davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-05-07
Manufacturing Gold.
: Nv FREDERICK UpHAM ADAMS.

!
The time has come when gold is an
srticle of manufacture. There are
practically exhaustless tracks of rock
and soil in which gold is being pro-
duced In enormous quantities with
absolute elimination of risk. I shall
briefly consider two typical instances
Of "gold manufacture, either one of
which is sufficient to doom gold as a
medium of exchange.
In 1884 the discovery of the great
est deposits Of gold In all history was
made known. This was in the Wit
watersrand district of the Transvaal
of South Africa. Compared with 1t
the famous Comstock Mines were
nothing. Not until recent years has
1t been possible to go ahead in the
extraction Of, the billions OF gold
which are scattered through the
rocks and soil of the Witwatersrand.
It required new processes, but science
and invention supplied them. Here
is a gold-bearing reef, forty miles In
length, twenty miles in width, and in
which boring to depth Of $500 feet
show gold in undiminished quanti-
ties! How much gold is there in the
Witwatersrand? Hundreds, probably
thousand of billions of dollars Of It!
The Witwatersrand conglomerate
carries only the Insignificant amount
of ten pennyweights Of gold to the
ton, but 1t runs uniform, therefore 1t
Is only a question Of machinery and
labor to determine the yield.
Money supplies the machinery, and
China the labor. The annual produc-
ton of the Transvaal gold factories
now exceeds 100000, 900, and tho
record is broken every month. If
labor can be had. there is no reason
why the output should not reach half
a billion a year, and the rock can be
worked for centuries without making
a serious impression on its vast ex-
tent.
Not many years ago it was discov-
cred that all of the soil In the Sacra-
mento and San Joaquin Valleys was
filled with gold. We will consider
what is being done in the Sacramento.
For hundreds of miles this river runs
through a broad valley of q width
varying from twenty to more than
100 miles. When 1t became known
that gold was scattered through the
soil of this 10000 square miles of
valley, capital called on science and
invention for assistance. The distant
mountains were made to furnish
water power for electricity. Then
there was built floating gold factory
at cost of $250,000. 1t took posi-
ton near a bank OF the river, and
with its dredging appliances began
to eat It's way into the soil. The mud
Nand dirt were carried over the huge
scow, the gold extracted, the tailings
were dumped in the rear Thus was
witnessed the strange sight of fac
tory crawling slowly overland toward
the distant foothills. 1t rested in a
canal of it's own making; it was run
with electrical power generated by a
mountain brook; it worked twenty
four hours day. with three shifts of
men; the amount of gold extracted
was as uniform as the thrust of its
motors; its mine was an ocean Of
mud, there was no more romance
about it's operation than there Is
about brickkiln, and yet that $780,
900 gold factory made net profit
of 100000 the first year!-Success.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-05-07
To Save Big Jersey Oak.

The New Jersey State Forestry
Commission has asked the assistance
Of the Gloucester County Historical
Society in securing the right of way
to and possession of the ground occu-
pied by the large "Tatum Oak" near
Mount Royal, three miles from Wood
bury, so that the old tree can be pre-
served. There are several large trees
in South Jersey, but this is said to
be "king of them ALL and said to
be the largest within a radius of $50
miles from Philadelphia. In 1910
this tree was spoken of as very
large one." 1t is now ninety feet
high and its girth at the ground is
forty feet, and the spread Of shade
In the summer is nearly half an acre.
Bethlehem Times.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-05-07
Steady Going.

A shooting-party, putting up at
Amos Libby's Maine camp, found
their sport much interfered with by
rain. Still, fine or wet, the old-fash-
ioned barometer that hung in Amos
general room persistently pointed to
"set fair"
At last one of the party drew his
attention to the glass.
Don't you think, now, Amos" he
said, there's something the matter
with your glass?"
mo, sir, she's a good glass an a
powerful one," Amos replied, with
dignity, "but she amt moved by
tritles. '--Youth's Companion.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-05-07
Time Was Money.

A clergyman not long ago received
the following notice regarding a mar
riage that was to take place at the
parish house:
"This is to give you notis that !
and Mis- Jemima Arabella Brearly Is
comm to your church on Saturday
afternoon mex to undergo the opera.
tion of matrimony at your hands.
Please be promp, as the cab Is hired
by the hour. Ladies' Home Journal.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-05-07
MOUSE SCARES ELEPHANT.

One very small mouse, smuggled in
by three very wicked small boys,
nearly sent three big elephants into
spasms in the Bronx Zoo, New York
City Spectators were panic-stricken
by the trumpeting of the elephants
and stampeded to safety.
The mouse was first seen by Gunda,
the big African elepahnt, usually the
most docile of beasts. Gunda tried
to butt his head through the wall
and strained at his leg chains. Gun
da's panic was speedily conveyed to
Congo and Khartoum, Indian ele-
plants, and they began to sound their
terror.
All this time the mouse was
crouching in corner of Congo's cage.
more frightened than the elephants.
Keeper Hoffman killed it.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-05-07

A toad is said to lay 1850 eggs
a year, but only one egg In one thou
sand develops into toad.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-05-07

The power of the operation of Il
new steel plant will be electricity
This will be nearly all provided by
gases for generating it. The
blooming plant will be operated by
steam power.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
Ballot Reform in GeOreia

Georgia holds a state election to- morrow, when a governor and other state officers will be elcted. But the election is to be chiefly important be- cause in it constitutional amendment will be voted on which, if adopted, will practically confine the ballot to white voters. In addition to the qualifica- tions now in force, the voter, says Georgia paper, would, in case of the adoption of the pending amendment, come under one of the following heads:
 i. He must have rendered honorable service in some one of the wars of the United States or of the state of Geor- gia.
 2. Or he must be lawfully descended from some person who has rendered such service.
 3. Or he must be of good character and understand the duties of citizen ship under a republican form of gov ernment.
 4. Or he must possess a certain amount of education.
 5. Or he must possess a certain amount of property.
 These qualifications would eliminate no white man, differing in that respect from the cumulative poll tax of this state, which has disfranchised 00000 white men. Of all the unwise qualifi- cations for voting in this union, the cumulative poll tax easily takes the lead. Unless it is soon repealed, Ala bama will speedily fall into the hands of her elder statesmen-of her white voters oyer 45 years of age. Georgia does not propose to tread in Alabama's footsteps.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
More Trouble in the Balkans

Another Balkan crisis seems to be coming, precipitated by the general situation, which has long invited Ct struggle against the central govern ment. Bulgaria has proclaimed her independence, and Austria proposes to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina, over which she has long maintained a pro- tectorate. What Macedonia will be .n- duced to do is not known, made up as it is of many tongues and creeds. The Greeks in Macedonia can be trusted to make the Young Turks a great deal of trouble.
 The Berlin treaty seems to have lost it's force, and no one can foresee how the powers will line up. Russia is not in condition to conduct an expensive war. Germany does not love the Young Turks. France hesitates, and England has no interests at stake outside of Egypt. But if war arises between Turkey and Bulgaria the entire eastern question will be reopened, and the peace of the world rudely ended.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
TAFT STILL HOPES
 TO BE SUCCESSFUL

Macon, Mo-. October 5.--Judge William H. Taft made three speeches in Kan sas and 12 in Missouri today.
 The name Bryan was heard more than during any previous day of the trip, but MT. Taft received flattering reception. Speaking of his reception at several of the stops, MT. Taft said
 Tt is an augury that Missouri is go- ing to show somebody at the next cleo tion that she does not intend to remain a mysterious stranger, but will become a regular resident among republicans"
 Throughout the day Mr. Taft hammered away on thenecessity for the voters of the country to unite that a democratic tariff revision meant destruction of the market and prices of product of the farm; that republican revision meant @ con- tinuation of the present prices and pros perity. He told the Missourians about the Bryan proposition with respect to the trusts that the Nebraskan would destroy them by putting trust made articles on the free list and by making law pro- hbiting a trust from manufacturing or controlling more than 50 per cent of any article, while such a law, MT Taft be- lieved would be difficult to enact, he predicted that It's enforcement would be disastrous. MT. Taft will speak tomor- row in St. Louis
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
LEEDS HEARS OF
 PROPOSED RAID

The hunt for blind tigers is still go- ing on. An effort was made yesterday afternoon by Sheriff Higdon to trap some gamesters and blind tiger operators in Leeds, but the felines were wary and could not be caught in the drag net. Like the raid in Bessemer several nights ago the tigers got wind of the fact that deputies were on their way to Leeds and no amount of searching could bring to light any liquids of intoxicating quail ities.
 It was the same way with the game sters. Complaints have been received by the sheriff's office that quite an amount of gambling was going on at Leeds and several efforts have been made to ar rest those indulging.
 Affairs were arranged nicely for the raid yesterday and it was thought the deputies could reach the town without the alarm being given, but it proved otherwise.
 Evidence Is being secured against large number of men who are alleged to be violating the prohibition laws and several more arrests are expected to be made in the next day or two on this charge
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
ROAD VIEWERS ARE
 READY TO REPORT

Messrs. Wilson Brown, B. A. Thompson and GeorgeC. Whatley recently appointed by the board of revenue to inspect the route of the new St. Charles street road across Red mountain into Shades valley, made the inspection yesterday and are now ready to file their report today.
 In this report they show that the road will run through the land of the Tennes- see company, Capt Frank g. White and the Republic company. It Is conceded that this road will greatly benefit all the land through which it runs. and it is understood that the viewers will refuse to grant any damages, as the iron com panies have already recognized the im- portance of the road and donated the necessary right of way. Tn case Captain White does not donate the right of way, the appraisers state that he may collect whatever value they put on his land actually used for the road.
 The impression among a few at one time that if condemnation proceedings were necessary to secure the right of way some trouble might be experienced if the property was owned by a foreign corporation has been denied by attor- neys, who declare that this can be done just as easily as if the land were owned by local parties.
 The city council will pass on the mat ter of granting a franchise for the ex- tension of the Fifteenth street car line at the meeting Wednesday night, and if granted, the line will reach Shades val ley in short time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
MRS. HANS WILL
 NOT AID HUSBAND

New York, October 5.-Although coun- sel for Mrs. Peter c. Hains, 'Jr., failed today to file an affidavit of specifica- tions in support of her motion for ali- mony, counsel fees and the custody of her children in the suit for absolute di- vorce brought by her husband shortly before the shooting of William E. Annis, that fact, it appears, is not to entail a. default by her in the proceedings. Well don c. Percy, attorney for Captain Hains in the divorce action, was notified today that Mrs. Hains' affidavit would be filed tomorrow The omission to enter the affidavit today had given rise to rumor that Mrs. Hains had decided to admit the truth of her husbands charges and thus aid him. in his forthcoming trial for the murder of Annis, but this was promptly set at rest by MT. Percy tonight.
 If Mrs. Hains takes any active part in the murder trial" said MT. Percy, it will be as witness for the prosecution and not for the defense"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
OCTOBER.

This is the month when the forest Is brave in it's scarlet and gold, And by the first fire of the season A fairy-land story is told. This is the month when the gridiron Awakes to the laundering tread Of the padded and long-haired warriors, Who trample the maimed and the dead. This is the month when the merchants Have garments for winter to sell The union suit kind and the other, Which some people like just as well. This is the month when the chorus Kicks up just as high as 1t can And shakes all its huffs and its ruffles In the face of the bald-headed man. This is the month when the oyster Assumes a more dignified air. As one who can not be forbidden His place on the days bill of fare. This is the month when the mornings Are as chilly and brisk as you please, And people who haven't much cover Double up with their chins on their
 knees.
 This is the month when the huntsman Prepares for a slaughter of game, And while 'tis his guide who is pickled, The shooting's quite good just the same. This is the month when the possum Is monarch of all he surveys, And down in the muscadine hollow The deep-throated coon dog bays. This is the month when the movers Are at home in brand new fiat, And wiley despairs of e'er finding A corner for storing her hat This is the month when the valley Echoes with the wood-choppers stroke, And the fellow who writes for the paper Gets gay with the janitor joke.
 A POSSIBLE CONTINGENCY. My intention," said the bashaw of the republican party "is to separate the sheep from the goats.'
 sSpose they are all goats?' quered a listener who didn't seem to be overawed by the Big Stick.
 STRENUOUS CAMPAIGNING.
 The speaker stopped
 But not by choice;
 The papers said
 He lost his voice.
 IT WENT FOR HIM 'He said his native state would go for him"
 And did it?"
 Sure. His native state made matters
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
Rate Hearings in Atlanta

Few appreciate, perhaps, how great a contest was conducted during two weeks before three members of the interstate commerce commission in Atlanta. The testimony was completed last week, and the public awaits the decision of the commission. The decl- sion will be rendered no doubt before the year is ended.
 The railroads of the southeast intro duced testimony to uphold the ad- vances that became effective on Au- gust l on four, grain, hay, packing house products and similar commodi- ties. A mass of testimony was inuo- duced, and the commissioners go back to Washington well loaded with it.
 The contest is said to have a secret political phase. When it became a contest between lower wages to em-
 
 freight rates on the other the railroads ceased to cut wages. They even in some cases increased them. The pres idential campaign of 1908 was coming on. The rate hearing in Atlanta was conducted, however, before the three democratic members of the commis- sion, and it is not conceivable that they had become parties to political pact for the maintenance of wages dur ing the campaign. It is not believed that the decision of the three commis- sioners who heard the Atlanta contest will be set aside by the republican members of the commission. The case is, however, one of interest to the southeast, and the decision of the con- mission and the manner of it's making will be closely watched.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
Missouri Democracy.

Missouri will give Bryan good ma jority," said S. W. Lichter of St. Lotus, Roosevelt carried the state over Par ker by plurality of 25,0Oo but Bryan mas always been popular in Missouri. hs may count on 40.000 plurality this niile In 1S95 he had a plurality of about oV'- GOO and in 1900 about S7,00O He is especial ly strong in the rural districts, whlie lhe minor parties may cut down ms strength in the cities, think 1t Is sale 10 predict that he will do better In the state than he did eight years ago. Missouri has gone democratic every tune since 1886, except in 1904
 T spent a few days in Indiana last week and | found the democracy in spleh- did shape there. I am confident tha1 the democrats will carry Indiana, but II is practically conceded that Taft Will carry Ohio.
 T am a Bryan democrat and if we can only carry New York enough other doubtful states will come to Bryan to elect him. The outlook is certainly more promising than 1t was in the early part of October. 1900. Republican victory was then a foregone conclusion. but in that election the republicans had great slush fund. The republican campaign commit tee is not much better off in point of money than the democratic committee this year. If the republicans fail to raise a slush fund within the next ten days MT. Bryans chances will certainly be first rate"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06

New York as Pivot.
 Walter wellman in Chicago Record-Her-
 aid.
 New York.-Now that the Empire state has become the strategic center of the presidential battle of 1908, now that we have come back to the political alignment of a generation ago in which New York is regarded as the pivotal state, every one Is asking why there should be any doubt of republican success here. In the west, especially, there is surprise that a state which twice rejected Bryan by plu- ralities of 1e5.0Oo and 144,000, and which only four years ago gave Roosevelt TO- 900 over Parker should now be in danger of goinng democratic. It is not surpris- ing that such questions are asked. It is not surprising that there is tremendous interest in the answer. For it is now generally recognized that unless he can carry New York state MT. Bryan can not win the presidency. Taft might pos sibly win without 1t, but Bryan cannot.
 A fortnight ago. encouraged by what they believed to be evidence of a land SllQe III Ine WtSls lilt uciioCidtiC icba- CTS, Mr. Bryan included, claimed they could win the election without New York. They do not make that claim now. While they do not openly confess that the much- talked of 'landslide' is failing to ma- terialize, it is obvious that they are not as hopeful as they were of a revolution in the Mississippi valley. With Illinois and Minnesota standing firm in the repub- ican column and with only shade of doubt existing as to Iowa, Wisconsin and other states in the middle and far west. it is easily understood that if Bryan were to get everything he has any reasonable hope of he would still be in a minority without accessions in the east.
 
 Why is there doubt about New York The doubt may not be large. The chances are still in Taft's favor. But some un- certainty does exist and will continue till the actual counting of the ballots. The chief cause of this uncertainty is found in the attitude of the labor vote. By the labor vote I do not mean wholly or ganized or union labor, but the men wh6 work with their hands generally, the wage-earners, whether they be members of labor organizations or not. Among all this mass of people there is this year in New York city and in al the cities of this state marked tendency to go for Bryan
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
Gives Taft New York.
m the New York Herald.

From the New York Herald.
 MT. Taft, according to all surface indi- cations, at present holds New York state. It apparently will require political con- vulsion or revolution in the remaining weeks of the campaign to dislodge him from his position.
 MT. Chambers chances now seem su- perior to those of MT. Hughes for gov- ernor. But in the opinion of many politi- cal observers the full strength of the op- position to the present governor devel- oped early in the campaign
 They declare it is now at flood tide, and is likely to recede during the com ing month. The vigorous whirlwind cam- paign which the governor is about to be- gin, his supporters believe, will do much to swing the state. The machine repub- lican leaders, who dislike MT. Hughes declare he is one Of the most effective campaigners of his generation.
 The preceding paragraphs sum up the situation as the Herald finds it after Il careful preliminary canvass of the entire state
 There are not likely to be any heavy pluralities either way. The most san- guine republicans do not expect MT. Taft to carry the state by more than 5o,- GOO. Where a plurality Is claimed for MT. Hughes the figures are placed very low. The democrats hope to elect MT. Chanler by 5o,0oo and some of them figure out a small plurality for Mir Bryan.
 The panic has hurt the republicans with the worlSingmen and with retail business mon On the other hand, the general fear that MT Bryan's election might pre- cipitatc another crisis or delay the re-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
might not this believe Without the sensible and true avouch Of nine own eyes. Hamlet.
Political Line-Up

At the last moment the prohibition. fists, the socialists and the populists filed tickets with Secretary of State Julian, and the official ballot in Ala bama will therefore carry all the tick cts in the field, the socialist labor tick ct alone excepted. The populists boiled four years ago 5051 votes; the social ists, S53, and the prohibitionists, 612. The Independence league did not exist in this state four years ago.
 The populsts and the prohibitionists are content to present the names of lectors only. MT. Underwood is, however, opposed by J. B. Sloan, re- publican; w. G. Emiel, socialist, and Travis M. Ramey, Independence leaguer.
 The voter will have a wilderness of names before him when he picks up an official ballot, for on its broad face will appear nearly one hundred names, and yet this is considered a one-party state, and the returns from the ballot boxes will doubtless establish it's one ness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-06
Must Number Houses.

"The law requiring numbers on the houses within the corporate limits of Bir- mingham will be enforced to the letter." said a city official yesterday. we have been entirely too lax in this matter and beginning tomorrow arrests will be made after notice Complaint has been made both by the delivery men and persons missing their mail. For the convenience of all parties these numbers should com ply with the law. The height should be two inches, in plain, big letters.
 "If anyone is in doubt as to his num- Der he may apply to the city engineer and get it exact. The compliance with these requirements really amounts to something big In fact, more hangs upon it's enforcement than can be given to the public but it requires quick action."