davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
R0hArt Il. Pearson

The death of Col. Robert H. Pearson
causes sincere lament. The deceased
was not an old man, but coming here
as young attorney in the very year
of Birmingham's birth, he had been to
this day identified with every public
movement for the material upbuilding
Of the city and the. moral uplift Of its
people. He was successful in the prac-
tice of his profession, but besides be-
ing an able lawyer he had large capac-
ity for business affairs, and through
the city's early struggles as well as in
recent years he was at once a resolute
and hopeful leader. He was generous
hearted high minded and God fearing,
and left fine, strong impress upon his
fellows.
Colonel Pearson loved Birmingham,
and this community, especially the
older citizens, felt deeply attached to
him and always valued his disinter-
ested services Good men will come
and go, but only few will measure up,
either in civic qualities or cheering
comradeship, to the philosophical
gentleman who has just passed away.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
Should Have Liberal Support

The Birmingham Lyceum Is an in
stitution that should interest every
person of intelligence and refinement
in this community. 1t is just now en-
tering upon its fourth season and 1t
will be a marked reflection upon the
better element of Birmingham If 1t
fails to receive the substantial support
that it merits. DIR. J. II. Phillips, SUI
perintendent Of public schools, man.
ages the lyceum, and from his recent
circular of greeting to the patrons
these extracts are taken:
The Birmingham Lyceum stands for
wholesome pleasure helpful instruction
and breadth of culture. Sensational fea-
lures and frivolous entertainments are
avoided. Its aim has been to develop
in our city a substantial patronage for
things that are worth WHILE The ex-
tent to which this has been accomplished
is attested by the record OF the past
three years. To the friends and patrons
of the lyceum must be given the credit
for this successful record
The Birmingham Lyceum is not con-
Quoted for financial gain. No salaries
are paid; no dividends are distributed.
It's success depends upon gratuitous SER
vice. Whatever of profit may accrue dur
ing one season Is invested in better tai
ent for the next.
The programme for the present season
presents an unusual array of talent which
must appeal to a cultured people. If
you have not the time to enjoy this
course secure tickets for your sons and
daughters or for the young men and
women in whose welfare you are inter
ested. They will be benefited by your
thoughtfulness
The lyceum is really a part of Bir-
minghams educational system. DR..
Phillips well deserves the thanks of
our young men and women, and what
he says should make an impression.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
CHARACTERISTIC PLEA.

From the Huntsville Mercury-Banner.
And I ask you to stand by me until
the end. You know you would be coward
ly sl1unks If you failed to stand by and
vindicate me-" This classical appeal to
the voters for the amendment was ut
tered by the governor in his speech at
Clanton a few days since. His audience
was composed largely of school children
who had been parading the streets in his
honor, and of course they were much
edited at hearing such expressions from
the governor. The main body of the
voters were out in the grove hearing
Mr.. P. g. Bowman and probably this
fact accounts in a measure for his char
acterizing those who proposed to vote
as they pleased in this matter as Cow
ardly skunks." There is no mistaking
this appeal-that to vote for the
amendment is to stand by him and his
administration, and that Is why the
amendment papers are working overtime
trying to convince the voters that there
is mo politics In it." Their efforts are
futile, however, as the governor has his
tentacles securely fastened around the
amendment and he will ride 1t to finish.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
Jefferson COuntY'S Opportunity

The programme reported by Chair
man Oscar w. Underwood Of the COM
mittee on resolutions in the convention
of the Alabama Good Roads associa-
ton calls for national aid in the buliu-
ing of a system of good roads under
state and local control, and it also
calls for the establishment Of de-
partment of state highways under the
leadership of a qualified road engineer.
All this is excellent, but all this does
not obviate the need of county action
in this highly important matter. The
county Is the political unit in Ala
bama, and it is the county to (which
we must look II the roads of Alabama
are to be made good In the immediate
future. The Underwood report, which
was Unanimously adopted by the re-
cent convention, does call for the or
ganization of good roads association
in each Alabama county, but 1t does
not urge a bond issue in each county
to build in 1t system of good roads.
II every county would become pro-
gressive and enthusiastic In this great
economical matter, the state would
soon be filed by great highways, fol-
the county roads united at the county
lines would create fine state roads
thus affording each part of the state
access to all other parts, and lifting
the farmers out of the mud and mire
at one stroke.
The rich county Of Jefferson should
lead the way In this movement No
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Some Plain Facts.


Said an old and prominent citizen: "I
was struck with the truth of this para
graph in the Walker County News of
which Frank V. Evans is editor:
The church people are not all on
the other side of the question by any
means. neither are the liquor drinkers
all against the amendment
MANY Methodists. a considerable num-
Der of Baptists, considerable number
of Disciples, a great many Presbyte-
rians. nearly all the Episcopalians, nearly
all the Catholics. practically all the Ger
man Lutherans and practically all the
Jews-both orthodox and reform-are
against the amendment Most of the
members of the various religious bodies
who are opposed to writing prohibition
in the organic law are acting from con-
viction and are broad enough and strong
er@gh to regard the taunts of fanatics
with absolute Indifference.
"On the other hand, as Frank Evans
intimates, some men who abuse liquor
are vociferous in their support of ultra
prohibition and the constitutional amend
ment Some Of these men are known
to their friends to violate the letter of
the law every day and to scandalize
hagrantly the spirit of the law In their
places of business and elsewhere.
am an anti-saloon man but believe only
in prohibition laws that are reasonable.
l am teetotally opposed to the amend
ment and to all other forms of bad
craftsmanship and to all forms of hyp6c-
rlsy and political band-wagoning."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17

ming. They cannot vote. This Is why
the poll tax payments have been de-
creased about 15 per cent. Only H.
465 persons had paid poll taxes up to
February l last
In so counties there are decreases in
poll tax payments as compared with
the payments of the previous year.
The payments in Jefferson county fell
from 10,828 persons in 1907 to 7746 in
1908. In Barbour only 674 had paid
poll taxes up to February last, as
against 1856 in the previous year. In
Choctaw, for example, 406 paid, as
against S6S in the previous year. In
Clarke 253 paid, as against 1913 one
year before. IN Greene 296 paid,
against 402 in 1907; in Hale 307
against 500 in the previous year. In
Russell county only lat had become,
up to February 1 last, qualified cleo
tors by the payment Of poll tax.
It is unnecessary to add more de-
tails of the poll tax payments. From
ten to fifteen thousand persons will be
unable to vote on November 20 be-
cause a hot issue has been unexpected
ly and unwisely sprung upon the state
and many people on both sides of the
question have been taken unawares.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
Practical Christians.

In this day of agnosticism in the uni
versity set and Of widespread indifferent
ism in business circles it Is refreshing
and worthy of note that the most success
full railroad man tho world has ever
known-the late e H. Harriman-was a
staunch Christian" said an observer or
men and conditions He was an active.
devoted Episcopalian and was known to
be, In a quiet way. ever jealous for the
glory of his church.
"Of men now living who are consplcu-
GUS in the business or financial world
and who are noted also for their loyalty
to one or another of the Christian bodies
J. Pierrepont Morgan Ii one Of the leading
laymen In the Episcopal church, having
sat as a delegate in the house or deputies
at each general convention for many
years past; John D. Rockefeller is faith
full Baptist and Thomas b. Ryan Is an
ardent Catholic. James ]. Hill, VINO is
regarded as the ablest railroad man IN
the United States today, is pew noioer
and generous contributor to tho Catholic
church, although he has not, so far as ~
known to the public; been received INTO
membership.
Mr. Hartman was a man OF cuisufs
and acute mental processes ana tnose
living men Just mentioned are KNOWN
for their exceptional intellectual 1orce
The fact is that no one can accomplish
great constructive tasks and not nave al
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
CHANGE OF FRONT.
Tho Dotban 0o,,rnal

From the Dothan Journal.
When this amendment proposition was
first sprung, they said IT was whisky or
no whisky" They said, Down with the
accursed stuff-we never want any more
of IT." They said this until that big meet
ing of representative citizens of Houston
county sgnified its disapproval of total
abstinence in certain cases. The same
protest had been made throughout the en-
tire state. The leaders saw their error.
and taking their cue from their grand
old man." who told a crowd to keep it In
barrels II you want to. and If you are
convicted come to your governor and he
will pardon you." since which they have
changed tactics. They no longer boast
Of being suchWtg prohibitionists and such
total abstainers. In fact, they will now
advertise the fact, that they keep whisky
In their homes.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
A REMARKABLE MAN.
From the Emporia (Kan.) Gazette.

From the Empor1a lhan) 1h1cteo.
The Atchison Globe which came to the
Gazette office contained more readable
matter than any other newspaper OF the
big bundle that came In today. 1t had
more items and those items were better
write nthan New York paper. Its news
comes from more quarters of the earth
than any paper printed in city OF less
than 100000 people, in the whole country
1t is a remarkable paper-but chiefly be-
cause its editor is the most remarkable
man Kansas or the middle west ever has
produced. He can do more work, and do
1t better than any other newspaper man
in the country.
Moreover, he has written the greatest
novel ever written in or about Kansas or
the middle west 1t stands and will stand
for generation as the great expression OF
this Missouri valley in literature. When
ever one goes east or west among peo-
pie who knows books, 'The Story of a
Country Town" is mentioned. Other books
may come and go; the best seller today Is
forgotten tomorrow. But THE Story of a
Country Town is enduring. 1t Is one OF
the 10 best novels written In America. 1t
will be read, and its influence felt, long
after frothy popular books about the west
have passed in the tide which brought
them to the surface.
Edgar Watson Howe, newspaper man
and author, Is the best expression OF
Kansas nationally, and so long as he
lives and works he will continue so to be-.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17

more promising effort is before the
people of Alabama, and by issuing In
this county for road purposes $1,000
600 in bonds a great impetus would be
given to it throughout the entire state.
These bonds would probably bear 5
per cent. interest. but no man can
name any expenditure of $4,000 a
year that would bring in such large re-
turns-that would be more in line with
true eeonomy-that would so deeply
promote the welfare of the state.
The good roads enthusiasm of the
state spells prosperity, and this rich
county can give it a boost that would
be of incalculable value not only to
itself but to all the other counties in
the state. County action is the key
to good roads, and rich, populous JEFF
ferson should lead the way
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
Poll Tax Payments

This is an "off" political year, and
no one foresaw, up to February l last
hot campaign in this state-any cam
paign, hot or otherwise, for that mat
ter. Not until the legislature met in
the heat of midsummer had an issue
been thrust upon the people that called
for full vote. 1t was then too late u
pay poll taxes, and the men who ex-
pected to pay their poll tax assess
ments before February comes again
were left. $50 to speak, out OF the run
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
Dr.. Cook and Mt. Mckinley

The evidence produced by the New
York Globe concerning DIR. Cooks trip
on Mount Mckinley In Alaska is direct
and positive. The affidavit of Edwin
N. Barrill of Darby, Mont, who was
Cooks sole companion in 1906 when
he claims to have gone to the top of
Mount Mckinley, is damaging evil
dence, accompanied as it is by the de-
ponent's diary and supported as it is
by the photographer of the expedition.
DR.. Cook should stop all talk about
the North Pole-all gathering of du-
cats on the lecture platform-untll he
clears up his record in the Mount Nc
Kinney matter. He wrote a book enti-
tied TO the Top of the Continent" in
which he claims to have gone where
10 white man had gone, nancy. to the
top of Mount Mckinley, which is 20
400 feet high-the highest point in
North America. Edwin N. Barrill says
he and Cook did not go higher than
10000 feet and this height was reached
at point about Ia miles from the
summit.
DIR. Cook cannot disprove Barrill's
statements by declaring that he left
records at the top of Mount Mckinley.
Those records would be inaccessible,
for no one has ever claimed to have
reached the top of Mount Mckinley
: except Cook himself. II he has any
other evidence now is the time to pro-
duce it, and he has on hand no more
important business than this, lest the
people say false in one thing, false
in ALL"
The Age-Herald hopes to see both
Cook and Peary make good, but it is
plain that If Cook faxed his Mount Nc
Kinley story he will be disbelieved
when ne says he went to the pole. His
best chance now is to make a dash up
Mount Mckinley accompanied by
trustworthy men who will return with
yerifcations of his original story.
Instead Of going up Mount Mckinley
himself, he has, however, asked An
thony Fiala, the well-known Arctic eX-
plorer, to head an expedition next
summer. In 19O3-o5 Fiala made three
attempts to reach the pole, all of which
were unsuccessful. IL he accepts the
invitation of Dr. Cook, the latter will
have an interesting summer before
shoe and Ah-pe-lah to this country to
shoe and Ah-pe-lah to this country to
vindfcate his North Pole story Antho-
ny Fiala will be climbing Mount Nc
Kinley to make good his mountain
book. Dr. Cook, it will be observed,
practically asks for a suspension of
public opinion in both matters until
next summer.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
Chief Issues oil the CampaiQD

The Gadsden Evening Journal is
wholly right when it says the Carmi-
chael bill and the Fuller bill recognize
the sanctity of the home. They could
not, constitutionally speaking, do 9TH
erwise, for right before the eyes Of
both Mr. Carmichael and. Mr. Fuller
and Judge Weakley-when the famous
acts were written stood this guaranty
of the state constitution: THAT the
people shall be secure in their homes
from unreasonable seizure or searches,
and that no warrants shall issue to
search any place or to seize any per-
son or thing without probable cause
supported by oath or affirmation" Mr..
Carmichael and Mr.. Fuller knew they
could not by means of a statute repeal
a constitutional provision, and they did
not attempt it. In this respect the
Evening Journal is wholly within the
truth.
But when they, together with Brooks
Lawrence and Judge Weakley, saw
that they could not by means of a
statute undo Section 8, Article I, what
did they do? They put a constitu-
tional amendment before the people
which reads as follows: Nothing in
the constitution of Alabama shall be
construed to prevent the legislature
under the police power from designat-
ing places where such liquors may
NOT be stored or kept"
VIII not the Evening Journal in all
fairness admit that this is an attempt
to repeal Section 8, Article I, so far as
liquors are concerned? II the pending
Section does not refer to Section 5,
Article I, pray what section in the con-
stitution of Alabama does 1t refer to?
If the Evening Journal or Judge
Weakley will answer these questions
fairly and without evasion of any sort,
the true nature of Section will stand
/ disclosed.
The scheme in brief is to repeal the
constitutional guaranty against unrea-
sonable searches and seizures In the
homes of the people SO far as liquors
are concerned, and the outspoken
amendment people do not hesitate to
say that they intend to drive liquors
out of the homes of the people. The
ratification of Section Is the first
step in this programme, and the Sec
ond step will naturally and almost in
evitably be an extra session Of the
present legislature, when a hyper-Ful-
Ter bill will be passed that will sub
ject every home to searches and sefz-
ures up to the widest ideas of the
+, Brooks Lawrence and Conner factios,
This would destroy the sanctity of the
home.
No other construction can be placed
on Section 2. 1t means the repeal of
Section 5, Article l, of the constitution,
and that repeal necessarily involves
drastic legislation, which will certainly
be forthcoming if the people Of Ala
/ bama ratify the pending amendment
1 The sanctity of the home is indeed the
| great issue of the campaign.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
From the New York world.

From the New YORK NOrlo.
IN MoNG the few things the Eskimo
lPD has gained from contact with
civilization is a strong appetite
for liquor and, what is really wonderful.
a general knowledge of process of maxi
ing "moonshine'' whisky.
White men taught the natives to drink
liquor in order that they might cheaply
get their furs, ivory and other valuable
products. Then, because liquor was hard
to transport to the frozen land, some in
ventive Yankee showed the natives how
to construct from the few available ar
ticles what is undoubtedly the most In
genlous and primitive form of still ever
utilized
In the winter of 1S97-9S, as part of my
duty during the overland expedition to the
relief of the ice-bound whalers, I was
assigned by the government to investigate
inoonshining among the natives. In pur-
suance of this I visited and searched
many villages and isolated huts, Destroy
ing the crude stills wherever found and
resorting to many plans to discourage the
practice.
The prevalence of moonshining was as
tonishing. From Point Hope, all along the
coast to Cape Prince of Wales and even
as far as Unalalklik.. the natives brewed
and drank this whisky whenever they
could procure the necessary ingredients
Considering The short time moonshining
had been known to the Eskimo. its spread
had been startling~ Starvation, disease
and death had followed in the wake of
the vice, and on every side villages had
been depopulated by indulgence in the
liquor, the natives having been renderd
incapable of hunting and fishing for the
food supplies to carry them over the win
ters
It was about 1888 when some white whal-
ers trading at Point Hope, on being Inn
portuned for liquor by natives who had
acquired the vice, and having none to sell,
taught the old chief, Ah-tung- owra, q
process for obtaining alcohol from flour,
water and sugar or molasses. As mark
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
The Next Music Festival.

Spencer Jones of the firm of Haensel
& Jones of New York, manager for Wal
ter Damrosch. will arrive in Birmingham
tomorrow at noon for the purpose of con-
ferring with the board of directors of the
Birmingham Music Festival association.
of which ]. q. Shelby is president. He
will remain here until Tuesday, and he
writes that it is his desire to make a
contract In behalf of Mr.. Damrosch for
a festival in April next. Mr.. Jones has
closed with all the other important south
ern cities, and his only dates left open
are April 10. 20 and q, 1Slo-Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday.
Damrosch will be on his way to Cali
fornia and will bring an orchestra OF
60 performers-10 more than he had with
him last April
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
SOME INDICTMENT.
a the centreville Press.

FfOfn the CentreV1Ile Press.
They now say that under the Fuller bill
you have no right to search the homes
of people for whisky, but can they give
any good reason for the searching of
homes in Mobile and the searching of a
woman's grip in Birmingham? The search
ing has already commenced, and II the
amendment is carried the work will COM
mence In dead earnest The officers of
the law get "a for each home searched
and they are going to be Industrious
along this line.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17
Our Country Cousins.

THE most pleasing feature of the fair
to my mind" said professional man,
rs the large attendance of the farmers
and their families
II have noticed in hundreds of in
stances families of three to six persons
making their way to the fair. 1t has
fallen to my lot to direct several of these
family groups and their frank, trusting
faces and sometimes their lost look APP
pealed to me.
when I have looked at the wide-eyed
interest of the lads come to town, often
two and three holding hands and taking
in the sights. I have longed to be a boy
again and feel the thrill of expectancy
that is theirs.
who would not envy a country beau
with his best girl, both blushing with
self consciousness of being in love as
they beam on each other or occasionally
take a blance at the sights of the fair?"