davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
Snow In Atlanta.

Atlanta, December 1s.-A light snow, the first of the season, fell here today. A drop in the temperature to 16 degrees above zero accompanied by snow is pre- dicted for tonight by the local weather forecaster.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
snow sionaIs at Mobile.

Mobile, December 1s.-A special received here states that it Is showing heavily at Louisville, Miss. It Is raining in Mobile and the temperature falling. Snow sig nals are flying for the first time in many years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
Six Inches of Snow.

Dennison. Tex, December 1s.-Six inches of snow has fallen here and throughout central Texas since midnight The snow. fall is the heaviest in years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
Weather Records Broken.

Fort Worth, Tex, December 1s.-Heavy snowfall, high winds and temperatures ranging from to odegrees above zero combined to break all previous weather records in northern Texas today.
 Three inches of snow fell here and drifted in many places to over a foot in depth.
 At Amarillo six inches fell with a tenn perature of degrees above. Four inches fell at Sherman.
 From Dallas to Fl Paso along the Texas and Pacific railroad north through tho Panhandle a heavy fall of snow is report ed. seet and snow fiurries with extreme ly low temperatures have been experi- enced as far south as Waxahatchie. Wire service is crippled and street car and railroad traffic seriously hampered.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
I. Snow at Knoxville.

Knoxville. Tenn. December 1s.--Snow began to fall here this afternoon at ? o'clock with indications for heavy snow fall.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
Blizzard In Texas.

Dallas, Tex. December 1s.-with the thermometer lowering around the zero point, the southwest Is in the grip of one of the most rigid cold snaps in it's history. Snowfall and sleet are reported from all points. The blizzard has ex- tended throughout Texas, Arkansas, Ten nessee and Mississippi, the heaviest snow of the year being reported at Memphis. While the cold has caused considerable suffering 1t has proved boon to winter wheat and 1t is believed to have com pletely wiped out the boil weevil No serious damage has been reported but traffic of all kinds and wire service throughout the area of the blizzard is re- tarded.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
Snow In Many States.

New Orleans, December 1s-(Special., l.,
 An unprecedented snowstorm is reported from Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee. Georgia, Louisiana and Texas this after noon and tonight. The fall of snow is accompanied by the coldest weather in years. Telegraph and telephone wires are paralyzed and trains are badly de- layed. Crop damage to an enormous ex- tent is feared throughout this territory.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
CO|dest Weath3r In Years Is
 Reported In Many Places
SNOW FALLS GENERALLY
Oklahoma, Texas and Other Western and Southwestern States Are Suf- ferIne From Snowstorms and
 Freezing Cold.

Omaha, December s.-(Special. )-With the temperature ranging around s degrees below zero in the Wyoming mountains and a 12-inch blanket of snow covering the entire west, the trans Missouri coun- try is experiencing one of the coldest spells since the government bureau sys- tenn was extended westward. Live stock on the plains is suffering terribly. and sheep are perishing by thousands in the foothills of the mountains.
 Green River, Wyo., with a temperature of s5 degrees below zero. is the coldest point between Chicago and San Fran cisco. an dother points in Wyoming are experiencing the same terrible weather Laramie, Wyo., reports % degrees below and Cheyenne with temperature of 12 degrees below is the warmest spot in the state.
 Railroad traffic of all sorts is tied up, and those trains which are getting through are from 12 to 20 hours late. The cold in the mountains is so great that it is impossible to keep steam in the boil CTS
 In an effort to save the sheep which are cut off from foraging by the deep snow, provender is being sent from Oma- ha by the trainload.
 The great pecking companies of Omaha today began packing 12-inch ice, this be- ing the earliest harvest known in years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19
Snow at Fl Paso.


 l1l Paso, Tex, December ts- Specially The snowstorm which has prevailed for N hours ceased this afternoon at o'clock, after the snow was five and six inches deep on the level. and had drifted to a depth of several feet in places, carried by 8 high wind most of the time. It was the most severe weather experienced this early throughout this section in a decade Temperatures from degrees above zero to IS degrees above were recorded throughout west Texas, southern New Mexico and southern Arizona, and snow blows were necessary in northern New Mexico.
 The snow extends from Wyoming and Colorado 200 miles over the northern bor- der of New Mexico and in Texas 1t covers the Panhandle region south as far as line from Fl Paso to Fort Worth. East of here toward San Antonio the snow and sleet extended to Sanderson, over 200 miles from Fl Paso. Throughout most southern New Mexico, western Texas, southern Arizona and northern Mexico, where the snow Is so heavy, it seldom falls. and there Is much suffering among the poor, especially Mexicans.
 J. W. Johnson, many years weather ob- server, this morning fell headlong on the pavement. fracturing his skull and dying instantly. Uncle Jack" Leonard a picturesque western character, who fought with General Custer, and had been the subject of Remington sketches, was found frozen to death near Delhart Tex.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-19

GCoHTMUnD ON PAGH s.>
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
KILLED BY NEW KIND OF SPREE
Assyrian at Lincoln, Neb., Cultivated An Appetite for Wood Alcohol
 With Fatal Results.

Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 11.---Addicted to the drug with which he cleaned rugs Ralph Kabbaz. 26 years old. an Assy. rian expert, drank too much and was found dead in bed. He was well known to the rug men of the city as a keen judge as well as a skilled craftsmen.
 How he came to like wood alcohol is unknown. That he drank 1t regularly all who had dealings with him were aware. He tried to introduce some Of his friends into the art, telling them that by beginning with small doses they could cultivate taste for a particularly delightful kind of spree. To know the safety point was the only problem.
 He thought he had solved that point in his own case but the finding of his corpse is taken to indicate his over confidence.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
A TOPEKA CISTERN ExPL0DES
A Spark from a Pick lgnites a Pocket of Gas-Five Men Were
 Injured.

Topeka, Dec. 15.-Five men were in- iured here in an explosion of natural gas that had collected in fire cistern in the alley near Seventh and Kansas avenues. The injured are:
 Charles Winburn, A. E. Potts and Jacob Dice, street department employ. ees: Cap. R. E. Robinson of fire sta tion No. 2, and Frank Snyder, street commissioner.
 The fire cistern was found to be leaking. e water was pumped out this morning, and the firemen went down to repair it. One of the men was digging out some of the wall with a pick. The pick struck spark which set off a pocket of the natural gas which had collected near the bottom of the cistern.
 All of the men were severely burned by the flash and were knocked down and bruised. All were able to climl out of the cistern. They were taken to hospitals after their burns were treated.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
TIE NAVYS 100000.
DEPARTMENT TO INQUIRE INTO THE 5ATTLEsHIP NEBRAsKA's
 LATEST MlSHAP.
THE VESSEL HAS A BAD RECORD
The cornhusker States Namesake Looked Upon by Members of tho Atlantic Fleet as an Unlucky Ship Some History.

Washington, Dec. 12.-Unless Rear Admiral Schroeder, commander-iR. chief of the Atlantic fleet, appoints a court of inquiry into to collision TIurs. day of the battleshlps Georgia and Ne braska off the Virginia capes the Navy Department will do so as soon as the full reports of the accident arrive in Washington.
 For weeks the Nebraska has been known as the unhappiest ship in the navy. Some officers have come to dread it as they did the Texas. The Nebraska's action in poking it's nose against the Georgia is likely to reveal an Interesting tale of American naval life.
 The latest trouble of the Nebraska was linked with the name of Lieut.. U. s. Macy, for some time ordnance officer of that vessel Unable to over come the unkindly fates that appear to hover over it, the Nebraska made a miserable showing in target prac- tice as compared with some of tLo other battleships.
 The Nebraska was called upon to eS- plain; other ships were complimented. Lieutenant Macy was in immediate charge of this feature of the ships work. In order to justify himself he wrote a letter addressed to the Navy Department, explaining that the lAw score was not bis fault but was due to a practical state of mutiny aboard the ship snd other things that were not very complimentary to the com mander of the vessel
 That letter got no farther than Rear Admiral Schroeder. He ordered a courtmartial of Lieutenant Macy, who was acquitted. He was transferred to the other hoodoo of the navy. the Texas, but finally was rescued from that ship and sent by Assistant Secre- tary Winthrop to Minneapolis as re- cruiting officer.
 The hcodoo of the Nebraska recalls vividly the ill-luck which followed the Texas. To what extent the officers of the navy came to believe in this is conveyed by the story that is in circu- lation in regard to visit officers of another ship paid to officers on the Texas.
 The hosts invited their visitors to take off their overcoats. They de- slined Finally it became almost i'm perative for them to do so Then it was seen that the visiting officers wore life preservers.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
L.EOPoll $ DYING
KING OF BELGlANS REPORTED VERY LOW AND HIS END
 EXPECTED SOON.
CHAPLAIN AWAITS A SUMMONS
Physicians May Attempt an oper- alton in Order to Prolong His Life Lawyers and Notaries Have Been Sent for in Regard to Will.

Brussels. Dec. liking Leopold was reported today to be dying, but no official announcement was made. It is known that the condition of the king has reached a critical stage, but death may net be at hand.
 A consultation of attending physi- clans was held this morning when it was decided that if there was no change for the better by tomorrow an operation would be performed. An other consultatio, will be held to- night
 The Chaplain Awaits a Call.
 Following the consultation this bull letin was issued;
 Although the night was passed calmly, the kings condition is not inn proved. Unless an immediate change takes place an operation will be ne- eessary. The royal chaplain of Lac zen Castle remains at the palace pre- pared to administer the last sacra- ments.7
 The king slept intermittently last ll5Hl. III OHt pSIiOu Ol WahSiuihS9o he sent for his private secretary, Baron Comet, who remained several moments in the chamber.
 Immediately following this morn ing's consultation the king summoned his lawyer and a notary, with whom he had a prolonged interview, pre- sumably relative to his will.
 Received the Papal Nuncio.
 Subsequently he received the papal nuncio, who brought the benediction of the holy father, and the Spanish minister.
 The mayor of Brussels came to the castle as the bearer of the good wishes of the people of Brussels and to ex- press the popular hope that the king would recover, but Leopold was too tired to receive him.
 King Leopolds mind remains clear, and he insists on talking about affairs of state. This afternoon he sum- moned his youngest daughter, the Princess Clementine.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY
A. Nj. Shelley Suffered Fatal Stroke -of Apoplexy at 2 O'Clock Wednes
 day Morning.

A. M. Shelley, who came to Meua from Cedar Rapids, la, about year ago, passed away almost instantly Wednesday at about 8 o'clock from stroke of apoplexy.
 MT. Shelley was about in the morning in apparently perfect health, when without warning he fell, passing away within very few moments. He has been in Mena about year, com ing with his wife and MT. ard Mrs. Berkebile from Cedar Rapids, Ia. He had had better health here, apparently, than before m years. He was @ years of age.
 The deceased has been making his home with MT. and Mrs. Berkebile in their home, Over look, just north of town.
 Relatives have been wired aud the funeral arrangements will not be made until they are heard from. 'E6zz
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
A LAKE STORM COST 59 LIVES
Began Wednesday Night and Con tlnued Through Thursday
 Cost St,00o,oo0 Damage.

Cleveland, O., Dec. 12.-The terrific storm which passed over Lake Erie Wednesday night and Thursday reaped harvest of lives and laid waste more than s1,000,O00 worth of vessel prop erty.
 Late reports show that 59 lives were lost, that 20 sailors were rescued, that four boats were destroyed and that one is aground and suffered heavy damage. The summary shows:
 Steamer Clarion. burned; fifteen lives lost, six saved.
 Steamer w. c. Richardson, sunk; five drowned, fourteen saved.
 Car Ferry Marquette and Bessemer No. wrecked; thirty-eight lives lost.
 Steamer Josiah c. Munro went aground attempting to rescue sailors from the Clarion.
 Tow barge sunk; no lives lost
 Sailor from Richardson, crazed by exposure, committed suicIue.
 No one now considers there Is any cnance that any of the thirteen mem bers of the crew of the Clarion have survived. Two of the crew are known to have perished. Neither is any hope now held out for any of the member: of the crew of the car ferry Marquette and Bessemer No. ?, who have beer missing four days.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
CABINET MEMBERS AT
 A NEW YORK DINNER
Secretary Macveagh Speaks of the Customs Frauds-Says President
 is Back of Sugar Suits.

New York, Dec. 14.-Nine hundred and sixty-four men heard three mem- Ders of the cabinet of the United States address the eleventh annual dinner of the Pennsylvania society of New York at the Waldorf-Astoria.
 Of these speakers, the most em- phatic note was struck by Franklin MacVeagh, Secretary of the treasury, in a bitter arraignment of customs frauds, particularly at the port of New York.
 The other two, George w. Wicker sham, the attorney general, and Phil ander c. Knox, secretary of state, spoke along more general lines, the former emphasizing, however, the necessity of federal power, the in. crease of which has been so much criticised.
 Secretary Knox confined hmself largely to the ever-lncreasing co-opera- ton of nations.
 Concerning customs house frauds in Ney York, Secretary MacVeagh said
 Ou hilOW Wldl Nt eit U yih5 " uo for this city. We are trying to cut out a fostering corruption.
 "The undertaking needs the presi. dent at the back of it, and it would be impossible for any man in any posi- ton to be more direct and normal in his outlook upon a question of good government or to be more resolved to back to the limit any important and wise project of improvement than President Taft.
 "In what the department of justice and the treasurs department are un- dertaking to do at this port, and in the less important but still important things we shall attempt to de with the other ports of the country. We have President Taft behind ns."
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
IS A WAR MOVE IN PR0SPECT7
Authorities of State Department Hold Conference with Naval Officers
 at National Capital.

Washington. Dec 12.-When the TOO marines aboard ihe Dixie arrived at ,olon, they found awaiting them 1rders to proceed immediately to Pan ana and go aboard the cruiser Buff falo. This seems to indicate that some movement of consequence on the Pa eifc coast of Nicaragua is in contem- plation.
 A conference believed to be full of significance was held at the Navy De partment. Secretary Meyer, Assistant Secretary Winthrop. Rear Admiral Wainwright and the assistant secre- tary of state Huntington Wilson, par ticipated Nothing is known as to the nature of the conference except that lt has to do with Nicaraguan affairs.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
STOLE MESS FUNDS ICt TRUST IS GUILTY
ARMY OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO EMREZzLEMENT FROM
 WEST POINT CADETS.
GIVEN A PRISON SENTENCE
capt. Franklin Was commissary and Treasurer at the Military Academy -Dcfacation Amounts to More Than S5ooc -Used False Vouchers.

New York, Dec. 15.--Capt. Thomas Franklin, U. s. A., twice commended by Gen. Chaffee and Gen. Otis for dis tinguished service in China and Ma nila, pleaded guilty to many petty em- bezzlements from the mess fund of the West Point cadets, as commissary and treasurer of the United States Military academy. He was sentenced by Judge Hand in the United States circuit court to two years and six months in the federal penitentiary in Atlanta. Ga. His counsel gave notice that he would apply for writ of error and re- view.
 As commissary and treasurer, Capt. Franklin had charge of the pay checks of the cadets, which he deposited with the United States subtreasury in this city. He drew against the deposit for mess supplies. The total amount of his defalcations ran to s5 5,650 of which s4,S31 was represented by false vouchers. presented for approval to States Military academy. At his first arraignment Tn last June he pleaded not guilty and subsequently demurred. The demurrers were overruled and the trial set for yesterday. The statute of limitations in the courtmartial bars offenses committed only two years back as against three years in the fed eral courts. and for this reason Judge Hand, and not Maj Gen. Wood, heard the case.
 Capt. T. s. Ansell urged for the prisoner that his cnent had risen from the ranks by merit and that his irregu- larities were chargeable to his effort to support large family on an officers pay. The sentence, beside the penalty 1t sets, automatically cashiers Capt Franklin form the army and deprives his family of any prospects of a re- tirement pension.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
VALUABLE JEWELS ARE STOLEN
A Chicago Woman Robbed of $3oo,ooo Worth of Gems in New
 York Hotel.

New York, Dec. 14.-A s300,00o jewel robbery, the largest of its kind that has taken place here in many years. was reported to-day.
 The jewelry was stolen on Saturday from the apartments of Mrs. John William Jenkins, formerly of Chicago, who, since reaching New York, has lived on the eighth floor of the Hotel Lorraine at Fifth avenue and Forty fifth street.
 Mrs. Jenkins told the police that she left the hotel shortly after three o'clock in the afternoon. When she returned at 80 o'clock she found the rooms in disorder. Her collection of diamonds and other jewels, which had been in black leather case in her dressing table, were gone.
 It is believed that the thieves sained entrance by means of false key. None of the hotel employees had seen any stranger in that part of the hotel.
 The police were at once notified and a large force of private detectives were put on the case.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
WILL ATTEMPT A
 NEW CANNERYlDEAL
J. L. Gates Has Proposition to Sub nit to the Stockholders of the Shuey Concern and Others
 Meeting on December IS.

J. l.. Gates, who last summer purchased the old plant Of the Hawkeye Slate Company and re- paired and improved the same, has terminated the partial occu- pancy of C. F. Shuey and bis Mountain City Canne-ies. It will be remembered that the Mountain City Cauneries have failed to build plant or can goods, drouth being assigned as cause for the latter.
 Mir. Gates, who owns this plant which is so admirably adapted to the storing and canning of fruit and vegetables, has decided to underta to organize new cam n:ug company in which all stock holders will have a square deal. MT. Gates proposes to give all stockholders of Mir. Shuey's com pany an opportunity to come into the proposed new company on such basis that they VIII leel that they have not lost by the impetus they gave the canning industry in the old deal. He con- slders that pioneers in this in- dustry are the men really inter- ested in cannery and that they are the ones who should be given first chance. Some of th SC al- ready have given their tull app proval of the plans outlined by Mir. Gates.
 An important meeting of all who are interested in this propo- sition will be held at the county court house at ? p. m., Saturday, December IS. T his meeting should be attended by every gar dener, truck grower and farmer of Polk county.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16

NOTHING LESS
 THAN FULL VALUE
After Going Round and Round for a Full Week, Railroad Boys Get Promise of Full Value of Homes
 If Division Moves.

The representatives of the Mena employees of the Kansas City Southern Railroad Company and J. A. Edson, president of that company, it is stated by good authority, have come to an agree meut.
 President Edson has agreed, it is stated, that every employee who owns his home iu Meua shall receive full value of said property in case change is made in the operations of the road winch will make 1t necessary for him to move away from Mena. In short, II the division is moved from Mena, the railroad company will buy the homes of the Mena employees.
 It is said that at no time, how ever, would Mir. Edson make the positive statement that the change would be made.
 The agreement comes after a full weeks fight during which the railroad men were first of fered 6625 per cent of the value of their property, and when this was refused were offered stock for the remainder in the company which would be organized tc handle the property.
 Having positively refused al these President Edson finally came to the full 100 per cen pc position, provided the chang should be made.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
AN OPERATION UPON LEOPOLD
Belgian King Showed Immediate Im- provement and There is Now
 Hope for Him.

Brussels, Dec. liking Leopold was operated on this morning as a last resort to save his life. The opera ton was very successful and hope for the kings recovery is renewed. Inn provement in his condition followed at once. but whether he has the vital ity 10 resist the after effects of the surgery is a question regarding which the physicians will not hazard an opinion
 The operation was performed by Doctor Thlrar, assisted by Doctors Steinen and De Page and three others. It came in the nick or time, as the patients abdomen was so swollen that the only alternative of immediate re- lief was death.
The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16
Damaoe for Posting Her Name.

Kansas City, Dec. 12.-When Mrs. Mary E. atterson, boarding house keeper refused in December, 1907, to pay for a ton of coal which was not the kind she ordered and was not satisfactory, Samuel L. Evans. coal dealer, caused her name to be publish. ed as a delinquent creditor. She brought suit in the circuit court against Mr. Evans for s6.000 damages. A jury in Judge Thomas's division oi the court awarded her $l,~yO damages