davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31

to accept the suggestion that he use al
ambulance, mounted Cincinnati, his famous
horse. and started across the country low
ard Sheridan's front on the left
General Lee did not know 1t, but whiie ne
was penning his reply TO Grants letter vi
April s, the emergency" had arisen. Inc
poetic suggestions of the countryside
bathed in the gentle warmth Of the spring
sunshine on April s, may have Appealed 10
the Irish imagination of Sheridan, but they
did not prevent him from squirting on AT an
almost unheard of pace until he had actu-
ally passed the left of lees army ana
placed himself squarely in Lees front ana
on his line of retreat That evening at
about sunset. Custer, commanding MS ad-
vance, captured Appomattox Station ana
four trainoads of provisions intended lor
Lees famshed army. He saw Conteu-
crate force coming up the Farmville roau
and attacked it, securing twenty-five guns
and many prisoners. The remainder OF the
troops were driven toward AppomattoN
Court House, on the north side OF the track
He then made the startling discovery that
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31
SENT TO HELP COMRADES.

At noon that day General Grant and his
staff reached Farmville. village on the
South Side Railroad on the south bank
Of the Appomattox, and drew rein at the
little hotel. lie established his headquar-
ters on the broad porch. Learning that
Crooks cavalry and Humphreys corps OF
infantry, which had already followed Lee
across the river to the north side, were
somewhat isolated and having difficult
time owing to the superior force confront
ing them he sent Colonel Horace Porter,
of his staff, to find out what was required
in the way of help. That evening the SOL
diers of Wrights corps. although they
had had a long wearing tramp that day,
were asked to cross to the assistance OF
their comrades. Then was displayed the
spirit that inhabited the army. Spring"
ing TO their feet as If 1t were the hrst
day of their march. they were soon swing
ing with elastic step along the main
street, past the little hotel on the porch
of which Grant sat- Although 1t was
dark, they caught sight of their COM
mander watching them with evident pride
Quickly they gathered up straw and pine
knots, which they improvised into torches.
and built bonfires beside the road. Cheers
arose from the threats Of the soldiers.
bands played, and in sheer enthusiasm
the men tossed their arms into the air
and caught them again. The night march
became grand review by Pickering fire.
light.
The men as they marched past did not
know that already their commander had
taken the first step in the negotiations
WINGED by the suggestions he had received
that the time was ripe for such a step.
at o'clock that afternoon he had writ
ten this note TO General Lee:
THE results Of the last week must con-
vince you of the hopelessness Of further
resistance on the part Of the Army Of
Northern Virginia in this struggle. l feel
that 1t is so. and regard it as my duty to
shift from myself the responsibility for
any further effusion of blood by asking
Of you the surrender OF that portion of
the Confederate States army known "a
the Army of Northern Virginia"
The letter was intrusted TO General
Seth Williams, the adjutant general, with
orders 20 ride with 1T across the river to
! Humphreys's front, which was close to
Lees rear guard. and send it through the
! lines in that way. Hoping TO have an
early reply. Grant decided to spend the
night at the little hotel He was shown
to a room which, he was told. had been
occupied by Lee the night before. This
interesting coincidence. so indicative OF
the close proximity of the two armies,
did not disturb Grants repose in the
least Although Lees reply was written
ceived. it followed such a circuitous
course that it did not reach the sleeping
Union general IN his peaceful room until
midnight. 1t read:
II have received your note of this date.
Though not entertaining the opinion you
express Of the hopelessness of further
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31

his soldiers had been stretching their
legs was not there.
The next twenty-four hours were cost
ly ones for he had to remain at the
Courthouse that length of time, gathering
such supplies as his foraging partes
could pick up While they went up ana
down the countryside, impressing every
thing eatable for man or beast that they
could lay their hands on, the unsleeping
foe pushed on. When Lee was ready 10
start again. on the evening or April D.
Grants troops had stretched far beyond
the Courthouse and occupied Burkevilie'
the point of intersection of the Richmond
& Danville and South Side railroads.
Grant was trying TO accomplish the re-
markable military feat of heading of the
enemy. Pursuing and annoying the rear
guard might be good enough for others,
but for him nothing less than the whole
was sufficient
Once again Lee illustrated his never
give-up-the-ship characteristic. Cut on
from the South, he turned toward Lynch
burg. April was occupied with run
ming fights and ended with frightiui
disaster to Lees left wing. The day
fruits, bagged through Sheridans SWIFT
ness and vehemcnce, were not less than
eight thousand men. chiefly in captured
including a number Of well Fnown gen.
erals. The bank of Sailors Creek, lit
tie stream flowing into the Appomattox
north of Burkeville, was the scene Of the
disaster to the left wing. History also
suffered that day Among the captures
was Lees headquarters baggage, contain
ing large quantities of returns and re-
ports II was burned.
Lees chances were fast disappearing,
but still he plodded on. The morning OF
the 9TH found him on the north side OF
the AppomattoX, marching toward Lynch
burg on the road running through Ap"
pomattoX Courthouse Some of Lees
generals suggested that TO surrender was
the only course left open TO him. but his
unauenchabe spirit led him to say: Il trust
it has not come TO that. We have too
many bold men to think Of laying down
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31

supervision OF the Interior Department
Wherefore Secretary Fisher is aiming TO
open up for American tourists and travel
lers some of the wonders of this country
now almost unknown.
See America frst!' is the motto which
was blazoned on the banners at the recent
meeting in Washington OF the American
Civic Association Secretary Fisher de-
clared himself in strong favor of this doc
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31

trious and peaceable people. Unable be-
cause of their smallness of stature to
wage successful defensive warfare against
the hostile Indians to the south, they for
titled themselves in their houses far up
In the rocky canyons.
Only by following narrow trails along
the face of the cliffs in places reduced TO
mere hand and foot holds carved in the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31

brought back thus through tourists from
abroad. At any rate, Secretary Fisher
wants the Mesa Verde, with it's marvel
lous cliff houses opened up for tourists.
The cliff dwellers were small of stature,
as is shown by the understood and dwarf
like mummies which have been found.
They lived in communities for mutual pro-
lection. all evidence pointing to an indus
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31

trine, and Senator Smoot, of Utah, in an
address before the association said: See
Europe if you will, but see America first"
In southwestern Colorado some of the
most interesting, most picturesque and most
valuable antiquities of American history
lie practically inaccessible to the tourist
and the student. These are the cliff dwell
lings of the Mesa Verde national park.
These strange mystic cliff houses are so
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31

sheer precipice, and through tunnels cut
in rock barely large enough 10 admit the
entrance Of the diminutiyc cliff dNeler Is
access obtained to these fortresses. From
some of the structures the rock forna-
tons which permitted entrance have caved
away, leaving them isolated on high ledse.
and balconies in cliffs, inaccessible anu
uneXplored.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31
TRYING TO KEEP GRANT OUT.

The great walking match" one of the
most notable military pursuits IN MS
tory. had lasted just week. On Sunday
April .. General Lee was occupied try
ing to keep General Grant out of Peters,
burg long enough to give the Confederate
government and his own army chance
10 escape to the westward. Under the
cover Of the darkness of that night JEFF
ferson Davis had left Richmond and he
and his soldiers had stolen out Of the
Cockade City, bound for Danville. Sup
plies were to meet him at Amelia Court
house. thirty-two miles away to the
northwest. Whatever President Davis
may have felt. Lee was happy in the feel
ing that he had now a chance TO breathe
lie was out of the sitting breastworks
and i'm the open again. Grant would have
a difficult time trailing him, for to follow
meant 10 leave a base of supplies on the
banks Of the James and the railroads.
He had forgotten an incident in Gen
eral Grants career The Union com
mander had fought and won an average
of one battle day in the neighborhood
of Nicksburg. in an enemy's country,
without a wagon train. On that ocCa-
sion Grants personal baggage had been
limited to a toothbrush. Lee was count
ing without his host His army had hard
y teEUn its ploddng march through the
fiesh green folds and sylvan paths and
pt,st the fragrant, blooming peach or
chards when Grants army set forth on
the long. weary race with himself. With
out waiting for a glimpse Of the fallen
Confederate capital and carrying no more
personal belongings than he did at Vicks-
burg. leaving even his sword behind
Grant took his place with his advancing
troops
The first day, April g. was chiefly
dreary plodding. on Tuesday Sheridan
the INEVITABLE" with an energy that
knew no bounds, led his cavalry forward
to Jetersville. a village Oh the Danville
Railroad about eight miles southwest OF
Amelia Courthouse, the hamlet where
Lees army had arrived in the hope of
finding food. Sheridan had crossed the
railway line leading toward Danville. and
sent a message TO General Grant de-
scrbing the situation. 1t was good
situation, for it cut Lee off from the
South. from Johnston and from supplies.
Lee was TO be disappointed when he
reached the Courthouse The cupboard
was bare. The expected food for which
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31
New
Il }

kkO PEN up Americas historic spots"
This is the command which Sec
~ rotary Fisher OF the United
States Department Of the Interior is sound
ing along the line.
Il so happens that most Of the countrys
national parks and the so-called monu-
ments-that is, antiquities, such as cliff
and cave dwellings. natural bridges. petri-
fed forests and so forth-come under the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31
Appomattox Court House Got
"On the Map" When Lee
Surrendered There.

nome communities and persons have
fame thrust upon them. Thus II
~ was on April 9, 1865, with Apo
mattox Court House. hamlet of half a
dozen more or less inconseQuential houses
clustered around an ordinary two-story
brick courthouse, about seventy-fve miles
west of Richmond. Thus il was also with
Wilmer Mclean, the owner Of the best
house in that village. 1t came about
without generalization on any ones part
that that little group of houses. squat
ting at the intersection of two roads ana
never before the scene of any incident OF
greater consequence than wedding IN
the course Of decade. or a funeral once
or twice In the course Of half of that
period. should forever after not only have
place on the map regardless or the
fate Of the houses. but find place IN
every history of the United States that
has been published since that date or
ever shall he from this day forth Ana
Brother Mclean? Despite all his efforts
20 get out of the limelight, the God of
History had his eye on that self-eliminat-
ing man and sought him out in this
kitten-like little community.
1t was money. the root of all evil
that got him into this peck Of notoriety,
into the middle of the stage. when he pre-
ferred the wings owning a Virginia
farm near the field of the first battle or
Bull Run. his house had been used by
General Beauregard, the Confederate
commander, as a headquarters. Not lik-
ing that kind Of an environment, he sold
out and moved TO the quiet little town OF
Appomattox, where he thought he would
find perpetual peace without the aid or
an arbitration treaty. Being sufficiently
well-to-do he became the owner of the
best house in the place. He had chosen
well, hut the great military walking
match" petered out in the valley into
which he could look from his windows
and General Lee, in selecting spot on
which to transfer his army to General
Grant. picked out the best looking house
in the village for the purpose. Thus II
came about that he who had witnessed
the beginning of the great war by accl-
dent was present at the end simply pe-
cause he had the wherewithal to possess
himself of a certain kind Of house. The
limelight was not unkind 10 him TINS
time. however. for it turned into a sort
Of money moon" Hardly had the prin-
cipals left when souvenir hunters show
cred gold upon him in exchange for his
furniture.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-20
Interest In Horticulture

There Is an increasing interest in small farming and especially in fruit growing in Alabama, as evidenced by the enthusiasm which marks the annual meeting of the State Horticultural so- ciety, being held in Birmingham.
 When this excellent society met here few years since the sessions were animated and the discussions were of high value; but less than 30 persons ship of the society has grown and the attendance this year is double even that of last There are hundreds of gible to membership and they should by all means join, for organization and exchange of views will be found ex- ceedingly profitable in small farming as in other useful pursuits.
 Many able and helpful papers have been read at this years meeting and many stimulating facts have been brought out. Up near IIaleyvllle a pro- fessional man started a few years ago to raise peaches He succeeded so well that he dropped his profession and is now getting rich from his orchard crops. He has over 5000 peach trees and the average yield is highly sat isfactory.
 A member of the society who culti- yates a little farm in Chambers coun- ty tells of selling pears raised on ore acre of ground for $500. Many inter- esting accounts of intensive farming have been related and they all go to show what can De done and Is beir g done in Alabama by the hortieulturists | tc add to the wealth of the state. Let the good work continue and Alabama win be the best advertised truck farm : | ing state in the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-20
Settlement of the Yiaduct Problem

By vote of r to Il the City Council has adopted the viaduct agreement. All injunctions have been removed and if the legislature will sanction the closing of certain streets all obstacles to the inn mediate beginning of the construction of the First avenue viaduct will disappear. The construction of that viaduct will be felt throughout the easterly end of the city, and the people of the entire city will begin to see that the dangerous condi- tions of the past are not beyond cure.
 The terms of the railroads are at some points very exacting.' but they are the best terms that could be obtained unless, indeed, the long delays of litigation be re- sorted to. Public sentiment favors the adoption of the plan agreed upon, and the hope IS that the legislature will look at the matter as the people of this city do. The closing of streets in a large town is indeed serious matter. but dan- gerous grade crossings are even worse. Of two evils we should choose the lesser and let it go at that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-20
STEEL AEROPLANEs

w. F. Bradley, in Cassier's Magazine.
 Among the leading French firms most important advances are to be found in structural details. There are not any radical changes in design, but in the matter of strength, finish and workman ship there is a world of difference be- tween the leading makes of aeroplanes of today and those of a year ago. An inn portant feature is ther strong tendency shown by some of the leading makers toward the use of metal for the frame work of aeroplanes. The French Wright biplane although employing American spruce for it's running gear and main transverse members, now has steel tubes for the stanchions separating the two main planes. The Voisin Bros. have abolished wood entirely, with the excep- ton of the fuselage receiving the pilots seat, the essential framework being con- structed of steel tubing Bayard-Clem- ent, in their little Demoiselle, confine the use of wood to a portion of the wings. Robert Esna ult- -Pelterie, who has now produced a most pleasing and success full monoplane. builds it entirely of steel tube, and there is not an inch of wood to be found on the Breguet biplane.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-20
MAN WITHOUT EMOTIONS

From Madame Geoffrin and Her Salon."
 It is Mme. Geoffrin who gives the most lucid and striking presentment of Fontenelle. Thanks to the "Nouveaux Melanges,' we can see the small well preserved figure being brought day by day to Mme Geoffrins; its unruffled calm. it's never varying equanimity, to- totally unmoved by any emotions, indif- ferent to all the ordinary impulses of mankind, a figure of almost inhuman egoism, which, because of its serene and passionless apathy, fingered on almost to the end of its hundredth year.
 He was as nearly a perfect literary abstraction as a man may become. He did not love anyoDe; people pleased him that was all; he was never known to pronounce the word love.
 He spoke of his parents with the same icy indifference he showed to all the world. His mother was apparently of the same type as himself.
 My father was a fool" he remarked, with q fine impartial frankness to Mime. Geoffrin, but my mother was clever. She was a quietist; a sweet little wom- an who often said to me. my son, you will be damned" But it did not trouble her at all."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-20
GERMAN STUDENTS FRANKS

From the Washington Herald.
 "The Berlin university student is the eternal nightmare of the policeman of the Kaiser's capital" says Dr. Friedrich Herter of Berlin, at the Arlington. Dr. Herter is making pleasure tour of this country.
 At one end of Unter den Linden, the fashionable promenade of Berlin, Is the historic Brandenburg Gate. a magnifi- cent triumphal arch. One fine morning recently policeman doing duty near this gate discovered a student in full regalia perched upon lamppost sleeping the sleep of the just. The guardian of the public peace approached to investigate; the young highbrow stirred uneasiy on his perch and, sleepily opening his eyes and pointing to the Brandenburg Gate, said to ther policeman, August there is such an internal draft in here; shut that gater'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-20
Financial Condition of the State

Governor O'Neal takes hold of the bus ury shortage or deficit of about s2O0, ,0o0 "There is some money" said Governor ONeal recently, Ion hand, but we are fin the exact condition of the man who has a bank account of slOO and outstand- fng obligations of $50 In other words. we are in the hole.
 Fortunately for the state the new gov ernor recognizes at the outset the condi- ton of the treasury. He is urging the legislature to take steps that will dis close the real and exact condition of the travagant appropriations will not be warmly favored by the new governor. They will be, if possible, sidetracked, for expenditures must be brought within receipts. The governor is committed to this policy, and he will need a good stiff backbone in order to bring this desirable result to the state.
 All friends of the new state admins trstion should recognize the fact That the deficit at the present time is about
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-20
Needs of the Public Library

The Library association appeals to the Mayor and City Council for more room, on the ground that it. is rapidly growing, and that the addition of the works of the Birmingham Medical association and of the Birmingham Library Association for the Blind calls for more space. The use- fuiness of the library is increasing month after month. It is constantly increasing.
 At present the library has no home of it's own. It is housed in the city hall, and the additional space it asks for is space that is not otherwise used or need ed. The Library association simply asks that the we'll hole'of the armory gallery be f1oored over, thus giving the library an additional space equal in size of the armory floor. The expense would be small and the added accommodation would be appreciated by the rapidly in- creasing numbers that use the Public Li- brary. Few know that 10000 books are withdrawn from the library every month, and that 250O people a month use the books in the reference room and the mag azines in the reading room. The library has indeed become a very useful and pop ular public institution.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-20
Home for the Governor

The bill to appropriate s50,0o0 for the through the senate by a substantial ma 1ority-21 yeas, 8 nays. The bill also car ries an annual appropriation of sS60o, cov- ering four years. for the maintenance of the mansion. The low state of the treas urv induced Senator Moody to oppose the bill. and Senator Norman thought a less expensive mansion should be built. Pos sibly six senators were opposed to the bill outright. The house doubtless will consider the bill next week and the chances are that 1t will become law, and that fine governors mansion will soon be. built.
 There is really no reason why one should not be. The state treasury may be low, but the state is by no means lacking in either population or wealth.  . The time has come when the executive head of the state should be appropriately housed. The dignity of the states high est officer and the welfare Of the state itself alike call for the erection of suit able governors mansion. The senate bill covers the ground. home costing s50,0ot
 The concurrence of the house may reasonably be anticipated. This would dispose of an issue that has often been discussed and as often evaded. The pres ent legislature has, however, the courage of it's convictions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-20
Central Bank Question

"A sound central bank does prevent panics," says writer In the Wall Street Journal 'It does not entirely prevent the over-extension of credit by private and joint stock banks, nor does 1t exercise such profound in- fuence over the whole economic sys- tenn as to prevent recurrent periods of business confidence and expansion and of depression and contraction. The naive statement that panlcs have been largely avoided in the last 30 years in the chief European countries because the management of the banks have been cautious In granting loans is simply tribute to the greater eff ciency and conservatism of European banking methods, of which the central bank is the center and pivot and in times of stress is the chief support. To say that sound banking has arisen ir- respective of central banks is like say ing that speedier methods of locomo- ton would have been discovered with out the application of steam or elec- tricity.
 ''The manner in which central bank prevents a panic Is simple and plain. An actual panic---not to speak now of the preliminary causes-arises from the fear that currency or credit cannot be had because the supply is shut within arbitrary limits. This happened in Eng