davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
Too Many Useless Arrests.

sarhis talk of a slkyseraper jail and courthouse seems out of place at this time.s said T. C. Mcdonald, yesterday. Tn my opinion. If the citizens of this county could put a stop to the reckless arrest of people simply for the fees that result we would have room to spare in the present jail
 Jefferson county has seen enough of this continual arrest of men and women on the barest excuse or no excuse at all The waste of the peoples money on eases where there is not conviction one time in ten is shameful Il is far more dis grace to a community than any jail could be any where in the United States.
 T think the time has come when the voters should take the matter in hand. Me need to stop the eternal stream of un- fortunates who pour through the jaii doors into criminal influence to be dis graced and embarrassed for the turnkey fee, and for the dozen other fees that are tagged to him before he gets out. I feel strongly on this matter, because 1 have been close observer.
 While at some later time, when times are better and the county is in good financial condition, I would favor the erection of better looking structure on that corner, tell you. it is much more important to do away with the need Of the jail and then you will find that the courthouse will be almost large enough for wears to comep
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
Less Cotton in Louisiana and Mississippi

The boil weevil scare was fully dis cussed in every beat in Louisiana and Mississippi last fall, and everybody got ready either to raise cotton this year in spite of the boil weevil or else to substitute other crops for cotton. The matter was well analysed and consid- cred, and now reports of the effects of this careful discussion are com ing in.
 The decrease in cotton acreage in Louisiana is put by the state authori- ties at 72 per cent; in Mississippi at 25 per cent. The latter applies to the infested districts only, for over one- half of Mississippi has never seen a boil weevil The insect is numerous, however, in the delta and the best cotton counties of the state.
 These decreases do not mean, how ever, that Louisiana and Mississippi
 
 farmers are idle. The corn acreage has been increased in Mississippi at least 25 per cent and in Louisiana 34 per cent. The rice acreage in Louisi- ana is 23 per cent larger. The acre. age in cane has also been increased outside of the known sugar district IS per cent. The increase in Irish pota- toes is put at Fl per cent; in sweet potatoes at 33 per cent and in garden truck at 42 per cent. All this in Lou isiana
 No one is discouraged in the two states, and the farmers of Alabama should begin to study the situation in the two states toward the setting sun carefully and thoughtfully. The condi- tions of today in Louisiana and Missis- sippi will soon be the conditions in Alabama, and every farmer should be- gin to formulate plans against the fu- ture, for the Mexican pest is flying this way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
Miss Berry'S School For Mountain Boys

Miss Berry's school at 'Possum Trot, near Rome, Ga., is finding friends. Two hundred mountain boys are on it's wait ing list because of the lack of dormi- tory room, but Andrew Carnegie has given the school $25,0OO on the condi- tion that S75,OO0 additional be ra,sed Mrs. Russell Sage has given $25,000 of the additional amount, and the friends of the white boys who desire an edu- cation will no doubt make up the $5v,- 900 now needed.
 All see that Martha Berry gave up life of ease and womanly enoyment to dedicate her energies, her entire life to the poor boys in the hill counties of boys, and she put her fortune into the work. When that fortune gave out, about $100000, she saw the widening of her work and the need of it much more than she did at the outset. At this point the Ogden party visited the school, and already s50,000 has come in. The home folks in Georgia will assuredly get together $5O,Ooo more.
 It should be remembered that Miss Berry accepts no sons of rich men no boy who has had more than nine months of schooling, The fixed pur- pose of the school is to provide the means of education for poor and ambi- tious boys who can get together $50 year. The agricultural and indus trial arts are taught in the school. Miss Berry has no intention of turning out preachers, lawyers or even school l teachers. She is practical to the last degree. She knows the situation and she is endeavoring to meet it. She pro- poses to equip the mountain boy for the work that he has in sight. Georgia will assuredly stand by this noble young Georgia woman. She needs more. buildings, and she needs an en- | dowment fund, and when she has these she will establish school that will help Georgia more than all her theo- rists and academicians will be able to | accomplish in the course of their nat ural lives.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
For Drinkinu Fountains,

While so many are engaged. with the attractive and commendable efforts to- ward the city beautiful, 1t might be well to pause and inquire the quickest and cheapest way to this consummation," said citizen yesterday.
 ''The first law of nature is self-preser- vation; this We have achieved, it being translated-the city successful Our sec- ond step, in order of importance, though sad to relate, not in order of achievement, should be the city healthful. This can be ours only when we have a city health department of metropolitan aspect and dignity. Then we come, in order of im- portance, to the city beautiful, though there is no good reason why We should not work along this line from the be- ginning.
 "One important principle we should be guided by In this line Is that that which is beautiful and also useful will last longer ornamentally than that which Is beautiful only. In this respect there is nothing which is so useful and that can be made so beautiful as a drinking foun- tain for man and beast. The drivers of one and two-horse drays and hacks prob ably pay larger privilege tax. propor- tionately, than any other class of useful occupations, and it is a common thing in hot July and August weather for the driv- CTS of such vehicles to find it difficult to obtain drinking water for themselves and their horses
 "A thing that is purely ornamental wlA, at best. be ornamental only in some eyes, while if a thing subserves some useful purpose 1t can never be objected to as entirely ugly, as witness the cheap iron drinking troughs scattered thingly about the business parts of the city. They are cheap, dirty, ugly inconveniently low and never contain water enough to supply the demand, and yet they are good to look at How much better would it be to have fountains numerous enough to supply the need fountains built with some care as to artistic effect They could be made to commemorate epochs in the growth of the city or they could be appro- priately anegorical, representative of the stone age, the forest and streams, the Indians with their wigwams and their stone hatchets and the after connecting links down to the .Ensley steel plant. These are not even suggestions but mere- ly flor examples' to illustrate my mean ing; that ornamental things last longest if they are also useful things, and that if we make useful things ornamental the best artistic talent should be employed to make them designfully representative and beautiful
 ''If the useless grass plot at Highland circle is to be given to the street rail way companWin order that they may straighten their tracks and thereby les-l sen the hideous noise their cars make in going around it, why not suggest to them that a beautiful fountain placed some- where in this large empty space would be most acceptable to the hard-worked horses and their drivers, an ornament to the city and the circle that would never pail, credit to the company in the inn proved appearance of their streets and a very moderate price to pay for the con cession of the grass plot"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
BOYS SCHOOL BENEFIT.
Regular Programme Will Be Carrieu
 Out at Park Saturday.

The twice postponed benefit for the Boys Industrial school will be given at East Lake park next Saturday, May 15, according to the plans of the ladies who have charge of the matter. The first postponement was on account of the weather and the second was due to the fact that several of the leading spirits in the benefit were unable to be in the city.
 The programme as originally arr ranged will be carried out. There will be band concerts by the Boys Industrial school band; there will be a May pole, an exhibition by riders from the Birmingham Riding academy, field sports amongSthe boys, pony tourna- ment and a free exhibition by Phil Green, the equilibrist, on the spiral tower
 Added to these attractions will be the regular amusements of the lake, which will be running both afternoon and night. The tickets purchased by the public for the benefit will be good on next Saturday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
Knights of Columbus.

Mobile May 1.-The annual state con vention of the Knights of Columbus was held today with delegates present from Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery and other Alabama cities. George J. Sullivan of Mobile was elected state deputy. Reso- lutions indorsing the national appropria- tion of $5000O0 for the Catholic university at Washington were adopted. Other off cers elected besides Sullivan were: Will liam H. ISohn, Montgomery, state secre- tary: Benjamin B. Martin, Birmingham, state treasurer: William Cowley, Mo- bile, state advocate; F. J. CopnAv Hunts vile, state warden
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
Sugar and TurDentile

The government has prosecuted the head men of the turpentine trust un- der the Sherman antitrust act and they have been found guilty of conspir- ing to monopolize interstate trade and will soon be sentenced by Judge Shep- pard of Pensacola. He has power to fine them or send them to prison. This in Georgia.
 When we turn to New York what do we see? There the sugar trust has been guilty it is plain, of defraudins the government through the use or false weights. But instead of indict- Ing the head men of the sugar trust
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

Anniston, May 12.-There was an ex- change between the city and circuit courts Tuesday morning, the city court holding it's session In the circuit court room-the larger of the two-and the circuit court occupying the city court room This was done to accommodate the great crowd which pressed in to hear tne trial of Erwin Pope for the murder of James B. Me Clurkin. The crowd filled both the main auditorium and the gallery and the sheriff placed a deput to guard the door, which was locked. and admit only such number as could be accommodated. . e
 The defense took charge of the case after Mayor Norton of Oxford had de- livered what the state considered loca- ton testimony of value, and after John Dodgen had testified to a correspondence between the tracks around the scene of the murder and defect in the hoof of one of Pepes mules.
 Sheriff LeGrand weakened the testimony of Officer Eason by admitting that Me
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
MT. Thompson Talks,

J. s. B. Thompson of Atlanta assistant to, the president of the Southern railway, is in Birmingham. When asked if there was any appreciable improvement in traf- fic business MT. Thompson said: There Is some increase in traffic on the South ern as compared with this time last year: but as depression had touched bottom year ago, even a little improvement would be appreclabe. It would take n large gain In earnings to bring us back to normal. I am reasonably optimistic however, and look for a very decided improvement later in the year.
 During the dull times important bet terments have been made and our equip ment is in exceptionally good condition now. Our roadbed is in better shape than ever and our rolling stock is en excellent shape. And along with the improvement in the company's physical property there has been a marked improvement in operatin methods. The transportation service has been brought up, indeed to very high state of efficiency and with return of prosperity as the country had in 1906 we will be able to handle all the traffic offering with comparative ease and keep down anything like the old-time congestion
 MT. Thompson said that Birmingham's S importance as a passenger center was be- ing fully recognized. The new Selma train arriving in the morning and re- turning in the afternoon was, he said of great benefit to the public, and was doubtless being appreciated by the bnsi- ness men of Birmingham. And when MT Thompson called attention to the "Bir- mngham special between this city and New York, he waxed eloquent When held conference with a committee from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce a few months ago touching a better service to the east" said MT. Thompson, T promised that the Southern railway would inaugurate a train that would be pri- mariy for the accommodation of the people of this district. Well, the "Bir- mingham speciap' starts next Sunday. It will leave here daily at 9:30 a. m. and will reach New York the following aft ernoon at o'clock. The Birmingham special southbound will leave New York daily at 9:25 a. m. and arrive here the next afternoon at o'clock. This will be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
LAW AND ORDER
 MEN ARE SUED

Fred M. Jackson, president of the Law and Order league, and the Rev. Brooks Lawrence, state superintendent of the Anti-Saloon league, are the de- fendants in a suit for s1O,000 damages filed in the city court yesterday by attorneys for J. T. Thomas. Damages are claimed for the alleged wrongful arrest of the plaintiff. The suit Is the first to be brought against officers of the Law and Order league, suits for alleged wrongful arrest having been heretofore brought against the sheriff. sh eriff.
 Thomas alleges that on April IT, 1908, the defendants to the suit caused him to be arrested without probable cause. He ayers that he was forced to re- main for four hours in the county jail, "a foul and nauseous place." In conse- quence of which he suffered great pain and anguish in mind and body and great humiliation and inconvenience"
 There was also filed with the bill of complaint a demand for trial of the case by jury.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
BIG CROWDS ATTEND
 POPE TRIAL AT ANNISTON

Clurlxin's name had been mentioned be- fore Pope made the slip of the tongue in addressing Eason by that name. Other witnesses testified to the good character of the defendant and stated that he look ed fresh and unworried on the morning after the murder.
 What the defense considers a valuable roint Is that the one-horse wagon men, toned has never been accounted for.
 Deputy John Rowland Is in charge of the jury, and Attorney Sterne raised a point of law today in objecting to his tes- tifying. The objection was overruled and will be tested in the supreme court.
 The defendant was placed on the stand at 10 o'clock tonight and began relating his story, denying all damaging evidence against him. Several most prominent lawyers, judges and citizens of the city were interviewed and the substance was that Pope is exceedingly self-possessed, and if his testimony is not shattered un- der cross-examination his chances of con- viction will be materially weakened Court adjourned at 10 o'clock. The room was packed to the last moment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

the federal grand jury picked out lot of weighers and men of small salaries and small responsibility. The sugar trust is a powerful institution. It takes a hand in the framing of a tar if. It makes directly or indirectly heavy campaign subscriptions. And so the men responsible for false weights of imported sugar escape indictment and the humble men who obeyed or ders are held up for punishment.
 The indicted men were no doubt guilty, but they were no guiltier than the men above them who profted by their work-who really ordered that work to be done. This work had been going on for ten years, and the sugar trust has just paid over $2,135,000 in back duties that false weighing had retained in the treasury of the trust. The government claimed that $9,0O0,- 900 was due on this account.
 The payment of the money should not, however, condone the frauds that covered ten years. What has been accomplished in Savannah in the tur- pentine case should be accomplished in New York in the sugar case. The responsible men should be haled to court along, if you like, with their hirelings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
PRAYER.

By Aubrey De We're. Therefore when thou wouldst pray, or
 dost thine aims, Blow not trump before thee; hypo-
 critics Do thus, vaingloriously; the common
 streets Boast of their largees, echoing their
 psalms. On such the laud of men, like unctuous
 balms, Falls with sweet savor. Impious Coun-
 terfeits Prating of Heaven. for earth their bos-
 om beats! Grasping at weeds, they lose immortal
 palms! Good needs not iteration nor vain cries; That man communion with his God
 might share w st5 Below, Christ gave the ordinance of
 prayer: Vague ambages, and witless ectasies, Avail not ere voice to prayer be given The heart should rise on wings of love
 to Heaven.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
cuIlman Strawberries.

"The strawberry crop of Cullman coun- ty willy it is believed, reach new high record this year." said a commission mer- chant. "A few years ago the strawberry growers were thought 10 be prosperous when they shipped as many as 25 car loads. This year 100 car loads will be shipped from the town of Cullman, and several car loads will be sent from Hancevllle, eight miles this side of Gull man.
 ''The Cullman berry has high reputa tion for quality and flavor in the north- ern markets and large shipments are made to Chicago"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
M'KLEROY IS CANDIDATE.
Asks Endorsement as Colonel of Third
 Alabama Regiment.

Anniston, May 11.-(Special)-Just be- fore he left for Mobile to attend the meet ings of the Southern Bankers association, Col. w. H. McKleroy of the Third regi- ment, A. N. G.. was seen Monday even ing, and he said that he would be can didate for reelection
 ''I do not refer to 1t as race, how ever" he said. 'I merely ask that my administration of the affairs of the Third regiment be indorsed. I have asked the support of the line officers of the regi- ment, and have received pledges sufficient to warrant confidence in reelection. know of no opposition that shall have"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
IN AFRICA.

Bwana Tumbo, mighty hunter, Tracks the lion to his lair Shoots the poor, dumfounded crtter With an unconcern-ed air. Turns right round-Biff !-Bangl-another Royal beast doth bite the dust; Kermit takes Q time exposure Kodaks doubly strong, we trust. Still the slaughter doth continue, Victims heaped up in a pile; Night comes down and through the jungle Beams the wondrous Roosevelt smile.
 BEWARE Who dearly loves 'witching maid Is apt to find some day, When all is done and all Is said, She'll witch his wad away!
 AS A RULE. Pa, what Is the high sign?" ''The price mark on a woman's hat"
 A YOUNG DIPLOMAT. Father, let's argue this matter" Well, you little rascal. what have you to say?"
 You told me just now that this lick ing would hurt you more than it would me-"
 "So I did"
 "Then, why inhict needless suffering on us both and break the entente cor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
DECORATION DAY.
Cordova Pythians Will Pay Honor te
 Their Dead.

Cordova, May n.-(Special)- )-Sunday, May 16, will be observed as Decoration Day by the Knights of Pythias of Cor dova The members will meet at the lodge hall at 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon and march in a body to the cemetery, where the graves of departed Pythians will be decorated Appropriate ceremonies will be conducted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
HAPPY ANYHOW.

HAPPY, ANYHOW. Just a little love to
 Help the day along; Just a little love was The burden of his soag. When the bells were ringing On his wedding day, Didn't have the money Preacher for to pay. Asked the man for credit, So the knot was tied. Gracious, that's a funny Way to take a bride. Poor as any woodchuck, But he didn't care; Said that love had made him Twice a millionaire!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
L. p. Bridges Dies.

Huntsville. May 11.-(Special.)-L. P. Bridges, an aged and respected citizen of Dallas village. died yesterday after noon from a stroke of paralysis He was 72 years old and was Confederate veteran. Since 1888 he had been a mem- Der of the Egbert Jones camp.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

Wheat was a fashionable decoration of women's summer hats, but the price of it has been advanced and only the very rich can afford to wear it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

a notable service. a model service in every respect. It will advertise Birming ham and will show to the people that the Southern is fully alive to the just de- mands of this great and growing city"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

Los Angeles Is testing cold storage eggs. All the rest of the country hopes that Los Angeles will keep all it holds and all it can get it's hands on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

The notion that new senator must remain silent has been riddled by the insurgent senators from the wild and woolly west.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

It is all right to telephone Mars pro vided the other end of the line is ready and will not say Lines busy"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
PROVED.

How do you know he loves his wife?' Well, for one thing, he gives her all he makes"
 "Pshawi She has him bluffed."
 And he tells her everywhere he's been."
 Same reason. She has him bluffed tell you"
 And he calls her pet names when he hasn't done anything wrong" Well, if that's true, I guess you are right"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
DROUTH.

A friend writes from Livingston, Ala, that an old negro down there broke a spirit level and drank the alcohol bead It must be very "dry'' in Livingston.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

In Russia new rebellion of an ar gumentative kind has broken out against the grafters and reactionaries who succeeded the grand dukes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

The Steel corporation builded better than it knew when it declared for an open market Orders are pouring in and none are filled at a loss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

Abdul Hamid had 500 pianos and 10000 reyolyers in the Yildiz Kiosk and some men would flee from one as quick as from the other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

The principal joker in the Aldrich tariff is the consumer who is awaiting to be gradually worn to a frazzle by ir.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

Subways are booming New Jersey even more than Long Island. A i've cent fare carries one from uptown New York to Jersey City.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

New York city taxes each additional bathtub in a dwelling S3 on the score that the additional ones are luxuries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

The Perdue club should insure it's favorite pitcher. He seems to be their chief dependence in the last half of a game.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

It was Brother Horace who took hand in the district judgeship, not Brother Henry or Brother Charlie.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

Coney Islands prospectus for 1909 says everything is new but the ocean. Same old ocean and same old sea sar- pent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

The Shah should be requested to loose his hold on the new constitution. He may use the recall once too often
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12
FIGHT IMMINENT.

"Sir, I'm a struggling poet"
 You'll have to struggle sure enough if you don't get out of here!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

In this county all can depend upon the creation of fees wherever and whenever fees are feasible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

A town in New Jersey has head less ghost, and the townspeople are trying to find someone who will put head on it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-12

Don't attempt to look down on the Aldrich tariff, for you would have to look up to see its rates.