist, and his
victim DR.. A. B. Pitts, one of the
foremost physicians of the state.
The killing was cold-blooded and un-
provoked. This was even admitted
by the defense. Birdsong had been
drinking heavily for several days, and
when DR.. Pitts demonstrated with the
landlord of the building in which they
were both tenants, saying that he
would have to move out if Birdsong's
orgies were continued, the latter con-
strued 1t as an insult and, procuring
a pistol, went to the office of DR..
Pitss and shot him down almost with
out warning.
Two of the ablest lawyers in the
state, Hon. R. P. Willing of Jackson,
and Hon. A. G. McNair of Brook
haven, we're retained for the defense.
After an investigation of the evil
dence they quickly reached the con-
clusion that their client would be
lucky if he escaped the gallows. A
proposition was made to District At
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
The Panic is Over Now;
Rusty Coins Are Coming In

ished and had to be sent to Grahams
jewelry store to be cleaned, before
being put in circulation, but other
wise they were all right.
The appearance of the coins indi-
Gated that they were comparatively
new when they were buried, and It
is stated that they were probably put
away in the beginning of the financial
panic more than year ago.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
Hearst News Service.

Flushing, l.. l., Dec. ia sensa-
tion was sprung in the trial of T.
Jenkins Hams, charged with being an
accessory to the murder of William
q. Annis, when John F. Mcintyre,
chief counsel for the defense, this
morning charged that one of his main
witnesses had been tampered with by
the prosecution.
Mcintyre claims to have secured an
affidavit from this man that on the
day of the killing the Hams brothers
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16

The fact that these coins have been
brought from their hiding place and
again put in the channels of trade
shows that the owner had gotten over
his scare and was no longer afraid
to trust them with the banks. It
speaks more eloquently than mere
words of the fact that confidence
has been restored, and that the peo-
pie are beginning to realize after so
long time. \
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16

AS an evidence OF the fact that
times are getting better and that con-
fidence is being restored. 1t can be
stated that a few days ago a big lot
of silver coins that had been buried
for several months found their way
into the counting room of the First
National Bank Of Commerce, having
been brought in to be deposited.
The coins were considerably tarn-
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
HATESBuRC MISSISSIPPI WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON DECEMBER M 1908

torney Mcneil to enter plea of
guilty and accept a life sentence in
the penitentiary, with the additional
agreement that the friends and rela-
tives of Birdsong would not ATTEMPT.
at any time in the future. to secure
for him pardon from the governor.
District Attorney Mcneil accepted
those terms with some reluctance
Bearing in mind, however, his ex.
perience in former murder trials
where juries showed a decided aver
sion to infiicting capital punishment in
cases where it was richly deserved.
despite the fact that they had previ-
ously taken oaths that they had no
conscientious scruples against i'm
posing the death penalty, he reached
the conclusion that he could hardly
hope for death sentence If the case
would be submitted to jury. and he
therefore decided to recommend to
the court that this course be taken.
thus saving the county a very con-
siderable sum in court costs, and per-
haps long and tedious delay in the
final disposal of the case. The citi-
zens of Copiah county were demand
ing the speedy administration of jus-
tice, and are apparently satisfied with
the disposal of Birdsong as agreed
upon yesterday.
1t is expected that the prisoner will
be brought to Jackson tomorrow and
transferred to the Rankin convict
farm to commence his sentence. He
has been allowed day or so in which
to direct the disposal of his per-
sonal affairs, as he is a man of FAM
lily, and has small amount of prop
erty.
Birdsong Is about forty-five years of
age, and is the first member of his
so far as known. ever sent
to the Mississippi penitentiary. It is
not yet known at what employment
nv WIZ DO ooolSuCu, Dul Ill View Oh
the fact that two years ago Governor
attempted to secure legis-
lative authority for the employment
of dentist to look after the teeth of
the convicts, Birdsong may have
chance to practice his profession
among the states felons for the re-
mainder of his natural life. At pres
ent the convicts are compelled to go
to the farm physicians when they have
trouble of any sort with their molars,
and in his last message to the legis-
laure Governor Vardaman pointed out
that there was great deal of need
less suffering among tbs prisoners be-
cause of the fact that their teeth were
not being cared for by a dentist.
Still, (eleceltaou cmfw mfwyp mfw
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
WAGON BROKE down
2 MILES FROM TOWN
Distinguished Educator Mounted Bare
backed Horse and Rode Into Ash
land, the Inland County Site of
eenton-Makine Good Campaign.

Jackson, Dec. 16.-In order to fill his
engagement to deliver an address at
Ashland yesterday, State Superintend-
ent of Education Powers rode two
miles on horseback without saddle or
blanket, in typical plowboy style,
reaching the Benton county seat a
little late, but finding a large audience
pationetly awaiting his arrival.
The occasion was the general rally
OF the Benton County Educational So
ciety, and the address of Prof. Powers
was on the subject of education in
general and industrial education in
particular, with a few side remarks
upon the necessity for the establish
ment of a state normal school and of
county agricultural high schools. of
which more than a score have already
been established in the state during
the past year.
The state superintendent bare
back-horse-back ride was due entire
ly to an accident. One of the en-
thusiastic citizens of Ashland had
driven to Lamar, the nearest railroad
point, to meet their distinguished
guest, and the vehicle had a pretty
good horse and mule for motor-power.
When about eighteen miles of the dis
tance had been covered and there was
but about two miles to travel. there
was a breakdown which could not be
temporarily repaired. While Super-
intendent Powers and his friend were
wondering what to do next negro
came along who had been to town. He
saw the dilemma, but offered no rem
edy. He devined who the state SUI
perintendent was, however, and said:
Boss, dey's a lot O. de white folks
up dere at de cot house waltin' TO-
you"
This settled 1t.
81 can't disappoint those people"
said Prof Powers.
You'll have to disappoint them"
replied his friend, because you can't
get there. There's no way in the
world to fix this wagon without taking
it to blacksmith shop, and we can't
go any farther"
II don't know what you are going
to do" was the rejoinder, "but am
going to ride this horse. You can
ride the mule If you want to-"
"But We have no saddles" said the
owner of the team.
Il used to ride without a saddle
when boy" replied the educator,
"and I may have forgotten how, but
l am going to learn the art again.
Whereupon the two mounted the
horse and mule, and with the exceE
tion of the slight unavoidable delay
there was no maring of the pleasure
or interest in the occasion.
Superintendent Powers speaks Fri
day night at Verona and Saturday at
Aberdeen, returning home Sunday To-
day he Is busy in his office at the
capitol working out the appointment
for the distribution of the $1,250,000
of the common school fund to be dis
trlbuted in January.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16

STUDENTS
RES0LUTE
Action Of Methodist Conference
Forbidding Athletics is
Severely CONDEMNED

Jackson, Miss, Dec, 15.-The stu
dent body of Millsaps College held a
mass meeting last night and adopted
resolutions protesting against the ac-
tion of the Mississippi conference of
the Methodist church in forbidding
the participation in intercollegiate
athletics. The resolution asks the
faculty to ignore the action of the
conference and permit intercollegiate
sports next season.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
SENSATION SPRUNG
IN HAMS HEARING
Attorney For the Defense Charges That Wit
ness Has Been Tampered With.

were looking for real estate dealer
and had been directed to the Bayside
Yachting Club house.
1t is now understood that the wit
ness will repudiate this affidavit when
he takes the stand.
The prosecution today began the
presentation OF the case with the
opening statement of District Attor-
ney Darrin.
Mrs. Peter G. Hams, Sr., win be an
important witness in defense Of her
son.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
TO EXCLUDE NEWSPAPERS.
Names of Editors, Officers, Directors
and Stockholders To Be Printed.
Hearst News Service.

Washington, Dec. 16.-With a view
of letting the public know what in
fiuences operate upon it through the
press, Representative Cooper of Texas
today introduced a bill to exclude
newspapers and magazines from the
mails unless the names OF the owner
and editor or officers, directors and
stockholders be printed on its first
page.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
HORSE
BURNED TO DEATH
Hearst News servics.

Indianapolis, Ind, Dec. 16,--It is
rumored that Allen N. Winter. winner
of the Readville stakes and the high
est priced trotter in the country. was
burned to death in fire which de-
stroyed the Indianapolis Stables Com
pany's barns here today and cremated
sixty-five valuable horses.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
THE OHIO LEGISLATURE.
Governor Harris Issues ProeIama-
tlon Calling a Special Session.

Columbus, o., Dec. 16.-Governor
Harris has issued proclamation
calling for special session OF the
legislature to meet Jan. 4. No state
ment as to the purpose for which the
session is called is made, the gov
ernor saying that he will point out
the reason for the call in his special
message to the solons.
! A successor to Seenator Foraker
will be elected at the session.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
OHIO BANK FAILS
BECAUSE OF loan
Hearst News Service.

Napoleonville, o., Dec. 16.-The Citi-
zens State Bank today filed an assign
ment to D. d. Donovan as the result
of a loan made to Judge Donnelly,
president of the Ohio German Insur-
ance Company, which failed a few
days ago.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
NATIONAL BANK FAILS:

Washington, Dec. 16.-The First Ma
tional Bank of Somerworth, N H.,
has been closed by the comptroller
of the currency. Defalcations are
said to have impaired the capital OF
the bank.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
BALKAN DISPUTE
IS ABOUT SOLVED
Hearst News service.

st. Petersburg, Russia, Dec. 16.-If
Austria can reach an agreement with
the Balkan states as to the amount of
compensation which should be receiv-
ed for the annexation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Russian diplomats be-
lieve today that the forthcoming Bal
kan conference will be little more
than formality.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16
BRYAN MADE gain
over FORMER RACE

New York, Dec. 16.-The total pop
ular votes of the various presidential
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16

Exceeds vote 1904 by 1,341,531.
The biggest difference in the party
vote shows an increase for Bryan Of
1,S51,211 over Parker in 1904. Taft
received 14.190 more than was polled
in by Roosevelt in 1904, and Debs ran
45,S6s ahead of the predecessor so
cialist ticket. Watson ran 1882 be-
hind vote of 1904 and Chain 1924
behind 1904.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16

candidates last campaign were made
known last night in official form by
the filing of the last official votes,
those of Michigan.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-16

Don't kick unless you know how to
kick and where.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-21
MICHIGAN FOR BRYAN

Resolutions for Him Greeted With Ap-
plausc md Unanimously Adopted.
LANSING, MICK, May 2o.-William
j, Bryan was indorsed to-day by tho
State Democratic convention. and the
Michigan delegation In the convention
was instructed to vote for him under
theSunit rule until he Is nominated for
the presidency.
The instruction was by unanimous
vote of the convention, and at no time
during the sessions did the slightest
opposition to MI. Bryan develop.
For delegates t-large to the ma
tional convention the following were
chosen:
John T. Winship, Saginaw; Wood :
bridge N. Ferris, Big Rapids Charles
H. Kimmerle. Cassopolls Edward Ryan.
Hancock.
Alternat t-largeJ ohm A. Nc
Laughlin, Muskegon; T. E. Tarsney.
Detroit; John +. Bible, Ionia; c. II.
Dodge, Lansing.
The address of Temporary Chairman
A. NJ. Cummlns. Of Lansing. and the
appointment Of committees, occupied
the morning session of the convention.
The resolutions 3instructlng for VIII
liam j. Bryan were greeted with tre-
mendous cheers and unanimously
adopted,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-21
ARE VOTING FOR BISHOPS.
w. f. Anderson and Rev. j.
Nuelsen Reported Elected.

Rev. w. f. Anderson and REV. j. Il,
Nuelsen Reported Elected.
BALTIMORE, ND. May 2o.-The
event to which the entire Methodist
Episcopal world has been looking for
ward. the election Of bishops BY the
day. two ballots being taken. The
first was without effect. and the re-
suit of the second will be held secret
until announced by the presiding off
Ger to the conference tomorrow morn
ing.
Information. believed to be reliable,
is to the effect that the second ballot
resulted in the election as bishops OF
Few w. #. Anderson, of New York;
secretary $, of the Board Of Education,
Freedman's Aid and Sunday Schools,
and Rev. j. L, Nuelsen, professor of
Ohio. ? ~ >1'l'
These two had a. decisive lead over
all other candidates on the first ballot.
with 446 and 445 votes respectively,
their nearestScomnetitor being Rev. ".
=; ouayle. pastor of st. James Church,
IChlcago who received 319 votes.
The first ballot was remarkable in
number of ways. one Of them be-
Ing the large number OF men who re-
ceiVed votes. OF these there were Gao.
although but eight can eventually be
successful. Its probable that the sec
ond ballot, when announced will show
a shflnkage OF three-quarters in the
number Of candidates voted for.
The vote was remarkably large. 777
hallots being cast (seven of which were
possible 7s7 lesal votes, IL every iele.
gate who might have been elected all
over the world. We're actually in Al.
tendance on the conferences II - ~
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-21
LIQUOR MEN BEAT BYRD
Control winchester Convention and
Speakers Name Not Put Up.

Especial to The Times .Dlspatch.I
WINCHESTER, VA. May 2o.-The
failure OF the Democratic convention
in the city last night to send Hon. r.
e. Byrd as delegate to the Roanoke
convention has been the leading topic
in political circles here and elsewhere
In the state to-day. While Mr.. Byrd
who is the Speaker OF the Virginia
House and author OF the Byrd liquor
law, refused to allow his name to be
presented to the convention, this ac-
tion was only taken after the liquor
irien. who held majority representa-
ton on the executive committee. and
many of their followers had packed the
convention and were found to be In
control.
Mr.. Boyd's recent active participation
ir local option campaigns and his work
In framing the Byrd law. which is OBJ
jectionable to the liquor people, led to
a. deterninedsef effort to down him. The
situation was made more acute by the
fact that many OF the dry Democrats
were already pledged to citizens
league ticket and could not enter the
convention. the executive committee
having combined local and national
nominations. That Mr. Byrd and Sem
.ator Ward will both be sent as dele
gates from Frederick county seems
certain.
The delegates elected by the mass
convention to the Roanoke convention
were r. T. Barton. J. e. Correll w. w.
Wall and S. H. Hansbrougf.
Alternates-A. r. Breckenridge,
Adam Forney, r. Gray Williams and
T. Y.fKinzel.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-21
VIRGINIA APPROPRIATIONS
Allowance. Made in the ons,tbu. pub.

Allowances Made In the Onr,tbu. Pnb.
lie Buildings Bill.
=. WASHINGTON, D. c., May 2O.-The
senate to-day passed the omnibus pub
nc buildings bill. inserting not only
the numerous amendments suggested
by the Senate Committee on Public
bulldings and Groupds. but also a few
proposed pr, p. on the floor OF, the Senate by
individual Senator's. AS passed. the
bill carries a total of about 5000, 900,
or which S6,O00,000 Is for continuing z
contracts. rs - =
An increase of $4,000 was made in
behalf OF the proposed building at
Wilmington. n. c., bringing the limit
up to s35o.o0O. The Senate amend
ment providing for a new office build
Ing for the Departments OF State and
Justice, to be used jointly. was re-
famed, the ultimate cost OF which is
united to S2.b0o,000, and 1t is hinted
that II this item is not retained the
bill may be allowed to fail
The amendment appropriating $400.-
900 for the purchase of an embassy
building IN Paris. to be used as al,
office and residence, also was{acoepted
by the Senate. The increases and new
items for Virginia are:
Charlottesville-s35.0 700, to be applied
IN supplying and placing in position,
complete, the marble entablature and
columns for the Federal, buildings, as
originally contemplated.
Danyille-,Approopristton, for improve
from $4,000 to $4,000.
Covington-s7,5OO for the purchase
Of a site for the public building.
The Senate committee reduced the
appropriation of $l05.OO0 for a public
building at Big Stone Gap to $4,000.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-21
!. DIES FROM THE WOUND
Dying ReHucst OF Abel Tint There he
No Prosecution of Boyd.
Especial 10 The Tlme..pl.patch.1

Especial to The Times. Dlspatch.1
AsHEVILLE, N. G.. May 2o.--Henry
Abel. a former chief OF police of
Waynesville, who was shot on tho
streets OF Waynesvi1le Saturday night
by David T. Boyd. Haywood county
representative In the state Legisla-
ture. died last night. 1t was report
ed hero to-day that Mr.. Abel's dying
8re1uest was that Mr.. Boyd be not pro-
secuted. Mr. Boyd was arrested some
time after tho shooting and placed in
jail. He was later released on $4,000
bond.
When the fatal shot occurred 1t
seems that two young fellows. Grover
sLeath erwood and Kenny Young. were
engaged In difficulty on the streets.
Abel. 1t is said was active In an ef-
fort to separate them. when Mr.. BOYD
made some remark about the matter.
Abel turned to Boyd and asked: "wha.
have you got to do with It." It is all
ieged that Boyd replied. mot thing
IN the world" Some more words
passed. and Abel started at Boyd. and
is alleged to have struck him. Thoy
ciinched. and when the shot was fre1
BOYD was on the ground, according to
the most reliable reports. with Abel
on TOP OF him. Two shots were fired.
but only one took effect, the bullet en-.
terlng tho body and passing throur,,
me IN lower part OF the lung, lodging In
the back ~