davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19

fore Judge Abernethy of the court of common pleas yesterday, when Jessie Wilson and Alma Jones, two members of the exclusive society of that aristo- cratic section of the city known as Scratch Ankle" were arraigned for a personal difficulty.
 According to the testimony of the de- fendants and number of witnesses, the two women were honored guests at an Eagle Rock dance given by the "I<lon- dike' club, whose headquarters are on Alley B. They stayed until late hour or rather until the refreshments were served, the said refreshments consisting of gin and chicklings, served at 10 cents per, of which they both partook freely.
 The two dusky belles resided together, and when they reached their palatial res- idence the mellowing effect of the dainty refreshments began to get in its work and the unlovely Jessie decided that the house was too small to contain more than one person and that one person herself.
 .'Yoall niggers had bettah clar outen dis house." said Jessie to the several per- sons present, including the ungentle Alma, who was in somewhat belllgerent state herself.
 "Whaffo is we got ter git outen dis yere house. an who yo thinks yo' is?''
 'I'se de queen O dis we're alley an de boss O dis yere house, an ah done tole yo' niggers fo' de las time ter git out
 ''Ah pays ma rent an ah is gwine ter stay in dis house jest es long es ah wants ter; sides ah ain't seen no frowsy- headed nigger dat kin put me out
 With that Jessie made a dive for her trunk and like flash came up with a Bulldog in her hand and without a word fired point blank at her house part ner. The shot went wild but before the sound had died away. the colored con tingent that were in the house had spilled themselves through the doors and win dows, with the exception of the redoubt- able Alma, who valiantly stood her ground. Before Jessie could fire second time Alma grabbed up a coal oil lamp that stood on the table and threw it with the force and accuracy of Joe Wood strik- ing her assailant full in the face and knocking her completely off her feet. The oil ignited the elegant ball gown la Kress. worn by the ebony and angular Jessie and in . moment she resembled one
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
TEN YEARS OF ALABAMA
No. 6O-Railroads and Railroad Politics
18o5-1874

When the great war closed there were only about 750 miles of railroad in opera ton in Alabama. The whole property belonged to the people of the state.
 The first line built in this state was one of the first in the United States. It con neeted Decatur on the tennessee with Tuscumbia The object was to receive freight that reached Decatur, by the river boats, for transfer around the shoals to open water at Tuscumbia Benjamin Sherrod, cotton planter, organized a company, all of whom were cotton plan ters to build the line. The labor was all negro slaves from the plantations. The track was bar iron. laid on wooden a time by mules.
 Twenty-Five years later the growth iii wealth and population naturally brough. the building of railroads into the politics of the state. Unhappily, no public ques- tion of great import whether only state wide or national could be disentangled from the rivalry of the sections for con- trol of the federal government.
 In 1855, as usual, a legislature was
  body was favorable to state aid to raIl- roads. The policy advocated was the nat ,ural outcome of a prolonged period of large cotton crops. Australia and Cali fornia gold mines were dispensing uni versal prosperity abroad over the earth and cotton prices were good and uniform. Slaves were limited in supply. The mar ket price for this description of labor had gone beyond the capacity of the labor to recompense the purchaser by producing cotton. Some employment for accumulat- ing capital became necessary. An ex- tension of railroads that would yield in- come, increase the value of farm lands wealth, delivering it at the port of Mobile for the commerce of all seas became a well matured policy.
 While the state aid legislature was be- ing elected by the democratic party. the contest for the office or governor lay be- tween the democrat, John A. Winslow, seeking reelection, and George D. Short ridge, an old line whig The whig party, although an aspirant for control of the state government from the first, had never succeeded. Shortridge favored state aid to railroads but a whg for governor was not to be thought or. The legislature, led by Jabez l.. M Curry, from Tallade- ga, an extremist of the Calhoun school passed bill after bill granting aid to pro- posed railroads, but Winston vetoed each and all.
 The little railroad from Decatur to C., and Memphis. Memphis thereby re-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
DR. OATES |NSPECTS
 VARIOUS PRISONS Bessemer, Gadsden, Fort Payne, OneOnta, Clant0n REPORT IS SUBMITTED Most of Jails Inspected Were Found in Rather Good Condition-Sev-
 eral Recommendations Made
 Regarding Sanitation

Montgomery, October 1s.-(Specia1)- pr. William H. Oates. state prison in- spector. has submitted to Governor O'NeaI Bessemer city jail the Gadsden city jail. the county jail of Etowah, at Gadsden, the Blount county jail, at Oneonta the DeKalb county jail. at Fort Payne, and the Chiffon county jail. at Clanton
 Most of the jails inspected were found to be in a rather good condition, though Dr. Oates made a number of recommen- dations with reference to better santa ton and to various Improvements to be made.
 pr. Oates declared in his report that the Bessefner city jail was found to be in a much better sanitary condition than when it was formerly inspected some time ago, though he recommended that some repairs that are needed be made
 Sickness which has been at the county jail of Etowah during the past few months was attributed by Dr. Oates to open sewers which surround the jail on three sides. The state prison inspector declared that he had called the attention of the authorities to this condition of affairs, and that better arrangements would probably be made. The Jail is new, and in satisfactory condition, ac. cording to Dr. Oates.
 No bathing facilities at the Blount county jail called for several recom- mendations by Dr. Oates He also stated in his report on this prison that the plumbing was in need of over hauling, which recommendations he has made to the county commission CTS
 The Chiffon county jail was charac- terized as old and badly in need of various improvements. The prison does hot conform to the law in the number of compartments for prisoners Dr. Oates recommended that proper heat ing facilities be installed; that hot wa ter connection be put in. and that bet ter ventilation be provided
 The property surrounding the city prison at Gadsden was declared to be in an insanitary and unclean condi- tion and Dr. Oates recommended that this property be put in better con- dition. The jail was declared to be sanitary and satisfactory.
 The DeKalb county jail conforms to the law in all respects, according to Dr. Oates report. though the prison inspector recommended that the jail be thoroughly cleaned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
AFTER THE BALL IS OVER"
By CHARLES H. MANDY

Before the advent of firearms many strange and unusual weapons were brought into play in the settlement of personal and other difficulties. Probably the most unique and effective weapon ever used was the jawhone of an ass with which Samson is on record as having slain a thousand men. Even against a certain class of firearms there are weap- ons that used promptly are all to the merry. A good sized rock or brickbat in the hands of one who can throw ac- curately Is as good if not better than a pistol of the s3.69 variety that are so extensively advertised by the Chicago mail order houses. Really one takes less chance with the rocks, for the pieces of polished scrap iron aforesaid are as liable to go off at the end nearest the user as they are at the muzzle.
 The superiority of chance weapon, taken at the nick of time, over A Bulldog was exemplified at trial be-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
]. 1. EDWARDS GOES WITH THE A, B. & A. Former Birmingham Man Becomes Traffic Mana
 ger at Atlanta

J. L. Edwards, formerly of Birming- ham but for a year past a resident of Atlanta, has been appointed traffic man ager of the Atlanta, Birmingham and At lantic railroad, effective todap. His head quarters will be in Atlanta.
 MT. Edwards was commercial agent of the Southern railway at Birmingham. for several years and resigned that po- sition to engage in the coal business. He was one of the most popular railroad men here. It is believed that in his new position he will greatfy strengthen the traffic department of the Atlanta, Bir- mingham and Atlantic.
 Mir. Edwards succeeds B. l.. Bugg as traffic manager, the latter having been promoted to the position of assistant general manager of the Atlanta, Bir- mingham and Atlantic. w. R. Hudson, who had been assistant general manager for short time has accepted the position of general superintendent of the Chesa- peake and Ohio west of Ashland.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
CLOSE EVIDENCE IN
 bUCKALEW TRIAL Arguments in West End Killing Case Begin
 Today

All the evidence has been taken in the trail of Sergeant Buckalew of the Birmingham police force, who is on trial in the first division of the crim- inal court before Judge Samuel E.. Greene. and the arguments will begin this morning. All the witnesses have been examined, including a large num- Der of character witnesses The at torneys agreed on a three hour argu- ment, one hour and a half for the pros- ecution and a like amount for the defense. The case has been on triall two days and has aroused much in- terest. Sergent Buchalew is charged with manslaughter, having killed Scott Tarplee at West End some time ago in an attempt to arrest him. Assistant Solicitor Ed Winston and Attorney Wynn are representing the state. Col. Jesse Stallings and Henry Dozier the defence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
Programme Mapped Out

The following is the programme in full
 1. Call to order by pr. Thomas M. owen Montgomery, director Alabama state de partment of Archives and History, chair man of the committed.
 ?. Invocation, by Rev. II. M. Edmonds pastor First Presbyterian church, Mont gomery
 3. Alabama and the Proposed Centen- nial," by his eXcellency, Emmet ONeal governor Of Alabama
 f. Our Sister States and the Centen- nial' by J. Thomas Heflin, Lafayette chairman of the arts ahG expositions com mittee, United States House of Repre- sentatives.
 5. ''The Federal Government and the Centennial" by Oscar W. Underwood Birmingham, chairman of the ways and means committee, United States House of Representatives.
 6. Shall Centennial Exposition Be Held in Alabama in 1S19?' by John II Wallace, Jr, state game and fish com missioner, Huntsville.
 To be discussed by o. R. Hood, Gads- den; E. w. Barrett, Birmingham, E. J. Buck, Mobile; A, D. Pitts, Selma, and Will T. Sheehan. Montgomery.
 2 Extent and scope of the proposed ex- position.
 (a AS to character Of exhibits and things to be accomplished, by pr. Thomas M. owen. (b) As to area to be covered, whether international, national, sectional, or state, by Albert P Bush, Mobile.
 8. Plan and Form of Orangization, ? by W, P. c. Harding, Birmingham.
 9. Where Shall the Exposition Be Held?' Representatives from points in the state will be called upon to present the claims of their respective localities. An invitation is extended to individuals, commercial clubs. patriotic societies, civic bodies, or other organizations to be in at tendance for that purpose.
 10 New business. Motions and resolu- tions.
 II. Adiournment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19

ceived the cotton raised in the valley of the Tennessee. The Mobile and Ohio road , brought to Mobile full recompense' from the prairie plantations or northeastern Mississippi
 The port of Mobile stood third in value of exports in all America, New Orleans first, New York second, the Alabama port third
 Mobile needed increase of banking facil- ities The legislature was applied to in 1859 to charter The Bank of Ala bama, to be located at that port, a bank of issue, with a capital stock or $2, ,000,000 The population of the town was only 30,000, and there were several banks of issue already there. Judge Samuel F. Rice was in the house of rep .resentatives from Montgomery county. He amended the bill to require that every subscriber to the stock of the new Bank of Mobile should first show that he held stock in the South and North railroad to an amount at least one-third of his subscription to the bank.
 The object of the railroad from Selma to Montevallo was to deliver the mineral commerce by way of the river at Selma to Mobile. So with the road from York to Chattanooga and the road from Ely ton to the river at Montgomery. The cot ton trade of the state with Mobile con- fined interest, commissions and profits to the vicinage of the plantations. and money was both abundant and cheap in the state To make an export and import harbor of Mobile, for the mineral com merce, must have 8 corresponding result in benefit to the producers.
 This was the plan of the legislature of slave holders and cotton planters to build up Birmingham that was to be.
 We have seen that the white men of the state elected a fine legislature im- mediately after the war This legisla- act required the governor to indorse for the state the bonds of all railroads then chartered or to be chartered within the state limits on certain conditions and lim- itations. The state would indorse the ture passed state aid railroad law. The first mortgage bonds to the extent of $12,0o0 the mile for each successive sec- ton of 20 miles of finished, completed and equipped" road. The indorsed bonds must not be marketed at lower price than 90 cents on the dollar. The gov ernor must first ascertain the uses to which the indorsement for the preceding 20 miles was applied, that the applica- ton was bona fide for the benefit of the road as the act contemplated before he could indorse more. The law was drawn carefully to protect the state. Wherever of the railroad company must contain two members appointed by the governor to represent the state. The railroad must pay the interest on the indorsed bonds when due or the governor must sell the road. If rails of proper kind were being manufactured in Alabama, the state aid road must use them, also frogs, spikes, chairs, etc, if to be had on fair terms. All state aid roads must transport all state freight free of charges.
 JOHN WITHERSPOON DUBOSE.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19

of the human torches so graphically de- scribed by Haggard in his weird and won derful "She'
 But unlike the human torches aforesaid who had been dead for two or three cen turies, this one was much alive and emit ted series of piercing shrieks that would have done credit to a lusty youngster having tooth pulled. The evicted ones, however came to her relief and water be- ing handy, the flames were speedily ex- tinguished, but not until she had been rather severely burned on the hands and face.
 She swore out a warrant against Alma, charging her with the attempt to make cremation popular. Judge Abernethy held that Jessie was much more the aggressor and that she got what was coming to her. He also stated that had she not been so'severely burned, which he considered was punishment enough, he would have committed her to jail for the attempt to shoot the other woman. Jessie left the court room much dsgusted with the out come and 1t is safe bet that the next fight she gets mixed up in a stick or a rock will be good enough for her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
CITIZEN HAS RIGHT ID DIG HOLE IN STREET Talladega Doctor Fined $100
 for Excavating PAVING AT SYLACAUGA Several Slight Changes of Offices in the Courthouse-Talladega Jail
 Said to Be One of Best
 Kept in State

Talladega, October 1s.--(Special.)- The noted case of the city of Talladega versus Dr. B. B. Sims was disposed of finally Friday morning in the city court. Dr. Sims was fined by the mayor $100 for excavating the street and leaving an open hole in which. citizen was caught. An appeal was taken. The case went off on demur- rers which raised the question of the right of a citizen to excavate in the streets. The court held that the cit izen had a right to dig a hole in the street or to excavate for a lawful pur- pose and the city lost the case.
 Paving at Sylacauga
 Sylacauga is the second town in Tal- ladega county to have paved sidewalks. A petition has been signed by a major ity of the property owners of Broad street asking the city commissioners to issue bonds for the purpose of paving that street with cement sidewalks. The bonds are to run 10 years. Eighty per cent of the residents of Broad street signed the petition. .sHs
 Corn Freak
 T, Fl. Pitts of Fayetteville has a novS city in the shape of an ear of corn. The stalk is one 121a inches in heighth and on that stalk Is a nubbin or small ear of corn fully developed, measuring four and one-half inches in length.
 Office Changes
 There has been slight changes of the offices in the courthouse. The tax assessor and collector have moved into the southeast offices hitherto occupied by the registers of the city and chan cery courts and these last two officials are in the tax offices. .f,
 Mr Adams the official inspector of tails and poorhouses, has been to this county and examined both these in- stitutions. He speaks In very flattering terms of the condition of both these public buildings and the way they are kept. He sAys that Talladega has one of the cleanest jails in the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
Habeas Corpus Writ Denied

New Orleans. October 1s.-Jesse R. Hewitt, former Baptist minister, was deried writ of habeas corpus in the federal court here today and will have to return to Knox county, Texas, to stand trial on the charge of wrong ing 16-year-old Alma Johnson of Bom- barton
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
France Prepares Warships

Toulon, France, October 1s.-Five French warships have been ordered to be held in readiness to proceed to the Syrian coast should there presence there be deeemed necessary for the protection of French citizens. Two French warships are already stationed of the Syrian coast.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
Vera Cruz Port Closed

Galveston. Tex. october 1s.-Official notification that the port of Vera Cruz. Mex, had been closed by the Mexican government was received to- day by Caesar Canseco. Mexican con- sul at this port. A close watch is be- ing kept along the Texas coast for possible filibustering expeditions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
To Probe Negro's Sanity

Lafayette La, October 1s.-A commits sion to examine into the sanity of Clem- entine Bernabe, a negro woman, who confessed to having committed the axe murders which aroused southwestern Louisiana within the last year, was ap- pointed yesterday by Judge Campbell. The woman's trial is fixed for october 21.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
Influential Men Will Discuss Advisability of Holding
 Exposition in 1919
BIRMINGHAM HAS TWO
 MEN ON PROGRAMME
Underwood, O'Neal, Heflin and Other Prominent Alabamians Asked to Fill Places on Programme.
 O'Neal May Be Absent

Montgomery. October 1S.-(Special.)- Some of the most prominent men in the state have been assigned to places on the programme of the Alabama Centennial and International Exposition committee, which will meet in Montgomery on Octo- Der 23 for the purpose of discussing the advisabiity of holding big state cele- bration in 1919 in commemoration of Ala bama's admission into the Union
 Among the prominent men in the state who have been asked to Ill places on the programme on the occasion of the con- mittee meeting are Governor o'Neal, Os- car w. Underwood J. Thomas Heflin, and a number of others. Congressman Underwood has been assigned to the dis cussion of the subject '.The Federal Government and the Centennial" and Congressman Heflin has been asked to speak on the subject, "Our Sister States and the Centennial"
 Alabama and the Proposed Centen- niar' is the subject which has been as- signed 10 Governor ONeal. but in view of the fact that the governor will be out of the state all of next week, it is prob able that some one else will be delegated to speak on that subject.
 Subjects for discussion have been as signed to prominent business and profes- sional men of Birmingham, Mobile, Sel- ma and other cities of the state. Bir- mingham has two men on the pro- gramme, E. w. Barrett and w. P. G. Harding The first will discuss the ad-
 
 and the latter will speak on the Plan and Form of Organization
 pr. Thomas M owen, chairman of the centennial committee. expects large at tendance of the members of the commit tee, announcing that he is confident that at least 50 members will be present The meeting will be held at 10 o'clock in the morning at the E,xchanQe hotel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
O'Gorman and Gore to Speak

Chicago, October 1S.-Announcement was made at the national democratic head quarters today that speaking tours had been arranged for next week for Senator Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma and Sena- tor J. A. O'Gorman of New York. They will visit Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19

lock, F, w Mark, w T Warren, J. l.. Burns, B, o, Whldin. C. k. Clemence, Ben Price, F. W. Larkin, E. L. Love, E. c. Barros. Hugh Martin, l.. L. Steph- enson, H. R. Fansen, J. I. Blount, w. D. Tynes, R. W. Bolsnd, w. H. Hassen- ger, c. F. Thomas. Eugene Enslen. w. b. Wood. J. A. VanHoose. A. R. Forsythe. E. II. Cabanss, John H. Mil- Ter, Judge W. l. Grubb. Judge w. NJ. Walker Judge c. w. Ferguson, Judge IS. E. Greene, Judge w. P. Mccrossin. Judge, Frank Cahalan, Judge William F. Fort, B. E. Conner, Dr. R. M. Cum nngham, M. H. McDowell, Dr. George Brown, J. c. Fain, N. O. Tyler. Dr. R. F. Lovelady, Job Going. Dr. I. B. Vines, J. E. Haigler, George Bodeker. A. V. Bennett. T. C. Mcdonald.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
Petition Is Denied

Springfield, III, October 1S.-The Illi-
 nois supreme court today denied the peti- tion of the progressives to have the same names of candidates printed on two or
 more tickets at the November election.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-19
RAINS INTERFERE
 WITH STATE FAIR.

Montgomery, october 1s.-Rains inter- fered with the state fair today and the crowds at the big exposition were parsi- monious. The races were postponed be- cause of the bad condition of the track and several free exhibitions were aban- doned temporarily pending a change ,n weather conditions.
 The weather man has held out little hope for a fair day this week, but it is believed by Monday the rains will cease and Alabamians will flock to Montgomery to see what has been described as the greatest exposition ever neld in the state.
 President Charles c. Abererombie be- lieves more people will attend the fair this year than ever before. "I am well pleased so far" he declared Friday, and believe that Monday will see the people coming from all parts of the state If we have good weather the state exposi- ton will be the greatest in the history of the association.