davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
ABBEVILLE MAN
 COMMITS SUICIDE
Postmaster Marsh, Short in Accounts, Fires Bullet Into Brain-Also
 Takes Strychnine

Abbeville, March 6.-After writing let ter to his wife, telling her he was short In his accounts and dec;urmg ''it is this or go to the penitentlary," Postmaster H. .Ls Marsh today committed suicide by fir ing bullet into his brain. His body was found by Y. R. Wood. who was at tracted to the postoffice by the sound of the pistol shot. In his letter Marsh said
 Dear Mandy-I am going out of rhis world. My life has been a failure all the way through. I am short in my ac- counts and 1t is either this or go to the penitentiary. God bless you and the chil- dren. I hate to leave. I have taken enough strychnne to kill me if this bull let does not. Bury me just as I ann
 He also instructed her to notify his brother. Frederick Marsh, living at Bos- ton. Marsh was n years old, an old un. ion soldier and had been postmaster here i2 yeaNs. He leaves a widow and five children.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
STEEL CORPORATION PURCHASES P|G IORN February Statistics Reflect
 Increased Output COAL OUTLOOK IS BAD Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. Purchases 15,O00 Tons of Basic Steel-Basic
 Primer and Valley Furnaces
 Asking S12.50 Per Ton
COAL OUTLOOK IS BAD

New York, March Special )-Tht Iron Age will say tomorrow: Ths most important development of tn, week is the purchase by the Steel cor. poration of round lots of heavy melt.
 ing steel scrap and of both basic and Bessemer pig iron. scrap has bees bought in both the Chicago and Pitts burg districts and basic and Bessemei iron from valley furnaces. The Jones & Laughlin Steel Go. has bought 15,- 900 tons of basic iron. Basic is firm CT and valley furnaces are now ask ing s12.50.
 The February pig iron statistics re- fleet the increased output of steel pro ducts in that month of unusual handi- caps to the entire industry. So great activity, under the serious drawba ok s of this remar rl1able winter it is argued, points to very heavy operations as open weather advances.
 For the 2s days of February pig iron production was 2,toO,S15 tons against 2,057,011 tons in the 31 days in Jan uary The daily average in February was 72,i42 tons or 5000 tons more than in January.
 2 The Steel corporations share of the country's business in steel is still un- usual as was the case in January. Last month it produced 65,000 tons of pig iron more than in January, while the output of the independent steel com panies was increased by 5000 tons.
 The industry entered March with a pig iron output at the rate of 27 100, 900 tons year. including charcoal iron, which is almost up to the record for a year, 27,300,000 tons in 1910.
 The threat of coal strike is more serious.
 There was a more active effort in the past week to accumulte coke and prices for prompt shipment have stiff fcned further.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07

TO the Editor of The Age-Herald.
 As a food product, sugar has for more than half century. among the nations of the earth, occupied a promi- nent place. There seems to have been a desire by the European nations to acquire in>the tropics territory adopted for growing cane and making sugar. Then came, under the rule of Napoleon Bonapart of France the experimept of producing sugar from beets. At pres ent the worlds production of sugar is 16,000000 tons, about equally divided between sugar cane and sugar beets. As nations advance in civilization there Is an increase in the per capita con sumption of sugar. The demand keeps pace with the increased production and from year 10 year there are no surplus stocks to be carried over. The Ameri- can nation consumes yearly 3,000,OO0 tons, and the sources of supply are as sfollows: Cane sugar from Louisiana and Texas, 400, 900 tons; beet sugar from other states. 600,000 tons; cane sugar free of duty from our colonial possessions, 1,000,000 tons; leaving 1.000,000 tons to be imported, upon which an import duty of s1.6S per 100 pounds on a basis of 96 Dutch stand ard of raw sugar, is collected; except we give to the republic of Cuba re- bate of 20 per cent. The amount col
 
 is about s56,000,000. In return for favors given Cuba. American manufac- tured goods go into Cuba at tarin reduction of 20 per cent to 40 per cent The child is not yet born that will see free sugar from all nations enter American ports. For the past hundred years the German policy has been to use a protective tariff to develop all the agricultural and manufacturing in- Via of ho Tho said tariff being high or low as circumstances re- quired. For more than two decades our sugar growing industry has been held in check by the fear of tariff leg islation. We trust the present Con- gress will adopt some plan guaran- teed to stand for 20 years, so that our aried dry lands in the west can pro- duce 2000000 tons of beet sugar. Growing sugar beets by irrigation is fhe most profitable crop that can be produced on our dry lands, where the government has made large appropria- tions for water conservation. The question before our statesmen is this: Shall we develop our own soil re- sources, or shall we develop that of other nations?
 lust across the Rio Grande in the states of Vera Cruz and San Luis Potasi, Mexico, millions of acres of the hest cane sugar lands are owned by American citizens of Louisiana and the eastern states. The Investments al s3bO per acre, were made under the reign of Diaz and these sugar fac tories employing scientific American capacity, are able and willing to pay present duty. The Louisiana democrats stand fiat footed on the Denver plat form of tariff for revenue only" but not free sugar F. F. KENNEDY.
 Mouroe. La. March 1, 1912.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07

should be required to use it. Access 10 adjacent buildings could be had by means of stairways up to the street sidewalks.
 | Whether a viaduct or a subway is adopted, it seems to me that Twentieth street. at least from the north line of the Louisville and Nashville train shed 10 the north line of the Crane company's building should be barri- caded and entirely closed to all travel; otherwise the present serious conditions might as well be continued. The rail- | road companies would no doubt be glad to contribute liberaly toward the cost of construction of any scheme that would enable them to do their switch | ing safely and without risk to public | travel They would probably refuse to continue to keep fiagmen at the various crossings, claiming that as long as other and adequate means had been provided for crossing their tracks that pedestrians and vehicles should be re- quired to make use of same. They would be justified in making such a claim. and anyone crossing the railroad tracks on the street surface would do so entirely at his own risk. Such an act could be made the subject of d city ordinance, violation of same being punishable by arrest and fine.
 
 covered, so as not to interfere with hauling on street surface. am quite sure that the railroads would require a subway under their tracks to be en- | tirely covered, for they always vigor- ously oppose any plan that would re- quire switching to be done across open or upon elevated structures, as it is too dangerous to life and limb.
 While suggestions are in order, why | ,I,,ft ha caI faYs al the railroads to be required to cross Twentieth street in the 170-foot space between Morris and Powell avenues ? This scheme would cut in two the Southern and Seaboard tracks at Twen- tieth street and would require them to use some track in the ITO foot space | if they desired to cross Twentieth street. Whether or not these two roads could make satisfactory track age arrangements with either the Louisville and Nashville or the Alabama Great Southern, deponent sayeth not But poor old Twentieth street would certainly be relieved of all railroad tracks except at two places, viz: Ave- nue E and the Cin) famous crossing
 Just as soon as the Tidewater com pany's tracks are laid through the Terminal station subway we will all have an ocular and practical demon stration of the operation of a subway which can be applied to Twentieth street crossing. But I think that we will all have ample time to make the most exhaustive investigation and to write bushels of letters to the editor containing suggestions and advice be- fore any of us will ever travel through subway or pass over viaduct at the Twentieth street crossing. But We will keep up the fight just the same. Yours | very truly, H. F. WILSON, JR., Birmingham, March G. 1912.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
FAMOUS FLAGS
 ARE DISPLAYED

Washington, March 6.-Patriotie eh- thusiasm broke in the House today when four tattered and torn naval flags were displayed as exhibits by Representative Bates of Pennsylvania, who introduced a bill appropriating $30.000 for the repair and preservation of the trophy flags now stored in the naval academy at Annapolis, Md. The bill was passed.
 While there was no opposition to the measure Representative Tribble objected to the size of the appropriation, declar- ing that one-half the amount would suf- flee.
 The four flags, stretched on racks perore the speakers desk, were the famous Per ry flag with it's motto: Don't give ur the ship that flown by Commodore Perry in his visit to Japan in 1853 and two ensigns captured by the British ships of war Epervier and Dominica in the war of 1872.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
MERIDIAN W|LtAS FOR BOND ISSUE S100,0O0 Desired Which Will Be Used in Street
 Paving

Meridian, Miss, March 6-tSpecial. )- Meridian is to make further municipal im- provements if plans set on foot by number of the more progressive business men of the city are carried out. A meet ing will be held in the board of trade rooms one day this week and proposi- tion prepared carrying with 1t request that the city authorities call an election far bond issue in the sum of s10ooo0, the money to be used in additional street paving in the residence districts.
 The most important part of the pro- posed paving will be that which will con nects the present paved streets with the county good roads being built to the cor porate limits in five different directions. At present none of the paved streets ex- tend as far as the corporate limits.
 The bond issue will also provide for the paving of several additional streets which do not connect with the good roads being built in this district Meridian has never yet turned down a bond issue looking to the improvement of the municipality and it is not believed that an exception wlll be made of the issue to be asked.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
LETTERS TO EDITOR
Suggestions to Editors

To the Editor of The Age Heralu.
 The secretary of the Alabama Press association has recently sent circular letter to many of the newspapers or the state asking their advise as to the matter of holding a convention few days prior to the meeting of the na- tional democratic convention in Balti- more on June %, and then going in a body to visit Washington City and Baltimore while the great convention is in session. I wish to go further and make some other suggestions.
 While so far as our newspaper asso- ciation's constitution is concerned ours is a non political body, yet as a mat ter of fact nearly every man and wom- an in the association is a democrat. and apart from that has enough of home pride and patriotism to desire the nom ination of oscar Underwood. Nearly every paper of any standing in Ala bama is working in it's own way to help along his candidacy Now, my suggestion is this: Let us hold our con- vention, either in Montgomery or Bir- mingham say four days before the national convention is to open, then organizing ourselves into one enthusi-
 
 Washington City, where by previous ar rangments we shall have secured a hall in which to hold a session of our association. To this meeting let us through the press of the United States invite every newspaper man who can be in Washington City, particularly the representatives of all of the great daily papers who have correspondents in that city. At this meeting let us sing the praises of the south, of Ala bama of the United States and of oscar Underwood as the one man fitted to be the leader for the people at this critical time in the history of our country.
 From Washington City let this body of Alabamians proceed to Baltimore and there hold a similar meeting to the one held in Washington, inviting there to not only every newspaper man and woman in that city, but also the dele gates from all of the states.
 My suggestion may seem bit vision- ary, but surely couple of hundred wide awake. tactful editors wearing Underwood badges, carrying Underwood cards and talking Underwood might be of material benefit in his fight which is of so vast import to Alabama
 I shall be pleased to hear personally
 c. W. HARE,
 Editor of the Tuskegee News.
 Tuekegee, March 6, 1912.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
COMMITTEE TO MEET
 THIS AFTERNOON

The committees named by the Builders and Traders exchange to cooperate with those from other associations of the city in entertaining the party of fire protec- ton campaigners to visit here on March 14-15, will hold meeting this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the exchange headquarter in the Chamber of Commerce building | The purpose of the session is to discus and plan the details for the disposition of tickets to the business mems luncheon 10 be given at the armory at noon on March 15.
 The Builders and Traders exchange committees are: Q w. H. Fleming, George Brewer, H. A. Lockhart, P. E. Bostick, Fred Thomas; CD I. w. Preston, Henry Hahn, c. F. Johnston, c. D. Pat terson R. N. Hawkins.
 The Chamber of Commerce committees have begun their activities with enthus- iasm and the prospects for successful stay of the trio, Franklyn Wentworth, Charles Meeks and J. Fl. Tregore, are con- sidered very favorable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
ATLANTA WANTS
 LOWER POWER RATES
Council Will Monday Night Consider 20 Per Cent
 Reduction Offered

Atlanta, March 6.--(Special.)-There Is a whole lot of smoke in the talk Of com promise between the city council and the Georgia Railway and Electric company over the question of electric light and power rates, but from all indications a good sized reward would fail to discover any serious evidences of fire.
 The city councils petition to the railroad commission asked for a reduction of about 67 per cent. When negotiations looking to a compromise were begun the city prac- tically agreed to accept to a 70 per cent reduction.
 Now the Georgia Railway and Electric company has come back with an offer of a 20 per cent reduction, and it is nos. likely that the city will accept it. After a lengthy discussion the whole matter went over until next Monday, when conn ci will come 10 some definite conclusion as to accepting or rejecting the offer.
 The maximum rates asked for in the petition to the commission were 3 cents for lights and 115 cents for power. The compromise rates the city practically agreed to accept were cents for lights and 1 cents for power. The rates offered by the company which it is stated will be offered, are approximately I.2 for lights and 41h for power.
 As a matter of fact, however, the Geor- ga Railway and Electric company is not seeking any compromise What it prefefs. it Is said, is to have the whole matter aired by the railroad commission, and to have that body fix the rates, believing that after the showing made the reduc ton will be slight, and, moreover, that the public will be more satisfied with N than would be the case with any rase which the company might voluntarily agree to give.
 . In the meantime the railroad commits sions experts are pushing the work of appraising the companys property-that portion of 1t only which is used in manu featuring and distributing electric light and power. These experts will be pre- pared to furnish the commission full statement within two weeks, although tne hearing is not to be held until April s5. That report will be the basis of the com missions decision. it matters not what other evidence nor what arguments are forthcoming on that occasion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
FREELAND IS HELD
 ON BOND OF $50O0
Mobile Citizen Charged With Killing David Mabee Last
 Week

Mobile, March 6.-(Special )-Lous Free land of Grand Bay was this afternoon or dered by Judge Henry Chamberlain of the inferior criminal court held in bond of S5000, for the killing of David H. Mabee. who on February % was shot down on Big creek, ten miles west of Grand Bay.
 Clarence Mabee. son of the dead man, and Brack Wheeler, nephew of the de- fendant. testified that F'reeland shot Ma bee while the latter had his gun on his shoulder. Mabee was shot in the chin. the bullet coming out at the back of the neck and producing almost instant death.
 Freeland claimed that the killing was done in self defense and testimony to support this claim was introduced.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
That Day at Gettysburg

To the Editor of The Age-Herald.
 Solomon said: The glory of young men Is their strength, and the beauty of old men is the gray head" God would not let the King build the temple because he was d man of blood. The old have tc fight infrmities-let me talk while l can
 | have told you about some of the great battle fields, and the surrender by Gen Robert E. Lee of the remnant of the Army of Northern Virginia to Gen. U. s Grant at Appomattox on April 9, 1865 Can you find time to read for moment of something that startled the world If so, I promise it will not be wasted. The scene is laid on the hills and plains hard by the little village of Gettysburg in the state of Pennsylvania.
 On this ground was. fought the great est battle in the history of the world. The Sd day of July, 1863, was bright and pleasant. We were refreshed by a gooo nights rest. Our bed was the Emmetts burg turnpike, our pillow the cartridge box, and our covering the starry quilt Daylight, sunrise, and all is calm ano quiet as the city of the dead, or the sea before the deadly storm bursts forth The cooks have come with some rations many of them partake of their last mea in this world. Here comes Lee with one or two of his staff. We step to the side of the road and lift our caps. Two hun dred yards farther on the commander dismounts; his lieutenants already on the ground salute The stiffness on the field Is painful The council of war begins field glasses are brought into use, anJ they look and talk, all of this being done in full view of the federal army on tn, mountains. The order to Longstreet fo Pickett and Heath to charge and capture the enemy's works is given. All mount Lee is coming back in company with A P. Hin: they stop. l could have place, my hand on old Traveller and his master Lee pointing to the little mountains sait to Hill: DO you see that batteryf" "Yes sir "You must capture it." Hill replied "I'l do my best" Lee left. Hill re mained. al.
 Did I ever look into the face of such, <; man? No, and no one else; his voice soft ened into a breath of tenderness an, sweetness The signal gun fires and il A moment every man is in line. The eartl rocks and waves and then there is lull We hear a wild yell, and then the roa of musketry, the divisions of Pickett an' Heath are on the charge. They dasl over the plain climb the mountain, ant 20 into the breastworks. Miserable an, sinful war, there is no place on this beau tiful planet for you; you are q brute, lover of carnage. and you are the off spring of evil spirits, and your abidini place should be in hell. and your promo ters should be banished to the countries where the savage live My countrymen stop building warships and build men real men, sensible men, just men, an, wars will cease.
 J. LAWLER DARBY.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
VISIT PAID TO
 c. VT. RICHESON

Boston, March 6.-several members of the executive council visited Clarence V: T. Richesi,n. condemned murderer Of Avis Linnell. in his cell at the Suffoik county jail today The visit was made In the course of an inspection of the jail by the governor and the council. Governor Foss was closeted with Sheriff Quinn, when the rest of the party went to the former clergyman's cell. and therefore did not coo Richeson Members of the council declare that the prisoner talked little. but seemed to be in a normal state of mind and health, although thin and rather pale. Onlv the governor and council can save Richeson from the electric chair Il weeks hence.
 The condemned mans counsel has not vet petitioned the governor for commu- tation of the sentence to life imprison- ment, and said today he has not decided when he will file such petition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
RESELL COURT
 CONFINES AT SEALE

Girard, March 6. Special )-Monday was regular session of county court held at Scale, Judge H. T. Benton pre- siding. A number of minor cases were on docket. The most important case heard was that of George Bailey, the negro boy who shot and killed his fath- CT few miles west of this city some time since.
 A Girard merchant named Wright was found guilty of violating the pro- hibition law and fined $50
 A marriage of more than usual i'm terest was that of Miss Roberta Brin- son of Scale to O. N. Byrd of Montgom- cry. The wedding was a quiet affair and a surprise to the host of friends, as ,nQsagneunceypepts had been mRdes tN.s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
OSCAR R. GOLDEN
 SUES FOR DAMAGES

Oscar R. Golden, through his best friend. Mrs. Maude Golden, has entered suit in the circuit court against the Southern Railway company claiming s5o.- 600 damages for alleged personal injuries. The plaintiff alleges in his complaint that through the negligence of the railway company he received such personal in juries to the head and body as to leave him of unsound mind. that he has lost his eyesight and is otherwise maimed and disabled, The case. was filed yesterday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
POstOffice Robbed

Moulton, March Special. .)-The postoffice at Iandersville was robbed Sunday night. The postmaster having carried all the money home with him the burglar got, nothing. Postmaster Sanderson found the back window torr, out and the lock on the safe broken. This is tbe second time this office has been robbed in two years. The first time the burglars got $500. Detectives are at work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
KICKED TO DEATH
 BY DEAD MULE

Charlotte, N C., March G. James Brown was kicked to death at Trade. Tenn, just across the North Carolina line. yesterday by a dead mule. Brown was taking the dead body of the ani- nal from a narrow wagon to bury 1t when the stiffened hind legs recoiled with great force, striking him over the heart and causing almost instant death. He leaves a widow and five chil- dren.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-07
The Twentieth Street viaduct

TO the Editor of The Age-Herald.
 Referring again to the Twentieth street crossing; I do not agree entirely with MT. Bowron's suggestion in re- gard to width of subway. If sub way is to be constructed it should by all means occupy the full width of 70 feet between curbs, and all traffic