davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
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The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
OFFICERS WIVES
 ARE WAG|NG WAR Struggle tor Social Supremacy
 Is Very Bitter
HUSBANDS ARE BOOSTED
Retirement of Member of Isthmian Ca nal Commission Is Threatened on Account of Feud Be-
 tween Two Wives.

Washington, December 25.-(Special.)- The fight for social supremacy between the wives of two distinguished army off, eers threatens the abolition of the 18th milan canal commission, and the retire. ment to solitude of one or the other of the distinguished officers. The strug- gle is being waged between the wife of Lieut.. Col. George W. Goethals chairman and chief engineer of the commission, and the wife of w. c. Gorgas, head of the department of sanitation and a member Of the commission.
 Colonel Gorgas is the ranking army of- beginning in charge of sanitary work His wife. because of her husbands senior rank, was "the first lady of the land,' and was the central and controlling factor at all social functions. And then came Lieutenant Colonel Goethals and his wife to the zone. Although the chairman of the commission and chief engineer, he was a mere lieutenant colonel and his wife could not get above that point in climb ing the social ladder. The husband of Mrs. Gorgas was a colonel, one point above the rank of Colonel GoethaIs and his wife was still the first lady of the land.
 One of the pet social organizations of the zone was a woman's club of which Mrs. Gorgas was the president. The wom- en of the club were planning day and night to help their husbands with promo tions and increases of salary. Gradually they found that Mrs. Goethals' husband was the only authority that could give the desired boost upwards. They discov- cred That a few kind words to Mrs. Goethals worked wonders, so Mrs. Goe- thals was elected president of the club as her rivals successor.
 Mrs. Gorgas concealed her discomfi- ture and elected to remain first lady be- cause of her husbands seniority
 Friends of Goethals approached Presi- dent Roosevelt and suggested that Colonel Goethals be given another assignment. MT. Roosevelt would not even listen to the suggestion. He went further and made Colonel Gorgas a full -nedged mem Der of the Isthmian canal commission.
 President Taft succeeded Mr. Roosevelt in the White House. Lieutenant Colonel Goethals began making elaborate reports recommending the entire abolition of the commission. leaving himself in supreme control of all matters relating to the big ditch. He argued that vast sums would be saved by such policy.
 It is said the end Jf the long feud be- tween the two ambitious women is in sight It Is whispered that MT. Taft believes the elimination of the Isthmian canal commission would be wise and economical measure. He may soon rec ommend the necessary legislation. Such resolution would mean nothing less than the speedy withdrawal of MT. and Mrs. Gorgas, leaving Mrs. Goethals in undisputed possession of the social lad der's top, not only through her husbands position as supreme commander of the zone but also because of his senior rank as an army officer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
AIRSHIP MAKER
 MUST SHOW DOW N

worchester, Mass, December 25-(Spe- cial )--Wallace Tillinghast, the reputed inventor of a mysterious airship which made skygazers of the people of eastern Massachusetts is to be "Doc-Cooked." That is, he must show proofs that the wonderful machine in which he says he flew to New York and return is not a. myth. The notoriety that has been brought to this city by reports sent broadcast of Tillinghast and his ship is very shocking to the business people. They say Worcester has heen placed in a ridiculous light because Tillinghast re- fuses to allow anyone to see his ship.
 So on Monday committee represent ing the board of trade will call on MT. Tillinghast. He will be asked If the story of his alleged night flight to New York is true. If he says 1t Is he will be asked to show the machine to the com mittee and number of newspaper men of whom scores representing eastern pa- pers are camping on his trail night and day. If Tillinghast proves his asser- tions steps will be taken to protect the secrets of his invention. If not he will be proclaimed in the same class with Cook and the incident considered closed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
BEER BORE FROM GERMANY.
Returned Traveller Who Must Tell a
 Tale When He Drinks.

From the Boston Herald.
 'The man who has travelled and in- sists on telling all about it is always & nuisance" said saloon keeper, "but there is one of the kind for whom feel a special aversion. He is what I call tho beer bore.
 You know the folks who go to Ger many and drink lot of the beer there. When they come back it's always the thing to say to them in a sly sort of way, Well. I guess you Tapped up lot of beer over there. what?' That is likely to start them off and they tell you what you already know pretty well, having heard 1t about a thousand times from other travellers that the beer over there is different.
 well, you take one of those fellows, who has just come back from Germany, and maybe you happen to be in a sa- loon with him. The bar]Seep asks what he'll have, and of course he says. Beer Got so used to 1t can't drink anything else he tells you. Not u line of whisky or that other stuff since I struck the Fatherland,' he remarks with sort of virtuous air.
 ''He asks for some special kind of beer with his very correctest German accent, so that the bartender. who probably was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
BRYAN NOT ABLE TO MAKE SPEECH

Miami, Fla, December 25.-william Jennings Bryan was scheduled to de- liver lecture here tonight but was forced to cancel the engagement on account of his condition. He made q brief talk, however, at the auditorium.
 Mir. Bryan coughed at close inter- yals during his talk
 Speaking of the state drainage work. he said:
 T believe the people of Florida will have very large and productive area of land in the Everglades"
 He said he had watched the progress of the work of reclamation of this vast area very closely.
 MT. Bryan will leave tomorrow for Cuba, thence to Jamaica, where he win join Mrs. Bryan and daughters. HNs present trip calls for a 10 days stay in Colon, trip through Peru. Chile, Argentine, Brazil. Venezusla and Porto Rico, returning to his homo at Lincoln, Neb. May l next.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26

raised in Great Harrington, has to have 1t translated. Then. when he gets the beer, he holds it up to the light and smells it, then sips 1t.
 What kind of beer do you call this7' he asks the barkeep quizzically.
 Don't you know what you asked for? that citizen is likely to come ba K with. And then the customer lets it loose.
 Can't get any of the real stuff in this country. They sell a lot of things they call German beer hsre. but it ain't like I got In good old Bodenbach- Elbe. Gee, I used to sit up nights and swallow gallons and then go to bed just a little sleepy, but wake up in the a. m. feeling all to the good.' And so on.
 Then when everybody else has fin- fshed his drink this guy'll be slipping away at his stuff and making a lot out of it. Another explanation:
 "'Over there In Germany they aint in on this quick drinking thing. They take their time over the suds, and they don't lap it up as if they were afraid some one was going to corner the supply be- fore they could get enough. Yes, sir, those Germans they sit around hours over one hooker and talk and smoke quietly and act as if they had plenty of time. They don't have any walters coming around and mopping up the table and moving the glass and asking who the rounds on or things like that. No, sirree.'
 ''That does him until it comes to pay ing the check. Then he delivers another talk on the price of liquor in the old country and how they gouge 1t out of you on beer here. It's tiresome until he rolls of the seat on the beer wagon"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
FINE PORTRAIT GALLERY. Has Been completed In American
 Embassay at London.

London, December 25.-(special,) ,)-The American embassy in London has now completed a fine portrait gallery, which will be a center of interest for Amer ican visitors to England. Adorning the various principal rooms of the embassy on Victoria street, Westminster, are hand somely engraved portraits of leading American statesmen and diplomats, in- cluding John Adams to President Taft and Joseph H. Choate.
 The United States government has pre- scented engravings, framed in walnut and surmounted by the American Eagle of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Grant Roosevelt and Taft. The ambassador s room Is hung with a complete series of portraits of the holders of the London embassy, each having been presented by himself on giving up tho post. The re- ception room contains very fine paint ing of MT. Choate by Prof. Hubert Her komer, R. A., and on either side of the fire place In the ambassadors room arc bronze statuettes of Washington and Franklin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
NEWSBOY SAVES
 AND WINS PRIZE

Paterson, N. J., December 25.-(Special.) Lyman J. Gage, former Secretary of the Treasury, and his young bride, who be- came Mrs. Gage on Thanksgiving Day, were interested spectators at the annual Christmas dinner given by Maj. I. A. Hall to the newsboys of Paterson and to the awarding of money prizes by MT. Hall to three boys saving the largest amounts through bank accounts saved by him for 126 boys last year. All but two of the boys turned in their bank books, and Isaac Diamond was found to be the win ner of the prize with bank account of $l55.
 This is a remarkable showing" com mented Mir. Gage, 'and teaches a moral lesson of the highest importance. That only two boys have failed to take advan- tage of the start given by MT. Hall, and that one of them should save as much as S155 in one year is remarkable indeed, and it seems to me 1t would be a splendid thing if a similar policy could be started among the newsboys of every city in the land"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
FARMER PREFERS
 DEATH ID CAPTURE Prevented from Killing His Wife
 He Kills Himself
JUST LET OUT OF JAIL
Policeman Tries to Catch the Old Man But He Dodges and After a Long Run He Shoots Him.
 self Dead.

St. Joseph, Mich, December 25.-(Spe- cial. )-Prevented in an attempt to kill his wife. Thomas Botham. a retired farm CT, 72 years old killed himself today rather than be taken alive. The police had chased him to the second story of the home of Botham's son-in-law, a merchant of this city. and were awaiting a favor able opportunity to take the old man alive. Returning here last night, after having been released from the county jail early in the week, charged with an attempt to commit murder, Botham tried to invade the Hildebrand home.
 When Policeman Flasher was called Botham opened fire. He then jumped through large window into the house and drove Mrs. Botham, Mrs. Hide brand and her two daughters upstairs be- fore him. Followed by the policeman, the old man turned and fired at a distance of only two feet. The bullet grazed Fishers head and he fell backward down stairs. The women escaped by means of ladder while the little girl jumped and escaped serious injury by landing in her fathers arms.
 Botham barricaded the front stairs and despite the attempts of a dozen men re- pulsed every effort to capture him.
 Come up and get me- Botham called to the posse below, i've smelled powder before and 1 am not alraid. I'll never be taken down from here unless it Is feet front and none of you will come with me-"
 The policemen kept guard throughout the night. Early this morning a shot was fired and when groans were heard the of 1cers rushed up. Stretched across the bed with revolved on the breast was Bo- thams body. He di ed several hours later at Mercy hospital. Benton Harbor
 Martial troubles are said to have turned the old mans mind Twice in the last few weeks he attempted to kill his wife. The present Mrs. Botham is his third wife.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
INTERESTING DISCOVERY.
In Old Mansion In Ancient Ronda In
 AndaIusia.

Paris, December 25-(Special.) )-News came from Madrid of an interesting arch- geological discovery of Ronda in Anda- lusa, on an estate purchased by a wealthy American named Perrin several years ago, and known to the inhabitants of Ronda as the "Casrie of the Moorish King" While workmen were executing repairs they discovered some rich Moor ish decorations on the walls besides a marvellous ceiling and some sculptured pillars, similar to those in the Mosque at Cordova.
 Further excavations were made beneath the floor, resulting in the discovery of a complete underground house, with long corridors and chambers dating back to the epoch of the Moorish design, oontain- ing large quantities of gold and silver
 The Spanish government has sent a spe- cial commissioner to Ronda to make a re. port on the discoveries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
TRAGIC HOLIDAY
 IN OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma City, December 25.-Six men killed and three seriously injured marked Christmas in Oklahoma Three white men were killed during quarrels, an ln- dian was killed by a train near Oke- nah, negro murdered another at Ard more, and an unidentified woman was frozen to death near Tuseey.
 Davis Gray of Allen was killed by Dr. c. A. Stewart in the doctors office after the two had quarreled over the doctors forcibly ejecting an intoxicated man.
 Charles Beavers of Dow went to a house to collect a bill and was fired upon at the door and killed. Joe Gray and P. Quinn are charged with the crime.
 Eugene Thompson, with other merry makers at Hartshorne, who overturned Louis Brushie's buggy and then came back to set it up, was killed by load of buckshot from Brushle's gun. The slayer is in jail.
 Dewitt Moore of McC1ain county was attacked at dance in & battle in which four men participated. He may die.
 John Landrum, banker at Durant, was badly injured by the presmature explo- sion of a cannon cracker
 Thomas Cavaner of Purcell was stabbed during fight and probably will die.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
STEAMER ALMOST
 LOST IN FLOOD

London, December 25.-Dispatches to Lloyds from Oporto, Portugal, report the German steamer Cintra, from Rotter- dam. December 10, for Oporto. stranded on the River Duoro, and in most criti- cal position. Two officers and a seaman of the crew are still aboard. According to the dispatches 1t is feared that the re- mainder, including the captain, were drowned.
 The German steamer Nestor Is on the rocks at the entrance to the Duoro river, and the British steamer Gascon has been beached on the bar. The Nor wegian steamers Hyavia and Ellida, the latter from Tyne. are also aground at the entrance to the harbor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
cARUso TO MARRY.
Gossip Says Great Tenor Will Again
 Try Matrimony.

Rome December 25.-(Special. .)-"Caruso to marry again is the burden of vague gossip going the round of Italian papers. The story printed Is, that the great tenor will shortly be married to a beatiful Sicilian girl, who sold things on ship to Milan. It was across the counter that Caruso saw and fell in love with the fair saleslady, who is to be the second Mrs. Caruso. No name is given for the young lady, so the story is retailed for what it Is worth. N. B.-Italian journal ists do not spend their entire existence within the portals of the palace of truth.
 Another story about the singer concerns his doctors bill. That famous operation on his throat last summer has led to a dispute with MT. Bedova, the specialist who relieved Caruso of the growth. AL though Caruso's voice was better than ever after the operation, he considered the bill rather steep, and declined to pay it. The doctor accordingly means to have the law on him..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
CHIP OFF OLD BLOCK.
William Lloyd George, Jry Makes Sue.
 cessful Speech In Public.

London, December 25.-(Special.) )-Wil- liam Lloyd George. the schoolboy son of Englands great chancellor of the ex- chequer, is showing hiipseN 10 be a chip of the old block That is, he has been able to stand up and make . speech in public with some success.
 It was at children's meeting in con- neotion with church fair Is one of the poorest districts of the East End. His little sister. Megan Lloyd George, was to have opened the affair. hut the chan cellor had to keep an engagement in Wales and Megan goes with her father everywhere. So tho duty devolved on Master William.
 speaking with self-possesson and his tone and style of delivery gave promise of successful career as a public speaker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
Christmas in New York.

New York, December 25.-Christmas brought to New York a snowstorm, cheering all who delight in wintry hol- iday. The snowfall, which was the only one of the season, with the exception of a light fall on Thanksgiving eve, be- gan shortly before noon today and con- tinued into the night. covering the streets nearly three inches deep.
 The general feature of the holiday was the free dinner provided for more than 100000 of the city's poor by the Salvation Army, which provided besides Christ mas tree laden with presents for upward of 3000 children. Other organizations did similar work.
 On the East Side the same great crowds who attended the funeral yesterday of Little Tim Sullivan, the Tammany al- derman, crowded the Sullivan headquar- ters on the Bowery to find that Little Tim's'' annual Christmas dinner had been provided this year by his big cousin, State Senator Timothy D. Sullivan, bet ter known as Big Tim" Seven thousand East Siders ate their fill and departed with a free pipe and tobacco and ticket for a new pair of shoes
 Uncle Sam gave a Christmas dinner to his sailors that surpassed in quantity and quality any served in years on Christ mas Day, and the men on the battle ships of the North Atlantic fleet in the North river had almost as much freedom on board ship between 7:3O a. m. and p. m. as if they had been on shore. A large percentage of the men, in fact. were on short leave, and during the morning the cutters were busy swishing between ships and land to take the bluejackets to oars, which in turn took them to their mothers their wives or their friends.
 Very few of the men were seen on the Bowery, but hundreds were seen in the big hotels and restaurants on Broadway. happy and orderly.
 ! The Christmas dinner scene on the flag ship Connecticut was typical of those on the Vermont, Kansas, Minnesota, New Hampshire. Louisiana, Idaho. Mississippi. New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia and Wisconsin.
 The officers of the deck had to pace the slippery, snowy decks while below the men revelled. They all had their mascots in the messroom. Goats, dogs, cats, par rots. all had their grub while the men cleaned up the layout and then were permitted to do as they pleased aboard until 8 p. m.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
He Brushed His Teeth.

From the Philadelphia Times.
 The family was to leave on the ] o'clock thain from Broad street sta tion, so the mother was all in furry as she hurried the children in a cer- tain West Philadelphia home.
 Now, children, get everything ready before luncheon" she said. Don't leave everything until the last minute"
 And the children said they wouldn't. Luncheon ended, they hurried into their wraps and started. In the hall the mother said:
 Edward. you didn't brush your teeth"
 "Yes, ma'am, I did"
 But you couldn't,' she said. you didn't have time. Why, you just got up from the table"
 T know that" said Edward, ''but we were in such a hurry brushed them before I ate.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
Damage Is Very Great.

San Sebastian, Spain. December 25.-Re- ports received from the regions devas- tated by yesterdays storm state that the material damage is incalculable. Railroad communication with Portugal has been cut off except by the Medina del Campos route, which was recently inaugurated. Several bridges have been swept away and tine town of Bejar, at the foot of the Gredos mountains is isolated by the floods. Twenty villages In Leon have been inundated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
QUIET CHRISTMAS
 AT WHITE HOUSE
President Taft Has Reunion of
 His Family
LIVELY DAY IN NEW YORK
Christmas Spirit Is Aided by Snow Storm and Big Dinners Given by Salvation Army and other
 Benefactors.

Washington, December 25.-(Special.)- While there was no Christmas tree in the White House the Christmas spirit was abroad and was manifested In Pres ident Tafts family much as 1t was in the great majority of American homes.
 The President had reunion of his family. All his children were with him. There was an exchange of presents, the President having selected his gifts for members of his family during an ex- cursion Friday into the shopping dis trict of Washington. The Presidents sons and Miss Helen Taft, his daugh- ter, had gifts for their father.
 The Christmas dinner was eaten at o'clock this evening. There were no guests. Contributions to the table were numerous from admirers throughout the country. There were many presents also for the President. some from citizens with whom he has no personal acquaint- ance. The President gave up most of the day to his family, but he put in couple of hours studying voluminous re- ports on What Is Whisky" Soon the President will have to determine this question that the internal revenue bu- reau and the pure food board may know how to act.
 Solicitor General Bowers has decided that whisky made from grain, whether eolored by charred wood or caramel, is entitled to be branded as whisky. Former Attorney General Bonaparte and Dr. Wiley, chief chemist of the depart ment of agriculture and pure food ex- port, hold that whisky was grain spirit, containing not only the pure al- coho1 but also the higher alcohol com monly called fusel oil. This decision caused a protest from distillers and they are much better satisfied with the Bow CTS decision. There is general belief that the President will uphold the de- cision of the solicitor general although the question Is a knotty one that caused President Roosevelt many hours of thought and study. The President will go to New York Monday morning to speak before the closing meeting of the diamond jubilee of the Methodist church. He will return Monday night. Next Friday he will make another trip to New York to attend the wedding of his niece. returning Friday night so as to hold the New Years reception satur- day
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
Family of Bankers.

Indianapolis, December 25.-Stoughton T. Fietcher, who died today at Gallatin. probably has been more influential than any other in the banking business in Indiana. His father. stoughton A. F1etch- CT. founded the Fletcher bank. now tho Fletcher National bank, In Indiana polls. Another son of the elder Fletcher is AL len Fletcher, now in the banking busi- ness in Nsw York city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
IndIanapoIis Banker Dies,

Nashville Tenn. December 25.-Stough- ton J. Fletcher several times millionaire and owner of the Fletcher National bank of Indianapolis. died today at his coun- try seat near Gallatin, Tenn, 28 miles northeast of here. Mr. Fletcher was 5s years old. He had for several years been in very bad health. and retired from &C., tive business. He leaves son and three daughters. one of the latter being Mrs. Booth Harrington, wife of the author and plavwright.