davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
HUMANE REPORT.
Officer Submits Figures On Work Done
 During Past Year.

Humane Officer l.. A. Bennie has sub mitted the following annual report:
 George M Cruikshank, President, Bir- mingham Humane Society," City
 Dear Sir-I respectfully submit for your consideration, my fifth annual report of the work of the department
 Number of arrests, S6; number convicted. "A; number acquitted, Il; number appealed l; amount of fines assessed, $4S3; warn ings given, 200; animals humanely de- stroyed, 10 cases investigated, that did not justify arest, 50; cases investigated where children were involved, g; money contributed by citizens, $6.
 The society has been substantially ben efitted during the past year by the Mayor and City Council Chief of Police W. E. Wier and his department rendered their hearty support at all times, and Chief G. H. Bodeker has assured me that he will render assistance when necessary. The humane office is called upon ire quently to investigate and issue warn ings. These items are not noted in this or any former report and for the benefit of those who are continually asking why this or that arrest is not made the humane officer has his time taken up where arrests are not always necessary. I regret to say that the membership fees are only s6 for the entire year. Respect fully, L. A. BENNIE,
 Secretary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
4 JURY BOX 7RAGEDY

The jury sat listening attentively to the evidence in case in one of the county courts yesterday morning when the peace of the panel was disturbed by light, muffled explosion. Every juror sat up straight; each man pricked up his ears. and then the case pro- ceeded for few moments.
 Meanwhile. however, one member of the panel sat rather uneaslly in his seat. and presently he held up one finger to. the judge, signifying his desire to retire for a drink of water. The case was stopped and the juror retired to the jury room. but that was not all There trickled from his pocket. drop by drop, goodly potion of that cheermaker that rejuvenator, that now much prized liquid that has made John Barleycorn world famed parsonage.
 The juror stepped sheepishly outside the court room while the entieing odor permeated the atmosphere of the jury box.
 In short order three or four "Old Fox noses" made the meaning sign and fol- lowed suit to the original and sheepish member. His Honor smiled with the spectators in court-they in turn had got ten a whiff of the main attraction.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
IRON MARKET IS
 WITHOUT FEATURE
CONTRACTS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN BOOKED YESTER- DAY AT PRICES RANGING FROM SIS TO $14.

The iron market was without special feature yesterday While no large ton mage sales were reported, a few con- tracts are known to have been booked at prices ranging from S1S to sl4, the latter price having been paid for at least one carload lot.
 The buying movement which started I'D in the first week of January was very active for several days. A broker said yesterday that he estimated that upwards of 5O000 tons of Birmingham iron had been sold since January l. Another broker estimated the total tonnage book ed here at something like 6O,0OO tons. It is believed that with the large sales which the Republic is reported to have made, that company will have to blow in a second furnace at Thomas. It has been running only one stack for some time past.
 Vice President Mcqueen of the Sloss- Sheffield company, who has been in New York attending conferences of iron in- terests, will reach Birmingham this morn- ing.
 Guy R. Johnson, vice president of the Alabama Consolidated, who has been In the east since last week, will return Saturday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17

An executive session was held in the jury room where the four or five jury men had assembled through the mystic sign, but the proceedings got out through the bailif.
 What am I to do2 That was a dickens of a thing to happen right there in the jury box" said the possessor of the bot tie which had made the noise of the light, muffled explosion. q don't see what made that devilish bottle pop off anyway. I thought the stuff was good; it tastes all right"
 "Lemme see" said two of the others in unison. And two others stepped up closer
 But there was none left. The bottle had turned over in the pocket and the last drop of the life preserver had trick led out. leaving a trail from the jury box to the jury room. and then a little pool at the feet of the holder of the bottle
 But after all it don't make so much difference about the thing. except I had such a time getting that stuff. and now it's gone to waste"
 Then the five men trailed back to the jury box and everybody smiled. except the five.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
TAFT IS THE MAN
 SAYS THOMPSON
PRESIDENTS REFEREE SAYS ON HIS RETURN THAT EVERY WHERE HE WENT IT WAS TAFT NOTHING BUT TAFT.

Taft will be the nominee of the re- publican party as surely as Bryan will be the nominee of the democratic party" said J. o. Thompson yesterday after noon, who returned to Birmingham late Wednesday night from a trip to Wash fngton, New York and other eastern points. Everywhere I went it was Taft |, nothing but Taft
 There is also no doubt in the world but that Judge Hundley will be con- frmed. In both houses of Congress could find no opposition to him, while both Senators Johnston and Bankhead have very recently expressed themselves in writing as being in favor of Judge Hundley's confirmation. The appointment of subcommittee to pass on it was simply following out the rule in regard to such appointments"
 There is no uneasness on MT. Thon1p- sons part about the Alabama delegation to the republican convention being in- structed to vote for Taft.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
EVIDENCE IS
 NOT DAMAGING
Several Witnesses Heard In Case Against Firm Suspected of
 lncendiarism.

The investigation of the fire in the store of Rosen & Coplon last Tuesday night was begun yesterday morning, and about d dozen witnesses were ex- amined but there was little damaging evidence against the men of whom incendiarsm is suspected.
 The case was taken up yesterday morning at 10 o'clock before A. Sid Cowan, acting judge in the case. Among captain of the chemical fire department: J. -. Williams, an insurance man; and MT. Coplon, one of the partners of the firm involved.
 It was brought out in the testimony that the firm had something over 5000 insurance on the stock, and that one of the policies carried expired on the day after the fire. This was possibly the most important point brought out.
 MT. Coplon testified that he closed up the store at 8 o'clock and started to- ward his home at S20 North Fifteenth street He stated that he knew noth- ing of the fire until he was told of 1t by a boy, and said further that it was out when he reached the store. Accord ing to his testimony the store was by gas and electricity, and he stated that he thought one of the lights was left burning. He also stated that there might have been fire in the stove although he did not notice any when he left
 The case was continued early yester- day afternoon until this morning at 10 o'clock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
COLDER WEATHER
 BRINGS SEWERS
WARNING SENT OUT YESTERDAY PROBABLY SAVED MANY WATER DAYS WEATHER FREAklsH.

Thrice blessed, the terrestial stenogra- pher of Aeolus! Had he not predicted freez- ing weather by this morning, every household might have had a burst water pipe with its accompanying vexations and plumbing bills
 MT. Lehman was not qualified to fore tell what would happen during the re- n1ainder of the week. Nor did he vouch- safe an explanation of the curious fancies of the weather during the first part of this week.
 Tuesday was a sad and dismal day. with a bit of cold and a bit of rain. Wednesday was beautiful, causing the birds to break into song, and almost tempt ing the rosebud to put it's face in the open. Yesterday was a rip-snorter, with a deal of cold, deal of rain, deal of bluster, and a diminutive Kansas tor nado.
 In the afternoon, the weather man pre- dicted freezing weather by this morning. Towards the shank of the afternoon, the thermometer dropped several degrees, and the man with his q told you so" went abroad in the land. About 10 o'clock 1t was very cold. At Il o'clock, the people from the theatre remarked on how cold it had become since their entrance into the playhouse. At F o'clock it was colder still
 MT. Lehman said it would be freez- ing by morning. So freakish have been the stunts of the weather that if it is warm again by noon, the surprises will be few. Indeed, a thunder storm in January would cause little surprise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
DOORS LOCKED ON
 HELENA CHURCH
BOTH CUMBERLAND CONGREeA. TONS PUT LOCKS ON DOOR so THAT NEITHER GAN ENTER MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD.

me Rev. J. D. Lewis, pastor and " M. franklin, one of the trustees Of tha First Cumberland Presbyterian church returned yesterday from Helena where meeting of the Birmingham Cumber- land Presbyterians has just been fin ished. They report a successful meetina with good attendance
 Another incident in connection with tbe split in the Cumberland Presbyterian church took place at Helena few days ago. The members of the congregation of the Cum berland Presbyterians. IT. & A. put a new lock on the door of the church and thus kept the members of the Cumberland Presbyterian congrega- tion from entering the edifice. The latter congregation then placed another lock on the door, retaining the only keys to it, and kept the other congregation out of the church building.
 The Rev Lewis said yesterday that the citizens of Helena were by a great ma 1ority in sympathy with the Cumberland Presbyterians.
 It will be remembered that the split in the Cumberland Presbyterian church was caused by the merger with the Pres byterian church. U. S. A. A number of members of most of the Cumberland churches objected and would not ac- cept 1t. Locally this resulted in the strange condition of two congregations with different doctrines, carrying on serv- ices in the same church, both congrega- tions holding Sunday school at the same time. That part of the congregation which accepted the merger along with the pastor, Rev. l. D. Steele, took the name of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, U. S. A., while the other congre- gation retained the name of Cumber- land Presbyterian church and called the Rev. J. D. Lewis.
 Matters continued this way for some time, the U. s. As finally locking the other congregation out of the building, since which time the Cumberland Pres byterian church has held services in the Birmingham Seminary chapel It is ex- pected that the matter will be taken into the courts within a very short while.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
WILL ALABAMA JOIN THE
 RELEN7LESS WAR ON CAZS2

Will the war that is spreading over the north for the total annihilation of cats reach the hills of Alabama? At the question hundreds of old maids hug their old cats tighter, and little chil- dren raise their chubby fists in defiance.
 Nevertheless, there is a decided move- ment in several states to do away with the feline tribe, by offering bounties on the scalps. This is started by the protectors of the game law. They de- clare that the ordinary house cat is the greatest destroyer-ef bird life in existence today excepting man. They class the poor little purring animal with pole cats and weasels, and insult him with all sorts of ugly names.
 Since the game protectors are so ener- getic in Alabama, it has been sug- gested that Tom and Tabby are on dan
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17

For President-William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska.
 For Vice Presldent-Judson Harmon of Ohio.
 Instead Of being a candidate for the presidency as opposed to William Jen- nings Bryan. 1t Is learned from communi- cations received in Birmingham yester- day from those close to the popular ohioan, Judson Harmon is preparing to do yeoman work for the Nebraskan.
 Local democrats. for several reasons which they offer, are of the opinion that Mr. Harmon will be a candidate, not for the presidency, but for the second place on the ticket. In other words the belief is strong among local democrats that Bryan will be the nominee for the presi- dency and Harmon for the vice presi- dency. This idea has taken root. too. among eastern democrats, mention of which has been made in eastern jour nals.
 Furthermore, it is believed that the visit of MT. Bryan to Birmingham next week will be the occasion of frame up;' that, in other words, Mr Harmon will receive a boom for the vice presi- dency, almost as enthusiastic as MT. Bryan will receive for the presidency.
 Local democrats point to several req sons why it would be advisable for the democrats to award second place to liar mon. The first of these is the fact that Harmon, being an Ohioan, could easily swing the electoral votes of his native state into the democratic column, inas- much as that state is torn from top to bottom by the Taft and Foraker enthus- lasts. Harmon, having been in close touch with the east for some years, would also be able to counter-balance Bryans popularity in the west. Again, 1t is fig ured with Bryan and Harmon the ticket would. appeal to both the eastern and western voters. Harmon would be the means of rallying many Cleveland demo- crats to the Bryan standard, inasmuch as he was attorney general in Clevelands cabinet
 At any rate, the belief is strong that Harmon will find himself on the crest of boom when he enters Alabama. Ac- cordng to the present plans, both men will find a royal welcome awaiting them when they arrive in the Magic City. The indications are that Thursday, January 23, will be one of the biggest days in the history of Birmingham. Prominent gen tlemen from all over the United States will visit Birmingham on the occasion of the welcoming of MT. Bryan, and promi- nent Alabamians will come from every city. It will be Bryan's day, day to honor which the entire state will turn out in force.
 Preparations for the banquet go mer- rily on. One pleasing feature will be that the menu cards will bear a couplet char acteristic of each banqueter Another interesting feature will be the singing by quartet of male voices of these couplets as each speaker is introduced. There will be other features to the ban quet, unique and entertaining. The en- tertainment committees will be appointed within the next few days. There will be one committee named from the state at large and the other will be made up en- tirely of local men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17

gerous ground in Alabama, and had best hide under the dining room table im- mediately, before a game warden is upon them.
 Softhearted persons point out that no such action should be taken without weighing all sides. They argue that Tabby begins to serve humanity when the master is but a babe, by allowing him to pull her tail, squeeze her, and take her whiskers. They state further that she is the enemy of the dog that she eats rats, and adds dozens of other advantages to her presence.
 Should the question be sprung be- tween this and the next session of the legislature, there would be lobby at the capitol, stronger in claws, purr, and scrapping ability, than ever representa- tive confronted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
TROLLEY FIRE JAR MAY BE UTILIZED Could Be Used to Reach the
 Suburbs FUNERALS BY TROLLEY Distance of Several Cemeteries From City Causes Talk As To the
 Feasibility of the
 Project.

Greater Birmingham may have two new features in transportation, soon after she comes into realization. The one will be fully equipped flat car. with motor and trolley, kept convenient to the Bir- mingham fire department, so that Chief Bennett can load all the apparatus be likes and make a hurried race over the lines of the Birmingham Railway Light and Power company to any large confiag- ration in the suburbs.
 Another which is being generally sug- gested is the funeral car, although there is no immediate prospect of a change here in the manner O. conveying the bodies of the dead to their final resting place. In many cities of the country the funeral car is as commonly seen as the long process sion of horse-drawn vehicles. In Chicago, Cleveland and it's suburbs, as well as many other American cities, funeral cars are now in daily use.
 It has been noticed that on account of the long ride from residence to cemetery few people attend the services at the grave Many residents of Birmingham, who have seen the cars used to such ad- vantage for conveying lodges to the cenle- tary, have suggested that they would use funeral cars on the trolley lines if they could be secured.
 These cars are elegantly arranged, with apartments for the deceased, the family and the friends, comfortably furnished and are usually supplied by the railway company
 When President Ford of the local rail- way company was asked if his company had considered the equipping of it's lines with cars specially designed for funerals, similar to those in other cities, he replied
 "The proposition has often been sug- gested and we have given it some thought. It may be that the idea would foe popular one, on account of the great distance to the Elmwood cemetery. Of course, connecting track would have to be constructed before the cars would be of any use. Still, we are not en- barking in it. We are endeavoring to fur nish enough cars to haul the living, and will leave to the funeral directors the transportation of the dead, at least for the present"
 IT.. |. oHdW, ct lOcdi Stdtcu that as long as the Jewish, Woodlawn and Elmwood cemeteries are so far from the car lines, he did not think there would be any demand for funeral cars, but should the connections be made he thought it valuable idea.
 Lige Loy did not like the plan. "It would be unwieldly. and T do not be- lieve any family would Datronize one should we have it. For the dignity and appropriate slowness, nothing is so good as a hearse."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
NEGROES SEEK AID.
Special YoIande Committee Seeks Help
 For Members of the Race.

Yolande relief committee has been organized among the negroes and the request is made that colored churches and lodges do all they can for the assist ance of members of the race left in straitened circumstances by the dis astrous explosion. The officers of the relief association are w. l.. Upshaw, president; A. c. McGuire, secretary, and P. c. Johnston, treasurer. Petitions are being circulated and 1t has been re- quested that no petition be honored un- less presented by s. NJ. Houston, Mrs. E, V. Houston, Rev. A. B. Blevins, Rev. William Parker, Nath Bailey or R. F. Vor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
WORK ON CANVASS.
Ju ious ethel Makes Arrangements
 seial tiSe Religious Census.
'ih' J

Preparation for the Greater Birming- ham religious census are now in full swing. Judge Joseph Carthel, general secretary, spoke at the Twenty-seventh Street Baptist church Tuesday night, and his next appointment Is in Bessemer on the coming Tuesday night. Here is a call which has been issued:
 Dear Sir-A meeting of the superin- tendents of the Sunday schools of Great CT Birmingham Is hereby called for Sun day, January 19, at D. n at the First Christian church of Birmingham, corner of Fifth avenue and Twenty-first street.
 "The purpose of the meeting is to dis cuss the house-to-house canvass of the city. to be made February IS. You are earnestly requested to attend. Yours very truly. JOSEPH CARTHEL.
 General Secretary"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
TO DISCUSS FINANCE.
Subcommittee Will Lay Plans For
 Raising Money For Veterans.

A meeting of the finance subcommittee of the general arrangements committee in charge of entertaining the Confeder- ate Veterans at the reunion will hold q meeting in the Commercial club room this afternoon at o'clock, at which time a plan for the raising of funds to defray the expenses of the reunion will be dis cussed.
 It is proposed to raise S5O,OOO to be spent on the ntertaining, and a canvass will very probably be started within the next few days for subscriptions While the amount appears to be. large, no fear is expressed as to it's being raised ,l
 Every member of the finance commit tee is urged to be present at the meet ing this afternoon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
WANT MEETING
 OF M. o. LEAGUE
Petition Signed By 295 Is Presented To President Requesting Him To
 Call Meeting.

Municipal ownership of Greater Bir- mingha utilities seems to be looming up Judging from the signatures affixed to a petition recently circulated and the spicy letter of Dr. Bryon Dozer, a new life has been given to the movement.
 The petition contains 295 names and is addressed to D. D. Smith as president of the Municipal Ownership league It urges him to call meeting in the near future to discuss and inaugurate a campaign for acquiring and owning the public util- ities of Greater Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
BEFORE GRAND JURY.
A Thorough Probe Is Being Made of
 Gambling Charges.

The charges against Police Commissions CT McGavock and other members of the commission are now being investigated by the grand jury. It is expected that the public will hear results in the next few days. The gambling fraternity is un- derstood tog be on the gridiron, as it is said nearly all of them are being en- tangled in the developments.
 Since Solicitor Heflin is himself person. ally advising the grand jury this time it is believed that all of the truth will be brought out, and if there is any way to of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
Marriage licenses Issued.

Marriage licenses were issued from the office of the probate court yesterday as follows:
 r. G. Wilmot of Birmingham to Miss Louise Abraham.
 Joseph Lonnie Graham of Woodlawn to Miss Minnie Belle Murphy.
 Sam Roy of Brompton to Miss Edna Potter.
 J. c. Limbaugh of Bessemer to Miss Ada Hill.
 R. Harvey Owen of Oklahoma to Miss Arsular J. OBarr.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
HEIDT NOT CANDIDATE.

t My name is being mentioned < } entirely too often in connection < } with the race for the Mayor of < } Birmingham, said Alderman c. c. < } Heidt yesterday. <
 , q have never announced, nor <
 } carefully considered the matter <
 + Of course any patriotic Birming- < } ham citizen has the ambition of < becoming Mayor, but an active { business man has to consider his { } business. I am not a candidate < , for the next election" <
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
BEHRENS GOES
 TO FATHERLAND
Old Birmingham Citizen Returns To Visit the Scenes of His
 Childhood.

For the purpose of seeing his broth CTS and sisters in the northern part of Germany, from whom he has been separated for 35 years, and to put foot again on the battlefields of the Franco German war, in which struggle he was the hero of many battles Henry Beh- rens, one of the oldest German settlers York.
 He will sail on the American line steamship "Bleucher," and will go direct to Hamburg. MT. Behrens will land" As stated, he has not seen his nearest relatives in 35 years, and be- fore leaving, he showed great anxiety for the time of departure. He was al- most overcome with delight in antici- pating it.
 MT. Behrens has been citizen of Birmingham since 1S76 He was the originator of Behrens' park, which. after laying out, he sold to the city for a nominal sum of money. He ori- ginated Behrens' station, and Behrens' car line. now the Avenue B loop. He figured in the organization of the Ala bama Iron works, the Alabama brew cry and chain works. He has been a prominent citizen, and has done much wh olesome and material good.
 He figured in the Franco-G German war in 1ST0-71, and is credited with having performed gallant service for his country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17

The strongest sort of pressure is be- Ing brought to bear upon William 1T. Kettig to become candidate for May or of Birmingham in the next election. MT Kettig when seen yesterday re- fused to make any statement, alth ough he admitted that number of promi- nent citizens and business men of Bir- mingham had been urging him to an nounce his candidacy.
 MT. Kettig is now at the head of the Crane company, one of the largest wholesale iron concerns of the Bir-