davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening world., 1911-05-25
SLAYER Of CHILD
ESCAPES CHAIR:
GOES TO PRISON
Ostrosky, Who Shot Little Pei
cowa Boy, Pleads Guilty
to Manslaughter.

Through counsel assigned to him by
the Court Dimetrius ostrosky entered
a plea OF guilty to granddaughter in the
second degree in the Court of General
Sessions when he was arraigned to-day
on an indictment charging him with
murder in the first degree. o~strosky's
crime was particularly brutal, but no
explanation was offered by the District
Attorney for the acceptance OF the plea
OF guilty to n minor crime. Judge Swami
sentenced Ostrosky 20 serve not less
than seven years nor more thar fifteen
years In Sing Sing.
Os,rosky in January last was living
as a boarder with a woman named Pei
cowa at No. 100 East Third street. lie
Is twenty-five years old. the woman IS
younger.
Her Husband Ran Away.
Mrs. Pelcowa's husband had run away
with another woman. ostrosky wanted
Mrs. Pelcowa to marry him. She had
promised to arrange for a divorce and
marriage to Ostrosky when on January
3lst she received a letter informing her
that her husband was In Chicago and
had been abandoned by the other
oma and wanted to come home.
Although her husband had deserted
her. Mrs. Pelcowa was overioyed Mt the
news that he was coming back and was
holiing a jubilatio1 with her two chill
dren-catherine. four years old and
Willie aged three. when Ostroskv en-
tered the room. The little boy had a
picture OF his father.
"My papa is coming back" he said 10
Ostrosky.
VIII you take your husband back
again. ostrosky asked the woman.
Kills Little Boy.
She replied In the affirmative. Os-
'rosky drew a revolver. shot twice a.
the little boy and Killed him and then
ran out Of the house.
He VAS caught on tho street and
turned over TO a policeman. When
arraisned before Judge Swami on the
Indictment charging murder In the first
degree. former Assistant District-At-
torney Arthur Train was assigned to
the defense. Mr.. Train. through an
associate. proposed the acceptance by
the observation-disclosures OF a plea Of guilty
to -manslaugh;er. and in that way Os-
,rosky got off with what is regarded
as a light sentence.
Judge swami. when asked why the
court had entertained a plea Of guilty
to a minor crime said he hai ques-
toned the womin-tle States only wit
ncss-beforc the plea was entered. She
told him "A story which conflicted with
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
OVERCOME BY GAS IN BOTTOM OF WELL Will Mcconnell, Near Ath- ems, Falls Back Into Well
 and Is Killed

Athens, August 11.-tspecial)-A very unusual accident occurred in the west part of the county Thursday morning when Will Mcconnell, a member of one of the most prominent families in that sec tion, met an untimely death from damp in a well he was having dug.
 He went down in the well to make an inspection early Thursday morning and immediately was heard to call for help. He was drawn out of the well immediate 1y, but just as he reached the top, over come by the damp, he fell back to the bottom of the well. distance of 90 feet. Before he could be reached he was dead. He leaves a widow and two little chill dren, his parents and several brothers and a sister. His death was a great shock to his relatives and friends in Athens.
 Mrs. N. J. Hurd, aged 7B years. one of the oldest residents of Athens, died at the home of her son, Charles Hurd, in Nash vile, Thursday, where she was recently taken for treatment. She has been almost an Invalid for some time. Her remains were brought here for burial.
 MT. Hector Legg, for four years deputy sheriff of this county, and Miss Katie Colbert, eldest daughter of Sheriff R. F. Colbert, were married at the home of the parents of the bride Wednesday evening.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
VETERAN REUNION
 COMES TO A CLOSE
Death of Infant of MT. and Mrs. Vim cent Results From Drinking
 Carbolic Acid s.-a

Anniston, August 1.-(SpeciaL) )-Anns- ton veterans and citizens who attended the reunion of the Northeast Alabama Confederate veterans at Schencks Sulphur Springs Wednesday and Thursday have returned home. Thursday was the big day and Secretary MoClellen says that 1500 persons were present Thursday aft ernoon. Owing to important official duties Senator Johnston had to decline the in- vitation to make the chief address.
 The following officers were elected: A. J. Cross, commandaIlt; T. A. Pelham, vice commandant; R. A. Hollingsworth, ad- jutant; B. c. McClellen secretary; H. H. Boozer, B. D. Merherg and Ben Mount, executive committee.
 It was decided to search the rosters at Washington for all available names of veterans who enlisted from this section. Several deaths during the year were re- ported.
 A t4-months-old infant of MT. and Mrs. U. V. Vincent of Mechanicsville, an An ntston suburb. died last night as a result of drinking carbolic acid. The retnains were buried here today The parents are almost prostrated with grief.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
MAKES WILL, BUYS
 COFFIN, THEN DIES
Two Charged With Receiv- ing Whisky Stolen From
 Jail Itself

Chattanooga August 11.-(Speciaie-The recent death of D. R. Deakins, a pioneer citizen of Tennessee, at his home near Whitwell. at the age of CT, has brought to light the existence of a most peculiar and eccentric character. Two weeks be- fore he died the deceased announced that his death was rapidly approaching and forthwith purchased a casket. He then made all other details and plans inci- dental to the funeral with philosophic precision.
 Having attended to the last earthly function which concerned himself he then made out his will and preceded to execute it in person, disposng of all his property to his heirs The deceased was prominent in Masonic circles, but accord ing to his wishes was buried without Masonic honors.
 According to Police Commissioner T. C. Betterton, J. H. Abercrombie and James Knox, two saloon keepers of this city, are gifted with the most consumate stock oi nerve ever existed locally. The two men in question are charged with receiving whisky which was stolen from the city jail itself after it had been confiscated hy | the police. When 1t is taken into consider ation that the city as well as the entire state is supposed to be dry the case ap- pears almost humorous. 4H l According to the police, Abercrombie
 and Knox deliberately purchased S2ot
 worth of whisky from five trusties ein.
 ployed at the Jail, giving approximately | $10 for the entire stock
 The local juvenile court, recently ere
 ated by the last state legislature, las
 asked s15Oo per annum of the city of Chat tanooga to aid in defraying it's operating
 expenses. Inasmuch as the majority of | the cases which will come under the
 courts Jurisdiction will arise in the city,
 the request appears just.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
TRUSTEES ID NAME
 ATEMPORARY HEAD
Dr. BarnwelI or Dr. SaffOld May Be Given Temporary
 Control

Montgomery, August u.-(SpeciaD .--Ap- parently as far from the election of a permanent president for the University of Alabama as when they received and accepted the resignation of Dr. John Abercrombe. who retires September 1, the board of trustees of the university held short session in the office of Gov ernor OiNeal today and decided upon the election of a temporary president to head the university until a successor can be named.
 It was stipulated that this successor should be chosen from the academic ranks of the university and that his se- lection should rest in the hands of the nominating committee which has been surveying the field for permanent head of the Alabama institution.
 This nominating committee is composed of pr. J. H. Johnson, Talladega; Judge H. B. Foster, Tuscaloosa, and Daniel Pratt of Prattvile. It is believed that their choice will rest either upon Dr.. Charles H. Barnwell, dean of the acade- mic faculty and professor of English. or Dr. w B. Saffold, of the chair of Greek and Latin at the university.
 
 today pr. Johnson, chairman of the nominating committee, reported the re- suit of the committee's work since the last session of the trustees. in which, report 1t is believed, he cited the factS leading up to the determination of Dr< ]. H. Kirkland, chancellor of Wander -S bilt university. not to accept the presi i dency of the Alabama institution, had it been offered to him.
 The entire session of the board was of executive nature, though 1t de- veloped this afternoon that one of tha conclusions reached was that the truss tees, if possible, should elect southerns educator to head the institution.
 Names discussed by the board were, not divulged. Prevailing opinion inj Montgomery is that the nominatings committees choice will be Dr. Barn; well, who has been one of pr. Aber-, crombie's "right-hand' bowers in thei administration of the school during the past three years. He Is popular. with the Alumni association, and with all university students The members of the board in attends ance with the governor were: Super-' intendent of Education H. J. Willing ham. M. P. LeGrand, Montgomery; Dan- iel Pratt. Prattville; Judge H. B. Fos- ter, Tuscaloosa, Judge E. H. Glenn. Seal; Dr. J. H. Johnson, Talladega, and Hubert T. Davis of Gadsden.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
SUMTER WILL FIGHT
 TICK ERADICATION
Convention Called for August 2S To Indorse Commissioners Who
 Will Stop Tick Appropriations

Livingston, August n.-(Special. )-When it comes to real classy politics Sumter county can carry off the pennaot. The county is now going to have a little con- vention of her own on. August 2S. The only plank that will be inserted is the perfection of the famous cattle tick. This meeting is called for the purpose of in dorsing four men for county commission CTS. who. will pledge themselves. not to make any more appropriations to. carry on the work of tick eradication.
 Sumter's present board of commission CTS made contract with the state and federal authorities to eradicate the ticks and in spite of protests from majority of voters they are doing 1t.
 Although the next primary is not until spring, the opponents want to get sup port pledged for their choice for commis- sioners while enthusiasm is hot
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
EARLY MORNING FIRE
 CUTS ONEONTA STORE

Oneonta, August 11.-(Special )--Oneon- ta. again had to fight the fire demon this morning about 3:30 o'clock, when the new brick store of J. A. Brice & Son was completely gutted. MT. Brice had but rec ontly rebuilt his store, which was burned out last year.
 The origin of the fire is unknown, but the supposition is that it caught from a cigar stub. perhaps thrown in the corner of the Masonic hall which was over the store. The Blount county Masonic con- ference was in session yesterday evening and the fire was first discovered in thai part of the building. Messrs. Brice X Son carried about $5O00 stock of goods, covered by S450O insurance
 The Oneonta Trust and Banking com pany adjoined the Brice building on one side and J. H. Lowery building on the other side. But the fire walls confined the flames to the one building.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
COOPERATION IN LEE COUNTY SMALL
Examiner German Criticises Failure To Maintain Sixty Per Cent
 Basis

Montgomery, August )-In submitting to Gov. Emmet O'Neal his re- port on the books and accounts of the tax assessor of Lee county all of which are found to be correct and well kept, As sstant Examiner of Public Accounts J. T. German offered the criticism that the board of commissioners of the county does not sustain the 60 per cent assess ment valuation required by the state tax commission.
 He found that the total amount of county assessments on the books of w, T. Andrews, the assessor of the county, amounted to $7,06020o, an increase over the preceding year Of about S415,290, but de- spite the Increase the examiner declares that the property is valued at barely 50 per cent basis.
 The report of MT. German shows that Lee county paid in the state streasury last year s49,954.17, while the county re- ceived from the state S59,12623. The state received from the Alabama Poly technic institute for the inspection of oils a total of $26,443.13, while the same institution received from the state a to- tai of s116,2s0. The excess of receipts over payment was $99, ,O0S.03 for the entire county, including the educational inSti- tution
 Simultaneously with his report on the books of the tax assessors the examiner submitted a. report on the books and ac- counts of J. A Albright, superintendent of education of Lee county. The report shows that the state paid the superin- tendent for Lee county schools total of $32, .5S, and a total of $500 for re- pairs of the schools in the county 39 are rural white, having 39 teachers who are paid an average salary of $53. while 40 of the rural schools are negro, having forty teachers, who are paid an average of $2550 All the accounts of the superin- tendent are shown to be correct.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
GREAT CONVENTION
 HELD AT PULLMAN
Third District Pythians Hold Large and Enthusi-
 astic Convention

Cullman, August 11.-(Special)-The Third Pythian District association met In it's twelfth semi-annual convention in the castle hall of Friendship lodge No. s3 this morning at 10 o'clock. Almost every lodge within the Jurisdiction of the Third district was represented, besides a large number of grand lodge officers and other prominent members of the order from Bir- mingham, Montgomery and other cities were present.
 John F. Allgood was master of cere- monies. In few words he stated the ob- iect of the meeting and introduced M. l.. Robertson, mayor of the city of Gull man, who welcomed the visitors on behalf of the city. F. E. St. John followed with welcome address on behalf of Friendship lodge No. 33. Mir. St. Johns speech was spicy and full of wit and humor The Rev. w. F. McGlawn of Montevallo was present and offered the invocation.
 Immediately following the public exer- cises the lodge was turned over to Chan celle1 Commander Fl. Clay Smith, who opened the lodge in due form and re- linauished the gavel to T. J. Jones, who In the absence of President A. D. Thorn assumed charge of the convention.
 Among the prominent men and grand lodge officers present were: E. F. Hoyt Of Birmingham. Charles Berg of Ensley, Frank Arico of Birmingham. D. E. Me- endoL of Birmingham, W. T. Parker of Birmingham, J. M Daunally, grand keep CT of records and seal, of Montgomery; !, l.se Holloway, grand chancellor of the grand domain of Alabama; A. G. Patter- son. grand prelate, of Falkville; B. D. Meadows Of Birmingham. T. J. Jones. dis trict deputy grand chancellor, of East Lake; J. IT. Leath, past president of the association of Birmingham; Graham Per due, grand inner guard, of Birmingham; E. E. Cavins of Birmingham. M H. Bemis of Birmingham, w. H. Wilson and J. S. Falkner of Ensley.
 A watermelon cutting was rendered the convention immediately upon their ar rlval tn Cullman, and banquet given at !. o'clock in the Leeth building. The wives and daughters of the local members had kharge of the tables at the banquet. and music for this occasion was furnished h. the Fourth Regimental band. The con- vention was the greatest ever held in this district.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
GCOD INSURANCE
 RECEIPTS FOR YEAR

Montgomery, August l1-(Special) )-That the Alabama insurance department will close it's best year next January l is evidenced by the fact that receipts in the department at the present time arc s2o 055 T in excess of the total receipts i'm 1910, despite the fact that only seven months have elapsed. The total receipts up to the present time are s235.s6- 93, as against total of s206 sO7. T during all the preceding year. i.
 The total of s235.s62 s3 so far realized vas obtained as follows:
 Company licenses. slS,3S2; agents li- censes, s24, 167 50; taxes, legal reserve com- panies, slS0.s21 96; fire marshal law, ssl5s.51s mutual aid company licenses. s4s0; mutuati aid taxes. S52SS0l and authorized cons nanies. s65. 45.
 The figures were compiled by Hervey w. Laird, deputy insurance commissioner of the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
Building Blown Up

Newbury, N. r., August 1l.--With a con cussion that shook the earth for miles around, dynamite storehouse of the New York aqueduet on Storm King noun tain at Cornwall blew up early today. The building. (which was owned by aqneduct contractors had in it HOO pounds Of eX- posives. No trace of the building was deft, some shanties in the vicinity were leveled and quantity of window glass in the village of Cornwall was broken. John Sawyer, engineer of the works, was knocked down but not badly hurt A Rus sian car taker at the shaft Is missing. The explosion occurred a few minutes be- fore shift of IS men were due to report for work
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
GOOD INSTITUTE IS
 HELD AT EVERGREEN

Evergreen. August 11.-(Specal.l 1.-The teachers institute of this county has been in session at the agricultural school building the. entire week, with an at- tendance of about 50, and great interest was manifested. The institute has been conducted by Prof. N. D. Baker, Prof. H. T. Lille. Miss Margarette Carter of Bir- mingham and H.. D. Cullen of the educa- tional exchange.
 The protracted meeting at the Method ist church has been progressing during the week Rev. W. P. Hurt, D. D., of Opel- ka. has conducted the service.
 Dr. Perdue from the state health de- partment, has been in Conecuh county for several days making examinations for evidence of the hook worm. He has asked the board of county commissioners for an appropriation of s150 for the work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
END CASE AGAINST
 COMMISSIONERS Decision Soon In Quo War ranto Proceedings Against Montgomery Executives

Montgomery, August 11.-(Special. J. Argument which was begun in the cir cult court of Montgomery on Thurs day on quo warranto proceedings, in- stituted by c. E. Crenshaw. ane attor- ney of this city. against four of the five commissioners of Montgomery, was concluded Friday afternoon by coun- sel for the defense and for the com plainant, and the case was taken under advisement by Judge W. w. Pearson, presiding officer at the trial. de- cison Is expected to be reached not before early next week.
 Nearly all of Fridays proceedings were taken up in the examination of witnesses, those appearing for the de- fense being questioned regarding the custom that has prevailed in the pre- sentation of bills to the governor, and regarding the length of time allowed the chief executive in which to retain the measure
 F. Complainants hoped to prove, through these witnesses, that the original com mission government act, for which At torney Crenshaw Is fgh ting, became ; law of its own accord by virtue of the alleged fact that 1t was retained by Governor Emmet O'Neal longer than the six days allowed by the consti- tuition.
 The defense throughout the hearing ad- hered to its argument which was ad- vanced on Thursday, that the court should not go back of the legislative journal 10 pass upon the constitutionality of that feature of the act. Attorney for the de- fense maintained that when the legisla- ture accepted the governors veto to the original measure the legislature accepted the consttutionality of the return.
 Among the witnesses who were on the stand during Fridays hearing were: J. H. Nunnalle. recording secretary to the governor; Thomas Bradford. enrolling clerk of the house; Secretary of State Cyrus B. Brown; J. Kirk Jackson, one time secretary to the governor and secre- tary of state, and B. G. Betty, newspaper correspondent.
 Able arguments were presented at the close of the testimony by Col. w. A. Gunter for the defense and by Robert C.. Arlington for the complainant.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
ELOPERS ENJOYING
 QUIET HONEYMOON

Springfield, Mass, August 11..-No rep resentative of the family of Mrs. John Edward Paul Geraghety, formerly Miss Julia French of Newport, Tuxedo, and New York. nor any detective nor anyone else appeared during the forenoon today to disturb the quiet which the eloping couple were enjoying at the home of Mrs. Joseph Harris, Geraghety's cousin, in this city
 In the afternoon the bridegroom was asked regarding his course of action in case Mir and Mrs. French should attempt to have him arrested on a charge of abduction
 Julia" he said, turning to his bride, they say l abducted you. Is that so?'
 T should say it wasn't so, dear she replied emphatically. If anybody did that it was l who took you away, Jack"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
PRISONER IS FOUND
 GETTING HIS THROAT

Tuscumbia, August 11.-(Special)-John ID. Power. white man about 35 years old. confined in the city jail for drunken ness, made an unsuccessful attempt ,o
 end his life with pocket knlfe apoue , p. m. yesterday.
 Power wrote a note and threw 1t out the window to a boy, asking him to give it to the jailor in which he stated that
 he had $100O life insurance and asked
 that his body be sent to Huntsville Upon receipt of the note the jallor hur-
 ried to the cell and found Power engaged in cutting his throat. He had succeeded in
 cutting gash about an inch long, but
 the wound Is not considered dangerous.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-12
CONTRACT LET FOR
 DECATUR CITY HALL

Decatur 2 August Especial )-The contract for the new city hall for Decatur has just been awarded to Abbott and Eberhand of sheffield The contract for plumbing and heating has been given to A. P. Smith & Sons of Decatur, and for the electric wiring to A. H. Giles of De- catur The total contracts amounts to a little over $20,O00, Work on the building is to commence August 21 and be com pleted within six months.
 The Second District conference of Masons. held at Austinville, a suburb of the two Decaturs. has just come to a close after most successful meeting