davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
HAD TAKEN
HIS WlFE'S LIFE
EXECUTION At SUN RISE
Life of Napier BrYom is Taken
as Compensation for
the Brutal Crime

Nashville, March l5.--Napper By
IN, white man convicted of the
nIrder of his wife, the mother of
twelve children, was hanged at the
state prison here at sunrise this morn
ing. His crime was most brutal. By
rom spent his last night in the death
house, just to the rear of the prison
walls.
Last Saturday a delegation waited
on Gov. Hooper to plead for commu-
tation for Byron to life imprisonment.
This delegation consisted of the con.
demned mans three attorneys, his sis
t.rs, twu daughters and other relatives
and friends. They presented TIE rec
Old in the case and other facts bearing
thereon. The governor asked many
questions so rs thoroughly familiarize
himself with the case. He learned,
imong other things, that one of By
'om's daughters was prosecuted in the
case.
after the delegation left the govern
IRIS office, the two daughters of Byron
'eturned alone. They said they were
lot there TO ask the governor to inter
ere, bnt had como largely upon the
olicitation of their aunts and of the
attorneys, thinking they could not
veil refuse TO come. 1t had been rep
esented to the governor, as on the trial
below, that the defendant was insane.
lbs daughters said he was not insane,
eclaring that he had abused and beat
n their mother for thirty years, threat
ming to kill her which threat he final
Y carried out. They expressed de-
sire to have the governor T. roughly
investigate The case, however. and hcr-
Il that if he decided that Byr,tn's
lind was not right, that their father
iould not be made to suffer the ex-
"eme penalty.
After giving the matter careful con-
liberation, the governor decided not to
terfere.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
MUCH MYSTERY
SURROUNDS CASE

Albany, N. Y, March 49, A
long list of witnesses, many of them
women, have been summoned to tes-
tify today to the mental unsoundness
of Mrs. Edith Melber, on trial
charged with the murder of her little
son. Mystery continues to attach
to the case because the defense in
sists upon attendance in court of
Howard Kirk, who figured as Mrs.
Melber's closest friend. Imposing
exhibits of art embroidery by Kirk,
piled on the desk of the defendant S
counsel, are highly stimulative Of
curiosity.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
Good Roads Law.

The joint Legislative committee
on good road laws is now work
ing on several bills which will be
introduced Immediately after the
recess. Only one of these meas
ures has yet been drafted. This
bill is the county bond act. 1t
provides for the locating, build
ing and maintaining of all public
highways in the various counties
of the state and for matchmaking
same. The bill also provides
that county courts may issue in
terest-bearing coupon bonds for
road purposes, the amount OF such
bonds not to exceed 10 per cent.
of the taxable value of property
in the county. The courts issu-
ing such bonds shall levy a suffi-
cient tax to create sinking fund
for the retirement of the road
bonds,
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

AND LEGISLATIVE
COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER
Purchase of Mission-Recommen-
dalton as Taxation
of Notes

Nashville, March 15.-It is
probable the joint Legislative re-
districting committee will recon-
mend little if any changes IN the
congressional and Legislative dis
tricts of the state. There are not
likely to be any changes, either,
in the Middle and West Tennessee
judicial circuits or chancery divi-
sions. 1t is very probable, how
ever, that some changes will be
made in the judicial circuits and
chaucery divisions in East Ten
nessee so as to relieve the couges-
ton which now is said to exist in
some of the courts of that section
of Tennessee. The people of
Shelby county are clamoring to
be placed in congressional dis
trict to themselves, and this idea
seems to meet with favor among
the people of Hardemau, Upton
and Fayette counties, which are
now included in the Tenth dis
trict. 1t is not probable, how
ever, that the committee will re-
commend any changes. This
committee meets again in this
city next Monday.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE
ARE IN WASHINGTON

Washington, March Estate
Senators John |. Cox, O. K. Holla-
day and c. M. Turner are here.
Senator Cox is here on business
connected with the rcfunding of the
state debt. Senators Holiday and
Turner, who are on the redistricting
committee, are here to look up CEN
sus figures for use in redistrictihg
the state. The legislature will pos
sibly be called upon to redistrict the
STATE congressionally, owing to the
fact that the last congress failed to
pass the reapportionment act.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
IN NASHVILLE.
ACCIDENT
YESTERDAY
4 DEAD AND H INJURED
Working FranticallY to Rescue
the Imprisoned Men, Whose
Groans Can Be Heard.

Nashville, March 15.-Be-
tween fifteen and twenty work
men engaged i'll tearing down
the old walls of the J. II. Fall
6 company building on Third
avenue, near the pubic square,
were caught by falling walls,
which were blown inwardly
shortly before IL o'clock this
mording.
Every ambulance available
and the patrol wagon were on
the scene Immediately and a
score or more of volunteers,
among them Mayor Howse,
assisted the firemen in clearing
away the debris.
Probably twelve or fifteen of
the wOrImen, who were mostly
negroes, may not be brought
out alive, and the crowd on the
outside can hear the groanS Of
the imprisoned workmen.
Work has been pushed as fast
is possible i'll the efforts to res
cue the men, but the task is hard
md the workers are hindered
by the mass of splintered tim
oerS which piled up with the
tons and tons of masonry when
the walls came crashing down,
Bearing their human burden.
At two o'clock this afternoon
fifteen men had been recovered
from the ruins, four of whom
we're dead. The body of Ralph
McColium, son of a we'll known
local musician, was the last to
be recovered. His head was
ma2hed into a pulp.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Tie Johnson City Pub IL Library
Board met last Saturday afternoon,
and discussed many plans looking to-
ward general inn 2rovement, and among
other matters arranged for the annual
which is to take place
soon, u being the intention of the
board to MAXI the rooms as attractive
and restful rs possible fof the use of its
patrous, hoping that as many as can
will visit them frequently.
Miss Blake | lst week pre- ented the
library with Ateen volumes of mod
ein fiction. S ,vpral other books have
been given re emily. Now books will
be added as rapidly AZ funds can be
had to pay for them.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
LEATHER" KELLY GOES
TO JOHNSON CITY TEAM

Knoxville, March 15.--"Leather"
Kelly has signed up with the johnson
City baseball team of the old Southeas-
tern league and will report there for
work apout April |. He is a Knox
vile lad and one of the best pitchers
ever turned out from this city. He has
ateo seen service in the Southern and
south Atlantic leagues and is regarded
as still bigger team timber some day.
He is expected to establish rec )rd as
twirler in the new league this sea-
son.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
rWO GIRLS AND -.
MAN MEET DEATH

St. Paul, Mimi, March IS
Two girls and a man were killed,
me girl fatally hurt and several
'thers injured in an elevator &C
.ident in the wholesale fur house
# Gordon d- Ferguson today.
The elevator fell four floors.
he dead and injured were pin
oned in wreckage at the bottom
the shaft. Mason Johnson,
lie elevator operator, told Coro-
ier Jones that when he closed the
.ates after dischargiug psssen-
rers at the fourth floor, the eleva-
Or started to slip down. The
'lutch failed to work. The eleva-
or gathered momentum, and
when it struck the bottom of the
,haft the counterbalance weight
It the top dropped.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

Jacob Carr. OF the Eighth district
was business visitor in the city yes
terday.
After having spent the winter at
Eustes, Florida, Mrs. w M. Meth
erland and children will, within a
few days, return TO her home in
this city.
Supt. Brooks held a meeting of
the teachers Of the fourth grade pu-
pills, at his Office yesterday afternoon.
John A. Graham was up from
Chuckey river yesterday.
The Baracca Class Of the Central
Baptist church are planning for a
great rally day on the first Sunday in
April.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
ASSIGNED TO RUN
ON ROGERSVILLE LINE

Captain Bruce Cartright, of the
Southern railway, who has been a
passenger train conductor on the
main line between Knoxville and
Bristol during the past few days, has
been assigned to the run on the
Rogersville branch of the Southern,
the run held for several years by
Conductor Hugh Murray, who is
now on the main line between
Bristol and Chattanooga. Morris
town Gazette.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
WARNING To SHIPPING
ALONG ATLANTIC COAST

Washington, March 15.-Stormy
weather prevails along the Atlantic
coast and warnings to shipping have
been displayed all the way from East
Port, Maine to Cape Hatteras. The
st orm is moving eastward from the
Great Lake region.
Decidedly colder weather is predict
ed by the weather bureau orthe entire
country east Of the Mississippi within
the next thirty six hours and in some
of the northern states in this section
cold wave warnings have been dis
played.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
ARE BURIED UNDER
RUINS OF COLLAPSED BUILDING
ARBITRATION TREATY
WITH GREAT BRITAIN

Washington, Mach 15.-When con-
gress assemblies in regular session next
December it is believed the president
may be able to redeem his promise to
submit treaty with Great Britain pro-
viding for general and unlimited arbi
tration of all questions arisiag between
America and Great Britain.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
GREENEVILLE'S COURT
SESSION IS POSTPONED

Chattanooga, March 15.-An-
nouncement was made in federal
court this morning by Judge E. T.
Sanford that the term of court which
was to have been held at Greene
vile the last Monday in March has
been continued a week, owing to
the fact that the Coca Cola case
will be on trial here at least two
weeks. This will make the Greene
vile term the first week in April.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
RED BOARD ON
HATHAWAY
AND He CAN'T ENTER BLOCK
War May Be Declared and a
Naval Demonstration Is Ex-
pected on Peaceful Watauga

Ed Hathaway has commission
as postmaster at Elizabethton
signed by President Taft, but he
has no Office to hold-the Office is
held by Crawford Alexander, who
has a commission signed by one
Teddy r. Roosevelt and it has as
much life in it as the signer,
hence the tangle of authority.
Trainmaster Taft seems to
have mixed his orders and is try
ing to put two trains in one block
but Alexander discovered the err
ror in time to avoid collision.
War has not been declared,
probably because the president is
away from Washington playing
golf, but as soon as he gets back
on the job and hears from the in
surgents he will more than likely
recall the troops from Texas and
assemble them for maueuvers
around Elizabethton and send a
regiment to see if Alexander will
capitulate. The potrol boat,
Spitfire, has sailed under sealed
orders and is riding at anchor off
Sycamore Shoals awaiting the
arrival of the cruiser, Spittire,
and the dreadnaught, Sammule,
before making a demonstration.
The idea of removing post
master without charges simply to
make room for political friend
of a congressman is very repug-
nant to Elizabethton people and
95 per cent. of the business men
of the community have signed a
petition endorsing Crawford AL
exander. Like all other Ameri-
cans, the people of this Carter
county capitol love fair play and
believe in giving the devil his
dues and are standing by Alexan-
der in his standpat attitude. He
wants to be shown a reason for
his removal and will demand that
he be given the right to refute
charges, if any are made.
No one can doubt that he has
this right and if the president pur,
sues any other policy at the instance
of any one he will certainly offend
the good sense and wise judgment
of the fair-minded citizens of this
section.
1t is limited in some quarters that
President Taft was probably inhu-
enced in this matter by Gov. Hoop
er, who claims, so the story goes,
that Mr.. Alexander voted for Bob
Taylor against him last November,
and this constitutes treason, whether
it be true or not true, according to
the ethics of the independents. AS
the president only has the right to
appoint and remove a postmaster
with the advice and consent of the
senate, he may encounter some
trouble in getting the consent of
this August body to the removal of a
postmaster simply because he voted
for Our Bob Whatever way
happens it is now certain that Alex
ander is keeping Hathaway from the
ME counter.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
REV. ERNEST MOODY
HOLDS PRAYER MEETING

Rev. Ernest MOODY, pastor of the
United Brethren church, conducted
the prayer meeting last night at the
Christian church. He made most
interesting and instructive talk on
religious topics during the evening.
He is one of the brightest young
preachers in the city and seems to
have bright and useful future.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
SOCIETY.
Society Editor Mrs. c. o. Biddle.
BOTH PHONES NO. so.
VI. G. r. Club.

The M. G. r. Club met yester-
lay afternoon at the home of Mrs.
E. Haynes Miller. There were
seven tables of Five Hundred and
Mrs. Archer and Mrs. Eiseman
had to cut for the prize, Mrs. Else
man winning. This is the first
entertainment given by Mrs, Mil
Ter since her returns from her
bridal tour and was greatly enjoy
ed by all present. A delicious
salad course, ices, minis and nuts
we're served.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
STATE DEPARTMENT
ASKS MEMS RELEASE

Washington, March I4,-The
state department today asked the
Mexican government to release
Blatt and Converse, the Americans
held prisoners at Juarez, Mexico.
The government of Mexico was in
formed that the state department S
information showed that the Ameri.
cans had been arrested on American
soil.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

Judge Price, of Bristol, was
transacting business in the city
yesterday.
Prof. Gilbreath, after visit Of
several days in Chattanooga, is
expected in the city tomorrow.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
Mrs. Fl. B. Merccreau
VIII Give Gard Party.

Mrs. H. B. Mercereau has issu-
cd invitations to a card party at
her Watauga avenue home on
Friday afternoon, St. Patrick's
day in the morniu', and a large
number of guests are expected.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
Inheritance Tax.

The joint legislative committee
appointed to draft an inheritance tax
law, Senator Holiday, chairman,
will meet tomorrow, Senator Hol-
laday has been in the city since yes
terday working on the proposed
bill.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
New Mansion.

The joint legislative committee
appointed to investigate the advisa-
bility of selling the present guberna-
torial mansion and purchasing anoth-
er in the residence section of the
city, and, incidentally, the question
of converting the present mansion in
to capitol annex, or building a new
annex on the Capitol grounds, has
been called to meet next Tuesday
and begin work. This commttee is
composed of Governor Hooper,
Speakers Baxter and Leach, and one
member from the senate and one
from the house
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
STREET CAR WILL RUN
AFTER ENTERTAINMENT

BY special arrangement street cars
will be run after the birthday party
tonight at the Munsey Memorial
church by Circle Five. Be sure to
attend,
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

Rev. d. A. Dobbs was most
pleasant visitor in the Martha
Weilder school yesterday morning
DR.. Dobbs spoke to the children at
the opening hour and his remarks
were appreciated.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16
Embroidery Club.

The Embroidery Club held an
interesting meeting yesterday af-
ternoon with Mrs. II. w. lyle on
Pine street.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

E. D. Galloway, a prosperous
lumber dealer of West Virginia. was
a business visitor in the city yester-
day.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

Miss Gladys Archer will leave
Friday for Knoxville to visit Miss
Weatherby at the home of Mrs.
II. H. Suttle.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

Misses Alice and Eva Carr are
expected home from Nashville
Early next week.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1911-03-16

Read The Want Ads Today
Omaha daily bee., 1911-09-10
Lost Togo" Davis
Found by Grandma
Mrs. Marion Clarke Finds Daughter
Took Babe to Keep Him from
Husband.

Fears of Mrs. Marion Clarke of Sioux
City that her grandson, Theodore or
Togo" Davis, had been kidnapped and
possibly have met with harm were ended
last night, when she located the little one
for whom she had been searching for three
weeks. at the home of Mrs. Cora Camp
bell, 27S1 South Sixteenth street. He is safe
and sound. The mystery of disappearance
is cleared up. William Messick, who had
been under arrest at Sioux City, charged
with kidnapping the 3-year-old, has been
released, according to word from Sioux
City.
Mrs. Clarke found her grandson here
last night" said Mrs Campbell. The boys
parents are Ruthford and Elizabeth
Davis of Sioux City. While Mrs Davis
mother, Mrs. Clarke, was away from Sioux
City on visit, Mrs. Davis had trouble
with her husband and he wanted to take
Theodore. She was afraid he would, so she
took up the boy and brought him to
Omaha and put him with me for safe keep
ing. That was four weeks ago. When Mrs.
Clarke got back to Sioux City and found
the boy gone she didn't know what had
become of him or his mother. Davis didn',
know, either He had Messick arrested
suspecting him because he was a friend OF
Mrs Davis.
Mrs. Davis went to work here She
Omaha daily bee., 1911-09-10
AFFAIRS AT SOUTH OMAHA
Investigating Committee Does Not
Fear Loss in Bond Matter.
MAY PUT BOND AUDITOR ON CASE
Make Careful Inquiry Into Past
Issues of City Paper-HOrse
and Hired Man Missing.

Although the committee that examined
into the alleged bogus bonds now being
floated in New York City has agreed upon
a conclusion setting forth the immunity
Of the city from pecuniury loss in the mat
ter, there is a deal of hesitation about pro-
ceeding further.
Yesterday afternoon Assistant City Attor-
ney Samuel Winters, acting for the legal
department of the city, met with the mayor
and city treasurer in the treasurer's office
TO formulate report of the committee
work. After a conference, however, 1t was
decided that the report should be prepared
and signed by a majority of the investigat-
ing committee who would present it for APP
prevail to the city council next Monday
night
A wire to this effect was Immediately dis
patched to Kountze Brothers, the New
York fiscal agents Of the city.
The members Of the committee, while
very conservative in their expressions on
the subject, confess their inability to &C
count for the duplicate bonds now in New
York, while the original ones are in the
vaults of the treasurer's office.
Some Of the committee want to put a
bond auditor on the case. Councilman Tom
Peterson, a member Of the finance COM
mittee, said yesterday afternoon: II would
like to put an auditor to work on the case.
think the city bonds for the last twenty
years should be examined now, 1 am for
getting to the bottom OF the affair no
matter where or whom 1t strikes"
Mayor Trainor also said that he thought
the party or parties floating the duplicate
bonds should be apprehended. Assistant
City Attorney Winters said he could not
see that the apprehension Of the persons
holding the paper would warrant the ex-
pense entailed by the pursuit of them
Treasurer John Gillin urged that the mat
ter be Investigated to the end.
MessenEer Leaves with Rig.
Mrs. NJ. Glynn Of wileys ranch at Child's
Point had illness In her home Thursday
morning and was compelled to send the
hired man 20 town for a doctor.
The jehu hitched the best horse to road
wagon and loft the farm at 1890 a. IN. He
covered the distance between the farm and
the town in short order and dispatched the
doctor without delay. The doctor arrived
at the farm, attended the patient and de
parted long before the arrival Of the mes
senger. Mrs. Glynn waited patiently To-
her hired man. but until a late hour las
night she had received no word Of him Of
the horse and wagon.
Now the police are looking for hors'
Omaha daily bee., 1911-09-10
County Must Fight
Over Bridge Claim
Standard Bridge Company Turns
Down Compromise Offer and
Goes to Court.

Legal action to force the Board Of County
Commissioners to pay the Standard Bridge
company 1886 for steel ratings on bridges
will be started by the Standard Bridge
company. according to T. L, Roberts, man
ager of the company. So said Mr.. Roberts
yesterday afternoon after he had rejected
an offer OF the board TO compromise it's
differences with the bridge makers. The
commissioners indicated they arc willing
to go into court.
Two months ago Commissioner o. j,
Piekard raised objection to a claim Of the
bridge company for 1896 for ratings
charged as extras" He said the ratings
were included in the bids on the general
structures. The board stood with him and
rejected the claim. The bridge company
demanded hearing and II was had a week
ago. Mr.. Roberts said wooden ratings are
included in general bids. but steel ratings
never.
Yesterday afternoon the board met with
Roberts, and called Deputy County Attor-
ney Magney into the conference Mr.. Mag
ney said he saw a fine chance for a law
suit and It was impossible to guess who
would win. He advised compromise.