davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-09-17

1t would be difficult to devise a
more commendable method OF dispos-
ing of ones property after death than
the one used in the drafting of the
will of the Rufus B. Godfrey. There
has been a general expectation thai
the proving of the will would disclose
one or more public requests, but In
this respect the document has exceed
ed the ideas of tne most sanguine.
The gifts to his native town made by
Mr.. Godfrey are magnificent in them
selves but the broad-minded gener-
osity of the giyer is even more for
chilly manifested in the way In which
they are bestowed. While it is the
expressed wish of the testator that
the property on Main street be used
as the site of future hospital other
were made by which all
possibility of disappointment may be
avoided The causes of education and
of religion, the moral and physical
Of Bennington's boys and
young men, and organized charity, all
are substantially recognized. The
will also contains a manifestation of
the testator's remarkable devotion to
his aged mother in the bequest to the
the local literary organi-
lation of which she was a member.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-09-17
FIR AK &. HOVE. Rditsr and Publishs

Another Vermont college baseball
pitcher. Ray l.. Fisher of Middlebury
has refused to be induced to give up
ais purpose to secure an education be
cause he has developed into a star
professional athlete. Fisher, who has
been signed with the New York Nat
ional league team will return to Mid
dlebury early next month. contrary to
reports and will complete the full
school year. Ray Collins, who is now
with the Boston American team, could
have taken a position on the pitching
staff over a year ago at handsome
salary but preferred to complete his
course at the University of Vermont.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-09-17
AN EMeEzzLER OF POWER
Bryan Denounces Man Who Violates
Party Pledges

Dallas, Texas, Sept. 17.-Denounc-
ing as an embezzler of power the man
who would violate party pledge rat
flied by the voters of his party, VIII
liam ]. Bryan outlined his views on
the tariff before large audience in
Bush Temple. Mr.. Bryan came to
Dallas at the solicitation of party
leaders of the state to discuss politi-
cal affairs.
"Cannonism" Mr.. Bryan described
as despotism and the speaker sug-
gested an amendment to the rules of
the House of Representatives to cor
rect what he considered faults.
while not denying candidate the
right to repudiate a part of his plat
form, such reputation, he asserted,
should come before the election
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-09-17
SANATIVE
Antiseptic Cleansing is Best
Accomplished by the
Cuticura Remedies.

Complete local and constitutional
treatment for distressing. facilitating
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-09-17
FOR POSTAL SAVINGS BANK
Congressman Foster Says Scheme
Would Benefit South and West


Boston, Sept. Congressman d.
| j. Foster of Vermont is quoted in
dispatch from Chicago as having said
| to President George II. Currier of the
| Postal Savings Bank League that the
people of the United States in general
need postal saving system. He
doesnot think, however, that the New
England states would have much use
for it though he believes the other sec
lions might fiEd in it an encourage
ment to popular thrift.
Congressman Foster said to Mr.. Cur
rier, on this subject
Whether we get the necessary leg
islation is going to depend very lar
gely upon the attitude of the South
and West. New England, for ms
lance, has ample savings bank facili-
ties. And | very much doubt wheIner
4 postal savings bank could be pa
trOniZed here in New England. In
fact, ! am firmly of the opinion that
1t would not be patronized by our peo-
pie to any extent Our savings insti-
tutions are conservative, they are well
managed; they pay as rule four per
cent. On the other hand, the West
land the South have not, suppose the
savings bank facilities that we enjoy
If they unite in favor of the neces-
sary legislations we shall get it. 1t
seems to me that such a bank would
be of special advantage in our large
cities wlere we have so many foreign
born people In my judgment they
would patroniZe the governments
savings bank"
At the New England headquarters
OF the Postal Savings bank league in
this city. it is felt while Congressman
Foster is undoubtedly right in his
statement of the needs of other sec
tons he may not have looked into the
actual situation of the communities of
tnis section as regards facilities for
convenient savings of small sums. AL
though the six North Atlantic states
are generally held to be fairly well
supplied with savings banks there are
many good sized communities which
have postofiices that are places of fire.
quent and general resort while the
nearest saving bank is many miles
away If the postoffice in such a town
snip were open to any one who want
ed to start an account ii would offer a
constant incentive to the beginnings
of thrift. Nor would the savings
banks in the larger towns suffer there
by. for many of the people who began
by starting little accounts with I'm
Gle Sam would be certain as soon as
it grew to any size to consider where
they could get better rate of inter
est. That quest would lead them to
the savings banks 10 or Is or 20 miles
away.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-09-17

Former Secretary of State Freder
lex G. Fleetwood of Morrisville who
is candidate for nomination as gov
ernor says he will not spend a cent
in the campaign. Judge e. w. Gibson
of Brattleboro who has been mention
ed as a possibility for the second place
on the ticket, in an interview SAYS
that me believes the time has arriy
ed when the rank and file of the vo-
tiers of the Republican party will in
sist i'm naming their own candidates,
and will not rely upon field of self
selected candidates for their public
servants" No Doodle, no boss. One
would almost imagine that Vermont
is afflicted with the same kind of pol
itics that prevails in New York.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-09-17
THE IDLE MONEY OF THE WORLD

If put to use, would earn interest
enough to relieve all distress. The
idle money of many families, If EN-
ployed in life insurance, would fur
nish ample family protection. goth
wear. National Life Insurance Com
pany. Montpelier, Vt. (Mutual)
Earle s. Kinsley, Agent, Rutland, VT.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-09-17

conditions from which
women suffer may be
found on page 8 Of the
Cuticura Pamphlet
wrapped about the
Cuticura Ointment.
The pure, sweet. gentle,
yet effective proper
ties Of the Cuticura
Soap, Ointment, and
Pills. commend them
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-09-17

TO women, especially mothers. Tor pre-
serving, purifying, and identifying the
skin, scalp, hair, and hands, for the treat
ment Of infammatory and lucrative
conditions, as well as most efficacious
medicinal agents in restoring to health,
strength, and beauty pale. weak, nervous,
prematurely faded, rundown women.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05
$500, 900 Is Donated By
 Congress To Sufferers
Instead Giving Half Million Dollars Requested by Pres dent Roosevelt, Congress Adds $3000O0 to the Bill and This Goes Through House and Senate with Rush
 and Will Be Immediately Available

tive and with the consent of the Italian government.
 q suggest that the law follow the form of that passed after the Mount Pelee dis aster in 1902
 THEODORE ROOSEVELT" '"fhe White House, January 1, 1909.
 The Presidents signature was not fixed to the bill tonight as 1t did not reach him, neither the vice president nor ths speaker yet having signed it. The Hon ' had adjourned and Speaker Cannon o1 left the capitol before the Senate ps. .c the measure. President Roosevelt, x sign the bill, making it effective, 0I reaches him, which will probab' a ~ b. morrow.
 Only the fact that the natio sa ture was adjourned for the usua. oliday recess when the earthquake occurred pre- vented earlier action, although by the Presidents direction, and with confidence of congressional approval. supplies aboard the naval ships Celtic and Culgoa, intend ed for the battleship feet were diverted and ordered delivered as quickly as their speed capacity could take them to the scene of suffering and want.
 No such generous help was ever. ex- tended to stricken people by this gov ernment before The legislators, antici- pating the Presidents message, and filled with a sympathetic desire to lend their votes to any proposition which would bring relief were early In their seats and prepared to take immediate action.
 Confident that the further contributions of the American public will justify it's resumption of responsibility in authoriz- ing Ambassador Griscom at Rome to charter and load with supplies relief vessel and also to transport refugees. tho American National Red Cross ad- val ced the necessary means wherewith to meet the suggestion of the ambassador and his committee of Americans in Rome. Over sS3o,o0O has been collected through the Red Cross alone. of which S6OOOo rep resents the advance referred to, one-half of which the Christian Herald has agreed to raise. Because of the belief of the prime minister of Italy. expressed in a message today, in response to a cable gram from the President to Ambassador Griscom. transmitted last Saturday, that the American fleet of battleships will ar rive at the scene of disaster too late to be of great assistance, conferences are being held with the view of rearranging their sailing programme It has been definitely determined, however, that the first squad ron will assist in earthquake relief. It has also been determined that the fleets visit to the several Italian ports, where preparations wers making for it's apprf priate reception, would be ill-timed und the present circumstances.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05

Messina, January 4.-Although con- fused and without system the work of rescue has been carried on bravely by night as well as by day. searchlights on the warships flood the ruins with their rays and give light to the salvage parties
 The King and Queen of Italy, on board the battleship Regina Elena. have given a noble example of devotion The King, with some of his ministers at his side, has been directing and supervising the relief work. yet he has found time to visit the field and speak words of encouragement to his stricken subjects. The Queen has been spending } hours a day beside the sick beds on the Re- gina Elena aiding and consoling and encouraging. The brunt of the work of rescue has fallen upon the sailors. for eigners as well as Italian, and all have done their duty nobly
 Praises of the Russians are on every lip. They hesitate before no danger, digging under tottering walls or en- tering the most unsafe shells when aSke0 to uO 50 Dy some lfdHilC WoLldn who had not lost all hope that husband or child was still alive
 The correspondent made two tours about the wrecked city through streets piled 20 or 30 feet high with debris. It was a wilderness of ruin a mile wide and two miles long. Beautiful church es splendid villas in the foothills, hos pitals, barracks and the university all shared the common lot. Two-thirds of the magnificent Norman cathedral. the pride of Messina, is in ruins and little or nothing remains of the relics of Phoenician, Greek. Roman and Saracen architecture which marked the stages of Messinas 26 centuries of tragic and tumultuous history. The loss to the world will be irreparable.
 Here and there the correspondent en- countered salvage parties at work. They were digging at the instance of some distracted wife or mother who imagined she h card voice, but usually there was no reply to the pathetic calling. One party was trying to dig out a girl whose crying could be heard plainly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05
STANDARD OILI
 AGAIN WINSGASE

Washington, January 4.-Thd $29, ,0O0. 900 fine case of the Standard Oiqcompany will not be removed by the suprtne court of the United States. The dkision of the court to this effect was announced by Justice Fuller soon after be court convened today The trial camebn pe- tition filed by the court askit for writ of certiorari to order up tH record in the case for review of thetlecsion of the United States court of apeals for the seventh circuit, by which Jude Lam dis decision imposing a fine of e9 OoO, ,OO0 against the Standard Oil companlfor ac- cepting rebates from the railro$ com panies was reversed.
 The courts announcement of thu result of its decision in the case was thdbarest formality No reasons whatevet were given. The chief justice simply antunced in so many words that the petitln for certiorari was denied.
 Under this ruling the case will rtw go back to Judge Landis' court for ' new trial in accordance with the decisln of the court of appeals
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05

Washington, January 4.-Bountiful pro- vision for the earthquake sufferers of Italy was made by Congress today and that, too, by unanimous vote.
 In the House there was vigorous hand clapping as the bill carrying the appro- priation was sent on it's way. The muni- ficent sum of sSO0,oO0 was granted almost immediately after the reception in both houses of message from the President calling attention to the calamity and the pressing need for aid for the stricken sister nation:
 The text of the Presidents message Is as follows:
 "To the Senate and House of Representa-
 tives:
 The appalling calamity which has be- fallen the people of Italy is followed by distress and suffering throughout a wide region among many thousands who have escaped with life but whose shelter and food, and whose means of living are de- stroyed. The ordinary machinery for supplying the wants of civilized com munities Is paralyzed, and an exceptional emergency exists which demands that the obligations of humanity shall regard no limit of national lines
 ''The immense debt of civilization to Italy: the warm and steadfast friendship between that country and our own; the affection for their native land felt by great numbers of good American citizens who are immigrants from Italy; the abund- ance with which God as blessed us in our safety, all these should prompt us to immediate and effective relief.
 Private generosity is responding nobly to the demand by contributions through the safe and efficient channel of the American Red Cross society.
 Confident of your approval, I have or dered the government supply ships Gel tic and 'Culgoa' to the scene of disaster, where, upon receiving the authority which I now ask from you. they will be able to dispense food, clothing and other supplies with which they are laden to the value of about s30O000. The Gel ! tic has already sailed and the 'culgoa' Is Ut Port Said. Eight vessels of the re- turning battleship fleet are already under erders for Italian waters and that government has been asked if their ser vices can be made useful
 'T recommend that you make the rec concentrations in the above contained message and further appropriate the sum of s50o0oO to be applied to the work of relief at the discretion of the execu-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05
SpIendOr Of MesSird
 M h"repdr0bIe Ruin
Rescue Work Going with Fevesh Haste and Many Per Have Been Found Alive in the Wreckage but None Are Now Believed to Be Alive in the Frighul Charnel
 House-Terrible Sights Meet Gaze of Workers

but as the correspondent watched there was a sudden cave-in and thereafter silence.
 Tn many places decomposing arms ana legs protruded from heaps of ma sorry and plaster.
 Curious freaks of the earthquake were everywhere to be observed. Standing walls had fallen out. exposing one tier of rooms above another in which noth- ing seemed to have been disturbed. Pic lures hung straight on the walls. lamps were on tables and vases and flowers on mantlepieces. In one place two buzzards, their peaks full of carrion, were sun ming themselves on a window ledge over the dead body of woman whose wealth of black hair covered her face and shoul- ders. Dogs and cats are killed by the soldiers whenever caught feeding on the dead.
 Although the air in Messina is heavy with the stench of putrefying bodies, sew eral groups of Sicilians have camped out in the cleared spaces of the city and obstinately refused the invitation of the authorities to move away.
 The survivors of the disaster are so dazed and worn out that they are quite inca apable of describing their experiences connectedly, but the accounts of all agree that the devastation was accomplished in less than one minute. The strata be- low the strait slipped, then tidal wave rushed In and out. then all was over All those capable of analyzing their sem sations say that when the shock came they felt an upward thrust of the earth This was followed by an oscillatory mo- ton and the crust of the earth vibrated
 The correspondent visited the site of the consulate. The building had collapsed utterly.
 There is hope, however. that the bodies of Consul Cheney and wife and the ar chives may be recovered. Joseph H. Pierce the former American vice con- sul here, and several members of his family are also among the dead. The only other Americans known to have been killed are man named Joubert. or Robert and his wife, who were natural+ied cit- izens. and one Joseph Giuseppan. q vet eran of the Civil War. As to the 5our- ists supposed to have been in the vi- cinity it is almost impossible to obtain exact information. but the most careful inquiries indicate that there were none in Messina at the time of the quake. The register or the Hotel Vittoria shows no American names.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05

Washington, January 4.-(Special.)-A delegation of Alabama lawyers, consisting of Walker Percy. Frank White, w. F. Aldrich, J. H. Nathan John P. Tillman, w. c. Tunstall. Rutherford Lapsley, G. R. Harsh and Robert Brickell, were pre- sented to the President this morning by Representative Underwood.
 The delegation came to Washington to urge the President to withdraw the nomi- nation of Oscar Hundley, judge of the Northern district of Alabama, from the Senate Failing in that the members will use their efforts to prevent confirmation. The delegation presented to the President a brief against Hundley signed by John P. Tillman, Frank s. White, G. R. Harsh,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05

Union City Tenn. January 4-Both sides concluded their testimony in the night rider cases this afternoon and the arguments begin tomorrow. Just how long before the cases of the eight de- fendants reach the jury is probematical The court failed to limit the time of ar gument of counsel but intimated that he thought a day and a half for each side would be ample. There are five attor- neys on either side and not one is will ing to let the case end without making an argument.
 The state will open through Major Holmes. who will be followed in order by Judge Moore, Judge Caldwell and Judge Swiggert. Then the defense will have it's innings and Attorney General Caldwell will end the case on behalf of the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05
TESTIMONY CONCLUDED
 IN NIGHT RIDER TRIALS


 The illness Of Juror Rossou is causing the court and the attorneys considerable uneasiness. Should he become too i'll to finish the case a mistriaL would result as the Tennessee laws do not permit the waiving of a single juror. That he will be considerably more indisposed as the disease progresses the physicians declare is inevitable. But they cannot say whether or not he will be rendered to- tally unable to hear the arguments.
 Judge Jones declares that if necessary he will finish the case at the sick man s bedside rather than declare a mistrial. The state realizes that 1t will be next to impossible to get another jury to try these eight men since the evidence has become public But in case of a verdict of guilty 1t looks for rush of other indicted riders to plead guilty and seek the mercy of the court. It would prob ably accept pleas from all except the ones indicted for murder.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
Pace l..

 City of Messina to be isolated. Congress gives $500. 900 to Italy. Taft stirred up by newspaper talk Messina's s splendor is destroyed. Thornton IIains tells of shooting. Active protest against Judge Hundley. Culberson asks about Steel corporation Night rider testimony is concluded.
 Page 2. gress
 Page 3. Elder held on perjury charge. Ensley delighted at report that South ern Steel will resume business. The Rev J. F. Bilbro on prohibition. Mr. Burr comes to Birmingham.
 Page |. Editorial comment
 Page 5. Taft delegation returns to Birmingham with Chairman Hitchcock in tow. Work begins on arranging for laymen's missionary movement. Ward discusses reasons why standpipe has not been built on Red mountain. List of delinquent taxes being prepared for chancellor. Gadsden taking on new life.
 Page 2. Birmingham society. Feminine fancies by Dolly Dalrymple.
 Page g. Some advance in stock market Cotton advances then declines. Wheat market is stronger. 
 Page 10. Baseball bolters' dispute not settled. Stubbs funeral at Bessemer. -
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05
MRS. ERE DETAILS
 STORY OF WRONGS

Media. Pa, January 1.-The dramatic denial of Mrs. M. Florence Erb that she participated in the killing of her husband; i; the repetition and corroboration or stories which she told of brutal treatment ac- corded her by the murdered man and the testimony of Mrs. Catherine Beisel. the self-confessed slayer of her brother-in- law. as to the family differences which led up to the shooting, marked the proceed ings in the trial here today of the two women charged with the murder of Capt, J. Clayton Erb.
 Effort was made to wiring from the wit ness admissions that she had associated with several men, and that they had Vis- ited her home during the absence of Cap tain Erb, but the efforts of the district at torney met with little effect
 Following the accused widow as Wit ness. Mrs. Elizabeth Grey, housekeeper at Red Gables: Sarah Hogan, maid; Blanche Dickerson, a colored servant; Emma Jackson, waitress. and other ser wants were called to corroborate Mrs. Erb's stories of brutal treatment at the hands of her husband, and much was brought out to strengthen her story.
 Mrs. Catherine Beisel went on the wit ness stand late in the afternoon and be- gan a recital of the family troubles and uuarrels. She declared that the murdered man was guilty of extreme brutality. ana that he let his anger fall upon either her or Mrs. Erb if they ventured to oppose or criticise him.
 Once Mrs. Beisel said, when she asked Captain Erb why he did not want her to visit her sister he replied: "I don't want any beggars around her" When Mrs. Erb remonstrated with him for giving vent to such utterances he ran al her and choked her almost into nsensibility
 The witness was still on the stand when court adjourned. She will resume the story of the tragedy tomorrow morning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-05
A Remarkable Tragedy.

Kennel Square, Pa., January 4-Qe of the most remarkable tragedies in tn an- nals of Chester county was report9 to- day with the death of Mrs Alex eder Moore, who was burned to death ather home near here oy lO-year-old so4 It is alleged that the boy. who Is sal to be Predetermined, set ire to his motbr's dress, and when a younger brother ent to her rescue, the boy beat him vii poker, fracturing his skull and so i4lr- ing him that he is in a critical condibn. The mother was burned so severely lat she died in short time.. The child ho caused her death was taken in ch} }Ee by the authorities.