davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
CONVICT TRAIN
 WILL MOVE TODAY No Cancellation of Order to Move Prisoners From
 No. 12 Mine

This morning at o'clock $50 convicts imprisoned at Rogers hall. Prison No. 12, of the Tennessee Coal. Iron and Railroad company. will leave on a specially equipped special train for Banner mines, to be operated by the state. Although Governor Emmet O'Neal is said to look with disfavor upon the contract entered into between the state and the Pratt Consolidated company, no cancellation of the order to move the men has been made.
 The special will be operated from No. 12 to Pratt City over the lines of the Frisco railroad, and from that point to North Birmingham over the Southern railway, thence to Littleton over the Southern, where the men will be placed in Banner mines
 The train will be composed of speci- ally arranged cars to obviate, as far as possible, the chances of escape Three guards will be stationed at either en- trance to the cars, armed, while other guards will be stationed inside the cars.
 Capt. James R. McGregor, district passenger agent for the Frisco, will accompany the special over his part of the journey, and Mitchell Coxwell of the Southern railway will accompany the special over the Southern railway. The special is the first one of it's kind ever operated in the state of Alabama within the knowledge of local railroad men.
 The transfer of the convicts marks the end of convict operations on the part of the Tennessee company at No. 12 There are few county men there, it is said, who will be retained until their time expires. As each man serves the sentence imposed, he will be re- leased from custody and eventually all of the men will be liberated by this process.
 The Tennessee company has an- nounced that that corporation will not bid any further on conviets, but in- tends to operate it's mines with free labor.
 The company will cause to be erected at No. 12 about 200 houses for free miners. These houses. it is said, will be placed on the ridges overlooking the mines, thus insuring the best sanita- tion. Efforts will be made to beautify the camp, provide unusual attractions for the miners and to create a model camp life there.
 Work will proceed, it is said, just as soon as the transfer of the state con- victs is completed and the county men shall have been released.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
Suits Filed Yesterday

The following were among the suits filed in the circuit and city courts yes- terday:
 Fred Childers, by next friend, Mary Childers, vs. American Cast Iron Pipe company. The plaintiff sues for 5000 for alleged personal injuries received while in the employ of defendant com pany.
 Tom Black well vs. Birmingham Ma chine and Foundry company. Damages to the amount of 5000 claimed for personal injuries, caused by the all legged negligence of the defendants servant.
 Antonio Heenberg vs. Louisville and Nashville Railroad company. The plain- tiff claims the sum of $500 alleging the failure of defendant company to deliver certain personal property while acting as common carrier.
 A. l.. Bridges vs Southern Railway company. The plaintiff claims the sum of 5000 damages, alleging that whire ated by the defendant company he was carried beyond his point of destina- ton.
 c. Gouvernovch has sued the South- ern Railway company for 5000 dam ages The allegations of his complaint same as above.
 A. M. Kirkpatrick vs. Louisville and Nashville railroad. The plaintiff sues defendant company for $500, the alle- gations of his complaint same as above.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
INHUMAN TO FORGE MEN UNDERGROUND

Capt. J. R. McGregor of the Frisco Lines: "It is to the best advantage of any state that it's convicts be worked on the county roads. It is inhuman to confine a man, even though he is a convict. in a coal mine, where he would not dare ven ture of his own free will and accord. Where a man will not go to make liv- ing he should not be made to go by remorseless state law or ruling.
 All convicts are confined as a pro teetion to society. They should by all means pay for their disobedience to the laws. Yet they are confined also to make them better. Confinement in a deep mine unassociated with people will make them worse rather than better. Even though it does not produce q profit to work the convicts on the roads it is far better to lose a small amount than to invoke the condemnation of the right thinking peo- pie and humanity in an effort to earn a pitiful dollar"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31

The following item appeared in a re- cent issue of a Birmingham daily:
 "Lineville, December 25.-(Special.)- Judge Hugo L. Black of the Birmingham police court sustained a slight injury last night between the Nichols hotel and J. c. Viewers store on Third avenue breaking his thumb and tearing his clothes, by stepping into hole near the erection of the Gamble hotel"
 It will be noted that the above occur renee happened on Christmas day. Were it not for the well known irreproachable habits of Judge Black. the usual com ments on an accident of this kind would be in order.
 When Judge Black returned to Bir- mingham on the following day he had outward visible signs of having come to grief, for his hand was wrapped and bandaged up, and his version of the af- fair coincided in the main with the news paper report.
 Judge Blacks reason for being in Line vile on Christmas Day might be sur missed by the number and nature of pack ages he carried from Birmingham, by the extra sharp crease in his pants and from the fact that previous to his de- parture for that delightful little burg he had his face laundered and manicured, his hair cut. trimmed and singed. lie also wore that well known smile, ranging be- tween the sublime and the ridiculous, affected by young bachelors who enter tain the fallacy that two can live as cheaply as one," which is not only delusion and snare. but as the Scotch man might say, "a domned lee"
 As to the accident, the real facts come out through a wireless message received yesterday by a well known friend of the eminent judge, whose veracity the writer cannot doubt, being very. very close to him.
 When Judge Black arrived at his ances- tral southern home on the Saturday be- fore Christmas he found all his immedi- ate relatives present, including two nephews, aged and 10 respectively, named Jack and Jim. The judge is very partial to children-and by the way the boys are very partial to him, as the large class he teaches every Sunday gives testi- mony-and needless to say Jack and Jim "cottoned" up to their uncle at once.
 Of course, the "kiddos" were looking forward to Christmas Day with that eag- erness and anticipation that only child hood knows, and many were the letters sent to old Santa by them requesting all manner of articles ranging from jack knife to a billy goat
 Many and marvellous were the tales that Judge Black related to Jack and Jim about old Santa Claus" He told of the great workshop in the region of snow
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
ANSWER LETTERS
 FROM SUFFRAGETTES
Senator Johnston and Mir. Underwood Reply to Petitions for Wom-
 ans Suffrage

Senator Joseph F. Johnston and Con gressman oscar W. Underwood have an 'swered the petition presented to them some weeks ago by the Equal Suffrage association of this city to make an amendment to the United ss consti- tuition whereby the wome,, Throughout the country would be given N4nfranchise- ment in the election of United States sen ators.
 The following are copies of the letters received from the Alabama senator and the chairman of the ways and means committee who has been widely men, toned as the next democratic presidential candidate:
 q have your letter of recent date in regard to the amendment to the consti- tuition respecting womans suffrage I have always entertained the highest re- gard and confidence in the women of the country. I am in doubt as! to whether a majority desire this amendment. and l am also in doubt as to-. whether the ex- perience of those states which have en- acted that law has, upon the whole, been of benefit; hut when this comes up I shall give it that fair consideration that such a grave question is entitled to in the hands of the Senate.
 JOSEPH F. JOHNSTON"
 'Your letter enclosing memorial to Con- gress has reached me- It will give me great pleasure to present the same to the House and give due consideration to the subject when the time arrives.s
 OSCAR w. UNDERWOOD"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
HOW SOME CITIZENS WOULD
 HANDLE STATE CONNECTS

there upon their own volition. If the short term men, which would include those from one to six or seven years sentences. were put on the county roads to work instead of in the mines. we would have a modern system of highways in this state within a short time
 'eThe long term or life sentence men should be kept in a pentitentiary because the opportunities to escape from the pub lie road guards would be too numerous. A charge from the mines is the most de- sired move now for the detention of the men convicted of disobedience of the crim- inal laws of Alabama"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
NM. MAJORS BRINGS SUIT FOR S1OO,OOO Seeks Heavy Damages From
 L. & N. Railroad FILED IN CITY COURT Charged Arrest and Imprisonment for an Offense of Which He Was
 Acquitted When Placed
 on Trial
FILED IN CITY COURT

As sequel to the famous William Ma bors case, the young Louisville and Nash vile fireman who was held in jail for over a year and tried and acquitted of murder and trainwrecking, has filed suit in the city court of Birmingham against the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, as corporation, and T. E. Brooke, as an individual and claims damages to the ex- tent of S100,O0O. He alleges that he was falsely and maliciously arrested and im- prisoned at the instance of the defendants
 The Nabors case is one of the most noted in the annals of the criminal courts of Jefferson
 It will be recalled that the arrest of Majors followed a disastrous wreck that occurred in December, 1909, on the Louis vile and Nashville railroad in which a fast northbound passenger train ran through a switch near Cunningham sta tion, north of Birmingham, dashed into freight train that was standing on siding, and caused the death of two men and the serious injury of several others, besides wrecling the engines.
 Preceding this there had been several other wrecl1s of a like nature on the Louisville and Nashville, and the entire detective force of the Louisville and Nash vile system, and a number of private detectives, worked on the case for num- Der of months. They finally caused the arrest of young Majors, who was in the employ of the company as a fireman on switch engine. and several charges, trot tt,xx made against him.
 The wreck occurred on December 9, 1909 and it was not until August 24, 1910 that Majors was arrested and thrown into jail He was on trial twice. The first case resulted in a mistrial the second one in an acquittal. Both trials were hard fought and an imposing array of special counsel prosecuted on behalf of the com pany, while the defendant was represent ed by Goodwin & Ross of Bessemer and Jere c. King of Birmingham.
 The complaint filed yesterday contains four counts, as follows:
 "1. The plaintiff claims of the defend- ants, the Louisville and Nashville Rail- road company, a corporation, and T. E. Brooke, an individual, S100,000 damages for malicously and without probable cause therefor causing the plaintiff to be arrested under a warrant issued by John G. Bradley, clerk of the criminal court of Jefferson county, on September 1e, 1910, on a charge of murder which charge, be- fore the commencement of this action, had been judicially Investigated, and said prosecution ended and the plaintiff dis charged.''
 The second count is the same as the foregoing except 1t alleges that the plain tiff was arrested on August 24, 1910, on a warrant issued by Judge I. H. Benners, on charge of trainwrecking.
 The third and fourth counts allege the defendants caused the plaintiff to be ar rested and imprisoned on charges of mur- der and trainwrecldng from August 24, 1910 to October 6, 1911, and from Septem- Der 19, 1910, to October 6, 1911, respective ly. Goodwin & Ross and Jere c. King filed the suit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
PRESENT SYSTEM NO
 INCENTIVE TO REFORM

George Stafford, Secretary of the Build CTS and Traders Exchange: Under the mode of punishment now prescribed for the men sentenced to serve a term in the Alabama prisons, it does not mean a reformation of character, but rather q retrogression from what few ideals of good citizenship they might have had before entering the mines. Here they are thrown in contact with the worst types of criminals from all parts of the state and the fact that they are obliged 10 work in the darkness of the earth all day does not have an uplifting effect upon their moral natures.
 T think the long or life term prisoners should be confined in a penitentiary. where they would be less likely to escape and the men who are sent Up for the smaller offenses should be put to work on the county roads,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
CARL SEALS NAMED
 CAPTAIN COMPANY B
Succeeds Captain Nell Smith, Who Has Rendered Resignation-Oth
 CT Officers Promoted

At an election held at the armory, City hall. to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Capt. Nell Smith of Company B, Second Infantry regiment, Alabama National Guard, Carl H. Seals was unanimously elected to succeed Cap tain Smith.
 Captain Seals is one of the best known members of the Alabama National Guard and has had former service in the Second regiment, rising by regular gradation from private to the rank of major, a po- sition he filled with much distinction
 He will assume active command as soon as he receives his commission.
 At the same election Second Lieut.. J. Towles Evans was promoted to first lieu tenant, and Sergt. w. T. Wingo was elect ed second lieutenant.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
JUDGE HUGO BLACK
 a SAYS NEVER AGAIN"
By CHAs. H. MANDY

and ice where the jolly old saint manu- factured the toys and presents he be- slowed on good little boys and girls" of the reindeer and sleighbens, winding up, of course. with the fact that old Santa came down the chimney with a great bag of toys, from which he filled the stock ings hung up on Christmas Eve.
 Jack and Jim listened to the stories eagerly, nay intently. especially to that part where Santa came down the chim- ney.
 On Sunday afternoon, the day before Christmas, they were observed on several occasions to be engaged in earnest con- versation, and to make several mysterious trips to the woodshed, but the nature of their conversation of the reason for visit ing the shed could not be ascertained, for they became absolutely mute when any one approached.
 On Christmas five. after the kids had been put to bed, and were supposed to be asleep, Judge Black, who had been selected to play Santa Claus, approached with cautious steps the room where the stockings were hung. which was in dark ness. as the judge had an idea that the boys might be watching, and groping his way to the fireplace, proceeded to fill up Jim's stocking with the presents, fruit, etc., task quickly accomplished.
 Judge Black then started to fill up the stocking belonging to Jack, but the mo- ment he touched the footwear something went "cliclS." and his hand was caught with a wise like grip that caused him to f% done credit to Sioux Indian on the warpath, and to execute a dance that had the Turkey Trot'' and the Grizzly Bear skinned mile.
 The noise he made aroused the house. hold, and on the lights being turned on it was found that the judge had been caught in a large steel trap which wac concealed behind Jacks stocking, and which was secured to the fireplace by about 10 feet of rope.
 On investigation 1t developed that Jack and Jim had conceived the idea of cap- turing Santa Claus and his bag of child ish treasures They were as much sur- prfsed at the miscarriage of their we'll laid plan as Judge Hugo was when his hand struck Jacks stocking, and the eminent jurist fell from his high place in their estimation. for to him they lay the blame that their plot went all "aglee"
 Thus is Judge Blacks injury and pres ence in Lineville accounted for, at least according to the aerial dispatch from that quiet little burg. Should anyone doubt the truth of this story, he can call up wireless station A-23, with P. D. c. request and a verihcatlon of the story can be readily obtained
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
BELIEVES HE
 KILLED MINER Joe Ash of Republic Tells His Story and Surren-
 ders to Sheriff

Stating that he believed that he fired the shot which caused the death of John Carter at Republic yesterday morning. Joe Ash. miner at the mines where Carter was bank boss, gave himself up to Deputy Sheriffs Dave Kennybrook and J P. Brentz yesterday and was brought to the county Jail
 Ash states that Carter was at his house Friday night to talk to some the family and then left. A few minutes after Carter left Ash states that his stepchildren came running to him and said that some- one was at the window. Ash says that he grabbed his gun and ran out into the yard with 1t, and seeing a man leaving the house. shot him, and believes now that the man he shot was Carter.
 He states. though, that he had no grudge against Carter. that they were the best of friends. and he regrets the shoot- ing greatly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
PHYSICIANS COULD DO
 MUCH TO REMEDY EVIL

John l.. Parker: 'The state would make no greater step of progress and would not show any plainer determination to do the square thing than to abolish the working of convicts in mines. The argu- ment made by the physicians of this city against the working of city convicts and chaining them was of vast good to this city If they were to start in condemn ing the state system, I believe they would be able to show the inhumanity of the present method better than any other class of men. The time is ripe for the creation of a road system in this state by placing the convicts on the roads, where they belong.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
CAREER DISCUSSES
 VARIOUS FEATURES

Alex M. Garber former attorney gen. eral of Alabama: ''Theoretically, I am absolutely in favor of taking the con victs from the mines, but practically speaking, I see no reasonably good oppor- tunity open at this time whereby the state can do so without great financial loss in maintaining them. The suggested or contemplated plan of using all convict labor on the state farms, mills and fac tories owned by the state is most ex- cellent one if it can be worked out sue cessfully. Ii will have to be done grad ually, however, as neither Alabama nor any of the different counties of the state is ready at this time for such com plete or radical change
 While filling the office of attorney general of Alabama, it was my duty to draw up various contracts between the state and great industrial corporations for the employment of convict labor. I became familiar with many of the diffi- culties inherently attached to the convict lease system, especially where convicts are employed in the mines and became much interested in the question of the great responsibility of Alabama to her convict labor. In my association with the officials of the corporations which employed convicts I always found them anxious and desirous of protecting the eoEvicts from the hardships, but many hardships are necessarily connected with the system which are beyond the con- trol and direct supervision of those high est in authority. Relief from such hard ships is well nigh impossible under the present methods of working them in the mines.
 Upon the general question of the care of the state convict, whether within the walls at wetumpka or at the various mines and lumber camps, I believe, and have so expressed myself during my ten ure of office, that Alabama owed to it's civilization the duty of placing upon it's statute books law requiring the pay ment of some reasonable sum, in addi- tion to his freedom, to every convict ac- cording to circumstances and conditions who has lost an eye or limb while serv- ing sentence for the state or employed by the state in corporation industries.
 "I am also in favor of the state estab- iiSHiHS eL utnldl pIONlulllS lOI it's visitation, at certain intervals, to both white and eolored convicts. In the ab- sence of this aid, no doubt good tooth oftentimes goes out instead of being saved. The great question among con- victs today is the increase of tuberculosis. separate hospital, removed from the buildings of the penitentiary, should be provided for such patients by the state"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
DR. DENNY IS
 NOW IN CHhIpGE New President of Univer- sity Passes Through
 Birmingham

Dr. George H. Denny, making close connection, reached and left Birming- ham yesterday afternoon. He arrived in Tuscaloosa shortly after o'clock
 Dr. Denny Immediately on his arr rival in Tuscaloosa, became the presi- dent of the University of Alabama, Dr. ". B. Saffold, who, since the departure of John w. Abercrombie has been act ing president of the institution, await Ing his coming to surrender the keys
 According to q statement made by Dr. Saffold in Birmingham the past week. it was the wish of pr. Denny that no reception committee meet him. He expressed a desire,' stated Dr. Saffold, that he be permitted to arrive and without acclaim go at once to his work"
 Dr. Denny, soon after his election to the presidency was entertained in Bir- mingham b ythe alumni of the univer- sity, and again by the members of the University club. On January 12, the alumni located in Montgomery will ban quet him, and he will be the guest of the students of the university on the evening of January 19.
 During the few moments of his stay in Birmingham. Dr. Denny issued no interview. He expressed the hope, how ever, that he would be able to carry on to perfection the work at one of the so+stths proudest and oldest institutions of learning.
 Throughout Alabama there is the greatest satisfaction that the trustees were able to secure the services of Dr. Denny, who, during his years as presi- dent of Washington and Lee university, accomplished marvellous things. He will be formally presented to the students immediately following their return to college after the expiration of the Christmas vacation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
MANY DIE FROM
 UNKNOWN CAUSES
COroner's Report for Y)11 Shows Some Surpris-
 ing Figures

One hundred and forty-seven homicides and 145 deaths from mine accidents is the record for Jefferson county for the year of 1911 as given out by Coroner Brasher yesterday, although there were yet two days of the year when the report was completed.
 While homicides and mine accidents have claimed the majority of victims, the number meeting their deaths in the county during the past year from un- known causes is surprising. There were 127 persons to die in the county where an autopsy and inquest failed to reveal the manner inf which death was caused.
 The number of suicides in the county is comparatively small when the number of deaths from other causes Is brought to view There were B suicides recorded in 1911.
 The annual report of the coroner in its
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
PUT THE MEN ON
 ROADS AND FARMS

''I am much in favor of taking the convicts out of the mines and working them on the county roads and state farms" said Thomas H. Moore, former coal mine operator.
 "The working of short term convicts in coal mines. exposing them to great danger by reason of their inexperienee, is little short of barbarous. Nor should county or state make the punishment of crime source of revenue. am well aware that the system cannot be ellmi- mated all at once, but firmly believe that the best solution of the problem is for the several counties as far as is prac- tica to work them on the county roads or on farms, where they will either be self sustaining or at least return fair equivalent for the cost of their main tenance.'