davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
SAYS STORY Is A FAKE.

After a thorough investigation
by a committee composed of Gov
ernor Brewer, DR.. j. C. Gath
ings. Sheriff Middleton and Dis
trict Attorney Howle at Raymond
to- day the story of White, the
negro convict. who claimed that
he saw some one set fire to the
cage at Oakley Farm some weeks
ago, in which thirty-five conyicts
were burned to death. was brand
ed as a fake.
The committee made special
trip to Oakley to bring the negro
before E. J. Hart, the convict
mentioned in Whites story. Hart
failed to corroborate Whites s
story. He said he was at the
hospital window with White and
heard the screams of the doomed
conyicts. but that he saw no one
escape and saw no one who could
have fired the building. White
will not be taken before the
grand jury.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
Mr.. Poindexter Visits City.

Mr.. and Mrs. ]. @. Poindexter
and son. Mr.. j. B. Poindexter.
of Ravine, came over last week
in their new seven-passenger
car and visited Mrs. H. |. Eichel-
berger. Mr.. poindexder is one
of our most progressive citizens
as well as most successful plant
ers. He says that the crop
prospects are not at all fiattering.
He takes an optimistic view of
the out look, since the invasion
of the boil weevil in this State.
He thinks the people will meet
the emergency by diversifying
crops. and says much depends
upon united effort IN planting
and marketing crops. He added
that nothing would pay our farm
ers better than cattle raising.
on account Of easily cultivated
grasses as well as natural mead.
ows.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
TWO BIG LEAGUE TEAMS
TIED At CLOSE OF SEASON
Mobile and Atlanta Neck and
Neck as Curtain Descends in
Southern League.

The close of the season in the
Southern League finds two clubs.
Mobile and Atlanta. tied for first
place. By defeating the Gulls in
Atlanta Friday the Crackers
reached the same standing as
their opponents in the per
centage column, and yesterdays
results did not change the fig
ures, both teams having won
victories over different oppo-
nents.
Atlanta defeated Chattanooga
by a score Of 5 TO 0, while Mobile
won a 4 to 3 victory from New
Orleans. The games yesterday,
so far as Atlanta is concerned,
concluded the season, but New
Orleans and Mobile play in the
Gulf City again today, and much
depends upon the outcome.
In the event that Mobile takes
today's game the pennant is hers,
but if New Orleans wins the tie
between the Gulls and Crackers
remains unbroken, and the two
clubs will be compelled to fight
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
Will White, Negro Convict,
Declares that Torch was
Applied to Prison.
Tale BRANDED As AFAKE
Negro Makes Rambling State
ment. Which is Denied by
Fellow Convict.

Jackson. Miss, Sept. g. Will
White. a negro. who escaped
from Oakley Hospital a few
weeks ago and was brought back
here last night by officers who
had arrested him in Lamar
county, tellsa story. which. if
correct, substantiates the rumor
recently set afioat that, after all.
the Oakley cage fire of July q
might have been of incendiary
origin.
White, who was seen in the local
Jail today by Snpt. Gathings, in
a rambling incoherent fashion
told a story indicating that a
white man not a convict might
have been responsible for the
blaze which carried 35 human
beings to death.
He states that he was kept
awake by sickness that night and
that shortly before the cage
broke out in flames he saw a
white man, whose face and figure
were familiar, moving about in a
mysterious way. After he had
seen this man pass the hospital
where he was about 10 minutes
afterward, the fire broke out.
While the negro tells his story
in a rambling, disiointed fashion.
there is an airot conviction about
ii, anu 50 mucnsso tnat the state
and penitentiary officials will
carry the investigation further.
For reasons of precaution. the
identity Of the white man impli-
Gated in the escaped convict's
story is withheld.
If this story is substantiated it
upsets the spontaneous combns-
ton and accidt ntial theories
which have been held to be the
cause. OF course. the story told
by the negro is susceptible to
suspicion that ii might be a play
for executive clemency, but fol-
lowing up the line of suspicion
indicated, the officers are making
a complete investigation.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
Attorneys Obtain Writ of Ha-
beas Corpus Returnable
on September 10Th.
JEROME IS UNDER ARREST
Special Prosecutor Played Cards
With Newspaper Men, and
Faces Charge.

Coaticook. Quebec. Sept. s.
Harry K. Thaw will be produced
before the full kings bench, ap-
peal side, at Montreal, on the
morning of Sept. Is. Two Of his
counsel, ]. N. Greenshields and
N. X. Laflamme today obtained
a double writ habeas corpus and
prohibition at Montreal. and
whirled in a special train to Co iti-
cook. where not long before the
immigration authorities had Or
dered Thaw's deportation from
the dominion.
There were cheers when the
writ arrived and more cheers
whenever Thaw appeared at the
window of the detention room.
There was more cheering when
the news got abroad that for
Thaw the new move meant 10
days. delay. Not only by the
writ secured in Montreal, but BY
the action of his attorneys on
appeal. did Thaw today block his
deportation. In addition. he had
the pleasurable knowledge that
his old enemy. William Travers
Jerome, had been arrested,
charged with gambling.
If ever a little town produced
sensation, Coaticook did today.
First came Jerome's arrest and
release on bail on charge that
he hadplayed poker yesterday on
railroad property with some news
paper men. Then came word
that Thaw's lawyers had obtain
ed. in Montreal. the order de-
manding his production in court
there.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

Rev. K. M. Harrison, one of the
Oldest members OF the North Mis-
sissippi Methodist conference,
died at his home in Amory, last
Tuesday, his funeral having oc-
Cured there on the following day.
Mr.. Harrison, who was the faith
er of Mr.. Kenneth Harrison of
this city, was for several years
pastor of the Columbus circuit,
and had numerous friends here to
whom his death is a source of
sincere regret.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
FALL TERI OF CIRCUIT COURT
IS BGOHVEHE TOMORROW
Docket Is Exceedingly Light. Con-
tanning Few Cases q Interest
to Public.

With Judge Thomas B. Carroll
of Starkville presiding. tie fall
term of circuit court for L0wndes
county will convene in this city
tomorrow morning. District
Attorney H. H. Brooks. Jr.. of
Macon will be here to look after
the interests of the State in the
prosecution of criminal cases,
and the regular officers and at
taches of the court will be pres.
ent.
Both the civil and criminal
dockets are exceedingly light
and the few cases of Importance
which they contain have already
been noted in the Commercial.
Few crimes of a grave nature
have been committed in this
county since court was last in
session. and unless the the grand
jury unearths some hitherto un-
discovered violations of the law
there will be few criminal cases
to be tried, while the statutes of
the civil docket makes it practi-
cally certain that there will be
few cases to be disposed of in
that branch of proceedings.
While there is nothing to at
tract the public. it is quite cer-
tain that q fairly large crowd
will be present when court cor
venes tomorrow.
Nearly one hund red men have
been summoned for jury duty.
and the law requires all county
officials to be present when the
judge delivers his charge to the
grand jury. so. in addition to the
officials who maintain offices at
The court house. all the justices
of the peace and constables from
outlying precincts will be on hand.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
How to Pack Cotton.

The new rules and regulations
adopted by the various steamship
companies and agents lin regard
to the baling of cotton for export
have been given wide publicity
and no doubt all farmers and
merchants are interested in see
ing them carried out. There is
one point, however, that may
cause some apprehension because
the steamship people are refer
ing to compressed cotton, when
they say the cotton must be COM
pletely covered. This does not
mean that side cloths on uncom-
pressed cotton are needed. When
the bale is compressed six yards
of standard bagging is sufficient
to coyer the bale completely.
The rules regarding excess tare
have not neen changed, and any
excess bagging above six yards
will result in excess tare claims.
Farmers should take extra care
that the gin box in which their
cotton is packed is OF the stan
dard size, viz, n K 54 inches,
and also that the cotton is not ex-
posed 10 the weather.
Attention to these details will
mean a higher price for this pro-
/ duet, but if attention is not giyer
to these matters, loss is sure Il
result.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
Educational Institutions Pre-
pairing to Begin Work of
the Coming Session.
PROSPECTS IRE BRILLIANT
Public Schools Will Open Next
Monday and |. I. &C. viii
Follow Sept. "a.

The holiday which the young
people of Columbus have been
enjoying throughout the long
summer months is rapidly near
ing its end, and they will soon be
called upon to resume their stud
les. The public schools of the
city will open next Monday, Sep
tember 18th, and the Industrial
Institute and College will soon
follow suit, the regular opening
of that institution being schedul-
ed to take place Wednesday,
September 23rd.
All the local educational insti-
tutions will open under the most
auspicious conditions and with
the most flattering prospects.
The college will continue under
the direction of Hon. H. L. Whit
field. who has guided the desti-
nies of the institution with such
signal ability since 1908, and the
public schools will continue under
the direction of Prof. w. v.
Frierson. who succeeded Hon.
Joe Cook as superintendent two
years ago.
Quite q number of changes
have been made in the faculties
of the Industrial institute and
College and the public schools
since the close Of last session.
Some Vi slsc s1A1,.eas le.s.s id u.
in order to accept more lucra-
tive positions elsewhere, while
others will take courses of study
at higher institutions and still
others will enjoy much needed
rest. The places of all the teach
ers who resigned have been filled
by competent instructors, and
the local teaching force will be
kept fully up to the high stan
dard which has always been
maintained.
Both scholars and teachers have
been refreshed by the long holi-
day. and will resume their work
with renewed vigor and energy.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
A. AND N. OFFICIALS DENY
Tuar rrrc 1nr rvnnnIrlnT
tHAI TLLO ant LAUn0lt AN !
Vigorously Assert Published Re-
ports are Based Upon Unre-
liable Information.

Agricultural College. Miss, ,
Sept. 3.-The controversy over
the so called fee system in the
Agriculture & Mechanical College
and other educational ins stiiutions
supported by the State has arous-
ed great interest among the peo-
pie. The subject has been wide
ly discussed for some time and
threatens to become an issue in
politics; in fact. it has already
been discussed by one prospec-
tive candidate for governor in
his speeches. When the legisla-
tive committee. which il investi-
eating the State institutions,
reached the Agricultural & Mech
anical College it was requested to
investigate the fee system and
the committee decided to tackle
the job.
There are two sides to the
question and the committee will
hear both sides. The facts will
be presented to the legislature
so that body will be in position to
act intelligently on the subject
when it convenes in January.
The authorities of the Agricul-
tural & Mechanical College as
sert with emphasis that the
charges about the fee system
have been greatly exaggerated,
as far as that institution is con-
cerned. The college officials de-
clare. as a matter of fact, that
there are no excessive charges
against students here or any,
thing that can be classed as fees.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
Committee Goes to National
Capital to Work for Appro-
alton for River.
FIGHT COMES UP TUESDAY
Will Make Every Effort to Se-
cure Reversal OF Report Of Riv-
ers and Harbors Engineers.

The delegation which is to rep
resent Columbus when the board
of United States army engineers
for rivers and harbors takes up
the matter of recommending a
congressional appropriation for
the Tomhigbee river left for
Washington yesterday afternoon.
The engineers first considered
the scheme. which contemplates
the appropriation Of two million
dollars to make the Tombigbee
river perennially navigable be-
tween Columbus and Demopolis.
Ala, by the installation of a sys-
TEN of locks and dams. last July,
and submitted an adverse report.
this report being based upon the
contention that the commerce re-
sulting from the Improvement of
the stream would not be suffi-
GENTLY great to warrant the ex-
penditure. Since that time addi-
tlonal statistics have been collat-
ed. and an effort will be made to
covince the officials that the re-
sultant commerce will be amply
sufficient to justify the expendi-
lure.
The supplemental data tending
to substantiate the claims of the
Tombigbee River Improvement
Association. which is behind the
scheme. were compiled by Mr.
Jno. B. Waterman, an expert sta
tistician. who after completing
bis work here left for Mobile,
and will go from there to Wash
ington, the local committee be-
ing joined at the National Capt.
tai not only by the statistician
but by strong delegation from
the Mobile Chamber of Com
merce.
The official committee to repre-
sent Columbus consists of Col.
Jno. P. Mayo. Hon. Il. r. Sher-
man and Mr.. C. II. Hale from
the Tombigbee River Improve
ment Association and Hon. s. B.
Johnston, president Of the Busi-
ness League. Several private
citizens accompanied these gen
tlemen to Washington. among
the number having been Mr. w.
| N. Pickett.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
MAN RUN OVER BY WAGON
MAY DIE FROM INJURIES
MIR. HI. z. Coward. Resident of
East Columbus. Meets Mishap
which may Prove Fatal.

On last Friday Mr.. H. E. Cow
ard, we'll known resident of
East Columbus, had the misfor-
tune to meet with an accident
which may cost him his life. Mr..
Coward was driving a wagon
load of baskets filled with cotton
along Bell avenue when one Of
the baskets fell and knocked him
under the vehicle. The wagon
ran over his entire body. injur-
ing him about the head. face
and chest.
Mr.. Coward was taken to his
home, where his injuries were
given surgical attention by DIR.
J. D. Mccullough.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

Milledgeville. Ga, Sept. g.
Death has freed "BilI" Miner,
notorious robber. Jail breaker and
gentleman of fortune. from
his last prison term. His pictnr-
esqne career. which included
clashes with the laws OF more
than a score Of States and sever
al Canadian provinces, ended late
last night at the Georgia State
prison farm near here. lie had
been i'll for several months from
gastritis. He was seventy-five
years old.
Miners criminal career began
nearly sivty years AGO. He left
his home in Jackson county. ky..
before he was ffteenyears of age
and went West. He admitted
numerous stage coach robberies
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

Mr.. w. d. Bishop. secretary of
the Mississippi and West Alaba-
ma Fair Association, on yester-
day signed a contract with the
Louisville Cornet Band of Louis
vile. Miss, to furnish music dur
ing the fair. This band Is one
of the best musical organizations
in the State, and made quite a
hit at the Confederate veteran
reunion held In Chattanooga last
spring.
In addition to the Louisville
aggregation of musicians. there
~... 10 : caza.gs. hand here
throughout the progress of the
fair. and the A. and NJ. College
band will be here on Friday. the
day OF the football game
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

Montgomery. Ala. Sept. 4. =
w. B. Oliver of Tuscaloosa and
William 3. Bankhead of Jasper,
candidates for congressman
from the Sixth district as Rich
ard P. Hobson's successor, will
meet in joint debate at the open
ing of the Fayette county circuit
court at Fayette Monday.
Great interest is being shown
in all parts of the State in the
fight in the Sixth district and the
two candidates have met in sew
eral debates. Mr.. Bankhead and
Mr.. Oliver are we'll known in
Alabama politics end are r-cmi-
nent In the legal profession.
Addresses will also be deliver
ed the same day at Fayette BY
Reuben +. Kolb and John w.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
OLIVER AND BANKHEAD MEET IN
DEBATE At FAYETTE TOMORROW

Wallace, Jr.. candidates for gov
ernor. and indications are that
the meeting will be one of the
most important of the early
campaign.
Mr.. Kolb will go to Ozark for
his next address and from there
to Abbeville. Mr.. Wallace has
an appointment for an address al
Florence September is.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
VIII Connect Industrial Insti-
tute and Collegeland A. and
M. at Starkville.
PROMOTERS HERE FRIDAY
Meeting Of Citizens was Held at
City Hall. and a Great Deal of
Enthusiasm Prevailed.

Messrs. Jno. H. Melbourne and
H. A. Beattie of Starkville. and
Pfofs. ]. C. Herbert and R. w.
Gay of the A. and M. College. vis-
tied Columbus Friday for the
purpose of working up local in
terest in the proposed highway
connecting the A. and M. College
at Starkvllle and the Industrial
Institute and College in this city.
The gentlemen came unan-
nounced, but as soon as their
presence in the city became
known local citizens arranged for
a public meeting at the city hall,
and Notwithstanding the short
notice given there was quite a
large sized crowd present.
Organization was perfected by
the election of Hon. P. W. Maer
as chairman and Mr.. |. |. Kauf-
man as secretary, and addresses
were made by all four of the WIS.,
itors, who outlined the plan for
the construction Of the proposed
highway. The plan In to have
the legislature make an appro-
priation for the material and to
have the work done largely by
convicts from the State farms
and from the farms in Lowndes
and Oktibesha. II is understood
that The Mobile and rhio iAaaa
has offered to donate a substan-
tial sum, and the promoters also
expect to secure liberal donations
from the private citizens along
the route of the road and at its
terminals.
Among the local citizens who
delivered addresses were Hon.
P. w. Maer, Hon. E. R. Sherman
and Hon. H. L. Whitfield, presi-
dent Of the Industrial Institute
and College. These gentlemen
spoke with much en- thusiasm re-
garding the scheme, and pledged
the support of Columbus and
Lowndes county.
Upon motion, the chair was
authorized to appoint a commit
tee Of six gentlemen, three from
Lowndes county and three from
Oktibbeha, to draft a memorial
to the Mississippi Legislature urg-
ing an appropriation for the pro-
posed highway. Mr.. Maer ap-
pointed Prof. Herbert, Mr.. Beat
ty and Hon. M. A. Sanders to
represent Oktibbeha county, and
the local members of the COM
mittee will be named later.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

DR.. Charles d. Goodwin re-
turned to Columbus Thursday af-
ter spending several weeks with
relatives in Sparta. and Chatta-
nooga. Tenn. DIR. Goodwin was
accompanied home by Mr.. P. w.
Mitchell. who will be his guest
for several days.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

A handsome Chase delivery
car has been purchased by the
firm of w. G. Beard & Co., and
was seen on the streets OF the
city yesterday. This is quite an
Improvement made by this con-
cern and will mean much better
service to its patrons.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

Miss Julia Oliver Eckford will
opea her piano class September
the fifteenth Al ner studio ia ti,e
Franklin Academy. Ad. e-4-2 /
Mrs. N. w. Whitfield has re-
turned from = delightful visit to
North Carolina.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
New Grocery Store.

Messrs. Walter Phillips, Arthur
Phillips and William Burris.
three enterprising young men of
the city. viii open q grocery
store on North Market street
about October /. The name OF
the firm il TO be known AZ Phil
lips Brothers and Burris.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

Brick pillars have replaced the
old wooden posts which formerly
supported the front gallery at the
Connesesa; s...es aai other ia..
proyements have recently been
made which add materially to
the appearance Of that popular
.hoseltry.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

Miss Neva Turner has opened
her millinery parlors at the Wo-
mans Store, and is ready to show
the latest fads in hats. ad. 1t
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07
BANDIT DIES IN
PRISON At M|LLEDGEV|LLE, GA.

and train holdups. and was sew
eral times incarcerated for rob-
bing Ibanks. He operated
throughout the West. worked
north into Canada and then in
vaded the Eastern States. He
escaped many times from jail
and State prisons. There years
ago he was brought to the State
prison farm here for robbing a
train near Lulu, Ca. and began
a term of twenty years. He has
since escaped and been recap
tured twice.
For several years Miner was :
member of the outlaw band led
by Jessie James. HIS real name.
he told prison authorities q few
days before he died. was George
Anderson.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

Rev. r. b. Eggleston has re-
turned from the mountains of
Virginia, where he has been
spending the past month. He
will occupy his pulpit at the
First Presbyterian church both
this morning and evening.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

Mrs. Corrinne Harris will sing
at the morning services oil the
Presbyterian church today.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

it out in series Of ppst-season
contests. the flag going TO the
team which wins two out Of three
games.
The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1913-09-07

Mr.. Albert G unter has returned
from Il visit to Memphis.