davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-11
THE WITCHES TREE.
Curious Expectations Regarding the
 Influence of the EIder.
From selborne's Magazine.

From Selborne's Magazine.
 Country people speak of the elder tree as 'The Witches Tree" and planted 1t near farm buildings and dairies to keep off witches. They also say that the roots should never come near a well, still less grow into it, or the water will be spoiled Evelyn's opinion was also unfavorable. He says: "I do by no means commend the scent of it, which Is very noxious to the air.
 We learn from Biesius that certain house in Spain. seated among many elder trees. diseased and killed nearly all It's inhabitants. which, when at last they were grubbed up. became 8 very healthy and wholesome place."
 Cattle scarcely touch the elder, and the mole is driven away by the scent Car ters often place branches on their horses heads to keep off fies Nothing will grow well in the company of the elder, and when 1t has been removed and all it's roots carefully grubbed up 1t is some few years before the ground becomes perfect ly sweet and good for anything.
 The berries. besides feeding the birds. make excellent country wine, delicious with soda water in summer or taken hot in winter; the wood is particularly good for skewers, and the curious jews red fungus grows on elder stumps. A species of elder in the Tyrol Is covered with beautiful scarlet berries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-11

hearted fellow, having none of the bar barous methods of other inhabitants Of the Malay peninsula, whose greatest pleasure Is to torture a fallen foe. When he poisons an arrow his object is to cause death as quickly and as painlessly as possible For this reason the Malays re- spect and fear him, and tell narrowing stories about his conduct in the constant skirmishes between these two irreconcil- able peoples. Yet to the credit of the Sacai be it said. that he scorns to send his poisoned arrow after a flying foe.
 He seems to be particularly happy in his domestic affairs. Husband and wire live happily together, and quarreling or i'll treatment is practically unknown among them. In the event of mother in-law upsetting the peace of the home by interfering with the arrangements, the young couple adopt the wise plan or pulling down their hut and building a new one at respectable distance from the cause of disturbance. The children show much love for their parents, who allow them unlimited freedom to amuse themselves and follow their own pur- suits. Other admirable traits of this strange people are their care for the sick, their readiness to help their com rades in need, and their extraordinary love for all kinds of animals.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-11
FOSTER CUT IN
 NECK BY NEGRO
HAD GONE TO COLLECT BILL WHEN NEGRO STUCK KNIFE IN NECK AND FINALLY MADE HIS ESCAPE.

G. P. Foster. who operates a money loaning agency. was stabbed in the neck with a longbladded knife last night by a negro, Bob Gaston.
 The affair happened at 521 North Eigh- teenth street, where Foster had gone to collect a bill The negro from whom he was collecting stepped into the house to get some money and Foster was standing on the porch whiting on a piece of wood.
 According to Fosters account the negro Gaston came out of the house and de- manded to know what he was doing there end proceeded to abuse him. Words passed and suddenly the negro struck at Foster The latter did not know that the negro had a knife Tn his hand until he felt a stinging pain in his neck and placing his hand there discovered the knife sticking in it. The negro made two efforts to pull the knife out without suc- cess
 Foster then got busy with the knife he had been whiting with and stabbed the negro in the left arm, inficting a long gash. The negro then turned and ran and so far has evaded capture. Fos- ter then pulled the knife out of his neck and later turned it over to the police.
 Luckily for Foster the blade did not penetrate deep into the neck but in- stead travelled a course just under the skin. His injuries were dressed by a. doc tor and he was removed to his home.
 The negro is black, his height about 5 feet inches and aged 2S years He has been employed as cook in the restaurant in the re.-r of the Peoples grocery store.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-11
Worlds Narrowest Street.

From the New York Tribune.
 The seaport town of Great Yarmouth, in England. contains what is said to be the narrowest street in the world. It is known as Kitty Witches Row, and its greatest width is 56 inches. It's entrance would seriously Inconvenience a stout person trying to pass through 1t. Twen- ty nine inches from wall to wall is all the room that can be spared in this part Yarmouth is a quaint old town, contain ing many streets like Kitty Witches Row. They are all called rows" and are more picturesquer than convenient. A hundred and forty-seven of these narrow streets, of A length of over seven miles in all, are e be found in the town.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-11
DivIdjnu Prosperjty,

From the Philadelphia Record.
 "To insure prosperity pile on the taxes" This is the protective slogan; but the trusts get the prosperity, while the rest of us pay the taxes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-11
Faunal Specimens.

From Harper's Bazar
 Kicker-So Jones has a bright idea?
 Bocker-Yes he wants the Smithsonian n institution to defray the cost of his wife 8 hat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-11

Ladies invited Free Demon stration Electric cooking and heating devices; our display rooms, 10:30 am. and 3::30 pm. daily.
 B. R., L. 6 P. co.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-29
MYSTERY AROUND
 DEATH OF CHILD

Coroner B. l.. Brasher went to Brigh- ton yesterday morning to investigate the finding of the dead body of a. white child discovered in Valley creek several days ago However, owing to the development of certain testimony during the process of the coroner's preliminary investigation 1t has been decided to postpone the of- ficial investigation until next Tuesday aft ernoon at o'clock.
 Coroner Brasher stated last night that the case has taken extremely inter- esting turn, and evidence of a sensa- 'tioral nature is developing, according to his statement. Owing to the status of the case, however, the coroner would make no statement relative to the death further than that circumstances which have pre- scented themselves would tend to impli- cate two persons whose identity is known to the official.
 The finding of the child's body has created great interest in the vicinity of Brighton. It will be recalled that the child's body was found about 100 yards below the bridge over the creek. A string was tied around the neck of the body and a weight attached to sink the corpse. Shortly after the discovery of the child's remains a strand of long hair was found floating on the water near where the child's body was found and it was thought that perhaps the mother of the deceased child had also been murdered and thrown into the creek. However, there have been no developments in this feature of the mysterious case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-29
HOMICIDE RECORD
 IS MUCH SMALLER
CORONER REPORTS TO BOARD OF REVENUE ONLY 2e INVEsTIeA. TONS OF DEATHS IN COUNTY THIS MONTH.

Coroner B. L. Brasher yesterday suh- mitted to the Board of Revenue his claims for investigations of deaths occurring in the county during the month of May. up to May 26 and there are 29 of them. However the coroner has four or five cases pending investigation.
 In the list of claims only six homicides are definitely accounted for. However. in 1S of the cases the coroner reported that the cause of the deaths could not be ascertained by the Investigating juries, and several cases bore very suspicious cir cumstances. Nine of the deaths investi- gated by Coroner Brasher proved to be accidental and one was natural
 The homicdes recorded during the month follow
 Joe Perrine, a negro, shot and killed by J. M. Jones, city clerk of East Lake, May l.
 Harrison Owen, a negro, shot and killed by two highwaymen at Bessemer on May :.
 J. L. Gavin, a negro. shot and killed by a negro named Tom Parker.
 Harry Stevaison. a Greek, shot and killed by c. D. Odom on North Twen- tieth street on May F.
 Colonel Morris, a negro, murdered by two negroes at Ketona on May 1S.
 Clifford Avery. a negro. killed by Tom Pope in Alley F on May r.
 The contrast between the records of April and May as far as violent deaths are concerned is notable. During April the coroner held more than 40 investiga- tions, and more than half of the deaths proved to be outright homicides. As stat ed only six homcides have been deter mined among the cases so far investi- gated by the coroner this month.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-29
BESSEMER VOTERS
 GREATLY EXCITED Fear New Turn In Bond Issue
 Matter LAWYERS ARE DISAGREEING Rolling Mill Men Have Been Ordered to Report For Work June 1. Personal and General News
 of 6essemer.
LAWYERS ARE DISAGREElNG

Bessemer May 2s.-(Special.) )-Bessemer voters were greatly excited this morning when the news that the bond issues for the erection of courthouses at Birming- ham and Bessemer will be submitted separately.
 The authority for this action on the part of the Board of Revenue is the case of the town of Woodlawn in 135 Alabama Reports. The elections were submitted separately in this case and the judge of probate gave as his opinion to several Bessemer citizens in Birming ham that to be legal the election must be submitted in this manner. Birming ham attorneys agree with the judge, but prominent Bessemer lawyers, when asked for an opinion, did not agree.
 The sentiment among the voters of this city since the Board of Revenue had consented to give Bessemer $100000 was most favorable, but if the two proposi- tions are submitted separately many ex- press grave doubts as to it's passing. Un- der the old code 1t was illegal for the Board of Revenue to order the construc- tion of two or more courthouses in the county, but in the new code the word courthouse Is plural and the board would be within the law in ordering a court house for Bessemer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-29
NEWS OF EVERGREEN.
Schools Close and Old Teachers Are Reelected For Another Term.

Evergreen. May @.-(special.) )-Mss Laura Stallworth, who has been absent in New Mexico for long time in the hope that the climate of that country would restore her to health, has returned home. Miss Laura is universally esteemed. and her Illness is matter of serious regret to all who know her. Since her return she has not been able to meet her friends.
 The Evergreen city school closed most successful session this week. c. M Dannelly, who has been at the head of this school for the past eight terms, has been unanimously reelected for an other year. All the teachers connected with tfis school will return except Miss Kate Collier. who has been elected to more desirable position near her home. Miss Willie Cunningham will take her place Miss Ethel King and Miss Carrie Clendennin will retain their present places.
 The Southwest Alabama Agricultural school will close its session next Thurs day. June &. when Governor Conner and other distinguished guests will be present
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-29
Personal and General.

c. B. Berriman, the supervising engi- neer of the new postoffice building for the last few months, has received in- structions from Washington to go to Do- than on June 1, where he will take charge of the construction of the new govern ment building, This building will cost about Sl00.000 and is more important position than at Bessemer. MT. Berri- man has many friends in the city who will regret his departure
 MT. Robert M. McAdory the first mayor of Bessemer, is in the city renewing old acquaintances and visiting familiar scenes Mr. McAdory resides at present in Dallas county, Texas MT. McAdory has not been in Bessemer for 12 years and could hardly believe that the four ishing city of today is the outcome of the little town he left 12 years ago.
 The Tennessee company has called in all of the engineering corps, the work being at a standstill at present. Chief Engineer Joy passed through the city yesterday with large outfit which has been eneamped beyond Toadvine.
 The tent meeting in Jonesboro has been called off for the last two days on account of the death of a child of the Rev. J. L. Mitchell but will continue at 1o:3O in the morning and 7:45 in the evening. The meeting has met with unusual suc- cess, and the interruption was deeply regretted.
 There will be a song service at the Brighton Baptist church Sunday evening at o'clock The arrangements have been in the hands of MT. Bryan Waller, the superintendent of the Sunday school. and an interesting programme has been arranged.
 The Rev. J. O. Haynes, the noted evan gelist will conduct a reunion at the Jonesboro Methodist church beginning on June 6. The Rev. Haynes has had rare success in his work. and great results are anticipated from his services. 1 movement is on foot to have the stores close at o'clock. This will give 1 the clerks time to have little recrea- 1 ton.
 The seats for the new auditorium have arrived and the anxiety as to whether l they would be in time for the commence ment is relieved.
 The plucky bachelors nothing daunted 1 by their two previous defeats. tackled l the married men a third time this after
 noon, but came to brief. The game end
 ed % to 15 in favor of the benedicts. A negro was found dead near the Mulga mines this morning. The coroner Is on 1 the scene to investigate.
 Bessemer will play the Birmingham Y. l M. c. A. Saturday on the Bessemer l diamond
 1 Joseph Leanord, Thomas Donahue and l Leo Hill are the Bessemer representa- | lives at the firemen's convention in Ta.lle- | dega Bessemer did not send any equip ment, hence the men have not entered any of the contests. The spring carnival to be given to- night at the City park was postponed until Tuesday on account of the bad weather.
 Miss Elsie Webb Is the guest of Miss Winnie Rabbit who has just returned from the Athens Female institute
 Henry C. Meade left this morning on a business trip to Philadelphia and east ern points
 Miss Lilla Moore is the guest of MT. and Mrs. J. M. Cook. c. B. Glenn of Maybury is visiting in the city.
 Mrs. E. l. Huey will leave Sunday for Marion where she will visit relatives for several weeks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-29
NEWS OF GREENSBORO.
Professor BaxIey Is Reelected Super
 lntendent of Schools.

Greensboro, May 2S.-(special. 1.-The trustees of the Greensboro school dis trict met here this morning for the pur- pose of electing a principal and teachers for the public schools in this district for the next session. Prof. J. A. Baxley was reelected principal and the follow ings corps of teachers was reelected: Miss Allie Pettus, Miss Hattie Robertson, Miss Thomas and Miss Kate Boardman. Miss Hattie B. McMillan was reelected music teacher. Greensboro is justly proud of its graded school, and to the present prncipab Professor Baxley is due much of the credit for its present fine cond- tion. The trustees reelected W. II. Shack elford. colored, as principal of the Tulla- body academy, the colored public school, and asked that he recommend to them hls assistants.
 Mrs P A. Tutwller visited Livingston this week. her daughter Miss Annie, be- ing in the graduating class of the Liv- ingston Normal school
 Mrs W. N. Knight returned home to- day from Trenton. Tenn, where she has been for several weeks at the bedside of her brother, Dr. Happell, who died on last Monday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-29
ALLEN COMES BACK
 AT WEST END MAN
SAYS COUNCIL MET WITH SCHOOL BOYS AND CITIZENS WERE GIVEN NO OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING.
.,,o nai4or of 1,ha Are-Herald.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald.
 was certainly surprised by the state ment of MT. D. U. Williams in The Age Herald of Friday morning MT. Williams Is a resident of Cleveland and is not as I am advised, duly qualified alderman of West End In which I pay taxes ana in the welfare of which I naturally nave some interest.
 Mir Williams stated that the contracts between Adams & Chamblee and the city of West End are open for inspection; but fails to inform the public that Mir Nor wood. the mayor of West End, agreed with me Monday morning that If no legal steps were taken that day that he, Nor wood, would call the board together that night for discussion and explanation to the citizens of how the work was let.
 However, Monday night. when the meet ing failed to materialize, MT. Norwood said he had been unable to get the board together but would certainly call the meet ing for Tuesday night.
 Sure enough, Tuesday night the meet ing was called to order by Mayor Nor wood and in the presence of about 100 citizens the mayor stated that this was an adjourned meeting from last Tuesday night to consider unfinished business.
 I then protested and asked for hear ing which was denied, and after some de- batting on different matters for some min utes the meeting was adjourned and the board departed, leaving the citizens to surmise.
 I then and there denounced MT. Nor woods action in failing to bring forward the object of this meeting, but it seems that yesterday evening the mayor and aldermen, with their attorney and nine school boys, met to hear complaints about the letting of these different contracts to Adams & Chamblee, after I and others had filed bill in court to test the validity of these contracts, and to my great sur prise MT Williams states that the citi- zens were given chance to come up and register any kick which they might have. But as the citizens were all at home asleep, they did not come forward with any complaint therefore upon the advice of their attorney the board decided to stand pat on their previous action, the public not knowing. however, what this action was.
 The whole history of this matter will be brought out In court and I calmly await the verdict along with the decision of the people as to whether MT. Williams has a legal seat on the board as an al derman. c. M. ALLEN. Rirmingham May 2T 1909.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-29
3rd Avenue at 18th St.
CALL IS EXTENDED
 TO DR. J. T. PLUNKET
WELL KNOWN AUGUSTA, GAy PASTOR WILL PREACH TWICE AT SOUTH HIGHLANDS PREsBY- TERRAIN CHURCH TOMORROW.

One of the most eminent southern preachers, the Rev, Dr. J. T. Plunket of the First Presbyterian church, Au- gusta Ga, has been called to the pas torate of the South Highlands Presby- terian church in Birmingham. He is con- sidering the call and arrived in Birming- ham at noon yesterday. Two sermons will be preached by him tomorrow at the South Highlands church.
 Dr. Plunket has been pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Augusta for 19 years, it being the third pastorate to be filled by him. He is graduate of the Southwestern Presbyterian college at Clarksville, Tenn, taking his first charge at Cavington, Ky, shortly after his graduation.
 Shortly after taking this charge he &C., eepted a call to Detroit, Mich, but stayed there for only a year. the cold climate sending him back to the south. He went to Augusta and has remained there since. During his 19 years as pastor he has had quite a number of calls to other churches, but the congregation at Augusta would not permit him to leave.
 Had the call to Birmingham not been so insistent it is doubtful if 1t would be have been considered by him. Should he accept it will be over the protest of the Augusta Presbyterians.
 The pulpit to which he is called is the one made vacant by the calling of the Rev. Dr. Sterling J. Foster to the presi- dsncy of the Alabama Synodical college at Anniston, short while ago.
 During his stay in Birmingham Dr. Plunket will be the guest of MT. and Mrs. John W. Sibley and will be shown many courtesies by prominent Presby- terians here. This afternoon he will bs taken for trip around the city.
 Members of the committee which ex tended the call to Dr. Plunket are Johr W. Sibley, Samuel D. Weakley, Sidney J. Bowie A. H. Ford, s. Bethea, H. l. Badham, H. J. Porter and Sidney w. Lee
 Dr. Plunket bears the reputation of be ing one of the most eloquent of preachers while the excellence of his work is at tested by the congregation of the First Presbyterian church of Augusta.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-29
YANHOOSE BEATEN
 BY. MEMPHIS MAN
NEW PRESIDENT CHOSEN BY WHOLESALE GRocERs WHICH MAY HAVE EFFECT ON THE SUITS PENDING HERE.

The result of the election of officers of the Southern Wholesale Grocers associa- ton in Hot Springs yesterday, in view of the suits against the association now pending in the state and federal courts here, is of considerable local interest. James A. VanHoose of Birmingham was defeated for reelection as president of the association and the name of Sid w. Lee of this city, a former member of the advisory board is not included in the new board.
 Locally there was considerable specula- ton as to the outcome of the election, in view of the suits filed here against the association. Before leaving the city MT. vanHoose stated that he did not believe the suits would affect the election of president of the association for the en- suing year and that he considered it in- advisable to make change, in view of the effect it might have.
 It is stated that the election of the new president was quite spirited. large delegation of wholesale grocers from Memphis, it is stated, deemed it wise to make change and they conducted some- thing of a fight, literature of which was received in Birmingham. Sam H. Phil lips of Memphis was elected to succeed MT. VanHoose.
 It Is presumed that the wholesale gro cers in the meeting at Hot Springs took up the matter of the suits pending here, and developments of interest are expect ed. It was understood a few days ago that an injunction would be filed in the federal court restraining the association from moving any books. papers or records from Birmingham in case the officers were removed from Birmingham. How ever. no such action has been taken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-29
Dun & Co.'s Review.

New York, May 2S-R. G. Dun & Co.'S weekly review of trade tomorrow will say: Progress, slow but constant, is again the record of the week. The growth of business confidence is indeed more notable than the increase in volume of trade, but the revival in iron and steel is of such remarkable dimensions as to judge the most hopeful outlook of the industrial and mercantile situation as the tariff agitation is out of the way. The period of crop uncertainty is, however, before us, but 1t Is significant that, not withstanding the lateness of the spring, which has interferred not a little with certain lines of merchandise and partis- ularly with retail distribution, the weather conditions for crops are reported fav- orable and steadily improving. In the primary dry goods market a better un- dertone is manifested, the level of the raw materials compelling the buyers to pay higher prices. Western jobbers re- port better business for fall merchan- disc from salesmen on the road House business is seasonably quiet. There is an entire absence of export demand at ex- sting prices.
 Printers are operating less freely on arrow gray goods, but in the fine quali- ties prices are firm, and the market Is well sold ahead. Bleached goods are being taken with moderate freedom with gingham prices unchanged.
 In the woolen goods division orders are coming in slowly
 All domestic hide markets are dull, but the entire situation is firm, with no tendency toward an advance. Prices have well sustained on sole and upper leather. Supplies of desirable grades and weights of hemlock sides are scarce, while light and spready leather are in better demand. Oak soes continue strong with heavy leather closely sold up.