davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
D|SCRED|TS CLAIM OF COOKS SUCCESS Birmingham Man a Neighbor
 Of PeaFy MEANEST MAN IN WORLD And Yet All the Evidence Tends to Show That Peary Reached the
 Pole While Cook Did
MEANEST MAN IN WORLD
By BURR BLACKBURN.

People in Birmingham and perhaps the country over are wondering If they will ever get heads or tails out of this north pole controversy. If the average person could settle the matter in his own mind half so surely as has a recent arrival in Birmingham from the scenes of conflict, he would at least feel relieved.
 This man comes to make Birmingham his home from Uova Scotia and has re- gently been camping at Wychmere, on Buxton Island, Me, which is just eight miles from the home of Commander Peary.
 While I believe that Peary is the meanest man in the world,' he said, T am convinced that he reached the north pole. and I do not give any credence to Dr. Cooks claims.
 There is no question but that senti- ment has been swinging away from Dr. Cook since recent developments in both his north pole and Mt. Mckinley expedi- tions. He has been put on the defensive, and the doubt which has been flung at him will not be removed unless the inves- tigatng scientists give him a very flat tering report.
 Mcclellan, Peary's first assistant. is a good friend of mine. You remember he could not finish the trip after both feet were frozen I have seen him recently, and while he and many of the crew were dissatisfied with many of Peary's meth ods. they were sincere in their support of his expedition. He could never have invented story as he would have feared treachery from his men, none of whom loved him.
 But many people assert that Cook went into a business arrangement to make money out of his discovery. His argu- ment that because the people accepted the reports on farthest north of Nansen and other explorers, they should accept his story of the north pole without question, won't hold water and don't look good in black and white Hss
 q have seen both the sledges which Peary and Cook used in their expedi- tions. While Peary's five sleds are broken all to pieces and bound together with leather strips from the hides of animals, Dr. Cooks show little wear and no tear except where Dr. Cook says he tore of arrows to kill game.
 "Peary, in crossing the ridge of Ice which is thrown up at the Arctic circle. broke nine sledges all to pieces, while Cook claims to have made his whole trip with two sleds. It seems practically im- possible that Cook. with the slight equip ment, could have accomplished what Nan sen and all his predecessors failed to do with far better equipment. It is a patent fact that Cook nor his two Esquimaux l had ever. been on polar Ice before, having l never crossed the ridge.
 .There is something noticeably weak | about Whitney's failure to bring the box containing Dr. Cooks data. He was with in one days sail to it. and could easily have brought 1t had he known its con- tents. No one could blame Peary for re
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
SIARI CRY IF FIRE / ID STOP MEETING R. E. Oliver Describes Incident
 At Dothan HAIR BISON WAS SPEAKING Loose Cotton Set AbIaze and Farmers at Meeting Thought Their Cotton In Warehouse Was In
 Flames.
.HAR BISON WAS SPEAKlNe (

R. E. Oliver cotton buyer for Veil Brothers of Dothan. one of the most prominent cotton brokerage firms in the state. is registered at the Metropolitan. Mir Oliver told yesterday of a scheme by which the amenders of Dothan tenn porarily broke up an anti-amendment meeting at Dothan Saturday which, he says. did more to bring voters over to the cause of the defenders in Houston county than any other incident during the cam- paign.
 Gen George P. Harrison was the speak CT at Dothan and from all accounts the meeting was one of the most enthusi- astic of the campaign. MT. Oliver states that at a point when the height of en- thusasm had been reached, four amend CTS took a lot Of loose, unbaled cotton and placed 1t behind the Farmers Union Warehouse and Compress. which con tained about 5000 bales of cotton. 5000 of which belonged to the farmers of the sec ton and about 2oo0 to the brokers
 I'd was set to the loose cotton and
 erpetrators of the scheme imme- ssfs went to the office of d brokerage esa n and summoned the fire depart as54 Having done this they went out lnE1 ,wn crying the false news that the
 a warehouse was afire. This cry aaaav reached the courthouse, where the stsztfihg was in progress, and when the aas sf the burning cotton became notice .r4s ne great number of farmers at taH the speaking, alarmed by the a1 of losing their cotton, virtually .ssslnpeded from the courthouse to the scene of the supposed fire.
 When the truth concerning the fire was learned four amenders, all prom inent citizens of Dothan, were placed under arrest ana were carried before Mayor Baker. Evidence against these men was not sufficient for conviction, but Mayor Baker made an open state ment in court that if convicting evidence could be secured he would fine the per petrators of the deed s1Oo each.
 The speaking was resumed after things were quieted.
 It is said that after the meeting the whole community became extremely in- oignant and that fully 100 voters signi-
 
 the side of the amenders and going with the defenders.
 P. G. Bowman states that the meeting at Dothan was one of the most en- thusiastic yet held. He says that there were fully 800 attendants and that after General Harrison, Confederate veteran and one of the most beloved men in the state, began speaking the other veterans present wept in their emotion. Finally. at the conclusion of the speech, after General Harrison had made a. very patri- otie appeal, one old veteran proceeded 10 the speakers stand and kissed General Harrison. This set the audience wild and every man rushed to General Harrison to express his sympathy against the amend ment Mir Bowman says the scene was remarkable and it Is stated that Hous- ton county will go overwhelmingly against the amendment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
SENATOR ALDRICH
 REACHES ST. LOUIS

St. Louis, November 7.-Senator Aldrich arrived at St. Louis tonight. He is sched- uled for speech on the work and pur- poses of the monetary commission at dinner to be given him tomorrow night by the Commercial club in this city.
 When asked whether he would not devil ate from his course sufficiently to reply to Senator Cummins' criticism, MT. AL drieh merely shook his head
 He declined to say anything of a gen. eral nature on the tariff question. His po- sition is that as he has taken the road in the interest of the proposed monetary reform, he should not permit anything to cause deviation or division of interests. Regarding the correction of the currency evils as the most crying need of the time he Is determined to give his attention for the present for the correction of the con- dition. In Des Moines MT. Aldrich will speak Thursday night In the home of Senator Cummins, but it is doubtful that even when there the Rhode Islander will make reference to his differences with the Iowan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
READER STETSON
 WRITES HER HEADS
MAKES ANSWER TO STRIcKLER, DECLARING THAT SHE HAS NOT DESERTED MOTHER CHURCH. WRITES FOUR PAGES.

New York, November 7.-Annoyance at a story appearing in a morning paper which said Mrs Stetson's followers defv the Mother church" today, prompted Mrs Augusta E. Stetson, the former first reader of the First Church of Christ, Sci enlist. to write her own newspaper story and her own headlines. The latter read : Mrs. Stetson's answer Declares her loyalty to the Mother church. Emphati- caly denies MT. stricklers interpreta- tions of her teachings"
 These captions appear on a four-page typewriter statement which Mrs. stet- sons secretary distributed tonight in her home on Central Park. West, adjoining the church of which she was the recent leader and from which position she was deposed because of alleged mental mal- practice" Of this charge she was &C., quilted by board of Inquiry, and her exoneration was indorsed last week by the congregation of the church. but the controversy continues Mrs. Stetson re- affirms her allegiance to the Mother church in the following words:
 T wish to state here most emphatically that l do not deny the Mother church. neither do. my followers
 Answering the charges that she had at- tempted to invoke evil by thought upon the heads of certain persons, she says of Virgil O. Strickler. the present first read CT, and her opponent:
 T was surprised that he (Strickler) seemingly could not grasp the metaphy- sical points that there Is difference between mental malpractice and self-de- fense. l will give as an illustration what l understood the difference to be be- tween mental malpractice and indispensa. ble defense, or self protection: If I felt sure that I was being attacked, either ignorantly or maliciously by any person, I should fill my thought with the qual- ities of God, truth and love, which alone renders one invincible to whatever pro ceeds from the carnal mind. From tEis fortress of defense I should speak to the person. addressing him by name, and then speak to the error which might bt operating through the human mind, for which he has been an avenue Then should declare that malicious animal mag netism in all its phases and forms was powerless to work through his human personality, using him as an avenue to injure me or anyone, or to hinder the progress of Christian Science. It Is the Superiority of spiritual power over ma terial sense and is not malpractice.
 There was an unusually large attend ance at the First church today evidently in anticipation of some development of the controversy involving Mrs. Stetson and Strickler, who was witness against Mrs. Stetson at Boston. It was an- nounced after the service that a special meeting would be held at o'clock on November 15. to i'take up the matter of the meeting held on November Y Ihis was the meeting which upheld Mrs stet- AOp.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08

of the aggregation. Already this season he has made some sensational runs. His plunging ability stands him in good stead when on the defensive as he frequently breaks through the line and interrupts the opponents play before the interfer- ence can get formed. Fullbacl Rhodes is another man who has been a terror to opposing lines, always to be counted on for gain when within the shadow of the enemys goal. Another star of the team is Jones' one of the best defensive ends in the south. He stands six feet two inches and tips the beam at TO Mis- sissippis forward pass offense is centered around this player.
 McGill, the right halfback, is another great line bucker and a Birmingham boy to boot.
 That the Agricultural and Mechanical has a great scoring team is evidenced by the following games this season:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
IRON AND STEEL
 MARKET STEADY Volume of Sales For Pig Iron
 Is If a Little BUT ONLY IN CON NTRAST Large Distribution of Rail Orders Is Expected During the Coming Week-Big Months Busi-
 ness Is Expected.

New York, November 7.-There has been a sharp contraction In the volume or business transacted in pig iron since No vember l and yet sales have been small only in contrast with the record breaking tonnage sold last month There has been a fair run of small orders for foundry and forge grades, and one contract for about 900 tons placed for delivery over the next eight months by railroad equip ment shop, the business going to Buffalo furnaces. The falling off in new con- tracts has been especially notable in steel-making iron, there being scarcely anything placed in the east; but 10000 tons of Alabama basic has been sold for deliv- cry in the central west.
 Considerable Virginia and Alabama has been sold for shipment for Chicago. Total sales for the week are estimated at about 100000 tons An easier tone has developed for foundry iron for shipment over the balance of this year, and concessions of about 25 cents a ton have been made, but steel making iron is as strong as ever
 Finished steel products continue strong generally, but fabricated steel is still irregular. The tendency of prices for both finished and semi-fnished steel is upward and higher prices on sheets. especially galvanized, are expected at any moment
 Contracts for rails, which came to the furnaces last week, aggregated only about 25 1000 tons, but the distribution of orders for between 200, GOO and 250,000 tons are ex- pected to be announced within few days.
 Contracts for structural steel have az gregated between 17,000 and 1900 tons. The prospect is for a heavy increase in business this month.
 The output of all kinds of pig iron in October was at the rate of about H,0Oo,- 600 tons annually, as estimated last week. The production in steel ingots, as well as of pig iron, was record-breaking.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
CAREER WILL MAKE
 RAGE FOR CONGRESS

Montgomery, November 7.-(Special.)- That Attorney General A. M. Garber will enter the race for Congress in the Fourth has not yet announced. Conferences were held last week, including one in Talla- dega the home of the attorney general, and the statement is made tonight that there is little doubt of his making a try at the place now held by MT. Craig. Colonel Garber has made one speech for the amendment and is lined up that way.
  fusing to take the box on his ship, for had 1t been opened in America and no evidence found inside. Peary would have immediately been charged with appro- priating and destroying the evidence This would have simply have been playing right into Cooks hands.
 'Peary has to my personal knowledge a most despicable character. have seen him and have heard reports from those who associate with him, which simply show that his IS years alone in the Arctics have soured him and made him so narrow minded that he isn't pleasant company
 "Before leaving on the last trip, all the men on board made affidavit and signed a contract that they would not write or lecture about the expedition upon their return. A New York theatrical manager discovered that Peary had not required this contract, of Mat Henson because he was not thought intellectual enough. The negro was put on the stage. Henson was too ignorant and uneducated to do any good. and of course his lecture tour ended in farce"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08

weigh on an average of 152 pounds and are about as scrappy lot as one can find anywhere. The line is the iightest feature but the men make up in speed what they lack in weight The back field Is composed of Williams, quarter Wyckham, Berry and Holingsworth. halves, and Denny at fullback This is just as good as any other southern teams backiield, with one or two exceptions. Vaughan at center is tower of strength, while the balance of the team is fast and consistent The Howard men are in good condition and expect to give the visitors a battle that they will never forget. While the dope on scoring veers to the Agricultural and Mechanical, those familiar with Dr. Longwell's ability to instill a marvellous offensive spirit ex- pect a surprise.
 Tho Howard pames so far are.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08

Memphis, November 7-The arrival in this city this evening of Frank Hermanli of San Francisco, as representative of the Pacific Coast Baseball league, ready to appear before the National Association of Professional Leagues. at It's session on Tuesday, makes it positive that thiv heretofore outlaw league will be an appli cant for reinstatement with the regular organization. J. H. Farrell, chairman os the national board of arbitration, wa. another arrival today
 The directors of the Southern leagus will hold their first session on Monday morning, and in the afternoon the annual meeting of the league will be held. when
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08

to get behind an active campaign for bond issue if it is thought to be the proper measure, and to continually urge the elec- tion of county and state officers who favor good roads and are ready to work for them.
 The meeting will be open to all citizens and everyone interested Is urged to at tend. If all those who pledged themselves are on hand, the meeting will be both representative and enthusiastic. Repre- sentatives from every beat in the county have promised to take an active part.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08

the time at which it was to be paid, hold ing as they do, and 1 believe they are honest in their conclusions, though woe fully wrong, or the law was no law; that the Jelks administration, by its auditor, Judge Carmichael on October 1, 1906, paid pensioners for the fiscal year 1907. That couldn't be true under the law of that date, because no pension had been grant, ed for the year 1907 until July, 1907, the board had not and did not meet to pass upon and allow pensions for 1907 until July, 1907, and the law positively says tember 1 in each year shall ascertain the amount of pension fund in the treasury subject to disbursement among pensioners for that year and issue warrants to each pensioner that had been granted pension for his pro rata.
 How in the face of the law in force staring him in the fact, can he come to the conclusion that the law meant the next year, when the pensioners cannot be paid pensions until they are granted each year?
 T have practiced law S7 years. and | am sure that with the laws and the facts foregoing submitted to the men of Ala bama. they will give their verdict in favor of the truthful claim of pensioners and against the state administration for over $70O000. All of which I submit under the plain statutes of July 19. 1899. and Sep-| tember B, 1903. and the disbursements made hereunder. Isn't Conner A real Jim Dandy friend to Confederate pen sioners? J. H. SAVAGE.
 Birmingham. November S. 1909
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
Richard CarIe Himself.

'sMary's Lamb" which Richard Carle brings here Saturday matinee and night at the Jefferson, has been a success in three countries. Originally in Paris it was played under the title of Madame Mongodin.' In London it ran for several seasons as Mrs. Ponderbury's Past. In Americanizing the farce, MT Carle has added many lines and jokes of his own, as well as 13 musical numbers, all of which he composed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
GOOD ROADS ADVOCATES
 WILL ASSEMBLE IODA1

At 10 o'clock this morning the citizens of Jefferson county will band themselves together to fight for good roads, It is ex- pected that the Chamber of Commerce auditorium will be crowded with citizens who will lend their presence and aid to the movement.
 There will be no long-winded speeches. Simply business will be attended to. A permanent good roads association will be formed with active officers. whose duties will be to look after <tIis countys inter- ests in the use of state and county money,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
ADJUSTMENTS.
Adelaide Thurston Seat Sale.

Undoubtedly one of the most interest," ing women on the American staGa today is Adelaide Thurston, the idol of the south. who, with a powerful supporting company, under the direction of Francis x. Hope, will appear at the Jefferson Wednesday matinee and night .n Con- trary Mary" The seat sale opens at 9 o'clock this morning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
Mis-. oIoa NethersoIe.

At the Jefferson theatre Friday night Oizs Nethe. sole, the distinguished Eng fish actress will present for the first time here a great American drama entitled '"rhe N1.tjng on the Wall" The au- thor of this pay, William J. Hu,lburt, is the young al amatist who leapcd 1T 10 fame over night, and who is destined most dramatists.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
From Gadsden Veteran.
,e Editor of The Age-Herald 1:

To the Editor of The Age-H erald:
 Here we are We are from Gadsden, Ala. and the most of us have been here for over 50 years. The writer was in the first battle of Manasses and belonged to J. F. Johnson was lieutenant and was in many, many bloody battles We boys were nearly always in the frone line, but were never in any battle where our duty was any clearer than 1t is in this To- day our hearts are swelled with joy for we believed victory is ours. The writer is in front, on vidette and he is being constantly attacked, but thank God T have been loaded down with the truth and have been able to turn them down so far.
 These old boys are being led in this fight by Col. R. B. Kyle. who is S4 years old, but who loves liberty just as well as when he was a boy. William Vine yard, Joe Hollis, H. H. Miller, E. 8. Ashley, Lap Pollard, A. H. Sitz, W. D. Thornton, l.. E. Hamlin, w. c. Wright, w. H. Hammond, T. W. Lester, W. L.. Watson, J. B. Haralson, J. B. Turner, K. K. BUSH, D. V. 0diIiSoi dlo tHc names of only few of the old boys. They would all be with us if they didn't have a fat job under the Conner admin istration. We are in line until the last gun is fired, the smoke has cleared away and the victory Is won.
 ABE THORNTON,
 Company G, Fourth Alabama.
 Gadsden, Ala, November 6, 1909.
 P. 8. I remember Cudonel Barrow. Col onel Jones and Colonel Bee were killed just on my right at the first battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861. A. T.
 About Confederate Pensoins. To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 About 800 Confederate pensioners asked me to investigate the pension claims mat ter, and in compliance herewith I under took it. These pensioners claim that they auditor for money appropriated and due them for the fiscal year ending September 30. 1907 The administration contradicted that claim, and that is the issue between Confederate pensioners and the Conner ad- ministration.
 My whole desire was to get at the law and facts, and ascertain how 1t was. I went to the capitol and to the auditors s office, where I was shown every courtesy and aid in my investigation by Gen. w. w. Brandon, state auditor, and his men in the office, in my efforts to get at actual facts as to the pension fund and It's dis bursement. My conclusion is based upon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
At the Biiou.

Charley Grapewin, 'I remember you," that comedian who can always make you laugh, is at the Bijou this week. com mencing tonight, in a new play entitled "Above the Limit" There is perform ance every night with matinees Tuesday. Thursday and Saturday. It is said to be funner than "Mr. Pipp," the last great success of Mr. Grapewin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
Haokett In "Reau erummel."

Beau Bruplmel," the great play in which Norman Hsckett, of ''Classinltes' fame, will ba presented in this city at the Jefferson Thursday matinee and night Is built around the life of George Prainmel, The dandy of the English court, in the early part of tho nineteenth century
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
At the Majestic.

Miss Mabel Paige and company play stirring melodrama at the Majestic thea Ire this week, commencing with mat jnee this afternoon. Why Girls Leave Home" is full of dramatic incidents. There is matinee Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and performance every r1fcht
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08
Notice.

Notice is hereby given the stockholders of the Textile Products Go. that there win be a special meeting of said stock holders in the office of the company, Twentieth street and Powell avenue. Bir- mingham, Ala. on November 29, 1909, the same being 90 days from date Fhis october 30. 1909.
 1n-Sp-tf Presi4snt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-08

IOtal ......-..,..og lOIalS ..........-oV
 When fl is remembered that the SCOT ing on Howard was done by Auburn and Alabama. two of the strongest elevens in the south. the discrepancy in SCOT ing Is not so marked.
 The game will begun promptly at 8 o'clock Special cars will be run from Second avenue and Twentieth street The admission will be 50 cents and the game will be played at West End park.