davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Change Is Importan nt.

Washington, December 21.-That a lnew cabinet in Venezuela may have an dmportant bearing on the relations of rhat country with the United States is the opinion of state department of lfcials who read the Associated Press dispatches from Port of Spain telling of the appointments of Vice President Gomez.
 This depends, however, on the con- stitution of the new body and whether the vice president and the element com posing it are willing and anxious to lresume diplomatic negotiations with the United States. The elimination from the new cabinet of those who were closely affiliated with the Castro rule is gratifying to the officials here who hope that under the new order of things some progress may be made to- ward the adjudication of the claims of the United States against Venezuela, which have been pending for so long d time.
 If Venezuela, under the new dispen- sation, shows a disposition to resume diplomatic relations with the United States. the state department would lend It's aid in that direction with out hesitation. It prefers to be on friendly terms with our South America neigh bors For this reason the appointment of a new cabinet may have an impor- tant bearing on the relations between the two governments.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
PARLIAMENT IS
 BROUGHT ID CLOSE
King Edward FeIiCitateS Mem
 bers U pen Their Work
FRIENDLY TO AMERICANS
Events In Europe Are Discussed and No Fear Is Expressed Regarding the Concert of the Powers
 In European Countries.

London, December 2.-King Edward to- day put an end to the present session of the British parliament Only a few members attended the brief propagation ceremonies The Kings speech made especial reference to the recent visit of the American battleship fleets in Aus tralian waters which his majesty said evoked warm feelings of cordiality in my dominions in that quarter of the globe and was a source of qualification to myself and my government"
 Referring to the conclusion of several important agreements which by eliminat- ing causes of contention must tend to the consolidation of peace" the King said;
 Among these may be mentioned the treaties with the United States for gen eral arbitration and for regulation of certain questions between the United States and Canada and an agreement for maintenance of an existing territorial status of the regions bordering on the North Sea-
 Continuing his majesty expressed grat- ification at the visit to England of Pres ident Falleries of France and the King and Queen of Sweden.
 Referring to the events in the Balkans, calculated to disturb the provisions of the treaty of Berlin, the speech says: There is reason to hope that wise and concliatory councils will prevail and that an amicable system will be reached with the consent of the powers who are parties to this treaty"
 Mention was made also of the copyright convention, to the assumption of sov- ereignty over the Congo by Belgium, and the decisions of the international naval conference now in session in this city with regard to the results of this con- ference his majesty says: Tt is hoped that they will command general assent"
 In a paragraph on India deep regret is expressed at "a conspiracy of evil dis posed persons against the lives of my officers and the continuation of British rule," anu the earnest wish is set forth that the measures to enlarge the share of the Indians in the administration of the country will be received in the spirit of mutual trust and good will in which they are proposed''
 The affectionate reception given to the Prince of Wales by all classes during his presence in Canada on the occasion of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the founding of Quebec, received spe- cial cordial mention The remainder of the Kings speech is devoted to domestic matters.
 Further indications that the government has no intention to dissolve parliament is seen in the appointment of a royal commissioner to inquire into the exist ing or proposed methods of electing par liament. It Is understood that the in- quiry will include such questions as for eign and colonial systems of elections plural voting, woman suffrage and pro- portional representation, and that the evi- dence thus far obtained will be utilized in the preparation of an electoral reform bill which the government contemplates introducing in parliament in 1910
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
QUEEN IS SYMPATHETIC.
She Sends Message to General Booth
 With Good Wishes.

London, December 21.-Queen Alex andra's well known interest in the Salvation Army was emphasized today ;n a telegram to Gen. William Booth, commander-in-chief of that body, who was recently operated upon for cata- ract. The telegram follows:
 q have felt so much for you. and hope the operation will be successful. I trust you are getting on toward com plete recovery and that the sight you need so much will soon be entirely restored"
 General Booths physicians believe that he will recover his sight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
YOUNG MAN HELD
 FOR BOXERS DEATH

Philadelphia, December 21.-Benjamin Barnett was today committed by the cor oner charged with causing the death of James Curren, aged 1s years, during a boxing bout at the Broadway Athletic club in the lower section of the city on Friday last. The boys, who were novices, appeared at an amateur matinee. Cur ren collapsed in the second round after a blow on the jaw and died before he could be taken to the hospital. The coroner's physician said that Currents death was caused by hemorrhage of the brain induced by violence.
 The seconds of the fighters and the proprietor of the club were discharged by the coroner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
New Receiver Annointed.

St. Louis, December H.-A. R. Stick ney president of the Chicago Great West ern railway, who, with c. II. F. Smith, was appointed receiver to conduct the fa- fairs of the road last summer, today re- signed his receivership and Judge Wall ter H. Sanborn of the United States cir cult court appointed Horace c. Burt, former president of the Union Pacific, as his successor. There are persistent rumors to the effect that MT. Stickney will in the near fture resign from the presi- dency of the road and MT. Burt will be his successor. This was denied in of- ficial circles today, however.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22

Bob Hoffman shot him and Sam Apple white said: q know he is dead for put a load of bicycle ball-bearings in him
 Jesse Carter, one of the defendants and a man yet to be tried, put the rope around Rankins neck.
 Taylor's Escape.
 When Colonel Taylor jumped into the slough everybody shot into the water and Fehringer beat around in it with a pole Meanwhile the men holding the rope let go and Rankin's body crumpled up and dropped to the ground. His stiff hat fell beneath his head, holding it off the ground his glasses dropped back into the hat, which rapidly filled with blood from the wound in his temple Just before the body fell rider not on trial emptied six .3S-calibre bullets into the hanging man. The riders then went to where their horses were hftched and where four men had been left on guard Garrett Johnson addressed them before they dispersed:
 Burn your masks" he said. "and say nothing about this nights work Feh- ringer rode a horse of Garrett Johrson's that night and remained the balance of the night with Ike Johnson, fl cousin of Garrett Johnson.
 Fehringer was arrested by the military | and taken before Governor Patterson who i was personally in command.
 ! Tell the truth" said Patterson "If l you do I will give you an absolute par ! don'' Then he confessed. Court ad- | journed for luncheon before the cross- 1 examination began. During the testimony l the soldiers guard was increased. As soon as the court closed the armed sem l tries marched in and took Fehringer out. Then the court asked the newspaper corre- l spondents not to mention the names of l those implicated by the witness who are l not on trial
 i Night Rider Oath In Full. | The night rider oath is here given for | the first time:
 1 You do solemny swear in the presence ] of Almighty God and these witnesses that l you desire to become a night rider; that l you will not write. talk or tell to any ! one the secrets of this order of night 1 riders: that if YOU do talk, write or tell l to any person any of the secrets of the | order we sre permitted to do with you | as we see fit you know death, hell and | destruction will be your portion and that l your body will not be buried In grave l yard. Do you willingly and freely sub 1 nit to all of this. so help you God?' I For nearly three hours the defense at tempted to make the witness contradict himself. but every attempt ended in ut
 ter failure. It did elicit the fact that
 the night Captain Rankin was killed Gar
 rett Johnson carried an automatic .32-
 calibre revolver of the latest pattern.
 This revolver will play an important part
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22

arly treated but few of them will tell of it even now so great is their ter TOT.
 Old man Bogus Ono other name known) testified as to the burning of fish docks by the riders The outlaws met few nights later and got into row as to whether to hang Bogus or only whip him, but Bogus was never at home when the riders called.
 The riders went to the home of John Thurman one night to tell Thurmans daughter Mrs. Joe Johnson, to with draw her suit for divorce. They whipped Thurman because he would not urge his daughter to live with her husband again.
 Stripped and Beaten.
 On the night of the ride Joe John son, husband of the woman, was with them A few nights later Mrs John son, who is young and pretty, but who married an old man, was taken from her fathers home to the woods near by and fearfully whipped. She was strip ped to the waist and beaten with bug BY trace, the end of which had been split into five strips Fehringer was not on this ride When night rider approached a place of meeting he gave two long whis- ties and one short one. The sentry re- piled with the same whistle and then called out 'COmeS tneTe! me reply Wds, '.The seven wonders" Then the sentry replied q wonder" and admitted the member The whistle is a peculiar sib- liant piercing note. The defendants smiled and looked at each other as the whistle and the passwords were repeated in court. Just before the murder of Cap tain Rankin, the riders decided to make a ralc on Tiptonville and kill Judge liar ris. Tiptonville heard of it and prepared to repel it and the riders abandoned their plans. On October 19 the riders learned that Rankin and Colonel Taylor were at Walnut Log hotel in the heart of the riders country. rid Burton, one of the attendants told Fehringer to notify the band to meet that night to attend to Rankin and Taylor. Fehringer got one of Garrett Johnsons horses and rode all day summoning the band.
 All Defendants Named.
 The riders met near Johnson's that night and it included the eight defend- ants, name by name They proceeded to the hotel after Garrett Johnson had forced Ed Powell to take the rider oath. Garrett Johnson was the spokesman. wore the rope and whip and gave the orders to Rankin and Taylor to dress. On the march to the densely wooded bank of the slough where Rankin was slain Johnson did all the talking. the others, about 50 in number, including the defendants, following silently as they put the rope on Rankin's neck. Fehringer said to the victim: Do you want to say anything to the Lord? If you do, say l 1t now" Rankin replied: 'I have attend ed to that" Just as they pulled the rope
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
BLOOD CURDLING OATH OF
 NIGHT RIDERS IS REVEALED
CONTINUED FROM PAGE BID
Fehrlnger Testifies,

taking every possible and legal pre- caution"
 Fehringer Testifies.
 Surrounded by a detail of six soldiers with shotted rifles and revolver hol- sters open Frank Fehringer, member of the night riders who has turned states evidence, was brought into court this morning to testify against his former associates of the mask.
 At the court room door the soldiers with rifles halted. Four other soldiers armed only with revolvers took him in charge Four armed deputy sheriffs cleared away through the crowd an aisle and Fahringer was led to the stand.
 The soldiers sat down inside the railing, facing the throng Other depu- ties, armed heavily. scattered quietly through the room. It was a tense mo- ment. The witness, a diminutive man. seemed composed, but pale He crossed his legs nonchalently and tossed his broad trimmed hat on the toe of his boot. The crowd surged up closer, but a stern order from the judge forced them back into their seats. There was no occasion for crowding, however, for Fehringer spoke in a clear, distinct voice, audible all over the room.
 OdtH OI Ni9Ht niocTes
 Feh hringer was one of the first mem- bers of the band He went on the first ride of the band and visited Mars liss' store when there was a feud be- tween the riders of Tipton county and those of Obion county. They feared raid of Tipton county men. The oath he took was T solemnly swear that l wish to join the society of night riders, and that I will never write, tell or talk about anything that happens upon the rides or in conference"
 This is the shorter form of the oath. A larger and more blood curding one was administered to others and this will be recited by another witness.
 Fehringer knew all the defendants and had accompanied them on many rides prior to the killing of Captain Rankin. The night rider garb consisted of long black coats, black masks trimmed in white and some had false boards. at tached to the bottom. On one occasion Deputy Sheriff Mays, since resigned one of the riders, came to a meeting un- masked. At this meeting Garrett John son was chosen chief and other captains were named for different localities and authorized to make raids whenever the riders of certain locality thought some thing needed regulating.
 Forced to Go on Ride. Sometimes members failed to appear for rides and on these occasions the riders went after the missing men and forced them to go on the raids. On one ride while the riders were in a victims house, a rider named Pierson had a fit and his companions had to remove his mask to revive him. Often the riders whipped men and women without knowing why except that the captain ordered it. Once when the grand jury was in session and several men who had been whipped had been summoned. Garrett Johnson sent out a general order to hang any of the men who testified. They caught witness named John Shaw on his way to court near Sleepy Hollow, whipped him savage ly and sent him home. He did not testify. Some prospective witnesses were simil-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Acquitted of Libel Charge.

St. Petersburg, December 21.-Alex- ander A. Stakovitch, an ex-deputy, was acquitted today of criminal libel in a suit brought by M. Gurko, formerly as- sistant minister of the interior. in con nection with the famine scandal of 1906. M. Stakovitch furnish ed the newspapers with information regarding S5,000,000 contract for gain. Upon investigation of his charges, M. Gurko was dismissed from the ministry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
rearino un Street Car Tracks.

Lincoln, Neb., December 22.-Enraged because the Lincoln Traction company re- fused to reduce tho fare from l0c to DC between Lincoln and Havelock, a suburb where the Burlington shops are located, a mob of 15O persons began tearing up the company's tracks at the latter place to- night. The town mayor was appealed to, but was unable to stop the depredations. A telephone message at a. m says an attempt is being made to burn the com pany's barns. A sheriff and party have just been dispatched to the scene.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Destructive Forest Fires.

Laurens. S. C., December 21.-De- structive fires are becoming frequent in Laurens county, especially among the ginneries, three having been burned within the last few days. Early Sat urday morning the ginnery at Water loo. together with two stores, were burned. Saturday night another at Raeburn; few days ago one at Cross Hill, and several days ago two stores at Gray Court were destroyed by fire all at night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Confederate Veteran Dead.

Nashville, December 21.-Major J. O. Terrell, Confederate veteran, and one of the best known educators in western Kentucky, died at his home in Hop kinsville, Ky, this morning. Major Terrell served with distinction through out the civil war under Bragg and Johnston. He was a native of South Earo1ina
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Castro Is a BIuffer.

Berlin, December 21.--Castro's alleged army and navy plans are declared em- phatically by a member of his suite to be absolute inventions. Several German firms, he said. without the slightest au- thority sent in propositions with regard
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22

to war supplies but these President Cas- tro aid net even give consideration The President underwent two examinations at the hands of pr. Israel during the c,ufke of the day The doctor is still undecided as to whether an operation will be necessary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22

methyl, said to have been served to them as 'yino,' native drink: John Duffy, Edward c. Clark, Thomas w. Bing and Chesley D. Laney of Company L, Eigh- teenth infantry; and Otto Kuppe John J. Phelan, Frank l.. Smith, James E. Curtis. Sam A. Bramel, John O. Corbeit and William Nickolas of Company M. Eighteenth infantry
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Rehearinq Is Denied.

San Francisco, December 21.-The peti- tion of Mrs. Cornelius Botl<in, now serv- ing life sentence for the murder of Mrs J. P. Dunning of Dover Della. by send ing poisoned candy through the mails for 8 rehearing of her petition for appeal was denied by the supreme court today
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22


 Fehringer frankly admits that he has sold liquor illegally. has been indicted, tried and convicted for this offense both in Tennessee and Kentucky. However, he never denied his guilt and never per jured himself to escape punishment The witness was a tartar under cross-exauli- nation. Once when asked about a date he replied that he cid not keep "a dairy meaning a diary. When the defendants attorney attempted to question him about milk the witness said:
 'I used 1t when I was small, I'm told. but haven't since"
 He said his home had been under his hat for years and that he didn't care much where he stopped. Asked where he got his money, he said to Attorney Pierce: q get it like you got that $l0 from me for defending me when you didn't do it"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Deaths In PhiIippInes.

Washington, December 21.-The follow ing are the names of the soldiers who died last week in the Philippines of acute alcoholism resulting from drinking
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Notice.

Bids will be received for all Shelby coun- ty convicts for the year 1909. by the un- dersIgned, up to December 2s, 1908. Cor respondence solicited.
 J. A. JACKSON
 Hard Labor Agent 4. P LANGSHORE.
 Judge of Probate
 2-1S-ut.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Fehringer a Tartar.

in the effort of the state to fasten the crime upon the men under arrest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22

taking every possible and legal pre- caution"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-06
LOCAL FINANCIAL NEWS.

The upward tendency In securities con-
tinued today to be as strongly manifest
in the local market as was the case In
the general market. 1t is believed that
while there is free selling In line with
what is termed proft-taking the buying
Is sufficient not only to take such oner-
ings, but also additional stock. SO that
the result shows all the CHARACTERISTICS
of bull market.
In additio nto this effect of the outcome
of the recent presidential election an 40
vance Is announced in the market price
of copper. and that served to draw speeial
attention to the copper stocks. 80 that
today on the local exchange Greene can
naea, which was yesterday offered at IL.
today sold as high as l2h. and block OF
500 shares sold for 1874, while q bid OF l2A
was made for 1000 shares
At the close a bid of 121z was maze
for 500 shares, and also for a quotation
lot OF 100 shares. The asking price was
1919 These prices reflected the course OF
the stock in the curb market In New
York. where it shared with other copper
stocks in the general advance.
There was nothing done In Mitchell Min
ing stock, which was MAINLY due
to the fact that the plans for the future
of the company have not as yet assumed
definite shape. and the plant is not In
operation.
AS interesting as anything that occurred
in the activity on the local exchange lot
the day was the advance that took place
in the figures Of all the securities OF the
traction companies, not even excepting
the bonds. The main trading. however,
was centered in the stocks.
One broker took block Of eighty shares
of Capital Traction stock at 131. which
is a high recent level for that security.
and the bid remained at that notch while
the asking price was I32. The supply at
the higher figures was soon exhausted.
After call ten shares sold for 1878.
The bid for the common stock of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany rose to 36Ss without bringing out
any, the only transaction during the call
being seven shares at 81. Yesterday the
bid for this stock was 35at. After call
fifty shares sold for 3611.
A rise of a full point in the bid for the
preferred stock of the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company was made,
namely, from 81. which was recorded yes
terday, to IS, before any sales were made.
Nearly two hundred shares were taken at
that figure and then fifty shares sold at
Ss4.
y bid of sS1s was made for one thou
sand shares without result. An offering
of five hundred shares at 50 was made.
At the close IS was bid and SSss was
asked.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-06
MANY PLANTS REsuMING.
Activity Throughout the Pittsburg
Industrial Belt.

PITTSBURG. Pa. November 6.-Many
reports have been received from towns
outside of Pittsburg. in the great indus
trial belt. of plants starting up. Supt
Keighey, who has charge of the
Oliver & Snyder coke plant near Con-
nellsville. has received instructions to
begin immediate work on the ovens. sc
that December 1 every oven of Nos. l.
and plants at Oliver could be fired. The
company has over l 100 ovens and about
800 are now burning
The Orient Coke Company has issued
burning by Monday morning. 1t was re-
to other managers In this district.
OF the 10000 ovens of the II. c. Frick
Company 46 per cent are burning. while
of the 17.25S ovens Of the independent
operators 50 per cent arc in operation
1t is expected that the dead ovens OF
these companies will soon be operating In
full again.
At Newcastle. Pa. orders have been
given to resume operations at the At
lantic furnace. operated by the Republic
Iron and Steel Company. 1t has been idle
year and will start Immediately.
The American Bridge Company has
taken about 5000 tons of bridge and
gtrder work for the Atchison. Topeka and
Sante Fe railroad, all of which will be
turned out at the Ambridge plant.
The American Sheet and Tin Plate
Company has started five hot mills al
Sabraton, W. Va. and expects to start
the other five mills in about ten days.