davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

and magazines. but daily papers from different parts of the country, there Is at each home an amusement hall where there are billiard and pool tables and many small tables for cards, checkers and dominoes.
 Another diversion is the band concert each afternoon. Another amusement and an important one, is the theater. Each of the homes is equipped with hall large enough to seat practically every inmate and at the end Is a stage of generous size. Theatrical companies playing in nearby cities are engaged to give "one-night stand" at the hall and the performance usually proves a great treat
 In the seating of the veterans there is system exercised, for the deaf and the dim-eyed are given the first rows, then given equal advantages as far as it is possible to arrange.
 In the vast amount of work to be done at the homes the inmates take their part and thereby earn little extra for them selves, for the government pays them ac- cording to what they can do. Some of the homes have farms attached on which the men do considerable of the work. At other homes the men look after grounds while at all of the homes there are those who act as guards or guides.
 The money they receive for their work is all extra, for they receive their pen-' sions just the same, and they are at lib- erty to either spend their funds for luxur- les at the commissary or send checks to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30
The Slav, The Teuton and The Turk.

Bulgaria by Ferdinand of that country, the Slavs have regained a position which they lost a thousand years back in Flu ropean history when the Mohammedan hosts came in throngs of frantic fanatics and beat back the Slav peoples from the position they had taken from the leu tons.
 But while Turkey yielded to the Slav movement, Austria as German state made a counter movement which very nearly brought about the war which the Turks refused. Then Germany came to the aid of Auetria because of the Teu- tonic blood in both nations and the Slavs were beaten back again by the Teutonic races.
 Russia as Slav state threatened to aid the aims of Servia, Bulgaria, etc., and thus bring about a race war in Europe. England, fundamentally Teutonic or Anglo-Saxon race, sided with Germany and Russia weakened. Then the smaller Slav states did the same.
 So the whole affair was that the Slav states showed back the Turks toward Asia and then the Teutons showed the Slays a little further back. The weight of power WAS with Germany, England and Austria as against Russia, and the other states of slav origin. It was all a racial matter, although the big war dis patches failed to explain this detail as of any importance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30
-Z-lHe GAI312S21 Cz(zZzzzx 0% ZIcZlT1T

Navy Building. Cut deep into it's verde gris-coated metal Is the inscription that tells that it was cast on July 27, 174S. at Douay France, by Jean Maritz. Sur rounded by ornate chasing is embelished the fleur-de-lis of the Bourbon house, the crown of old France, the French coat of arms, blazing sun and the legend "Nec Pluribus Impar'' = the motto of Louis XIV. On the base, or what would be the breech of a modern gun, Is inscribed Louis Charles de Bourbon, Compte d'eu, Due d'Aumale"
 Opposite this gun stands another exam pie of the French gunmaker, that was cast In Douay in 1893. This gun has carved upon it its name: La Farouche- The Fierce-and upon 1t is also inscribed the motto of Louis XIV.
 Two other French guns, of similar size and like ornamentatlon. but with the names Fl Belicosa and Garduna inscribed upon them, serve to ornament another entrance to the building. These guns, however, are later models than the others, having been cast in 17S9.
 This quartet of weapons, each weighing about 5000 pounds, are trophies of the Spanish War, and they were taken from the Qualifications at Santiago de Cuba. How the Spaniards came to get them, whether they bought or cap tured them. Is not known, but at any event they are valuable trophies
 The Spanish American War resulted in a veritable harvest of trophies in the shape of old weapons of every kind, and especially in cannon and mortars. While the Spaniards had few modern guns in Cuba and In the Philippines, they also
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

TWWAY back In the mysterious mazes
 E of the middle ages in Europe, the y ' Turk came crowding in countless swarms from Asia, into Europe. He beat against a population almost entirely Slavic in origin and itself the last race to enter Europe successfully.
 Only fin Russia was the Slav race sue cessful In totally driving before 1t the races that had preceded it into Europe. Just before the Slavs there had come the Teutons. These held Germany and Aus tria successfully although they lost Hun gary. Thus there Is a strange mixture of races in the Austrian Hungarian em- pire.
 But shut in between the Teutonic race and the advancing waves of the Turks, the Slavs have had for over a thousand years a terrific battle to maintain them selves. It is this battle between the Slavs and Turks which has brought about the notorious killing of Armenians, Rou- manians, Bulgars, etc.. by Turkish fanat- ics. It is really a battle between Turks and Slavs and the best proof is that the Turks have always killed off Mohamme- dan Slavs as well as their Christian neighbors. The outrages of the "Unspeak- able Turk" have always been really the result of a race and not religious ques- ton.
 Now with the decadence of the Turkish empire and the declaration of a czar in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

attack with disastrous results Just 10 days later than the appointed time tine trio of Englishmen sailed in, but 1t was too late, the opportunity had been lost, and all on account of the little General Armstrong.
 Two other guns in the Navy Yard are silent reminders of another brilliant naval conflict in the Barbary States War. and they bear this inscriptions:
 "On the 31st day of August, 1894, Capt. stephen Decatur, in command of an Amer lean gunboat off Tripoli, boarded and captured in succession two Tripolitan gun boats armed with thls and the adjacent gun"
 It was in the capture of one of these guns that Decatur so narrowly escaped with his life, receiving an ugly wound. He had singled out the captain on the gunboat and engaged him. In wardlng off thrust of a pike his cntlass broke and the next blow he parried with his naked arm. He then grappled with his adversary and the two fell to the deck, where, when the Tripolitan was gaining the advantage, an American sailor went to his officers rescue.
 In a huge pile in the Navy Yard are many Civil War guns taken from Con federate ships Albemarle, Arkansas, Flor ida and others and from the defenses of Port Hudson. Some of these guns, which were spiked and rendered useless, were only captured after the most desperate struggles.
 There are also many war relics at the other Navy Yards at Norfolk, New York, Portsmouth. League Island. Mare Island and elsewhere while there are also many exceedingly interesting ones at the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
 The most interesting gun at the Naval Academy is one that was cast In Barce- Iona, Spain, in 1902, of bronze and muzzle-loader. In 1877. at Seville, the gun was remodeled, rined and fitted with a breechloek Then 1t was sent to the Philippines, and when Admiral Dewey at tackled Manila 1t fired on the American fleet from Cayite. Later the Filipinos secured the gun, mounted 1t on a crude carriage and used it against the Span- iards in the summer of 1898 The follow Ing year the Filipinos turned the gun on the American troops. Then the Americans took it away from them and sent it to the Naval Academy, along with lot of other trophies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

their relatives. One great trouble that the commandants of the various homes have had has been the control of the sol diers who persist in patronizing the saloons that are to be found just be- yond the gates, but, by vigilance. the old men are kept from getting into any trouble.
 When a soldier Is stricken with illness he is sent to the hospital, where every possible attention Is given him. His diet Is specially prepared to suit his needs and there is nothing too good for him. It might be added that the hospital is al- ways we'll occupied, for there are many who are failing in health and. strength and are patiently awaiting the setting of the sun.
 When the last day has come and the soldier has gone to join his comrades on the other side his body Is borne to the chapel, minister of his religion says the last rites over him and then, in casket borne upon caisson and escorted by squad of men under arms, accompanied by life and drum corps playing a dirge, he is given full military honors, including the rattle of muskets over his grave.
 The cemeteries by the homes are grow ing each year, but every stone is a monu- ment to brave heart who gave his best years in order that the nation might en- dure.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

had scores of old forts in which the old cannon served just as well to awe the natives, who had weapons of even less superiority. So numerous were the old cannon that practically every captain of a naval vessel was permitted to send gun or two to his native state, and thus in many cities one may ind these Span ish trophies.
 beautiful bronze mortar, with cali Der of 9.50 inches, that was cast in Se- vile Spain on November 10, 17S0, is an- other of the ornaments to the State. War and Navy Building.N There are also many other historic old cannon around this building. Two huge bronze cannon. each weighing between 4,000 and 5000 pounds, that stand at one of the entrances are grim reminders of the Revolution and of one of its most desperate battles, the storming of Stony Point on the night of July 15, 1779 by the gallant troops un- der Anthony Wayne
 Other guns to be found within the shadow of this handsome building in- cludes a howitzer known as the Lone Star, a gun that was presented to the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

~ CHEMISTS are mostly prone to \term the popular agitation regarding - signalling to the planet Mars as mere folly,' yet a number of astronomers have admitted that it is perfectly possible. All of them claim that the millions of dollars 1t would cost could be better spent from scientific viewpoint in con structing permanent observatories and supplying newer telescopes with which to study not only Mars, but all star and planetary life.
 The whole theory of communicating with Mars rests on the assumption that, since the planet is further along in de- velopment than the Earth. its inhabit- ants, if any. must logically be further advanced mentally than we are. So it is assumed that the people on Mars have telescopes better than ours and have been studying this Earth for thousands of years longer than our astronomers have studied Mars.
 But If this Is the case, 1t seems queer that the astronomers on Mars have not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30
Signaling To Mars.

made some attempts to communicate with the Earth. At one time 1t was asserted that signals of some kind were being sent out from Mars, but if this Is true Earth scientists have so far been lack ing in the intelligence and information to comprehend Martian signals.
 Altogether, the good to be obtained is of doubtful scientific value, and the probability of obtaining satisfactory re- suits is not worth the immense cost in- volVed.
 Professor Robert W. Wood, the noted physicist of the Johns Hopkins University, is of the opinion that a cheap method of signalling to Mars would be to cover the white alkali plains of the Southwest with great squares of black cloth. This would reverse the method proposed by Profess sor Pickering, of Columbia. who sug- gests huge mirrors flashing sunlight. Dr. Woods idea Is to signal by dark signs; Professor Pickering's idea was to flash light. Either signal would be the same thing merely reversed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30
Interesting Spoils of Victory That
 Have Been Preserved.

the iron cross of Germany? It Is not what the little crosses are, but what they represent that makes them so valued in the sight of man, and those who wear them may indeed feel honored.
 On special occasions the Emperor of Germany has medals of bronze struck of and the metal of these Is taken from old cannon, trophies of the battlefield More than that, in Berlin there stands a huge monument to those who perished in the Franeo-Prussian conflict, and the chief ornamentation consists of rows of captured cannon.
 Nor is the United States far behind in the possession of trophies of it's wars. Every conflict has yielded it's spoils and many of those stirring incidents of his tory are viyidly recalled by the old cannon to be seen at the nations capital.
 These weapons, representing the highest development of their respective times, and which spoke in tones of thunder and hurled their missiles of death across hundred fields of carnage in obeyance to the orders of the greatest soldiers of the day, are now, as far as their efficiency as firearms is concerned, but worthless metal, standing as grim reminders of the past.
 These trophies of the nation at Wash ington are in various places-in the mu- scum, at the navy yard at Arlington, in the great gun park, in the angles and upon the steps of the State, War and Navy Building and in many of the little grass plots with which the city is dotted.
 In number they run into the hundreds, and they include specimens of the finest. as well as the crudest, engines of death that mark the successive epochs of the use of gunpowder. Many of the cannon are of the highest grade of bronze, ex- quisitely ornamented and are really works of art.
 Of such a character is the Louis Charles gun that stands on the east side of the north entrance to the State, War and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

-l0
 ural that there should have origi-
 M mated the idea of retaining the
 weapons of the defeated foe and to keep them as relics and examples of prowess for the coming generations to gaze on and reflect upon the courage of their fathers.
 The disarming of a vanquished Toe is necessary, for the best way to keep man from fighting is to take from him the means, and then, too, everyone has instilled within their soul a longing for something to show for that which has been accomplished.
 Every tribe and every nation under the sun has Its trophies of war. The natives of the innermost portions of the Dark Continent have their spells taken from neighboring tribes, and while they may be insignificant as compared to some of the trophies possessed by great nations they are, nevertheless, just as dear, as they represent hard-earned, dearly bought victories and are monuments to the war riors who gave their lives in order that their people might procure that which they sought, be it what 1t may.
 The pomp and militant-loving nations of Europe have their trophies of the wars that they have been engaged in, and though they may have lost some of their flags and armament to other nations, they yet have and are immensely proud of those that they have taken from the enemy, and these they cherish and treas- ure.
 England and Germany make a most excellent use of some of the iron and bronze cannon that they have captured in conflicts. for from the metal is made the medals that are bestowed upon those who show exceptional courage in risklng their lives to save others.
 What bit of metal has more signifi- canoe or sentimental value than the sim pie iron Victorian cross of England or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

Republic of Texas after it's strife. Two guns, named San Mateo and San Marco, respectively, are relics of the Mexican War. There were four of these guns, each named for one of the evangelists. One of them the San Lucas, is at the Military Service Institute, in New York, while the other, the San Juan, Is at Fremont, O., in the Burchard Library. A large collection of captured cannon Is to be found In the Washington Navy Yard, and just as one enters the main gate there is to be found a gun that has as much, if not more, historical interest than almost any other. On the gun car riage is found the history in brief, as fellows:
 This gun was one of the main
 battery of the French seyenty-four
 gun ship Hoche. She was captured
 by the English and her battery
 sold to America. This gun then
 served on a Haitian privateer, and
 afterwards was returned to New
 York, and lay in South street for
 several years. 1t was then mount
 ed on the American prlvateer Gen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

Santa Monica, Cal, was opened. The Marion, near Marion, Ind, was opened In 1SS0 The Danville, near Danville, H., was opened in 1898. The Mountain, near Johnson City, Tenn. was opened in 1903. The last the Battle Mountain Sanl- tarium, at Hot Springs, South Dakota, was opened in 1907.
 Some idea of the extent of these prop critics may be had from the last report of the board of managers, In which the acreage of the homes Is set down as 5,369, valued at S4s3, 474.s5 On this land are buildings aggregating value of $10,513,- 64S42 To acquire this property, to main tain 1t and to care for the thousands of soldiers, the total outlay up to the close of 1908 has been in the neighborhood of S9O, ,OOO, GOO.
 When the first home was established. within the year, there were 910 veterans cared for. Then each succeeding year in- creased at the rate of almost 1000 per year until, in 1908, the greatest number, 34, 949, were taken care of. At the same time the death rate among the veterans increased year by year, and from 1895 per 1000, in 1867, it has advanced to S56 per 1000, in 1908.
 Yet, when one takes into consideration the physical condition of soldiers when admitted to the homes, and that it has been A years since the Civil War, the death rate is really low, for the average life of the old soldiers has been trife more than 70 years-a ripe age for the majority of men. Indeed, this alone Is most notable tribute to the government for its excellent care of its wards.
 To visit one of these national homes Is to have a treat, for nowhere will one find a more happy or contented set of men. Except for the difference in location and style of architecture of the buildings, all of the homes are similar, for they are operated on the plan of giving one and all the same. Some of the homes, like the one at Hampton, are situated upon the banks of a stream, but then there Is one in the mouhtains, another in the land of continual sunshine and flowers, Cali characteristic to differ it from the other.
 That, however, Is the immaterial side of the homes, for 1t Is the comforts and conveniences afforded the inmates that draws the attention of visitors and sends them away filed with thoughts of kindli- ness and proud of being citizens of na- ton that is so lavish in its care of those who have upheld the honor of the flag in the face of the, enemy.
 Amid parkliEe surroundings are the buildings, danked with broad porches. on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

eral Armstrong and by its aid a
 boat attack by an English squad
 ron on the night of September 26-
 27, 1874, In Fayal, Azores, was re-
 pulsed, with a loss of life to the
 attacking force of 120 killed, 130
 wounded and nearly all of their
 boats destroyed. The American loss
 was two killed and eight wounded.
 The privateer was sunk to prevent
 it's falling into the hands of the
 enemy, and this gun was many
 years afterwards dug out of the
 mud of the harbor and presented
 to the United States by the Por-
 tuguese government.
 Between the lines of this inscription is to be read one of the most interesting and important events in the history of the War of 1872, for this little vessel was instrumental in making possible the victory of General Jackson over the Brit ish under General Pakenham at New Or leans.
 A British squadron, comprising the ships Plantagenet, Carnation and Rota were en route to the Gulf of Mexico with endorsements for General Pakenham in the New Orleans campaign, and they put into Fayal for minor stores. To their surprise, the British found the General Armstrong at anchor, and despite 1t being q neutral port, determined upon the capture of the ship.
 When night fell four barges, contain ing 16e men, were sent to cut out the American; but the skipper of the little ship was not caught mapping, and he drove them off with q heavy loss. Then the enemy attacked with 14 barges and 800 men; but even this force was van quished. Chagrln and consternation made the British furious, and at daybreak the Carnation opened fire with her big guns. The American replied and hulled her to such an extent that she had to with draw. Then the larger ship, the Plan tagenet, took up the fight, and the Amer jeans, realizing that they were out chased, turned their guns down a hatch, sending balls through the bottom of their vessel, and at the same time set ting her on fire. Then they escaped in their small boats.
 So bad were the injuries to the Carna- tion that it was 10 days before she was ready for sea. This delay was fatal to General Pakenham, who, despairing of the promised achievements, made his
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

Experiments in Europe show that bal looms travelling at heights of from 600 to 2.000 yards can be hit with rife only once in six times; at an elevation of 5000 yards they are absolutely s'safe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30

NN Decoration Day thousands of A A men, women and children through M out the length and breadth of the NY land will gather in the various
 cemeteries and lay garlands upon the last resting places of the soldiers that have laid down their lives in de- fense of their country.
 In practically every city hosts of vet erans of the Civil War will gather and hold reunions to speak of the past, the anger and passion deadened by the lapse of time, while at 10 national homes more than 10000 men will usher in the day thankful that the United States, of all nations, is a republic that is not ungrate- ful for services performed under its flag.
 The veterans of the various wars, nota- bly, the Civil and Spanish-American, who went through the conflicts unscathed are constantly in mind. There are the Grand Army of the Republic, Loyal Legion and Army and Navy Union, splendid organi- zations to which many of the officers and men who fought in the Civil War belong, while the veteran associat's of the Span- ish-American War holds ti membership of many who went through tL tt struggle.
 In the national cemeteries here and there, and in other burial grounds, are stones that mark the spots where lie the remains of those who participated in the conflicts, and each succeeding Decoration Day their memory is kept alive by the floral offerings strewn upon their graves.
 But what about the veterans who re- turned from the front, torn by shot and shell, unable to resume their places in the ranks of the w1c21zlr without means of sef-support and 1l to thrust them selves upon their o9 kin?
 At the close Civil War, when more than half o men laid down their arms of W '. a few months, were transforml ooldiers to citi- zens, the quest That to do with those who were <hted arose.
 s.Pensions ard ugh in their way, but pensions al hcient," declared Congress. "We more,' continued the members d buse and Senate. I've must esta1i 1me for those who have no homes2tS1 s sentiment crys- tallized into WI one of the most important featHt which the nation deals. zfHXA*5
 The first nl bme for disabled volunteers was 4ed at Togus, Me-, in 1886, and i$ the Eastern. The following yeaE >ther homes were established n, at Dayton, O.; the Northwe Milwaukee, Wis, and the Son( Hampton, Va. In 1885 the wea |eavenworth, Kans5 was opened. t3e Pacific, near