davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
SECOND AVENUE ID
 DEMAND ITS RIGHTS
Merchants Beyond 21St Street
 Form Organization
NEW BANK IS HUNDRED
Wide-Awake Citizens Plan an Electric Arcade Similar to That on Third
 Reconsideration to
 Ward and Bodeker.

For the purpose of divesting Second ave- nue of vagrants, questionable characters, dives and objectionable business places the Second Avenue Improvement associa- ton was organized last night.
 The organization was formed in the parlors of the Jefferson hotel, where some 50 business men on First Second and Third avenues, between Twenty-first and Twenty-sixth streets, came together.
 J. B. Kennedy, proprietor of the Jef- ferson hotel, was elected permanent chair man of the association, and Charlie Bar Der, the well known druggist, was chosen secretary.
 The chairman appointed committees to present Mayor Ward and Chief Bodeker with copies of the resolution adopted, and other committees to procure other benefits to Second avenue which it has not here tofore enjoyed.
 The object of the association is set out in the following resolution:
 "The object of this association shall be to divest Second avenue of the vagrants, questionable characters, low dives and ob- jectionable business places; to secure bet ter police protection and better sanita- ton between Twenty-first and Twenty sixth streets and adjacent territory to cooperate with the city authorities Tn forwarding the improvement of this part of the city, which heretofore we feel has been sadly neglected and imposed upon -
 These resolutions will be presented to Chief Bodeker and to Mayor Ward, committee for that purpose having been appointed.
 Committees were appointed, also, to see the postmaster for the purpose of secur- ing better mail service. The gathering last night went on record as stating that the merchants of Second avenue received their mail so late that their business was seriously interfered with. It was stated that more shipping is done by the merchants on Second avenue than by those of any other avenue of the city with the exception of Morris avenue, and in spite of this fact the Second avenue merchants did not receive their mail un- til and 10 o'clock.
 Another committee was appointed to aid in the establishment of a bank on Second avenue and Twentyfourth street. It is said that a bank will be estab- lished there and that James Downey, the well-known citizen, will be the prin- cipal spirit in the enterprise. Another committee was appointed to ar range an electric acrade on Second ave- nue between Twenty-frst and Twenty sixth streets similar to the one on Third avenue.
 The meeting was attended by about 50 men, and all the other business houses on First, Second and Third avenues between Twenty and Twenty-sixth streets were represented.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
WANT BIG CROWD
 10 VISIT CRUISER
All Arrangements Made For
 Trip to Mobile
PARTY TO LEAVE SUNDAY
Chester Will Not Be on Hand at Silver Service Presentation Because of
 Recent Accident.
 The Programme.

All plans for the presentation of the silver service to the cruiser Birming ham are nearing completion. and the occasion promises to be one of the most brilliant connected with the history of the great young ship.
 The committee which has the matter in charge urges all the citizens of Birming- han. and especially those who subscribed to the purchase of the service, to attend. Every citizen of Birmingham is invited and large crowd is expected to attend not only for the pleasure but from a sense of duty
 The committee which has the formali- ties in charge will leave over the Louis vlle- and Nashville railroad in two pri- vate cars Sunday morning at S:25 o'clock and they are expected to gather promptly at O clock at the station.
 They will arrive in Mobile at 4:15 p. m, where arrangements are in the hands of three committees, of which c. B. Hervey, w F. Tebbetts and Albert Bush are the chairmen. Captain& Walling and the cTulSeTa VIII dIIlNe III IhoDnt toaNdAooJ morning. The Birmingham's sister ship, the Chester, will not be on hand on ac- count of an accident which occurred Tuesday, It is not thought that the Br- mirgham will be able to go into Mobile horbor on account of it's great length 425 feet, and in that case the presentation formalities will hardly be reached before 1 D. m.
 Lieutenant Governor Henry B. Gray, chairman of the committee on the service, will be master of ceremonies. Mayor George B. Ward will deliver the address of presentation and Gen. Rufus N. Rhodes will speak a word of pride in Birming- ham for her namesake. At an appropriate time during the day an elaborate banquet will be served the officers, guests and delegation at the New Battle House. Other arrangements for the entertainment of the crowd are being planned. MT. Gray was in communication with Major Tebbetts yesterday. and it seems that Mo- bile is intensely interested in the pro- ceedings.
 The Winona, a revenue cutter, will be used to take the crowd out to the cruiser.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
JOHN DELANEY IS
 ALLOWED BOND
WAS CHARGED WITH RoR5lNo DEPUTY sHERlFFs DURING THE STRIKE AND MARCHING THEM THROUGH THE WOODS.

John Delaney, who has been confined in the county jail for several months on a charge of robbery, was granted bond yesterday morning by Judge Dan Greene, which he succeeded in making and was given his liberty.
 The robbery which Delaney is alleged to have committed occurred last summer during the coal miners strike. It was unique and created somewhat of a sen- sation at the time, it being alleged that Delaney had Kidnapped and robbed two special deputy sheriffs.
 Delaney had been special deputy. being stationed a few miles from Jeffer- son tunnel, and served but a few weeks A few nights after he left the place where he had been stationed two of the special deputies on picket duty were cap- tured by somebody. relieved of their valuables and marched for several miles through the mountainous country and were not given their liberty until the next day
 The two deputies declared that the somebody who had kidnapped them was none other than Delaney. and a search was instituted for him. few months authorities at Columbus, Ga, that De- Ianey was being held there for an un- paid board bill. He had gone to Girard Ala, which is just across the Chatta- hooehee river from Columbus after leav- ing this district. He is a man of excep- tional size and strength
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
POLICE CHIEFS ARE
 LOOKING TO SOUTH
MANY DO NOT WANT TO GO TO LOS ANGELES FOR CONVENTION AND BIRMINGHAM STANDS AN EXCELLENT CHANCE.

Chief of Police George H. Bodeker has vester, president of the International As sociation of Chief of Police and superin- sociation of Chiefs of Police and superin- ington, D. C., stating that the matter of changing the place of assembly of the association will be taken up shortly after February 1.
 In his letter Major Sylvester states that he has received a score of letters from MT. Carr, secretary of the association, ex- pressing the inclination of a number of the chiefs of police over the United States to withdraw from the Pacific coast on account of the fact that Edward Kern, a very popular member of the association, is no longer chief of police in Los An geles, where the next meeting of the association was to have been held.
 It is understood that the feeling against the assembly of the association in Los Angeles is spreading and in his letter Major Sylvester states that many favor Birmingham as the next place of meet ing.
 Chief Bodeker is encouraged and be- lieves he can get the association to come to Birmingham for it's 1909 annual meet ing. He has written nearly every mem Der of the association in behalf of the city of Birmingham asking their support, and in view of the fact that Brmlng ham was promised the 1910 convention he believes that the chiefs of the United States and Canada will come to Br- mlngham this year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
POLL TAXES STILL
 COME IN SLOWLY

The poll tax receipts are still coming In very slowly, and only four more days remain in which citizens of Jefferson county may qualify themselves to vote in the elections which may be held this year.
 Yesterday afternoon at o'clock the poll tax books showed that less than 4300 peo- pie had paid their poll tax.
 County Tax Collector George B. Tarrant Is of the opinion that the poll list should reach the 10000 mark this year. Less than half of this number have paid their taxes so far, and, as stated, only four days more remain during which the books will be open.
 The clerks in the tax collectors office are working until o'clock this week in order to give opportunity for everybody to qualify.
 Monday evening February l. the books will be closed until the special sitting of the commissioners. At this sitting of the commissioners, which will be held late In the year, only those who could not possibly qualify during the regular sit ting will be allowed to pay their poll tax If there are voters who are out of the county or who are i'll and unable to qualify they will be accommodated during the special sitting. But they alone will be allowed to qualify.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
RUNS INTO ARMS
 OF TWO DEPUTIES

He beat up a policeman then turned to run away and ran into the arms of two deputy sheriffs and was escorted to the county jail, where he is now reposlng with a charge of assault and battery and public drunk docketed against him. To was beaten up cannot be found.
 Deputies Roberts and Kennedy were passing the soft drink stand at the corner of Avenue B and Twenty-third street blind tiger. Just as they reached the corner they saw one man beating up man who wore a policemans uniform. The two deputies started toward the place when the man suddenly knocked the po- liceman flat and made a break out the doorway and into the arms of the two deputies. A scuffle followed, which wound up with him as a handcuffed prisoner. He continued to work about and the dep uties had all they could do to handle and reported the matter to police head quarters.
 An investigation resulted in every po- liceman in the neighborhood pleading not guilty to the charge of having been beaten up and expressing ignorance of the whole affair.
 Three names were given by the man arrested, one being w. c. Kitchens, an- other Peddago and the other one Jones.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
THEATRICAL ATTRACTIONS.
Some of the Leading Stars to Be Here
 Later In Season.

Manager R. s. Douglass of the Jeffer- son theatre announces a number of im- portant bookings for that popular play house during the present season. Among them might be mentioned the Royal Ital- ian Opera company, ''The Honeymoon sBlue Mouse" Nat c. Goodwin in one of his latest successes; Gay Musician Man of the Hour,' Louis Mann" :" "Fiftv Miles From Boston" and a lot of others just as good.
 In discussing the theatrical outlook for the rest of the season, Manager Douglas declared that some of the best attractions are vet to be seen He referred to some of the bookings of long standing as well as the late attractions listed to bear him out in the statement
 q get encouraging news every day from the New York office and from the repre- sentatives of the various attractions" :" said Manager Douglas. For instance, l have just learned that Edna Wallace Hopper will be seen in Fifty Miles From Boston, This suggests to my mind that we may expect something good, and it is just such points about other shows that enable me to make the statement that producing managers are very careful now about the kind of people they send south They recognize the fact that southern re-goers are we'll posted, and will stand for nothing but the best. They also know that it pays to send good at fractions this way, and for this reason many of the shows yet to come are booked for two nights and a matinee. Every one of the attractions next week is here for three performances. How is that for a two-nights stand? Looks like we will have 1t pretty soon.'
 Manager Douglas also announced that Grace George has just been given book ing for two nights and matinee. He said this charming little actress will be seen here in her last seasons success, "Divorcons," and in her latest play. 'Tne woman's Way" He also added that he had forgotten to mention John Drew at the outset, when speaking of the late bookings. This favorite actor comes on March 1.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
NEGRO IS GIVEN
 DEATH PENALTY

The first death penalty of the present session of the Jefferson county criminal court was brought in last right shortly after o'clock by the jury in the case of George Crane, a negro charged with the murder of Ali Williamson, another negro, at sayre mines, last October.
 Crane is alleged to have murdered WIl- Hanson by shooting him, and 1t is also charged that he shot and seriously wound cd two other negroes. The trial was taken up Tuesday afternoon shortly befora the hour of adjournment. When the trial was resumed yesterday morning the evidence adduced was clear-cut and very damaging to the defendsut. Dep- uty Sheriff Alex Wilson, who arrested crane, testified on the witness stand that before his death Ali Williamson pointed out Crane as the man who shot him.
 The evidence was concluded yesterday morning shortly before the noon hour and in his charge Judge Weaver in strueted the Jury to return a verdict of guilty, leaving it to their discretion aa to the penalty.
 After being out little over nine hours the jury returned its verdict last night imposing the death penalty.
 The case of James W. Dement, cbsr0s5 Wlth murder. is on trial in the first oiVislon of the criminal court. It will probably be concluded this morning
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
DAYS RECORD IN
 COUNTY COURTS

| Business was brisk at the courthouse yesterday. With the exception of the
 chancery court all divisions were in ses-
 sion during the entire day and many | cases were disposed of.
 | In the first division of the city court
 the jury in the case of T. H. Spencer vs | City Delivery company awarded tke plain tiff $75 damages. The jury in the case | of M. A. Smith vs. Sibley & Sibley rem dered a judgment in favor of the plain | tiff for SS3. A consent judgment was also rendered in the case of the Ivy Leaf | and Piper Coal company vs. T. V. John son.
 In the second division of the city court the case of F. G. Sheppard vs. c. w. Austin is on trial. In the case of Charles A. o'Neal vs. sloss-sheffield Steel and Iron company the jury awarded the plain tiff $500 damages.
 In the third division of the city court the only case disposed of was that of Franklin Allen vs. Western Union Tele- graph company, in which the plaintiff was awarded $37 50 damages.
 In the city court suits have been filed as follows: Jamie Butler vs WlDer E. Kelley and George B. Kelley, two separate suits for s10O00 damages each for personal injuries to a minor son of the plaintiff and damages to horse and wagon which was run into by an automobile driven by the defendants; Willie Butler, pro ami. vs Wilber F. Kelley and George B. Kelley, two separate suits for $3O'0oO dam ages brought on same grounds as the pre- ceding suits; Bettie H. Allen vs. Western Union Telegraph company, $5OOO for al legged failure to deliver telegram.
 In the chancery court the following or ders were entered by Chancellor A. H. Benners yesterday: Gertrude Johnson vs. Gertrude Burwell, decree ordering refer ence to ascertain value of certain real estate and improvements thereon; J. w. Farrior vs Thomas Instone and J. w. Farrlor vs. Minnie Mason Brooks, de- crees ouieting certain titles; Hughes Con- mission company vs G. M. Hudson, Clar- ence Grimm vs. Nancy Grimm and Minnie Fowler vs Robert Fowler. dismissed.
 Tn Judge Lanes division of the circuit oo,rt the case of the Atlantic Lumber oomnanv ys. the Dunn & Lalland Co.,, is on trial.
 Judge Coleman disposed Of three cases yesterday. The case of Lizzie Howell vs. I. H. Roll is in the hands or the jury. The case of J. E. Russell vs. Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company re- suited in a mistrial. A verdict for $25 was rendered in the case of John L. Dur rough vs Birmingham Railway, Light o,d pouer cornpany.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
CHEESE AND ALE WORSE THAN BREAD Johns Man Says Bread Had
 Spiders In It ALL COLORS OF RAINBOW Sought $1o,ooo Damages for Loss of 4e Pounds, But Court Blamed the
 Lmbereer Cheese and
 Hop Ale.
ALL COLORS OF RAINBOW

The federal jury yesterday decided that a man who gets sick after eating Linn burger ehees, dry bread and drinking hop ale, cannot blame his discontinue en- tirely on the bread. In spite of the fact that Dr. J. H. Gordon of Johns testified that the bread was all the colors of the rainbow, and several others besides. and his negro swore that the bread con tained spiders and spiders eggs as big as a tarantula, the court decided that the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company was not due Dr. Gordon $10, 900 damages for selling him the bread.
 The case which occupied most of the time in the court room yesterday after noon was one of the most humorous of the session. The attorneys and court at tendants were silently convulsed nearly all of the time.
 The case was brought by Dr. Gordon. and his testimony was to the effect that he bought the bread from the company and was eating it along with cheese and hop ale in his drug store at Johns He declared that 1t was too dark for him to see the bread and that he did not de- tect it until afterward, but that the bread was rotten, full of spiders and eggs, and that it shone with all the colors of the rainbow In reply to the attorneys quer- ies relative to the injurious powers Of ale the doctor declared that anyone could drink 12 bottles of hop without being sick, and that Limburger cheese is per fectly harmless. Dr. E. A. Pruftt and pr. J. C. Jones, the other two doctors who partook of the same repast and en- ioyed the same attack of illness were not so sure in blaming the trouble on the bread and Dr. Pruitt believed that the cheese was more likely responsible.
 pr. Gordon introduced his picture be- fore eating the bread, which showed his mustache turned up and he appeared to be a heavy man. This exhibit he com pared to his present self, as before and after taking. He said that before talk ing he weighed 176 pounds, and now only 13O The much-abused bread, or what was left of it, had been saved but uT- fortunately for the plaintiff it has been lost in his attorneys office
 After all the evidence had been com pleted Judge Jones charged the jury to find in favor of the defendant, which was promptly done.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
SPRAGUES TONIGHT
 AT HIGH SCHOOL

It is announced that MT. and Mrs. Her bert Sprague will appear in the dialogue Rip Van Winke'' in the Lyceum en- tertanment which will be held in the High school auditorium this evening at S15 o'clock.
 The story of Rip Van Wrinkle has been Rewritten by MT. and Mrs. Sprague so that it introduces but two persons on the platform. but it is stated that the effect is that of a large company.
 MT. Sprague was seen in the Lyceum course here last year and made quite an impression as an entertainer. He brings with him this year his wife, Floy Mahan Sprague, who bears equally as enviable reputation as MT. Sprague. Press com ments on the presentations which MT. and Mrs Sprague offer are most favorable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
MOVING PICTURES
 IN DAMAGE SUIT

New York January H.-Moving pictures shown as evidence in a suit for damages brought for physical injuries sustained in a street car accident failed to impress a jury in the supreme court, Brook lyn, today, where a verdict for $S5O0 was rendered in favor of 1O-year-old Stephen McGorty and against the Coney Island and Brooklyn Railroad company.
 The pictures, which were intended to show that the plaintiff had not been so badly injured in his fall from moving trolley car as to prevent his participating in games calling for agility and strength, were run through a moving picture ma chine in the court yesterday.
 Upon a verdict being found for the plaintiff, Judge Aspinwall declared that in all probability there never would be another attempt to establish or disprove the validity of a litigants claim by means of moving pictures. For his part he would in future oppose any such att tempt, as he was firmly convinced that the pictures shown could be so manipu- lated by the operator of the machine as to give inaccurate and misleading im- pressionB.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
CAPTAINS OFFER
 OF HELP REFUSED

New York January 27.-The opinion of Capt. Thomas Fenton of the whalebaclS steamer, City of Everett that he could have lowed the steamer Republic into a place where she could have been beached if Captain Sealby had accepted his offer of help was today communicated to the officers of the White Star line. Vice President Franklin of that line said that the matter would be taken up with the general subject of the collision.
 The information concerning the City of Everett's offer to help was sent by Cap tain Fenton from Philadelphia to o. l.. Hallenbeck, manager of the marine de- partment of the Standard oil company, in whose service the whaleback is em- ployed. Captain Fenton's statement was to the effect that he was in communica- tion with the Republic at 6 o'clock Sun day morning, the day of the collision, and reached the damaged liner at S:20 o'clock that night Captain Fenton added that he offered to take off the passengers and baggage from the Republic, but that Cap tain Sealby declined the offer. Captain Fenton added that he could have beached the Republic on the shore of Martina s Vineyard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
NIGHT RIDER CASE
 IS NOW WITH JURY

Union City, Tenn, January 27.-Judge Joseph E. Jones shortly before o'clock concluded his charge to the jury in the case of Edward Marshall. alleged night rider charged with having had a part in the putting to death of Capt Quentin Rankin, and the deliberations of the iury began immediately When the jury re- tired it was with the understanding that should verdict be reached Judge Jones would return to the court room at any hour during the night to receive the re- port.
 In his charge to the jury Judge Jones instructed that if it was found that Mar shali rode to the rendezvous of the band because he was afraid to disobey the summons of the leaders he was not legal ly excused, as the danger was in the fu- ture and not the present; and if after he learned that 1t was the intention of the clan to murder Rankin he had protested against the carrying out of the crime, IL he was member of the band organized for the purpose of disposing of the mem- bers of the West Tennessee Land com pany, he was guilty of murder in the first degree and should be so adjudged | The closing argument for the defense was made by Rice A. Pierce, who argued that no motive had been shown to prompt Marshall to have taken a part in the killing and that the then existing condi- tions had forced him to become one of the clan. For the state Judge w. H. Swiggert followed MT. Pierce. He bitter ly arraigned the defendant, speaking for two hours
 At 1 o'clock tonight announcement was made to Judge Jones that no report could be expected from the jury before tomorrow. After deliberating for six hours 1t was stated that the opinions of the jurors as to the innocence or guilt of the accused are widely divergent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-28
PROTEST MADE BY
 KIERAN'S LAWYER

New York, January 27.-Asserting that there was not the slightest justi- fication for the action of the police in arresting his client, Moses Shire, at torney for Patrick J. Kieran, formerly president of the Fidelity Funding com pany, arrived here today from Buffalo Mir Shire said that as the Pittsburg warrant against Kieran was no longer in effect, Kieran having given bonds in that city, his arrest was an outrage"
 William B. Arundel, Kieran's private secretary, was witness today at hearing in the federal bankruptcy pro- ceedings against the Fidelity Funding company. He declared that Kieran when he appeared before Commissioner Alexander for examination would pro- duce all the documents and records called for.