davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
ICE GORGE BREAKS
 NEAR PITTSBURG

Pittsburg, January 19-rwo more ics gorges in the Allegheny river between 40 and 5c miles from this city broke late this afternoon and carried with them the fields of ice and snow that have been accommodating back of the place in which, until last night, was the Freeport gorge. The latter, when 1t broke, caused big rise in the river and the weather bureau had pre- dicted 24 feet, two feet above flood stage. by noon today. The prediction was safe for, after reaching 22.3 feet, the river began to recede in the early afternoon. The news of the other gorges letting go was received and the weather bureau sent out announce ments that the 24-foot stage would reach Pittsburg about midnight.
 No element of danger enters into the breaking of these gorges because of the soft, spongy condition of the ice, Ship ping and river mills have been prepared for the high water. No casualties are reported. This is about the last of the accumulated ice in the upper Alle- gheny that earlier in the winter caused apprehension.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
FINAL TESTIMONY
 IN CHRISTY CASE

Zanesville. Ohio, January 1s.-With the last bit of testimony submitted and the arguments of counsel finished before the adjournment of court this afternoon the disposition of Natalie Chandler Christy was left wholly within the hands ot Judge H. c. Smith, before whom the legal battle between the father and moth- CT for possession of the child has been waged.
 "The consideration of the evidence in this case will consume several days and l expect to render my decision about the first of next week." was the statement made by the court after the hearing was concluded. Then followed a short argu- ment between Attorney Lemert, for Mrs Christy, and Attorney Southard, for the artist, for the custody of Natalie pend ing the courts final decision.
 Judge Smith settled the matter by stating that the child would continue to remain in the Durban home and fin the custody of Mrs. Durban and each of her parents should have the right to visit her there.
 Judge Smith had an interview with ljt- tie Natalie at the Durban hame during the noon hour to ascertain her wishes in the matter of her custody.
 Natalie stated that she loved both of her parents and would say nothing that might even he construed as being against either said the judge. q obtained several things from the child which will help me in deciding the points of the case but of course just what was talked about will remain mystery to all ex- cept Natalie and me as wo talked in confidence"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
Candidates For The Legislature

No matter how surprising the re- suit of the election in England may be it proves one thing, and that is that the people know and understand what they are voting for. Every candi- date for member of parliament must publicly and fully declare himself on the questions which interest his consti- tuents, and it will not be sufficient for him to merely say, 'I am liberal ar "I am a unionists," or T am con- servative," and stop at that. The Englfshman has a way of wanting to knew, "don'tcher-know," and the candi- date must be prepared with the in- formation.
 What the English people demand Of their candidates for members of parlia- ment the people of Alabama should demand of their candidates for mem- bers of the legislature. It is all very well for a man to submit himself, subject to the action of the demo- cratic primary" but it often happens that that submission spells nothing. He should tell the people where he stands upon questions that are like. ly to arise so that the people may know what to expect if he is elected. Furthermore, every candidate should have some object in seeking election to the legislature beyond the mere fact of going there to vote for or against whatever bills other members may introduce.
 Most voters, as a rule, take far more interest in the election of probate judge or sheriff than they do in the election of the men who make the laws under which we must live, and suffer or prosper according to the wisdom or folly of these laws. Of course, candidate for probate judge or sheriff makes bigger fight because the stakes are bigger but it is the leg islature that should claim serious at. tention.
 We want fewer laws, better laws, and laws that will stand the test of the supreme court The amount of unconstitutional legislation that has been inflicted upon the state of Ala bama in the last few years shows that we want larger percentage of alert, we'll equipped men in the legislature.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
Police Reoistration of Citizens.

"In view of the class or men dumped out here under the convict system, for most of those released if sent back to the point of conviction make their way back here, I think that all male persons over Is years should be registered by the police, with their vocation and doml- cile." said a citizen.
 'If all the idle negroes and whites were compelled to do this and the negro wom- en were included. there would not be so many crimes committed. Too many negro women, masked behind the blind of washerwomen, are aiding in the con- cealment of criminals, and in some cases are parties to the crimes themselves. All so-called washerwomen should be re- quired to register, prove their charac- ter and give their addresses. In case of moving, they should be required to notify the police at once. Much crime is car ried on by villainous negro women. am informed that the death of Officer OBryant is partly due to such den kept by a notorious law-breaking negro wom- an, who knew of the trap the officer was led into''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
Growing Population

While a directory census is far from being conclusive it furnishes the hasis for A reasonable estimate Of population. The Birmingham directory soon to be issued will contain 53,S4o names. The multiple of 21z is the minimum used by conservative sta tisticians and by this rule Birmingham s population would be in round numbers 135,O00
 The estimate of population based on the last school census in the terri tory now included in the Greater Bir- mingham has been 125,000; and those who are close observers of industrial progress and are familiar with local conditions estimate that the growth of population from last fall until April, when the census enumerators begin their work. will be fully 5000. If, therefore, the directory should be somewhat mis- leading. Birmingham will get into the census with not less than 130,000. At any rate we can well afford to call 1t 1so 900 to 135,0oo, until the official re- turns are announced by Uncle Sans agents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
Heybufn'S PlaDdoodle

Only our older men and women re- member the war and the years imme- diately following; but those of the succeeding generation recall the DO. litical bitterness growing out of sec tional agitation.
 Down to and including the presi- dential campaign of 1884, when MT. Cleveland defeated Mir. Blaine, the 'bloody shirt" was waived furiously by northern republicans, and many a republican victory in state and Con- kress district elections in the north was won by an appeal to the orodudices of northern men against kho oouth. The "solid south" was dem 6oGot1o ossd the ''solid south" in those
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
Good Business Barometer

The pig iron market is becoming ac- tive again. Inquiries are for the sec ond and third quarters of the year and the demand from melters is based al together on healthy commercial condi- tions in the metal trade. The Birming- ham price schedule is hardening at s1425 to $1450 on a No. basis, which is an advance of 25 cents to 50 cents a ton since the early part of January. In view of the activity among consumers it is believed the price will move upward until it reaches s15 or even a higher level.
 As iron is one of the best barometers in the business world it is safe to as. sume that general trade conditions are not only normal but that the volume of business will increase as the spring approaches. A strong iron market means & steady demand for labor in the Birmingham district and with la bor well employed all branches of business prospers The prospects for 1910 could not well look brighter.
 
 Records in aviation hdve ceased ts bA autnosahiug
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
Use of Airships.

'T believe there are few men in Bir- mingham who would not be glad if cir cumstances were such that they could be in Los Angeles watching the airships these days" said man interested in scientific subjects There is something spectacular about the airship business that appeals wonderfully to me and l believe 1t appeals strongly to most men, The thrill of automobile riding is sure to wear off in time and people will seek new methods of rapid travel and novel ex- perience.
 And it begins to look as though 1t would be in the power of most of us to get a. ride in the air in the next few years. I notice from the reports that William Randolph Hearst took a ride with Paulhan in Los Angeles today. A special baggage car containing an airship passed through Birmingham yesterday which was said to be consigned to Nic- aragua Reports recently came from Chattanooga and Huntsville that air ships had passed over those cities so low that the whirr of the motors could be heard distinctly. In fact they seem to be all about us and I believe it will be only a short time until any man who desires the experience can get ride that will give him a sure enough thrill.
 By the way, I understand that my friend Odom, who had the distinction of making the first airship in Birmingham closed up his place for the winter be- cause the weather was too severe for hlm to work at the Fair grounds. l have a strong belief that Odom will yet do some thing notable with that machine he has constructed"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
Farm Lands Enhancing In Value,

Tuscumbia. January 19.-(Special. )-The great increase in the value of farm lands in Colbert county in the past 10 years was demonstrated yesterday when J. T. Kirk of this city sold a section of land at Spring Valley to J. D. Mitchell for s22 300. The land was bought by MT Kirk ten years ago for about s1o per acre and the price received by him yes terday was little more than sS5 per acre. Farming lands throughout this section are increasing steadily in value and are in high favor with those who have money to invest or to lend.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
The city's Steady Growth.

Those persons who stick to the street cars or travel beaten paths about the city do not comprehend the solid growth of Birmingham In all it's several sec tions,' said & man who is making a systematic exploration on horseback day by day.
 "On many quiet streets there are pre- tentious homes, often of architectural tone that would adorn the most noted of our thoroughfares. Today l did Nor wood and I was impressed with the solidity, comfort and attractiveness or many homes in this rapidly growing sec tion. There is an atmosphere of cleanl- ness and healthfulness about Norwood and there is ample yard space to most of the homes. In 8 few years 1t VIII rank as one of the most substantial ana attractive sections of this growing city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
A Brilliant Woman.

'I am very much pleased to see the homage paid to Mrs. Virginia Clay Clopton by the people of Huntsville In honor of her birthday" said man who for some years was a newspaper cor respondent at Washington.
 '"This reminds me of an incident that took place in Washington Frank George Carpenter, the globe-trotting and world
 wide interviewer expressed desire to
 meet Mrs. Clopton and talk with her In
 regard to incidents connected with the
 capture and imprisonment of President
 Davis. as her first husband, the Hon.
 Clement C. Clay was with MT. Davis
 during these trying ordeals for both dis
 was known to the press gallery, hau talked to all the notable men and women
 of the world, crowned and uncrowned'
 of course, in many instances using 1n-
 tepreters. but always trusting to mem
 ory-and he has a most remarhapie
 one, by the way. I made an engasemene
 for Carpenter and myself to call on Mrs.
 Clay at her hotel Well, we sat en-
 tranced and thrilled at this wonoerIuiiy
 brilliant woman's flow of language. Al
 times she was n1gnly uIdAn~-'e P"-
 larly in describing the incidents of her
 interview with President Johnson, when
 intervening for her husband. almost de-
 manding her husbands release. Carpen- ter was completely swept of his base and 80 overwhelmed with Mrs. Clay-Ciopton remarkable powers that he declared when he withdrew that he would have 10 secure the most expert of stenograpners to take her. as we say. He oeciareo that she was the most brilliant woman. and the finest conversationist he nad ever met of either sex. I reminded nm that he had probably seen her as ne probably would not find her again. put ne said that she could not fail to be most valuable for a story, even at her worst Many of the younger generaton "ouio be highly entertained by reading nei story, a Bell of the F1fties' auto sraphed, picturing some or the onsn' and charming phases of ante-peiium oays. Mrs. Clay was married to the iate Judge C1opton one of the most learned members of the supreme court or Ala bama. I do wish some of the birmlns- ham ladies would arrange . puphc re. ception at the Hillman for this, the most | brilliant and distinguished woman the state has ever had"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
TO YOUTH.
ter Savage Landor.

By Walter Savage Landor. Where art thou gone? light-anlx1ed youthI With wing at either shoulder And smile that never left thy mouth
 Until the hours grew colder. Then some one seemed to whisper near That thou and I must part; I doubted it-I felt no fear,
 No weight upon my heart If aught befell it. love was by
 And rolled it off again; So if there ever was 8 sigh,
 Twas not . sigh of pain. I may not call thee back: but thou
 Returnest when the hand Of gentle sleep waves o'er my brow
 His poppy-crested wand. Then smiling eyes bs.1l over mine:
 Then lips. once prea0ed, invite: But sleep hath given . silent sign.
 And both. alasi talte flight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
COnSulS and DiplOmatiStS

The United States consular service has been greatly improved since it was placed in the non-partisan class. No applicant is eligible until he passes rigid examination, and after he is ap- pointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate he must spend at least month in school of instruction con- ducted by the state department at Washington before being assigned to duty at a consular post. Until the present system was inaugurated Ameri- equipped for their work. It often hap pened, indeed. that our consuls were totally unprepared for anything like intelligent service.
 Consular salaries are small for the smaller posts, but under the merit system promotions are made as rap is as possible and the consul starting at s2000 a year reaches in course of time a s60OO post.
 The eligible list is being extended to minor diplomatic positions, such as attaches and secretaries to legations and embassies. This should prove as beneficial to the diplomatic service as the eligible list has already proved to be in the consular service. While sec retaries to important embassies have usually been selected from among educated men of sufficient am- bition to learn diplomatic routine, they would have been more efficient and would have compared better with the trained secretaries and attaches Of for eign embassies had they been especial ly schooled before being assigned to duty.
 Without any law or rule applicable to the selection of ministers pleni-
 
 potentiary or ambassadors the GUS tom of promoting diplomatic repre- sentatives from the smaller to the more important missions is gradually obtaining and the time will soon come when no one will be chosen to repre- sent the United States government in any foreign country until he has had diplomatic training or has shown by service in public life diplomatic tall ent and capacity for handling large questions involving international law. In the early days of the republic men who had no special schooling in diplom- acy were sent on foreign missions to negotiate treaties of far-reaching i'm portance, but they were usually able statesmen and were known to the world as eminently we'll qualified for any high service. Their achievements | abroad, with few exceptions, shed lus- ter on our young government. There was no time in those days for diplo- matic training. But today when spe- I cialized work counts for so much it Is | better that our representatives to for l eign countries, as well as attaches and secretaries, should have more or less | systematic experience before being placed at the head of legation or em- | basSy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
Cotton Values Are Unchanged.

New Orleans, January 19.-Apropos of the so-called bear raid in the New York cotton market, President w. B. Thomp- son of the New Orleans cotton exchange issued signed statement tonight in which he says: If there was ever time when the cotton producer and the holder of spot cotton should make stand. that time is the present We have recently passed through one of the most trying and unwarranted declines in the history of the cotton trade. Spot cotton Is fn- trinsically worth little if any less than 1t was two weeks ago, yet in the mean time, through the manipulation of few bear operators in the New York market, the entire cotton trade has been. for the time being, demoralized. Let 1t be under stood that the slump in the contract cot ton market has not affected the 1n- trinsio value of cotton.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
A SOCIETY OF BREAKERS.


 The Secret Society of Breakers is a new organization in Atohison. If a woman receives a platter or any other breakable article as a gift from a friend and knows that to put 1t on display, where the donor expected 1t to be put. it's ugliness will make a wilderness of her once pretty home, she drops a note to the Secret So- eiety of Breakers, and this is what fol- lows: A member of the society makes call on the afflicted woman and while there asks casually to see the woman's china; she Is so interested in china, she says. She also says she is clumsy and doesn't like to handle dishes. This clumsi- ness accounts for it when the platter falls to the floor and breaks. It is said of one woman whose husband got her an ugly iampshade that she let 1t fall herself and broke 1t without sending for one of the s. s. of B. This was a mistake as her husband will always feel aggrieved at her carelessness.-Atchison Globe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
"on Fire witb Enthu.iasm. ;

Chicago, January 1s-A large gas sign bearing the words "A church on fire with enthusiasm and suspended In front of the Metropolitan Church of Christ, took Ire while the choir was rehearsing for revival meeting tonight. The church was soon filled with smoke and the choir members rushed out in panic. The fire men fought the flames valiantly. The Rev Tremble continued to address the crowds. invoking them in the name of the meeting that the words of the sign were not to be taken literally. The church was not much dAmaxed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
IIttla Girl kidnAped.

Detroit, January 19.-Police tonight of tb,s city arc looking for two men. who, according to the statements of Miss Sallie Jugeriski, a school teacher. took part late this afternoon in the abduction of her 4-year-old ward, Katherine Helen Rose Kraus. It is said that ths Ghild was taken from her mother recently by the action of local court and placed in the hands of her present guardian.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
Y AWAY FROM sHADowLAND.

STAY AWAY FROM ST7ADOwLAND. Shadowland, Shadowland,
 Sad hearts are found in Shadowland' No bloom is there. no song of bird, No lit of daughters ever heard. The air by music's never stirred
 In Shadowland. Shadowland, ShadowlaHd,
 The tear-drops fall in Shadowland; Unheeded prayers and mournful signs Are vending ever to the skies, And many a hope defeated lies
 In Shadow1and!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR,

Thinking is thinking you do.
 Engagements are of high tempera- ment, marriages of q low.
 Steam heat only makes fiat that much more like purgatory-
 The less q woman means 1t the more loyal sha seems ahla to be-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
THE WORM TURNS.

T am a woman,' said Mrs. Henpeck, "who brides herself on having strength of character. None of your namby-pamby sort for mel
 ''Yes, my dear,' said MT. Henpeck, edg- ing toward the door. And sometimes when stop to consider the fact that you are equal to any other three women I ever saw, l feel like a bigamist''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

Early in his term, poetasters pointed out that the word graft rhymed nicely with Taft" There seems to be move on foot among certain in- surgents and democrats to make the rhyme stick to the Taft regime.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

The memoirs of the Hon. John Law renee Sullivan, now being published for the benefit of palpitating public, rebound to the glory of a former heavyweight champion from Boston. Guess who?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
TOUGH LUCK.

Joy spells joy" said he,- What makes me blue, The only letters I can see Are 1. o. U.!'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

The ground hog, soon due, will not be able to improve much on this weather. On the contrary, it is feared that he will make it worse for us.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

The people of Tallapoosa county are in earnest about building better roads. They are putting up cash subscriptions and demand the county commissioners to match the money,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

Senator Heyburn is considerably be- hind the procession with his bloody shirt. His effort to revive the sectional bitterness of quarter of a century ago will give him only cheap notoriety.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
OFTTIMES

Ofttlmes maid who's passing fair Will have a dreadful tongue; That's why, in accents of despair, Some married men cry 'stung."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

Our directory census is fully up to ex- pectations. On a conservative basis of calculation it seems Birmingham has a population of 136.OO0.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

MT. Diekema of Michigan aspires to be speaker of the House of Representa- tives. Was MT. Diekema ever in the retail fruit business?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

The face of the Young Mems Chris tian association clock was bright at the start and each day makes it brighter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

It having been discovered that President Taft is a. descendant of Francis Cook of Pilgrim fame, the May flower society has elected him an &C., tive member Just what effect this will have on his effort to straddle the Roosevelt policies remains to be seen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

The fact that the ice gorge in the Ohio river is broken gives no assur- ance that the backbone of winter is broken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

Governor Fort says New Jersey is proud of her trusts. New Jersey long ago forgot how to be ashamed of any thing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

The Christy divorce case has arrived at the highball stage and is therefore strictly regular.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

The late Frederick Remington seems to have been a great artist who es- caped being fool otherwise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

A whirlwind campaign for a Young Mems Christian association building will make banknotes fly about like autumn leaves.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

If Castro keeps as quiet as he has been for the past few weeks, in about 1000 years he'll be extremely popular.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20
NO DOUBT.

What do you think of a man dipping his wife in river to break her of the habit of nagging?"
 Well, if he would hold her under long enough, the treatment would probably be very successful"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

Miss Marjorie Gould will marry an American, and from Philadelphia at that.