davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
Benismin F. Rsden


 Birmingham suffers a distinctive loss in the death of Benjamin F. Roden. Of all the pioneers in the building of this city MT. Roden was one of the few who continued in active business to the present time. Although he had passed three score years, he had the appearance of being excep- tionally hale, and never in his busy and useful career had he seemed to enter with more zest into large and exacting affairs than during the recent months.
 As a young man in the Confederate army MT. Roden proved his mettle. He was wounded at Shiloh and he had an honorable war record throughout the. historic struggle of four years With his resolute nature and his bus mess pluck and sagacity he was well equipped for pioneer work here. In the days that tried mems souls, when Birmingham was almost destroyed by cholera. MT. Roden was here with brave heart and wise and cheery coun- sel. doing his part faithfully in the cause of humanity. And in subsequent years, when periods of business de- pression came upon this community he and men like him, with abiding faith in the city's future, stood up as leaders in the work of restoring con fidence and keeping Birmingham well to the front.
 Mir Roden was a man of exception ally fine judgment, and his integrity and straightforward manner were known and appreciated everywhere in the Birmingham district. His name, indeed, was a synonym for honesty, and gave stability to any enterprise with which it was associated. AS mer- chant, mine operator and banker he was equally progressive and success full. As vice president of one of the larger banks of Birmingham and re- gently as president of the Citizens Savings bank he had given much of his best thought and energy to financial problems, and his advice in banking circles in general was often sought and always freely given.
 When a citizen of MT. Roden's ster- ling traits passes away the whole dis trict feels it. The deceased was sim gularly modest in his personal de- meanor, but the very force of his character compelled the esteem of his fellows, and not soon will his place in the business or social life of Birming- ham be filled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
Controlling the Air

If Secretary of the Navy Metcalf can have his way the air will cease to be free when the public or franchise hold CTS desire to control it. He wants Congress to make it punishable to break or interfere with wireless sta- lions engaged in the transaction Of official business, or to send false mes sages with the claim that they are official, or to refuse to cease opera tions when called upon to do so in or der to leave the air clear to an official communication.
 When Congress does all this the franchise holders will demand protec- tective legislation also, and in the end the air we breathe, and must continue to breathe in order to live, will cease 10 be free to the use of anybody. It was the last stronghold of the prol- etariat. and when the wireless folks get all they want it will be free on cer- tain conditions only. The holder of privileges will have the first whack ac 1t. and the masses must take what is left The right of way in the air is a subject -t yet fully defined, and will not be rufil the courts pass on it, but at the best we will have to accept sec ond-hand air for breathing purposes, it having been previously employed in the transportation of messages public and private.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
Prevalence of the Plague

The plague afficts rats. and the fieas on the afflicted rats transfer the dis ease to man. These are the ascertain ments of science, and it is believed the sweeping epidemic in India, China and other populous countries in the Far East arise in this way.
 The suppression of the disease is fast becoming a worldwide problem. Today 1t exists in Afghanistan, Persia, China, Straits Settlement, Japan, For mosa, the Philippines, Australia, South America, in various districts of Africa, in Turkey, in Asiatic and European Russia. and to a small extent in other parts of Europe. It has long existed in San Francisco, but it is believed to have been extirpated in that city after a long and tedious struggle.
 The exportation of rats on ships from the plague-stricken districts is the source of danger in all ports that are free from it, for the rat.flea-man etiology is established beyond reason able dispute. The shadow of the plague covers the entire world, for no port can feel sure that rats will not leave a ship that has arrived from country in which the disease has a foothold. Rats in a country like India or China cannot be exterminated, and the best chance of preventing a spread of the disease consists after all in watching the ships that arrive from the infected districts. Precautions are possible, and the Medical Record thinks the danger is so great that a code of shipping regulations should be placed on an in ternational basis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
ereat Southern Musician.

"All southerners and indeed all Amer jeans should read with pride of the splen- did impression John Powell of Richmond, pianist and composer, is making in Eu- rope,r remarked an old member of Bir- minghams Virginia colony. According to the foreign press this young artist s triumphs in Berlin. Paris, Vienna and St. Petersburg by his brilliant playing, and, better still, he is winning a high place as a composer, the Vienna correspondent going so far as to say that he may be called the founder of an American school om music The late Edward Mcdowell and two or three other American com posers have been accorded high rank in Europe, but unless the press reports are exaggerated, Powell is about to surpass all of them.
 John Powell is the son of the late John Henry Powell. who is remembered by many Virginians Here. The elder Powell was a greatly esteemed educator, and for years was the principal of the Richmond seminary. He had only one son, the musician, and when I last saw the boy he was about 15 years of age. He is now about 26 He was a musical prod igy; played the piano when he was only 6 or ' years of age; wrote music and wrote it grammatically, I am toid-- before he was 12. By the time he was i6 he had written classic music that will live. For several years past he has been a pupil of Leschetsky, who was Paderew- skis master in technique.
 Young Powell has the distinction of be- ing one of the very few American per formers to be acknowledged in Europe. He made his debut in Berlin early in the winter and before the season is over he has risen almost to the top rank in bound. It is interesting to know that the first American to captivate the highest musical audiences in the old world, and especially in the great centers of music, is southern man and to the southern manner born.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
Good Times But No Boom

The panic of 1907 is behind us, months behind us, and all the liquida- ton and overhauling it involved has been well-nigh accomplished. The wild cat bankers and promoters have been eliminated. The extravaganza and wild speculation of the boom period have also been eliminated, and the railroads and all corporations have been made aware that they are subject to the law in the same sense that an individual is. All great interests" have drawn out of politics, and the country has acquired healthier moral tone that promises well in time to come.
 This improved condition together with our great exports is restoring confidence, and as confidence returns
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
A Rriuht Sunday.

Yesterday was one of the few bright Sundays of the passing winter. Accord ing to some counts we had only four Sundays with sunshine previous to the day just gone. Speaking of the spring like atmosphere and cheering rays of old Sol a citizen remarked last night
 "Everybody seemed happy It was the first Sunday in weeks when I failed to meet croakers. The churches must have been thronged and it Is safe to say tn, church collections were the largest of the winter. Not only did those who at tended service gladly contribute, but the amounts per capita were doubtless larger than usual. In the afternoon I attended the concert by Memolis band at the Ma jestic theatre. It was the third or fourth of the series of Sunday concerts by this organization, but it was the first that drew large audience, because the other Sundays were cold, raw or rainy. A lec- ture at the Jefferson was well attended in the afternoon, and so was a musicale at Cable hall. l do not know what the weather man predicts, but have an idea that the season of rough weather is past, and that next Sunday and the next and the next will bring sunshine. Fine weather has splendid effect on the tenn per of the people and on trade. We will
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24

trade revives and wheels begin to turn. The pace of recovery will not be rapid. perhaps, and should not be. What we need is a gradual recovery of whole some and diffused prosperity, and we are in a fair way to get it.
 The January boom has been dis appointing. It was based largely on the sale of products in January to the amount of SIPS, ,OOO,O00 The exports of January, 1907, were nearly $1S,OOO,- 900 less. Toward last months exports cotton contributed s76,6S7OOO, and breadstuffs s24,46S,OOO. And while these products were going out in great quantities our imports were shrinking, and our credit balance was necessarily increasing. Wall street undertook to discount these trade conditions by get ting up a January boom, but that boom did not last long. It was well 1t did not. We want no booms. We want solid, steady uplift based on known conditions and honest, approved trade. Values are low, indeed, and there IS every reason for believing that the country will begin steadily to rise to a reasonably satisfactory level of pros perity in the months to come.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
IN BOHEMIA.

By John Boyle O'Reilly. I'd rather live in Bohemia than in any
 other land; For only there are the values true. And the laurels gathered In all mems
 view. The prizes of traffic and state are won By shrewdness or force or by deeds unt
 done; But fame is sweeter without the feud, And the wise of Bohemia are never
 shrewd. Here, pilgrims stream with faith sub
 lime From every class and cline and time, Aspiring only to be enrolled With the names that are writ in the
 book of gold; And each one bears in mind or hand A palm of the dear Bohemia land. The scholar first, with his book-a youth Afiame with the glory of harvested truth; A girl with picture. man with
 play, A boy with wolf he has molded in
 clay; A smith with marvellous hilt and sword, A player, a king, a ploughman, a lord And the player is king when the door
 is past. The ploughman is crowned, and the lord
 is last! I'd rather fail in Bohemia than win in
 another land; There are no titles inherited there. No hoard or hope for the brainless heir; No gilded dullard native born To stare at his fellow with leaden scorn; Bohemia has none but adopted sons; Its limits. where Fancy's bright stream runs; It's honors, not garnered for thrift or
 trade, But for beauty and truth mems souls
 have made. To the empty heart in jeweled breast There is value, maybe, in purchased
 crest; But the thirsty of soul soon learn to
 know The mostureless froth of the social show; The vulgar sham of the pompous feast Where the heaviest purse is the highest
 priest; The organized charity scrimped and
 iced, In the name of cautious, statistical
 Christ; The smile restrained the respectable When friend in need is friend in
 want; Hgs Where tile only aim is to keep afioat. And brother may drown with a cry
 in his throat. Ohl I long for the glow of kindly
 heart and the grasp of friendly
 hand. And I'd rather live in Bohemia than in
 any other land
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24

From the New York Globe.
 IN all probability the Boston smile to-
 day assumes it's wonted aspect. From \ the Revere Beach to Lexington, along Commonwealth avenue, and in Harvard Square there is a sense of staid satis- faction. The back of the bean famine has been broken. A cargo of beans is on it's way from Marseilles, and the lit- tie brown brother of Boston's digestion is promised anon. The California bean shortage will not work its expected havoc.
 The famous cargo unloaded in Boston harbor to- the strains of simulated war whoops some generations ago contained tea. Had 1t contained beans who will say that the history of Massachusetts or of the United States would have been what it has? For even in this day of the hammered brass tea caddy and the silver tea ball the beau has as much to do with the welfare of considerable population as has the Constitution, and perhaps even more than the declaration of independence.
 No well-grounded and serious-minded
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
COTTON MEN ARE IN EARNEST ABOUT BANK

The proposed establishment of a union produce exchange and savings bank in Birmingham bye the Farmers union has awakened quite an amount of interest. The regular quarterly meeting of the union is to be held on March IS, at which time the details in regard to the formation of this bank will be completed.
 The purpose of the bank is to aid the members of the union to hold their cotton until they can receive at least 15cent price. Should this bank meet with any degree of success it will be followed by the establishment of other banks throughout the state, which will work in connection with the warrant warehouses and offices of the union.
 Officials of the union give out the informa tion that the members are still holding their cotton, and that if they can't get the 15-cent price this year they will hold on to their cotton until next year. The panic they say has hurt the farmer but little, his hogs and hominy making an independent person out of him.
 Secretary D. J. Cook of the union, in talking of this matter, said:
 The Farmers union has been driven into the establishment of produce ex- changes and savings banks through the manipulation of the bears and oth- CT enemies to the staple. Bankers arc very graciously. bestowing ridicule upon us, but this will, of course, not deter us from carrying out our plans. This is not a chimerieal plan, and firmly believe the future will prove the wisdom of the union in establishing the bank.
 Bears are attempting to make us believe that the restriction of specula- tion in futures is responsible for tho present level of values, but we know better. This is simply the growl be- cause they are hungry for our money and can't get it. The farmer knows nothing of panics except what he reads in newspapers. for he has his hogs and hominy and is independent.
 "The farmers are holding on 60 100000 bales of the present crop un- til they can get a 15-cent price for it. If he can't get 1t this year, they will hold onto it until next year, and all they need is a little financial assist ance, which we are going to give to them through this bank. As sure as death and taxes there is going to be a 15-cent price for cotton.''
 The meeting to be held on the 18th of next month will bring a great num- Der of the members of the union to Birmingham, and the establishment of this bank will be one of the features of the meeting. The membership of the union in Alabama is something over S0,000, and this number is constantly increasing. It is the firm belief of the union officials that the next year or two will find practically every farmer in Alabama a member of this organiza- tion.
 The cotton exchange established here a few months ago Is being well patron- ized by the union members, and &C., cording to members is proving it's ben eficial qualities daily.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
BREAKFAST IN SIBERIA.
Minneapolis Journal.

From the Minneapons Journal.
 This bitter weather" said the ex- plorer, makes me think of Siberia. I spent two weeks in the hut of Slbe- rian savage, a prisoner to the black frost. Shall ever forget those two weeks? :? Nit.
 "A Siberian breakfast comes back to my mind. We took it lying on our stom- aches round kind of pie-board which was our table. The first dish was frozen weeds dipped in seal oil and served with large chunks of fresh blubber. The sec ond dish was raw walrus. The third dish was walrus hide-an inch thick and hairy you swallowed it whole, for 1t was too tough to chew.
 Dinner was breakfast over again, plus a hot meat. seal or reindeer, after the hide course. Supper consisted of cold blubber and cold hide served with seal oil.
 Don't wrinkle your nose and shud- der. In that intense cold, the thermom- eter never above 40 degrees below zero, liked that greasy food You should have seen me munching away at great. soft, yellow balls of fat similar to duck fat"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
HOLIDAYS AT AUBURN
 IMMENSELY ENJOYED

Auburn, February 3.-(Special.)-Th end of the second term which marks Washingtons birthday one of the holi- day seasons of the college, has been perhaps the most brilliant and delightful season in the history of the institution. The regular college exercises were sus- pended Friday at noon and holiday was given until Saturday night, and the en- tire time has been crowded with delight ful events of an academic, athletic and social nature.
 At o'clock in the evening the orator. ical contest between the Wrt and Web- sterian Literary societies was held in Langdon hall. An immense audience was present. The award for the best oration was delivered to William Ivy Pittman of Houston county. The following was the programme:
 "A Forward Look'-Daniel Mcdonald, Jefferson county.
 Supremacy of the Law"-William Mon- roe Howell, Barbour county.
 Legislative Reform William Ivy Pittman, Houston county.
 Opposition Makes the Man n'-Schuyler Harris Richardson, Limestone county.
 Judges-Revs. J. B. Ward, D. P Slaughter and M. P. Edwards.
 After the orations the junior class gave a delightful entertainment to their friends at the gymnasium. About 25 couples par ticipated in the dancing.
 Saturday at 10:30 o'clock occurred the senior class exercises. These were In every way attractive and characte by the genuine college spirit. The ora tion by w. R. Holley was every way attractive and delivered in excellent style. The following programme was rendered.: President C. L. Chambers, Jefferson county, history of class J. A. Morgan, Cleburne county. class poem; Miss Ma rion Knapp. Lee county class oration; W. R. Holley. Henry county, class prophecy, o. N. Powell, Georgia.
 Saturday evening at 3 O clock on the campus the senior class and junior class met in a royal game of football to de- eide the class championship for l907-0s The competition this year has been most keen. and the games have been attended with an intercollegiate interest It re- quired two contests between seniors and freshmen to decide the superiority, the seniors finally winning. The juniors won over the sophomores. These two upper classes were thus thrown into the finals. The weather was ideally clear and brac- ing, an enormous crowd was in attend ancc, and the enthusiasm was intense. The game surged backward and for ward with breathless interest, the juniors having a somewhat stronger team; but neither side was able to score.
 The basketball game with the Mont gomery team was played in the gym nasium at 7:30, after which the senior class entertained a large number of visit ing guests and members of the other classes. The function was chiefly di- rected by Capt. Sam A. Elsberry of Montgomery, a member of the senior class
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
Hot Times In Chicago

In four months, lacking about ten days. the republican national conven- tion will be opened at Chicago, and on May 16 the list of delegates must be complete. Thus far three states have acted-Ohio for Taft, Indiana for Fair banks, and Florida for Taft and some one else. Out of 9S0 delegates about 100 have been chosen; counting one delegation only from Florida. In the next 90 days nearly 900 delegates are to be selected, and the candidates and their friends are not letting the grass grow under their feet. Perhaps the republican party never knew keener or more uncertain contest. The nom- inee may be Taft or Hughes Or Can non or Roosevelt. It might be La Toilette, but it assuredly will not be Foraker, Fairbanks or Knox, for re- actionaries have gone out of fashion.
 The opening day of the Chicago con- vention is Tuesday, and fiye-day con- vention is regarded as a certainty. Ordinarily three days suffice, but a hot and heavy contest is anticipated at Chicago The contested delegations from the southern states are expected to absorb time and create friction, and the party leaders are looking for al most endless trouble from that source. The federal officeholder is in posi- ton to be severely scored both before and at the convention. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat openly advocates a change in the basis of representation so that states which are always demo- cratic will not be permitted to nullify the votes of states that are always re- publican. The Globe-Democrat thinks this will be the great question of the convention. Unless the southern dele. gate is remarkably modest he may get a setback that he will not recover from in many year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
pArHos AND PEPPER.

Armed with blow pipes and red pepper bows in various parts of the loft or the opera house broke up for a time per fornnance of "A Fatal Mistake The house was packed.
 As the hero was telling the persecuted heroine how easy it would be TOT them to live on bread and water if she could get the bread, and the women in the audi ence were trying to stifie their sobs, the spice was waited from above. When the pepper began to circulate there wasn't dry eye or nose in the house. The actors in the touching scene accepted this as a tribute to their art.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-24
THE EPIC OF THE BEA

sociologist would deny the
 of it's diet to a civilization, s
 historian would question the
 countrys physical conformatiA it's history. What were the hists Afghanistan without the Hindu mountain range, or what the history Egypt without the Nile? And what fiaecid and uneager citizens might the Boston csc have been without the bean?
 The epic of the bean no man has writ ten But it is none the less writ large in the lives of men and institutions. The history of Bunker Hill is noble. and the history of the Army of the Potomac is nobler. Was there anything more eagerly hailed at the dawn's early light than the vessel full of beans which, deep buried in the ground and the coals all night long. supplied the regiments sim ews of war? What veteran does not recall it, or what youngster has not heard the veteran tell of it? Therefore our congratulations to Boston upon this earnest that there will be no Interruption in the continuity of her or our own civ ilization.