davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
AT .FRAUNCE'S TAVERN
From the New York Telegram.

From the New York Telegram.
 a% HINGs have changed great
 .k0 deal in the lower part of the
 city since Fraunce's tavern, at Pearl and Broad streets, was opened in 1719," said the old New Yorker as he settled himself down for a talk.
 .I can remember when we used to have to ride down there on horseback. Yester- day I wanted to revisit the old place to see how faithfully the Sons of the Revo- lution have restored it, and I had to ride there on a subway strap.
 "I started out, of course, just as though I was going to visit Mount Vernon, Grants tomb or some other historic struc- ture. and I fully expected to be met at the front door by delegation of Colonial Danes.
 "To my astonishment I had no sooner put my foot upon the restored stoop than the door was thrown open and I was welcomed by my friend Frank Pas uuale, who used to work the merry-go- round storm door for me when called at the St Regis. Immediately behind Frank stood Tony Jerome, who used to check my coat at the waldorf-Astoria. I recall him very well, because when I used to meet some of my old cronies there he would lend me money on my coat-not an uncommon practice among many of our young men who visit the best uptown places.
 Seeing no Colonial Danes around to bother me I stepped into magnificent little drinking room on my left and par took of a revolution
 While sipping this I glanced around at the magnifcence. The place is said to have been faithfully restored
 Tn the distance observed a stern per son, square of jaw, round of head and very solid of girth and leg. eyeing me from nook in the old Dutch entrance hall. The idea of taking a revolution in such a sacred place had already given me a severe moral chill, but upon catching this cold gray glance from the hall I felt sure that l was guilty of a gross sacri- lege.
 'The round face was very familiar to me. At first thought it was the face of my old friend Peter Stuyvesant, who had come back to chide me Later I mustered up courage and addressing his honor discovered that he was none less than Herr Emil Westerburg, who on account of his distinguished Dutch ancestry. to- gether with his Delmonican ability, has been elected the caterer for the New
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
RIackfriars Historical.

"The name 'Blackfriars which has been adopted by the dramatic club of the University of Alabama, which is to produce Macbeth" at the Jefferson the atre on February 20, is a name inti- mately connected with the history of the stage" said a university boy.
 "The theatre which bore that name was one of the most famous theatres in the time of Shakespeare. Built three centuries before as a monastery for the Dominican order of Blackfriars, in 1596 the structure was converted into a theatre, with the old name of the building preserved. At first it was used by the child actors of the day whom Shakespeare has immortalized in Hamlet" but a few years later the Kings Servants" to which Shake speare belonged, entered here, and many of Shakespeare's greatest plays were written especially to be played in this house. Thus it seems very fitting that this name, so hallowed by histori- cal and dramatic association, should be the one adopted by that organization of our state university whose especial study is the drama of that golden age.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
LIQUOR BATTLE
 IN KENTUCKY

Louisville, February 14-Kentuclly, sec ond liquor-producing state in the union, and up to this time unscathed by a state wide prohibition fight, will be the battle field of the prohibition forces from Tues day, February 16 forward On that day the Anti-Saloon league and kindred tenn perance forces will meet in Louisville and the upshot of the meeting means that Governor Wilson will be called upon to summon the legislature in extra session for the consideration of a statewide bill. It is not believed, however, that he will yield to the demand of the temperance people at this time
 The chief interest of the convention be- ginning Tuesday is a speech to be deliv- cred by Justice E. c. O'Rear, the re- tiring chief justice of the Kentucky court of appeals who was previously declared in favor of total prohibition for the state and nation.
 O'Rear is a prominent republican and Willson was elected under the standard of that party. But four counties in the state are entirely wet at present.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
Marble Soldiers, Monuments.

Washington, February 14.-Marble monuments about 30 feet high and suit ably inscribed are to be erected by the United States government to mark the resting places of the soldiers of the Confederate army at Indianapolis, at North Alton. Alton, H., and in the Green Lawns cemetery at Indianapolis, Ind. The bodies of 1853 such soldiers were buried in the Alton cemetery and 1920 in the Indianapolis cemetery dur ing the civil war. It was found impos- sible to identify the individuals and to give each grave a separate head stone, as provided by law. The Sec retary of War has approved an allot- ment of s6000 for each of two monu- ments, one in each cemetery to take place of individual headstones.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15

Fraunoes tavern by the Sons of the Revolution, who own the property and who have rebuilt the tavern with im- ported bricks.
 Herr Westerburg showed me into ths corner room on the street floor. He said 1t is the room where the men of '7s used to gather and discuss the stamp act. It was filled with well-fed brokers. As A, relief to the scene there were two brokerss stenographers and an expensively dressed minister of the gospel
 'The brokers were still discussing the stamp act. One of them said he had a. cramp in the hand from signing checks, The other asked why he didn't buy rub Der stamp to make the act easy'
 Outside stood an automobile, with a fur-coated driver. In 17i9 Sam Fraunce never permitted automobiles to block the main entrance to the tavern. And it iS dangerous even today. Any young curb broker stumbling out of the colonial door way is likely to fall right under a heavy S1OOOO machine
 "fhe waiter, who served me with the usual Wall street nervousness. asked if I was alone. I told him John Hancock, Robert Morris and John Paul Jones, all friends of mine, were expected, and he immediately turned up three chairs at my table. My luncheon, which was very / good, cost 90 cents, and I told him to keep the change, whereupon he slammed the chairs down and remarked with q sheer: Guess your friends aint comin'
 "The rooms upstairs, including the Long room, where General Washington said farewell to his staff and where the New York chamber of compnerce was started, are very beautiful, despite the fact that they are new. A great many visitors, in- cluding women, may be seen there daily. Women are always interested in such artistic 'new-old houses, but it is said they never remember historical facts, and in order to overcome this failing Herr Westerburg has had published for free distribution a nice little illustrated sou venir, which may be had for the asking, and which contains the fascinating story of the ancient tavern.
 'It has bravey held the fort these 200 years against the bulls and bears who frequently threatened to destroy it and build upon it's site one of the marple pal- aces of chance.
 Upon leaving it you will appreciate why General Washington felt so badly when, on that memorable day in 17s3, he shook the hands of his officers and strode out of the historic house for the last time"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
WHERE WINTER IS SUMMER.

From the Outing Magazine.
 The ocean beats against long and seem ingly interminable sandy beaches with in- numerable towns and camps, as in sum mer when the great interior valleys be- come hot the rancher brings out his camp ing outfit and starts for the shore. 30 popular is this idea in the rainless sum- mer that in various parts Of the sta'e are seen "tent cities,' where for a modest sum one can rent completely eaulppeo camp with an accompanying guarantee of perfect. stormless weather, ana In many places a guarantee of no thunder storms.
 Off shore flows the Japanese gulf stream which, with the ocean, modihes the en- tire region, as the gulf stream aHects England. though some students of wealth CT deny this; the people, however, De- lieve 1t because it is mild. The result Is, the mountains of the state, from north to south, have a real winter, but the val leys live in a perennial spring or sum mer It does not rain from May to No- yember, so there is a wet and dry sea- son. and when the east is frozen up California of the lowlands is vivid with greens. and wild flowers of every hue and tone convert the land into a gar den.
 In a word, the climate of all California is much like that of Italy and the Riviera with this exception, 1t is not so cold in winter nor so hot in summer, hence IS really remarkable and particularly adapt ed to those who desire an outdoor life all the year round without ice or snow. In winter the country below 5000 feet looks like the East in June or July. All the wild and garden flowers are In pioom' yet there is a decided crispness in the air, and people wear winter clothing ana , have fires to keep warm at nights Near Los Angeles, a tourist center ana ci'y of nearly SOO.OOo, in February the au- jacent Sierra Madre may be capped syith snow, yet the bathing is good at the beaches and the water not colder than io July in the East.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
sAFERLoWER IS CAUGHT.
He confesses to Operating Some Time
 In Jacksonville.

Jacksonville, February 14-A profess sional safe-blower, giving his name as John Simpson, of Curtain Bay, Balti- more, was arrested this morning at o'clock while in the act of blowing the safe in the store of Charles H. Burnett, in the heart of the business district. Policeman Ammons in walking his beat, heard a noise in the store and, finding the door unlocked. crept in and was di- rectly over the safeblower before he was aware of the officers presence. Scattered about him on the floor was nitro -glycerin, saws. chisels, fuses re- volver and all implements carried by professional burglars. The man offered no resistance.
 Simpson made a confession at police headquarters, saying that he has been. operating for some time in Jacksonville. and was a pal of Charley Silas. the yeggman, who was killed by the police men at Laurens, s. C., few weeks ago. Simpson said he would have killed the policeman this morning, but he thought there were more than one of them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
MRS. MINNIE JONES DEAD.
Was Prominent in Pocahontas Degree
 of Red Men in Montgomery.

Montgomery February 14.-(Special.) Mrs Minnie Jones, age S1 years, wife of Alderman John F. Jones. died at the family residence. 724 Highland avenue, Montgomery, at o'clock Sat urday morning. The deceased was devout Christian and church worker, and had a wide acquaintance over the state. Funeral services were to have been held at the residence at 8 o'clock today but on account of the immense concourse of friends who gathered there it was decided to hold the ser vice at the Greenwood cemetery, where interment occurred.
 The funeral was impressive, the floral offerings being of especial beau ty. The pall-bearers were NJ. W. Puri- foy, Mayor Gaston Gunter of Montgom- cry. William s. Smith. L. w. Ashley, pr. S. H. Saul, W. M. Browder, James O'Hara and J. W. Hurd of Birming- ham.
 Mrs. Minnie Jones was Past Poco- hontas of the Minnehaha council No. ', Degree of Pocoh ontas, Improved Order of Red Men, and was held in high es- teem by the members of that organiza- tion. Her husband, John F. Jones, is past great sachem of this order.
 The husband and six children sur vive her. The children are Misses Myr- tie, Irene and Ruth and Clarence. John F., Jr., and Carl Jones. The Rev. Dr. Bush. pastor of the Highland Avenue Baptist church of Montgomery, of ficiated.
 The deceased had a large number of friends in Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
"BATH WITH EVERY ROOM"

From the Boston Herald.
 "A bath with every room," is the American idea of the Comfortable" hotel. It would be difficult to knock it out of the publics mind, now it has work ed in, but pray remember the days when great great grandfather washed in a tin basin no bigger than a finger bowl. Go and look at the tiny corner wash stand in the Paul Revere house and see what that hero used for main-' taining cleanliness of person! The Aa buttons of our forefathers were not extensive it is true, but they told in the "high thinking" that was kept up in those days of low living. Private residences are not thought first-class unless supplied with Elaborate bath rooms on every floor, and the bathtub itself, hewn from Carrara marble or made of porcelain, must be of heroic size, large enough to drown any or0l- nary family
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
Two BattleShiDS a Year

The building of a navy adequate to defend our extended and increasing in- terests does not depend upon our re- lations with Japan, however much Cal ifornia may think otherwise, but the creation of navy should go steadily on in order that we may have a guar antee against war and have in peace ships that can maintain our dignity and place among nations in all places and under all circumstances.
 Two battleships a year is our pres ent pace, and it will, ifsaccompanied by due proportion of lesser vessels, give us an adequate navy as the years go on. Isolated as this country is and possessing as We do 25 battleships there seems to be no reason why we should not go on building two battle ships year MT. Roosevelt says we should build four year, and no doubt Captain Hobson would be glad to see six built each and every year. But two battleships year will soon give us all the weight and influence upon the sea that we need.
 The country will indorse a policy that seeks to build two battleships a year. and it would not be wise to push the building of navy at more rapid would stop for a season any increase at all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
Reform Measures in Spain.

Madrid February 14.-After discus sion lasting more than a year, the chamber of deputies has passed the local administration bill, which is the prin- cipal feature of the governments pro- gramme. The new measure increases the existing powers of municipal and provincial councils, giving these of ficers new prerogatives and privileges providing a certain degree of local economy, especially with regard to education, public works and charita- ble institutions. There Is every req son to expect that this far-reaching' reform measur will pass the senate and will be put into operation before the end of the year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
From lid Bits.
RHIRTY years ago stage stars were | IVY considered well paid if they
 could demand a salary of f10 |


 1HIRTY years ago stage stars were \SD considered well paid if they
 could demand a salary of 910 a week, yet today there are scores of artists who receive three times that amount for one nights work.
 In regard to salaries, grand opera fa- vorites are particularly lucky Madame Melba, for instance, never thinks of sing ing for less than 9320 an evening while e600 a night is nearer her average The earning power of the latest star" let razzini. is about 915 a minute every time she sings.
 Madame Patti can claim a still higher fee. It was only last year that she full filled an engagement in the United States for six months tour, in which she re- ceived 91OO0 for each performance and half the gross receipts over s15O0. This engagement brought her in~nearly a100,- OOO.,
 Caruso, the king of tenors, will not sing for less than e5Oo night. or e9O a minute. He makes in the course of a sea- son, on an average, 936,0o0.
 Judging by the tempting offers, some or the lnStrumentallStS are no less lortu- nate. It is said that Pauerewski, the most famous musician in the world, will not give a public exhibition of his skill on the piano unless he is paid a fee of 5c0 guineas-nearly 926 for every 60 sec onds. Mascagni and Puccini, as conduc- tors, can demand e320 a day, while Ku- belik receives a180 for playing a couple of pieces on his violin. One recent tour in the United States of three months duration netted him f9600.
 Actors and actresses of the front rank cannot complain on the score of poor pay. Sarah Bernhardt earns big fees when she goes on a tour. Her first Amer ican trip lasted four months and put f25 900 into her pocket.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
Explosives On Railroads

"The annual report of the bureau for the safe transportation of explosives, organized year and a half ago under the auspices of the American Railway association, which has recently beea is- sued" said O railroad man, ''brings to light a most important reform looking to the protection of life and property in which 15S railroads. operating 2O2,1S6 miles of track, are united.
 During 1907 s496,S2O of property dam age was done and 80 lives lost in the United States by reason of explosions or accidents in transporting explosives by rail, whereas in 1908 the property dam age from this cause was but s114,629 and the loss of life had been diminished to 59. To accomplish this result 560S in- spections of explosive stations have been made; 27o inspections of factories, and 1540 inspections of magazines, while 1852 boxes of high explosives have been con- demned as unsafe for transportation"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
DOVER BEACH.

By Matthew Arnold. The sea Is calm tonight, The tide Is full, the moon lies fair Upon the straits; on the French coast
 the light Cleans and is gone; the cliffs of Eng
 land stand, Glimmering and vast, out in the tran-
 quill bay. Come to the window, sweet is the nlght
 airi Only from the long line of spray Where the sea meets the -blanched
 sand, Listen! you hear the grating roar Of pebbles which the waves draw back,
 and fling At their return up the high strand, Begin. and cease, and then again begin, With tremendous cadence slow, and
 bring The eternal note of sadness in. Sopho ocles long ago Heard 1t on the Aegean, and it brought Into his mind the turpld epo ana now Of human misery; we Find also in the sound a thought, Hearing it by this distant northern sea. The sea of faith Was once, too, at the full, and round
 earth's shore Lay like the folds of a bright girdle
 furled But now I only hear It's melancholy long withdrawing roar, Retreating to the breath Of the night-winds, down the vast
 edges drear And naked shingles of the world. An, love, let us be true To one another! for the world, which
 seems To lie before us like land of dreams, So various so beautiful, so new, Hath really neither joy. nor love. nor
 light. Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for
 pain. And we are here as on a darkling
 plain Swept with confused alarms of strug-
 gle and of flight, Where ignorant armies clash by niht,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
MANY CHANGES TO
 OCCUR IN SENATE

Washington. February 14-There will be many desirable committee appoint ments in the Senate when the sixty-first Congress assemblies. Including the sue cessor of Senator Knox of Pennsylvania there will be B new senators and should MT. Hopkins of Illinois not be elected an additional new senator will take his seat on March 4. The committee places of Senator Allison remain also to be filled.
 The vacancy in the chaHmanship of the committee on appropriations caused by the death of MT. Allison will be filled by Senator Hale, whose retirement as chairman of the committee on naval af fairs will cause the promotion of Senator Perkins to that place. The retirement of MT Hemenway, republican, and MT. Tel Ter, democrat, will make vacancies in the committee on appropriations. Either Simmons of North Carolina or McLaurin of Mississippi is likely to succeed MT. Teller on the appropriations commit tee
 The most important committee during the extra session of Congress will be that on finance, which is charged with the work of considering the tariff bill when it comes from the House. Senator Gallinger has declined an appointment on finance and 1t is likely that vacancies will be filled by Senators Lodge, Carter and Nelson. although McCumber Clapp and Beveridge are also. possibilities for the appointment Senator Tellers place may be given to Senator Clay of Geor- gia.
 There will be four vacancies on ju- dietary caused by the retirement of Sem ators Knox, Fulton, Foraker and Kit tredge Besides McCumber, Senator Burn ham will probably go on judiciary.
 Mr. Root is the only new senator who will receive important committee ap- pointments. Having been at the head of the war and state departments, he will be placed on military affairs and foreign relations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
Brighter Outlook
omission.

Business conditions have improved somewhat within the past two weeks and while there may be no marked improvement until after the new ad- ministration has blocked out a policy, and maybe not until the tariff ques- ton is settled, early spring trade prom ises well. The railroads are in better shape than they were a year ago and net earnings will show increases. Nearly all business has been waiting on the railroads-the ability of the railroad companies to raise money to buy equipment and make needed i'm provements and extensions. It is be- lieved that millions will be spent with in the next few months in buying new railroads and rolling stock. If we have bumper crops again this sum- mer the railroads will be overtaxed in hauling the freight.
 In the meantime local conditions are improving materially, and when the Southern Steel company resumes oper- ations several thousand men will be added to the pay-rolls of the district. It is reasonable to expect something like normal industrial conditions here abouts by May or June.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
Real Estate Values.

''The real estate market Is quiet just now, and it is a good time to buy for speculative investment" said success ful investor. While money is sometimes lost on real estate, it is usually because of lack of business judgment.
 Tn any growing city like Birmingham all property is sure to enhance in value Within the past 10 years many snug for tunes have been made in Birmingham real estate but these fortunes are noth- ing compared to the money that will be made here within the next five years. With return of industrial prosperity next fall and next year at the farthest, Birmingham will go forward by big leaps."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
SEVERE EARTH SHOCK.
Scientist Is Thrown To the Ground
 By the Quake.

Reggie, February 14.-Earth shocks, more or --ss strong, have been ex- perienced here throughout the day. Last evening Prof. Alfani, the director of the Florence observatory, while just about to step into train for Naples, was thrown violently to the ground by what seemed to be an unusually severe shock. Peasants rushed to assist him to his feet and they anxiously inquired concerning the dangers of further earth quakes. He replied:
 Be calm, my children; that was a quake of the fifth degree. You must not be frightened by these shocks, for we will have them for two years more.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15

turn to the south. and flood of them will be poured into these states. In that case more cotton would be made, but perhaps when such movement takes place more cotton will be need ed. The entire immigration problem has many sides to it, and no doubt the south will drift along taking things as they come.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-15
Fatal Gas Explosion.

Pittsburg, February 14-Dr George M Johnson and his wife were fatally burned, and their two children badly injured by a gas explosion which de- stroyed the family home at Plum creek, near here, yesterday. The couple re- tired early, but during the night Dr.. Johnson was awakened by strong odor of gas. A light in his bedroom was burning, and when he opened a door leading into the hall the explo- sion occurred, a large quantity of gas having collected there from a leaking pipe. The house was valued at S1O,- 900.