davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26
Time for Cool Heads.

Little Rock Democrat: This Is a
time for cool heads in Tennessee
The moment is tense with possbili-
ties. One Of the greatest minds of
the state has been snuffed out in the
heat OF personal conflict. Carmack's
slayer is in The hospital, and the
elder Cooper Is IN jail Partisan
raneor g DOING intensified by the
bitterness of editorial comment
which in some instances does not
appear to have learned cautiousness
from the Nashville tragedy,
Carmack's career was one OF the
most brilliant in a state that has
produced many brilliant men--an
orator of compelling eloquence, a
writer OF trenchant force, a gentle
man, a statesman, a scholar. He
may not have been purposely vindic-
tive, but there was a sting in his
words, and that sting so ranked in
the breasts OF the Coopers that the
spilling OF blood was alone thought
to ease the smart. But, as in all
similar cases, the slaying OF Carmack
in the height Of popularity and with
a still greater career appearing be-
fore him, has only caused sharper
rankings. The law must now deal
with the Coopers as it would deal
with any who take the life OF fell
low man. But unless cool heads
prevail, other tragedies will follow.
At this distance it appears that
the effort TO embroil Governor Pat
terson in the affair by insinuation
and all but open averment is UNI
just and unworthy those responsible
for It, and Governor Patterson shows
the proper spirit by refusing to
seek retaliation. The killing Of Car
mack was bad enough, most de-
plorable resultant of the personal in
politics and journalism, but to con-
tinue to emdtter partisans already
overweight is worse, for unless re-
strained by the calm dispassionate
course OF the most influential of
Tennessee's best citizens, 1t is preg-
nant with many uncommitted TRACE
dies. For the good name of Ten
nessee, let there be no more blood
shed and let the law take its course,
as speedily as consistent with even
handed justice.
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26

| outbreaks,
Even in our oldest and best estab-
lIshed communities some men still
carry pistols in their pockets, ready
TO draw and shoot-and sometimes
they draw and shoot under the in
iluence OF temparory vexation, thus
killing, when in calmcr moments
they would not for a moment think
OF taking the life OF a fellow crea-
ture. Men still appeal TO the bloody
srbitrament Of the knife and the pis-
tol Just as savage5 settle their quar-
rels by the ordeal OF hand-to-hand
conflict. Our criminal courts are
largely for negroes and men who
have not the resources to employ
those sklllful lawyers whose business
Is to save them from the gallows or
the penitentiary the shedders OF hui
man blood,
A former United States senator,
editor OF one OF the South's most
important newspapers, man OF ma
tional prominence; on the other side
one Of the best known men in Ten
nessee, and his son, a lawyer, All
are armed with pistols, They meet
on the street and one Is killed and
another wounded All might have
been killed. And this in a city that
is a center OF education and culture,
in which live some OF the best fam
lilies OF the South.
There is a picture that has been
painted in blood and powder smoke
thousand times and will be paint
ed many times more.
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26
(Nrittcn for the Amarillo (TeX.)
Daily PanhRndle.)

The attempted assassination OF
special Prosecuting Attorney Francis
g. Heney In court room at San
Francisco during the third trial OF
Boss Abraham Ruef, the boodler and
CRATER and the suicide In his cell OF
Morris Haas, an ex-convict who had
Qualified as a Juror In the Ruef trial,
and who Heney had exposed, brings
WILDLY TO mind one OF the most CO.
lossal schemes OF municipal boodlIng
which was ever Matched and carried
to dramatic finish.
For the benefit of Daily Panhan-
die readers a review Of this dark
history Is given, This is how it
happened:
Some years ago union labor In
San Francisco became a powerful
force In the life OF the city. All lines
OF work were In strong organization,
and included, as It does today, every
trade and many no-trade classes.
The list includes everything from
school teachers down to the dish
washers union, and even lower than
that, the scavengers union. No one
had the temerity to antagonlze this
strsng army. Merchants and con-
tractors and people from every other
walk in life not affiliated with unions
were compelled to obey It's mandate
In matters both great and small.
Prices for labor we're raised TO a gid
dy figure and hours for work we're
shortened. Labor was in the sad
die and riding deep.
Then IL was that the unions decid-
ed to nominate a complete municipal
labor ticket. Eugene Schmltz, fid-
dler in a theater orchestra, and
member OF the musicians union, was
named to head the ticket for mayor.
Hack drivers, bar keepers and men
from various other unions were nom
mated with schmitz for the various
offices.
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26

at least this was the belief OF the
people themselves.
But when the OK is down the
wolves are bold" and here is whore
Boss Ruef, Mayor Schmitz and the
corrupt board OF supervisors mad a
chance to ill their ever greedy nav.
And they went at 1t in colossal fash
ion,
The city must be rebuilt, Owners
OF lots upon which formerly stood
great buildings fastened to rebuild
these skyscrapers, A permit to re-
build structure was necessary, and
this permit had to come from Mayor
Schmitz and his board of supervisors
Hundreds OF applications involving
huge sums OF money, were filed. The
quicker an individual or corporation
could rebuild the quicker would
great losses be mended. Owners and
contractors were fretting to get TO
work. "Have you got your permit
YETI" asked hundreds OF contractors
OF hundreds OF owners. NO" was
the answer II filed application
days ago, but the board of supervis-
ors has not granted 1t, and ] do not
know the reason for such delay"
Appeals to the board or its lndi-
yidual members always was met with
an evasive answer. Finally in their
desperation builders realized that
set scheme was on to rob them.
What coule they do to combat It?
Nothing. Ruef was all OF this time
the boss. Everybody realized this.
Thea It was that many builders APP
Piled to Ruef, sacrificed their pride
and appealed to the boss why, l
have nothing to do with the matter"
the sly boss would reply, but as an
attorney | can take your case and see
what can DO along the line OF moral
suasion." Mark the moral sua-
sion" We'll, what are your
charges?" would he the reply of the
disguised, yet fearful citizen, Now
II skyscraper was involved the
charge was way up into thousands of
dollars. The money would be paid.
1t lad to be paid IL the builder ever
got his permit.
Then, 1t is alleged, Boss Ruef would
secretly meet Gene" Schmitz,
the mayor, and inform him
that he had the swag from this
or that victim, and Ruef would
give schmitz chunk OF 1t, and send
some to each member OF the board
OF supervisors. He had the board
OF sdpecvis ors rated Some were
cheaper than others, some got a few
hundred dollars each, and few
would set as high as $1,000 each.
The go-tetweer for Ruef was one
Gallagher a member OF the board
of supervisors. But the huge bulk OF
the money would remain in the cof-
fers OF Boss Ruef and Mayor
Schmltz.
The harvest grew riper and great
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26

The city and county OF San Fran
cisco was one government, Ruling
as board OF aldermen and board Of
county commissioners combined was
what was and Is now known. the
board Of supervisors,
At the election, with each OF the
great dallies of the city hostile to
their ticket, the labor contingent
won every office. The political man
aker or boss OF these organized un-
ions was one Abraham Ruef, law
yer, and the man now on trial for
bribery.
Two years passed and the labor
ticket invaded the field again, and
won. Ruef, the boss and Schmftz.
his creature for mayor, had triumph
ed over leading attorneys, million
aires and other citizens who sought
TO wrost the city from Ruef and his
machine. Ruef sought no office for
himself. He was the high boss of
all the brood in office.
Mutterings of discomfort and
charges OF graft were freely given
forth by the people. But there was
nothing tangible upon which to base
an indictment. Things rocked
along. Ruef, his labor mayor
schmitz, and the board Of super
visors waxing fatter and more In
solent. All the world of San Fran
cisco was at their feet. Ruef was in
q position to exclaim, when / ope
my mouth let no dog bark" Ditto
schmitz, ditto the board of hack
driver and barkeeper supervisors.
The people OF the city bore the bur-
den and made the most of the tyran
meal conditions. All realised that
wholesale robbery was going on, but
there was none to prove It.
Then something happened. One OF
the greatest catastrophes OF the
worlds history broke suddenly on
sleeping city---the great earthquake
OF April IS, 1906. The city was in
chaos, the town was afire. The ter
rlble days OF that event are known
TO all the world, and 1t is not nee
essary 20 dwell upon the facts in this
article.
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26
KANSAS CITY BANK ABSORBED.
Union National Taken Over by Ma
tional Bank Of Commerce.

Kansas City, Nov. 21,---The I'm
ion National bank of this city was
absorbed today by the National Bank
of Commerce. The Union had de-
posts of $13,OOO,OOO; the consoli-
dated bank will have $31,5OO,OOO.
Fernando p. Neal, president Of the
Union bank, is said to he slated for
the presidency of the National Bank
of Commerce, left vacant by the
resignation OF william Barrett Ridge
ly, former comptroller Of the cur
rency,
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26

Schmitz arrived with flourish.
Flunkeys galore did his bidding as he
would throw them pieces of his ill
gotten gold. To the fashionable spas
went Schmitz and engaged quarters
In gilded hostelries reserved for
royalty, Oh, those were days OF
life, real life, for the former fiddler
of dear old Frisco" who a short
time before was drawing steen dol
lars week and living in a side
street.
But trouble was brewing at home
for SchmitE and for all OF the other
boodlers. The best men Of the city
were sick OF these terrible goings
on What could be done? The out
come OF 1t was that these same citi-
zens did nothing, What could they
do? The boodlng gangsters would
not prosecute themselves nor APP
propriate money to do it, That was
certain.
Finally in desperation Millionaire
Spreckels, son of aged Claus Spreck-
els, the Hawaiian sugar king, sent for
an exceptional clean and outraged
city official District Attorney Lang
don, and who still is in office.
Something must be done, Lang
don" said Spreckles. What can |
do with neither help nor money? No
appropriation will be made by that
gang" said Attorney Langdon. Then
rich Mr.. Spreckels, be 1t said to his
undying honor, pulled a checkbook
out Of his pocket and wrote a check
and handed 1t to Langdon, 1t read
$3.50, 900 Take that" said spreck-
els and go after them"
This was a great chance for Lang.
don and he acted. Consultations
with spreckels continued for days.
The question was now to get evidence
that would hold in court, to employ
the best detective in the country,
and to employ the most skilled and
fearless prosecuting attorney in the
land. Aud this was done. The mas
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26
WHITE MAN is
CLUBBED BY
NEGRO
Beaten and Robbed and Shot
At -Four Times. BLACK
Escapes

Waxahachie, Texas, Nov 21--Her-
man Trotter, white, was robbed and
severely beaten late last night by a
iburly negro near Italy,
Trotter was walking home from
Belle Branch.
The negro, after obtaining his
money stripped his victim and
pounded him.
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26
Southern Politics and Southern Vic.
lence.

Arkansas Gazette This terrible
tragedy is not the only regrettable
or deplorable thing that has come az
a sequel 10 a bitter Democratic pri-
mary"
Because a primary Is supposed to
mean the rule of the people them
selves it has become the favorite
method of nominating candidates in
the South. But the objection is
urged against the primary that it--v
or the long campaign that preeedes
it--engenders bitterness in the par
ty and is a prolific source of private
feuds. And those grievances and
grudges are a great source OF danger
and peculiar temptation TO vio-
lence among the people of the South.
Our people, many OF them, yield
quickly to passion and our society
is rather tolerant OF temperamental
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26
Southern Editors on CarmaCk Tragedy

Knoxville Journal and Tribune:
Tragedy has followed tragedy In rap
Id success in Tennessee for the past
/ few months A mob took a negro
from the authorities in Giles county
and lynched him He was "only a
negro" and II any one has been ar
rested Tor the crime against the law
we have not heard Of 1t.
Other crimes have been enumerat-
ed in these columns in the past few
days-a number OF them. one OF
them was the Reelfoot tragedy, then
the shooting OF prisoner In the
Kingston jail, The elimination came
when Senator Carmack was shot
down on the streets OF the state
capital.
II is high time for the good citi-
zens Of Tennesse to do some honest
thinking, We seem to have reached
the forks OF the road where 1t must
be decided whether the state OF Ten
nessee is to be governed by law or
by violence whether We are to have
a government, or whether we will
come under the red hand of anarchy.
Something must be done II we are
to be governed by law. Public sem
timent must assert itself in a man
ner not to be misunderstood and
with force that will carry convlc-
ton and fear to the minds Of the
evil doors.
We must begin at the bottom
must see that all laws are enforced,
that against all disturbers OF the
peace aud self-constituted controllers
OF private property up TO and includ-
ing he violation OF the command
ment which says: Thou shalt not
kill" When a minor crime may be
committed and the yiolator OF tho
law may escape the penalties Of the
law, then it will in the end be con-
strued by the criminal classes as Ii
cense to ignore and violate all law.
In all seriousness and sincerity
VIC say the time Is at hand when the
law-abidlng people OF Tennessee, who
are in a large majority, must SEQ
that the seeds OF anarchism are
quickly and surely eradicated from
Tennessee soil Lawless men of ev-
cry grade and of every variety must
be taught that they will have TO
obey the laws and observe the car
dinal tenets of peace and order
Grievances must be settled under the
provisions of the law and according
to the forms prescribed by law. It
must be understood that no sort Of
a mob will be tolerated, whether in
party politics or In our every day
life, and that all offenders will be
held responsible at the bar of pub
lie opinion as we'll as in the courts
OF justice.
Let us repeat with all emphasis,
the time has come for some honest
thinking and for some determined
action.
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26
FRANCIS J. HENEY
PROSECUTOR OF
THE BOODLERS

On Friday, Nov. i3, Mr.. Hency was
shot IN court room in San Fran
cisco by one Morris Haas, an eX-
convict, during the third trial Of
Ruef. Haas had qualified as n
Juror In the Ruef case and Heney
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26

A telephone company wanted a
franchise They did not get it right
away But they got It later and it
was charged that high official Of
the company and capitalist paid
something like 100000 in bride
money to get It.
The French restaurants OF the city,
known the world over TO travellers
as slded dens where men were
wrecked and women were debauch-
ed, wanted renewal of their Ii
censes after the fire.
The licenses were slow in coming.
But finally came and schmitz got a
pile of gold from the diamond be-
decked and vicious owners of these
rosy-hued hells.
Wealth was now fast pouring into
Ruef and Schmitz from many chan
nels. They would always hand over
few thousands or few hundreds 10
each boodling supervisor. Ruef and
Schmitz were becoming men Of great
wealth. The people we're being plum
dered, but what are you going to
do about it--proye it'--this was the
insolent position of Boss Ruef, May
or Schmitz and their criminal board
Finally Schmitz decided to take va
cation. Nothing in the United States
was sufficient to please this elegant,
sweet smelling, boodling fiddler
mayor. He had gold, piles and stacks
OF It, Europe for mine" said
Schmitz, and in gorgeous apparel
and much luggage schmitz went to
New York, engaged passage on big
liner and to Europe he went. He
saw the sights OF London, and other
cities of England then to the great
est of all, the fashionable watering
places of the continent.
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26
PECULIAR ACCIDENT
MAY BRING DEATH

+ Mckinney. Texas, Nov. al r
X Charles Scott was seriously in 4
4 iured today while splitting 4
\ wood. His ak caught in X
4 clothes line and the blade OF the 4
4 ak struck SCOTS head inflict- r
4 ing a cash four inches long over 4
4 the right eye. Death may re- II
4 suit
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26

When Trotter tried to break away
he was shot at four times.
Trotter reached a farmhouse near
ly dead.
A possee is hunting for the black.
He is headed toward Fort Worth.
The people of the county are mad
dened over the assault.
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26

After days OF misery the people be-
gan slowly to rebuild the city.
schmitz, the fiddling mayor, lent
good will aad much energy in COM
mon with the leading men OF influ-
enee and wealth in efforts TO bring
San Francisco back on the map.
Much Of the bitterness against
schmits was forgotten. Everybody
was working harmoniously to recon-
struct and put into life again the
industries OF the past, and to rebuild
the metropolis OF the Pacific coast.
Every human being in San Francisco
had the welfare OF the city at heart
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26
RISE ANDFALL OF ABE RUFF AND SCHMITz

ter sleuth Burns was engaged and
the most relentless lawyer that ever
prosecuted criminal was retained
in the person OF Francis ], Heney,
the 1.-THE, wiry, fearless gun-iIghtng
lawyer of Arizona,
This little band, spreckels, Lang
don, Heney and Burns, began to ma
neuyer. After days OF quiet work
the city OF San Francisco and the
country as whole were startled by
the filing OF indictments against Boss
Ruef and Mayor Schmltz, the latter
on his way back from Europe; and
also indicted was high official OF
the traction company and the presi-
dent OF telephone company Then
the ball opened, Ruef was Jailed,
Schmltz was taken in custody when
he landed in America, Satellites Of
the indicted corporation managers
we're also included in Heney's drag.
net. How did they get the evidence
Is the question. The answer Is, the
boodling board OF supervisors was
trapped The forces of righteous.
ness realized that these cheap Grim
inals we're only creatures in the
hands OF the higherups.
When Heney and Burns had trap
ped the boodling supervisors they
confessed on promise OF immunity.
This was given that they might be
used as instruments against Schmitz,
Ruef and the bigger fish. Ruof and
Sthmtz we're buried under a great
multitude OF Indictments, A high Of
fetal OF the traction company was
indicted on a charge of bribery in
securing the overhead trolley fran
chise The president OF the tele'
phone company heretofore mentioned
was indicted for bribery in securing
his franchise, and sentenced to the
penitentiary. The other corporation
officials are continuing the fight for
freedom. schmitz was found guilty
OF extOrtion. in that he held up the
French restaurant keepers, This was
the special case first brought forward
against Schmitz from the fact that
conviction seemed sure, and was so.
schmitz appealed when convicted and
the appellate court decided in his IA.
vor, handing down the startling opin-
ion, that though Schmltz was guilty
of extoVttGn, yet extortion was no
crime undec California statutes, and
the supreme court OF the s,.te up
held the appellate court.
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26

At the succeeding election the la
Dor people left the prisoner Schmitz
off the ticket. The people at large
nominated DR.. Edward Robson Tay-
lor for mayor and a full ticket made
up of men OF affairs in the city; and
the labor people were for the first
time since their entry into politics,
defeated, and overwhelmingly. DR.,
Taylor got many workingmen votes.
Nothing daunted by the success Of
Schmitz in the one case Heney con-
tlnued the fight. Schmitz was yet
buried under many indictments and
Is today continuing the struggle.
The town was torn asunder. Many
men OF wealth and influence were be-
coming alarmed over business con-
ditions" and advised that the prose-
cuton 90 slower The three great
morning papers at first lent influ-
ence to the prosecution, but later
Mr.. Hearst's San Francisco Exam
liner began to crawfish the same
with the Chronicle, but the Call,
Spreckles' great daily, gave all
OF it's tremendous influence to the
prosecution, and has to this day
stood and will continue to stand
for vindlcatiOn OF the people
against the thieving and hood
ling gang. The prosecution Is con-
tinuing and now Ruef is on his third
trial, having succeeded in getting a
rehearing each time and II was at
this third trial that the ex-conWct,
Morris Haas, slipped up behind Spe-
cisl Prosecuting Attorney Heney in
the court room, as the lawyer was
bending over his papers on table
near the desk OF the judge, and shot
the fighter for civic Righteousness in
the head.
But Heney is recovering to con-
tnue the fight and Haas lies rotting
in a suicides grave.
The tragedy startled even San
Francisco. And now the people have
awakened to their duty and an out
ragged public are again lending their
moral support to the little band
which Heney is leading against the
Fort OF Doodle.
Heney, as gritty on his bed OF pain
as he was the day he killed an in
dlvidual in self defense in Arizona
declares he will never rest until the
last line OF law is exhausted. The
people of the Unitedsstates stand in
admiration and wish him success.
The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-11-26

dug up his record and exposed
him. Haas then attempted to
murder Honey, hut failed, and
then blew out his own brain q few
hours later In cell in the county
Jail.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-05-28
SPENCER PLACED ON TRIAL
Every Seat in Court Room Filled at
Opening of Case Wednes-
dav

Samuel G. Spencer, accused of having
improper relations with Hannah Ivy
Wallace, young girl who resided at his
place, was placed on trial before Judge
Armstrong in the district court yester-
day.
On account of the prominence Of Spen-
Ger and the nature of the case, every
seat in the court room was filled shortly
after the examination Of talesmen began
and great crowds are expected today when
the actual taking OF testimony begins.
The work of securing a jury was COM
Qleted yesterday and the following men
will hear the evidence: Joseph MAYNARD.
William A. Fuller. Walter Steadman. NIL
liam Graupe, W. F. Culmer' Solomon An
CELL. J. A. jacobson and Worthington
Clark
\ peculiar incident was the acceptance
Of Charles j. Lambert for jury service
by both sides. Lambert stated that he
had been in the same quorum of the Nor
mon church to which Spencer belongs
and had known both the Spencer and
Wallace families for many years. Despite
this fact he was sworn. but later was
excused after appealing to the attorneys
To let him go.
The defense is represented by Samuel
Thurman. T.. A WedgwOOd and S A.
Duncan. while Fred c. LOofbourow. dis
trfct attorney. and II. A Smith, repre-
sent the state.
Many witnesses have been summoned
and II is expected that the trial will last
at least the remainder of the week