davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
TOWN CONTINUES AS DRY AS 4 BONE Carmichael Law However Con-
 tains No Penalties FORERUNNER FOR OTHERS Locker Club Men Probably Preferred To Be On Safe Side and
 Not Walt for the Pen-
 alzlng Statutes.
FORERUNNER FOR OTHERS

According to the reports from the offices of the sheriff and chief of police Birmingham continues to be drier than Sahara, because in Sahara an oasis Is found every once in while. The officials state that the direct cause of the great scare is the Carmichael law which was signed by the governor Monday afternoon. When the law was published in The Age Herald two weeks ago there was ap- parently an immediate scurrying to cover because it was realized that the bill was certain to be enacted into law.
 Men who watch legislation careful ly, however, have been somewhat at loss to understand why all of the soft drink and locker club proprietors' troubles should have been laid to the Carmichael law, because, 1t Is pointed out, this law was never intended from the beginning as anything more than a forerunner or predicate for what was to follow. This was explained by the introduced.
 It was designed to present an outline of what was to be made unlawful in Alabama so far as the liquor traffic was concerned. The bill when 1t ap peared did set forth what would be | declared unlawful as previously an- nounced, but apparently 1t was not in- tended by it's sponsors to have the in- itial law serve as basis for prosecut- ing cases in the courts A reading of the bill shows that there is not a single penalty provided for any offense speci- fled in the measure. This Is reserved for the Fuller bill and such other measures as are to follow and which carry out the details of the plan out lined in the Carmichael law.
 When the Carmichael measure was published 1t indicated that the com panion bills to follow were to be the most drastic ever attempted in the regulation of the liquor traffic and when the Fuller bill appeared it was shown that the early impression was correct.
 Considerable surprise has been ex- pressed in certain circles, however, that arrests should nave been fndue unuer the Carmichael law because no penal ties are specified in 1t and none of the other companion bills has yet become law and penalties could not be i'm posed for offenses committed before the laws containing penalty clauses are enacted and signed.
 It is not improbable, however. that the locker club men realized this fact from the first and preferred to stop business a few days ahead of time rath- CT than continue and run the risk of arrest and prosecution. There are those who believe that any arrests all ready made under the Carmichael law will amount to nothing because of the fact that no penalties are specified.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
HIGDON WATCHING
 FOR BLIND TIGERS
BOOTLEGGERS ARE SAID TO BE ACTIVE BUT DEPUTIES ARE KEEPING CLOSE WATCH FOR IN FRACTIONS.

Sheriff Higdon's deputies have their ears right down against the ground ls- tening for the "gumshoe" tread of blind tigers which they expect to advance from their liars at most any time. The situa- tion Is probably being watched more closely than at any time since the state little more than 20 months ago.
 Much speculation is going around as to just what move the tiger element will make first It is stated that bootleggers are active, but it Is said that the soft drink establishments about the city are selling but little if any liquor, and prac- tically all of the locker clubs have en- tirely suspended business.
 It is known, however. that there is a great quantity of whisky stored in va- rious places about the city. Much of this liquor was shipped into Birmingham only last week, and this leads the authorities to believe that the tigers have cards up their sleeves which they intend to play in the near future.
 Sheriff Higdon and Chief Bodeker have both stated their intention of enforcing the new prohibition law to the letter as far as they are able, and consequently the field is being watched closely, and both city and county authorities are on their guard for the first move of the tigers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
BESSEMER PLANS
 TO REMOVE COURT
COMMITTEES FOR AND AGAINST CHANGE OF QUARTERS APPEAR BEFORE BOARD OF REVENUE. ACTION DEFERRED.

A committee of citizens from Bessemer appeared before the Board of Revenue yesterday afternoon with a view of dis cussing with the commissioners the mat ter of the location of the city courtrooms in the Marvel City. The forces for and against the removal of the court from its present quarters were both strong, and after hearing the arguments on the matter the board was unwilling to take action in the matter without further in- vestigat ton.
 The court at Bessemer is at present To- cated in Rebie hall, where 1t has been for several years. The present lease on this building is about to expire, and quite strong sentiment in favor of moving the court to more modern quarters has devel- oped recently. McAdory hall Is the pros- pective place of location, and many peo- pie of Bessemer favor the matter of moving the court into this building, al- though the matter is being strongly con tested.
 The Board of Revenue listened to argu- ments of citizens representing both sides yesterday afternoon for an hour or more, and after taking the matter under ad- visement decided to put off anys action in the matter until they have time to go to Bessemer and look into the merits and defects of the two buildings for them selves
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
CONVICT STARTS
 TO GET REVENGE

New York, August 11.-James McSor- ley. the ex-convict who killed Daniel NJ Fenton, a hotelkeeper in Middletown, N. Y., yesterday, had started out with the intention of .getting even" with three other men with whom he was at enmity for having had a hand in sending him to prison for stealing a tray of dia- monds in Newark, N. J., according to statements made today by members of the New York detective force.
 McSorley, they say, mentioned Chief of Police Cosgrove of Newark; Fenton, a burglar known as Iron Gaul Kid" and another ''underworld' member as belonging to the gang that had turned against me- and every member of which he had vowed to kill. McSorley was particularly vindictive against Fenton, the detectives say. They quote him as asserting: "Fenton was my bosom friend for years. He was to be put on the jury and it was fixed that he was to stand for acquittal no matter what evil dence was put in against me. All went well until the trial came off. when old Fenton turned on me and voted for con viction, and I got five years.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
ALARM FELT FOR
 ENSLEY ATTORNEY
JAMES E. ALEXANDER DISAP- PEARS MYSTERlouSLY - CITY
 OFFICIALS CONSIDERING PUR- CHASE OF MOTOR FIRE ENGINE.

Ensley, August 1.-(Special.) )-Consid- erable anxiety is felt in Ensley for James E. Alexander, a well known attorney, who has mysteriously disappeared from home. Alexander was last seen by his wife when he left home Monday morn- ing for Birmingham. Shortly after Il o'clock Monday he telephoned his wife that he would necessarily be detained in Birmingham and would not be home to lunch. This was the last his family heard from him. Alexander Is said to be man of exemplary habits and his wife is greatly alarmed over his myste- rious disappearance. The matter has been reported to the police at Ensley and Birmingham and every effort Is being made to locate him.
 B. M. Brazeal, representing the Webb Motor Fire Equipment company of Vim cennes, Ind, was in Ensley today to confer with the chief of the fire depart ment and other city officials relative to the matter of the purchase of motor fire engine for the local fire department. The matter Is being seriously considered by the local officials.
 The Amphion club gave a most de- lightful dance at East Lake tonight in honor of visiting young ladies. A spe- cial car was chartered to convey the party rom Ensley 10 East DaKe ana despite the threatening weather about 15 couples attended the dance. The oc- casion was one of the most charming ever rendered by the club and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who were present
 Mrs. F. F.. Butcher of Urbana, Ohio, is visiting her parents In Ensley. Mrs Butcher will remain in the city about a month.
 Mrs E. w. Mckee and Miss Ella Mo- Rec are at Lay Springs, near Attalla They will go to Montree, N C., later.
 Sam c. King, receiving teller of the Bank of Ensley, Is sepnding his vaca- tion at Danville and Lexington, Ky.
 Miss Mary Kline of Atlanta and Miss Emma Moore of TunstalI Ala, are vis- ting their aunt, Mrs II. NJ Broadnax on Avenue J.
 MT. Thomas F. West is i'll at his home on Avenue G.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Montgomery. August 11.-(Special.)- Mayor Frank P. o'Brien is a figure at the capital this week He is here solely in the interests of Birmingham, and is meeting with rare success in pushing the few bills which have been introduced for him.
 The sprinkling bill. to allow the city to sprinkle streets in the residence sections. charging the resident for the cost, will bring comfort to many homes in Birming- ham during the dusty season. Gaston Gunter obliged the captain by inserting the return of Birminghams part of the county road and bridge tax in his munich pal code bill, which will be passed with no trouble.
 Another of the Mayors measures is to allow Birmingham to sell several street ends, which are useless, and devote the money to the public parks. Among the streets that would be affected is the small
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
Real Estate Transfers.

Deeds of conveyance in the following transactions in real estate in which amounts of 5000 or more were involved were filed yesterday in the office of the probate court:
 $9000-Loula c. Eustis and husband to Willie Davidson, part of block 22 Elyton Land company's survey of Birmingham. being lot fronting 75 feet on the west side of Twenty-first street, between Sev- enth and Eighth avenues, and extending back to a depth of 150 feet.
 s4soO-J. G. Gordon to J. B. Gordon, lots 6, ' and 8. in block and lots 10 and il, in block 22. P. Rising's survey of Compton.
 $2O5O-Reynolds Haberdashery company to Bertha Hawkins, lot s, In block A, survey of Glen Iris.
 $16O0-W. A. McWilliams to Mary D.. McWilliams, lot 12, in block 5, survey of Fairview.
 s3Ooo-E. J. Rogen to c. w. streit ST., lots 4 and 5, in T. U. Walters and A. M. Robertsons subdivision of blocks 20, H, 26 and 31, Waverly Place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Agency Still In Birmingham.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald
 Our attention has just been directed to a clipping, evidently of your issue of Monday, August 3. or Tuesday, Au gust 8, from which quote verbatim:
 MT. Lee Thompson Smith left yes terday afternoon for New York, where he will reside in the future. MT. Smith came to Birmingham last fall to take an imp ortant office with the National Security company. He made many friends, both in business and society, who regret his departure. He goes back to New York with the same busi ness associations, the office having TO- moved to that point, and he goes with the best wishes of many friends"
 Permit me to state that you have been entirely misinformed as to our of- fees having been removed from Bir- mingham MT. Frederick w. Dixon, one of your well known and influential citi- zens, is our general agent and resident vice president and the agency will be continued with him, Messrs. H. Willard Archibald, Jr, Daniel Perrin Coleman and Frederick w. Dixon having asso- ciated themselves together to operate the northern part of Alabama for the National Surety company and the Mary land Casualty company.
 In view of the fact that the an nouncement above referred to would be misleading to our patrons, will you kindly publish correction notice and greatly oblige, respectfully yours
 WILLIAM H. DRAPER. JR,
 Superintendent of Agencies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
Customs Receipts Increase.

Washington, August 1.-Receipts from customs aggregated today s1.241,53S. as against s1. .OS9 7Os for the corresponding day last year. The excess is attributed largely to the large imports of certain articles on which rates were decreased by the new tariff law. Importers had oppor- tunity to learn the character of articles on which rates were likely to be reduced and stocks of those goods have been all lowed to run low. Purchases and ship ments were timed in order to reach the United States after the new law became operative. Business shrewdness dictated the delay just as It was possible for the heavy importations just before the old law lapsed of articles on which the new law advanced prices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
BODEKER ISSUES NEW INSTRUCTIONS
EACH OFFICER WILL BE FUR WISHED WITH COPY OF CAR MICHAEL LAW AND INSTRUCT ED TO ENFORCE IT.

Chief Bodeker has issued letter of instructions to all members of the police department regarding the en- forcemeht of the prohibition law un- der the Carmichael act. Each patrol man is ordered to make daily re- port regarding suspected gambling es- tablishments and blind tigers.
 Within the next day or two each member of the department will be fur nshed with a copy of the act and the chief states that he expects each man to do his full duty. Suspicion will be sufficient to warrant a raid upon any blishm and the chief wants a full list of these suspected blind tigers.
 Other arrests were made by the police department yesterday and largo quantity of fiery liquids confiscated. Another negro pressing club was raided yesterday morning and large quantity of whisky secured. Arrests followed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
ENDURANCE RUN
 OF MOTOR CYCLES

Indianapolis, Ind. August 11.-With the finish of the endurance run of the Fed eration of American Motorcyclists in this city this afternoon, began the annual convention of the organization. Out of the 96 starters that entered at Cleveland yes terday morning 5a finished with perfect scores. The entries are subject to the final Judgment of the technical commit tee which cannot complete its inspection of the "bonnets'' of the machines until tomorrow.
 This years endurance run was the most trying in the history of the federation. The first days run was 1SS miles and today's run from Columbus. O., to Indian apolis was IFS. The first rider in was Joseph De Palma of Chicago.
 The federation will hold it's business meeting tomorrow morning and in the afternoon there will be a motorcycle pa rade in which all machines of domestic manufacture and several of foreign man. ufacture will be represented.
 The speed contests will be held at the new Indianapolis motor speedway on Fri day and Saturday. The racing cards offer a wide variety of trials and many of the speed experts of national reputation arc entered.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
THREE ATTEMPTS
 TO DERAIL GAR

Three attempts were made last night to wreck North Birmingham street car on the bridge oyer Village Creek, about two blocks north of Twenty first avenue. On each of three successive trips the car struck large rock which had been placed on the bridge and had the motor not been running slowly the car would no doubt have been thrown over the bridge into the creek.
 The attempts to wreck the car are Supposed to have been the work of two white men whom the conductor elected from the car yesterday morning, on ac- count of disorderly conduct. The two men, it seems, were intoxicated and the conductor, whose name could not be as certained, instructed them that if they could not behave themselves they would have to get off the car.
 It is understood that one of the men became rowdy and the conductor put him off, The second man then took a hand and the conductor finally succeeded in iejecting him. When the men left the car they threatened to kill the con- ductor.
 Early last night as the same car passed over the bridge it struck large rock on the bridge, but the fender threw the obstacle off of the bridge. On the next trip another rock had been placed on the bridge and the sheriff's office was immediately notified. Deputies caught the car in town and rode out to North Bir- mingham. On this, the third, trip a third rock of great dimensions was found on the bridge, but the car stopped be- fore striking it. The deputies got off and searched the immediate vicinity They saw one man run off and fired at him but evidently the fugitive escaped unharmed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
PETTUS COUNTY SWEEPS HOUSE
 LIKE CYCLONE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ID

s--~-~~-~~-~>%~-~~>---~>--- son desire the law. He cited enormous salaries paid to Jefferson county officers, one that during the coal strike the sheriff made 5000 a day The fee system is a stench in the nostrils of Jefferson county people he said.
 MT Haley said no county not wanting the law would be forced to use it. It gives relief to Jefferson, where 1t Is needed. We pay one-sixth of the taxes and we need help said MT. Haley.
 MT. Smith of Fillmore and MT. Sherrod favored the bill.
 MT. Tunstall was afraid of 1t and op- posed it.
 MT. King. as result of agreement by the Jefferson delegation, moved to amend by king it apply only to counties of 100000 inhabitants, applying only to Jefferson as a Jesuit. The bill passed "A to 4.
 New County.
 The amendment for Pettus county came up here, MT. Haley opening against 1t. He paid high tribute to Dr. Ragsdale, father of the measure.
 MT. Pitts of Dallas here failed to cut off debate.
 Jefferson Roasted.
 MT. Haley said that large per cent of the people in the part proposed to be cut off were against the movement. MT. Sanford was hard on Jefferson coun- ty and roasted 1t in many ways, to which sentiment there was surprising amount of applause. He said that Dr. Ragsdale had almost given his life for it and Il ought to be named for him.
 Mir. King made eloquent plea for the defeat of the measure. The only excuse he could find for it was to have a court house for Bessemer. In an election al- ready held 470o majority had been given against it. This Is @ local fight and the vote in Jefferson ought to settle 1t. MT. Rice opposed it. asking If it had not been voted down only short time ago. He felt it his duty to fight it. though he paid high tribute to Dr. Rags dale.j
 MT. Rice said that if the precedent oi making so small counties prevailed there would be 40 new counties soon in the state.
 MT. Gunter was for the proposition, as was MT. Rowe.
 MT. Pitts cut off debate and the vote was taken, carrying by 70 to F.
 Bills in House.
 Other bills were passed in the house as follows: = To change name of Girls Industrial school to Girls Polytechnic institute. To allow Graymont to Issue bonds. To prevent intermarriage of whites witf Japs and Chinese.
 To provide for return of fugitives.
 To prevent fraud on secret societies. To appropriate $60,o0O for feeding pris oners.
 To provide against foreign corporations violating prohibition laws.
 To allow corporations to condemn lands for reservoirs.
 To provide for pure foods
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
SELF BI BLOWING
 OFF HEAD WI7H D1NADlIIE

portion of his face had been cut away with a view of stopping the ravages of the cancer, but without success. It is stated that several times he had threaten ed to end his life on this account.
 Hilrs body was found yesterday morn- ing about o'clock and he Is believed to have ended his life about two hours earlier. A shotgun with one barrel ex- ploded was found near his side and his family believe that he used dynamite to accomplish his purpose, portions, of the head being scattered about the room and fragments of the brain were sticking to the ceiling. A peculiar feature of the suicide is the fact that the family was not awakened by the explosion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
O'BYien Is Ont1ning His
 Attention % Birmingham

cutoff on Eighteenth Hss ssrn -fe properties of the Bir saaH sr.r- Light and Power comp rs This is of no use whate na. the city neat sum. .anal aH-g over the water works O. -.as which are annexed to larger towns. allowing the new city to regulate the rates as the council sees fit The present law would make it impossible for Birmingham to change the rate being charged by North Birmingham, although the plant might be running at loss.
 Captain O'Brien will leave Sunday week for the east, and will make a special visit to the crematory at Staten Island. T will do everything in my power to solve this problem for Birmingham, and I believe that within one year Birmingham will have a complete crematory," he said There has been complaint of the city garbage dumps, and this will be remeded immediately"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

J. B. Hill, a white man residing at Henry Ellen, near Leeds, committed sui- eide at his home early yesterday morning by blowing his head off with shotgun. Information regarding the case reached Birmingham yesterday before noon and Coroner Brasher went to the scene. He held an investigation on the spot and de- cided that suicide was evident.
 There is some speculation as to the cause of Hills rash act. He had been afflicted with terrible cancer which, 1t Is understod, had practically ruined his face, and this is given as probable cause for the suicide. The deceased man had had an operation performed and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
WANT STATION
 AT WEST POINT
LUSK FINDS THAT ALABAMlANS HAD TO CROSS INTO GEORGIA TO BUY TICKETS FOR POINTS IN ALABAMA.

Railroad Commissioner John Lusk, who was in the city yesterday, gave an incident of the troubles of the com mission. Recently 1t was discovered that the Alabama Western railroad had no station at West Point but that travellers had to cross into Georgia, a few hundred yards to buy tickets. and were charged cents a mile to ride to some point in Alabama. It was found to be impossible to get at the road either through Georgia or Alabama laws, so the commission ordered the road to show cause why they should not build a station at West Point, and in this manner will get the duck round the bush.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
Dam Blown uo With Dynamite.

Morehead. Ky, August 11.--A section of the dam of the Licking River Lumber company at Farmers, this county, was wrecked by an explosion of dynamite early today Employes of the company have been on strike for several weeks. No arrest has been made, but trouble Is feared as a result of places of the strikers being filled with new nfen. A stick of dynamite was set off near the home of Judge Sorrel postmaster at Farmers, and members of the family were shocked, but none was seriously in ilIred
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12

Captain Blonde1l. reputed to be the champion long distance swimmer of the world, who is to perform at East Lake tonight, tomorrow night and Sunday night, has completed the construction of the model of the United States battleship Maine. which he Is to destroy Sunday night as a demonstration of how the Maine was blown up in Havana harbor.
 The model of the Maine constructed by Captain Blondell Is about 15 feet long and is an excellent piece of handicraft. It is complete in every respect. rigging. cannon and all, and is said to be an exact reproduction of the Maine. It will be floated on the lake Sunday night and blown up with dynamite.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-12
TURKEY IS ONLY
 HALF SATISFIED

Constantinople, August 11.-After a cab met council held today the grand vizier, Hilmi Pasha, in an interview spoke re- assurlngly of the situation between Fur key and Greece.
 ''rhe Greek note," said Hilm Pasha, although not completely satisfactory to Turkey, has been Judged acceptable, in asmuch as it has repudiated any desire to annex Crete. On some points. how ever, its declarations are incomplete and therefore the porte will seek expana- tions in a new note. Meanwhile the Ot- toman minister will not be recalled from Athens and the porte will look to the powers for solution of the Cretan diff culty'