davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
VERDICT SURPRISES
COL. MONTGOMERY
Penitentiary Trustee Guilty
of Misfeasance
RECORD is ENYIABLE
Mississippi Penitentiary Official Is
RECORD IS ENVIABLE
Mississippi Penitentiary Official Is
Staggered By Jury's Verdict.
Motion For New Trial Is
Overruled

Jackson, Miss July 27.-(Special 1.-THE
verdict of guilty returned against Col
w. A. Montgomery, trustee of the prison
board. came as surprise to himself and
his friends. He was charged In the in
dictment with misfeasance in office, and
according to the testimony there was
no room for doubt. 1t was proved by his
own testimony that he had delegated to
Lawrence Yerger, secretary of the board,
certain duties that the law required the
trustees to perform, but rather than take
the time to attend to those duties they
played If off on Yerger
This was as to the sale of farm pro-
ducts and the collection of the cash for
same. The court instructed the jury that
II they believed Colonel Montgomery had
thus relegated his duties to another per-
son they must find verdict of guilty,
and there was no way of getting out of
II. The jury was locked up all night,
their first ballot standing eight for con-
viction and four for acquital The four
did not want to see him sent to the penl-
tentiary, but when they learned the YER
dict of guilty did not carry a peniten-
tiary sentence they came over and voted
with the majority.
Colonel Montgomery sat in the court
room as the jury filed in. He was con
ficent of acquittal and when the verdict
was read his countenance blanched wl-..e
he staggered to his feet and made his
way out of the room.. followed by num-
ber of personal friends.
Motion for new trial was made and
overruled and when sentence was passed
"a fine of $l00 and dismissal from office
his attorneys announced an appeal to
the supreme court and asked for super
eedeas bond, which was granted, and thus
the dismissal from office is held up
pending the decision of the supreme
court
Col. VIM. A. Montgomery has always
borne an enviable reputation. When a
mere boy he entered the confederate
army and made as brave a soldier as
wore the gray. After the war and during
the dark days of reconstruction he is said
to have been a leader of the Kuklux
Klan, an organization that did yeoman
service In ridding the state of negro rule.
He has always taken a prominent part
in politics, and has represented the coun-
ty of Kinds in the Legislature Six years
ago he was elected trustee of the penten-
tiary, and was reelected two years ago.
Meantime he has srved the Mississippi
division of tn United Confederate Vet
Grams as commander two terms, declin-
ing a third election so that the honor
might be passed around.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
WHITE WOMAN IS
HELD FOR MURDER
Mrs. w. B. Clements of Ak
ron Released Under a
$500 Bond

Greensboro, July. 27.-(Special.) 1.-The
law and equity court with Judge C. e.
Waller presiding. has been in session
here this week. About 70 cases We're dis
posed of. A murder case which ELECTED
considerable interest was that of Amy
Clements (wife of w. B. Clements). who
was charged with the murder of Walter
Eaves. near Akron Mrs. Clements is
alleged to have killed Eaves with a shot
gun near Akron, about four months ago.
She was the fist white woman lodged
in the Hale county Jail, having been
brought here Immediately after her ar
rest. and remaining in Jail until yester-
day, She was released under $500 bond.
The Methodist district conference of the
Greensboro district convened at Newbern
this week Those in atteS1ance from
Greensboro are: Presiding Elder E. E
Cowan, Rev r. A. Moody, E. M. Tus
ner, j. t. Coulliette o. S. Perry, Walter
O. Phillips, DR.. A Sledd, DIR. G. P
Atkinson and Judge w. C. Christian.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
MASONS HOLD AN
INTERESTING MEET
Lyerly, Ca, Scene of an Interesting
Convention of the Chattooga
Mas0ns

Lyerly. Ga, July 27.-(Special.) }
Thursday afternoon marked the close of
one of the most interesting and largely
attended meetings of Chattooga Masons
in the history of the order in this coun-
ty. the annaual Chattooga County Ma
sonic convention having met with the
Menlo lodge on Wednesday for a two
days session. Wednesdays sessions
were devoted to the business matters
of the convention and the hearing of
reports from the various lodges of the
county.
The convention reassembled at the
hall at 10 o'clock Thursday morning
and formed a procession, marching to
the Lawrence spring, where the public
exercises were held. 1t Is estimated that
over 1900 people attended the meeting,
probably the largest body of Masons
ever collected together in Chattooga
county.
Speeches were made Thursday morn
ing by Judge Max Moyerhardt, John w
Bale. Judge w. NJ Henry and Judge J.
c. Printup of Rome. Following the ad-
dresses the election of officers for the
ensuing year was held.
Postmaster John NJ Rose of Lyerly
was reelected worshipful master of the
convention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
STRENUOUS SESSION
OF DALE COURT OVER
Thirty Eight Indictments
Returned-Three Murder
Cases Disposed Of

Ozark. July Especially 1.-The fall term
of circuit court closing yesterday has
been the most strenuous session held
here in 20 years. The grand jury turned
in 3s indictments. mostly misdemean=
ors, but included four murder charges,
the civil docket and the cases coming
over from the spring term, some 200
cases in all have been disposed Of
Judge sallie is growing on the people
as judge and predictions are freely
made that his career of usefulness has
just begun.
The following murder cases We're
tried: Nelson Woodham for killing G.
7. walden, both white, was given a
life sentence; Talley Welch, killing Ell
lis Hamilton In Round Top church. both
negroes, was sentenced for 10 years.
Notice of appeals In both cases Hiram
Marby. white. charged with killing
"Longboy' Distrank. negro. was cleared
by the jury Bob Hedley, charged with
killing Jasper Ward, both colored, was
brought into court on a cot. suffering
with the white plague, and his case
was continued.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
DAVIS NAMED AS
SOLICITOR GENERAL

Washington. July 27.-John William
Davis of Clarksburg, w. Va, representa-
tive of the first West Virginia congress
sional district, Was nominated yesterday
by President Wilson to be solicitor general
of the United States. Mr.. Davis was
the choice of Attorney General Mercy
nolds from a long list of prominent law
yers to fill the important $4,000 post. He
will be second ranking legal officer of
the country and the governments repre-
sentative before the supreme court of
the United States
Mr.. Davis, who Is 30 years old, has had
prominent legal career. lie is serving
his second term I'm Congress. having en-
tered that body in 1911, and is a member
OF the House, judiciary committee. He
formerly was assistant professor of law
at Washington and Lee university mem
Der of the House of Delegates of West
Virginia where he was chairman of the
judiciary committee and president of the
West Virginia Bar association. The post
ton has been vacant since the resigna-
ton of John Marshall Bulitt of Louis
Vile, Ky. several months ago. James
A. Fowler, who was assistant to the At
terney General, acted as solicitor general
during the interim.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, IT Is A WELL EsTAB-
LIsHED FACT THAT A RANK
GROWTH OF WEEDS is A BREED
ING PLACE FOR MOSQUITOES AND
OTHER INSECTS DANGEROUS TO
THE HEALTH OF THE CITIZENS.
AND THAT THE EXISTENCE OF
SUCH WEEDS IS OTHERWISE IN
SANITARY AND A MENACE TO THE
HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE OF BIR-
MINGHAM,
NOW, THEREFORE,, L, G. ExUM, AS
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF
OF SAID CITY, APP
PEAL TO ALL CITIZENS TO
PROMPTLY AID IN PRESERVING
THE HEALTH OF THE CIITY, AND 1
DECLARE THAT, BEGINNING MON
DAY, JULY 2s. 1913, THE LAW PRO-
HIBITTNG THE EXISTENCE OF
WEEDS ON PRIVATE PREMISES
AND SIDEWALKS AUDITING SUCH
PREMISES IN THE CITY OF BIR-
MINGHAM, WILL BE STRICTLY EN-
FORCED AND ARRESTS WILL BE
MADE FOR VIOLATION OF SECTIONS )
405 AND 6O4 OF THE CITY CODE.
G. ExUM,
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD or
COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY or
BIRMINGHAM.
JULY 10. 1919
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
LAWRENCE YERGER
LEAVES FOR FARM
Convicted Secretary to Be
Given Position at Farm
For COnvicts

Jackson, Miss. July 27.-(Special.)
1t Is understood that Lawrence Yerger.
former secretary of the penitentiary
board of trustees. will leave here to-
morrow morning. over the Yazoo and
Mississippi Valley. for the Belmont farm
In Holmes county. accompanied by. the
travelling sergeant. Mr.. Yerger was
turned over to the sergeant today. and
left the jail yard in his care. They went
at once to Mr.. Yerger's home, near the
capitol, where he remained In charge
of the sergeant, and where he was vis-
tied by host OF friends and relatives
who came to express their sympathy
and to bid him a long farewell.
Having made up his mind several
weeks ago TO confess his wrong doings
and to take his medicine Lawrence
Yerger has faced the future like man,
declaring he is going to do his duty
by the state. and give an honest days
work, no matter where he may be
placed.
However. just such man is needed
on the Belmont farm to take charge
of the eommissary. The trustees have
been paying a free man" $40 per
month to attend to this work, for the
reason that no convict suitable for the
position could be found on any of the
farms. The job is that of a storekeeper
and bookkeeper combined There is only
one person on the storehouse premises,
and that the storekeeper so that he
has a very lonesome time. He handles
no money, but does handle great GUAM
| titles of meat and other heavy grocer
| ies-the more than 100 negro convicts
under Sergeant Walt having good ap-
petites.
This Is said to be the only opening
on the state farms for a prisoner like
Yerger. lie never performed any phys
ical labor in his life, he is a stranger
to farm work. and however willing he
might be could not plow furrow nor
weld hoe. Using Yerger as a field
hand the state would be the loser but
in any clerical capacity he would do as
good work as any other man. and tho
authorities OF the state prison are for
tunate in having a place that just it's
and suits him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28

TURPENTINE FIRM
DURING PAST WEEK

Savannah, July 27.-Turpentine for
the past week was firm, closing yes
terday at 35A c as against 35 1sc a week
ago and 43c for the corresponding day
last year. Sales for the week were 6166.
Receipts for the week were 6912, as
against 6215 for the corresponding
week last year. Shipments for the week
were 7715 as against 4160 for the cor
responding week last year Stocks are
26,5S4 as against 32.S13 year ago.
Stocks decreased 500 during the week.
Rosin was steady for the week. In
creases of from 5Q15c were shown in
grades A, B, N. WIG and WV, decreases
of from 5@15 on other grades
Sales for the week were 5055. Re-
ceipts for the week were 1896 as
against 21.114 for the corresponding
week last year, Shipments for the week
were 1871 as against 1850 for the cor
responding week last year. Stocks are
159,257 as against 10S,5S3 last year
Stocks increased 60s4 during the week
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
The Internal Dissentions

Mr.. Ryan asserts that mis- purchase of
the majority stock at the price named
by the owner of that stock, the younger
Mr.. Hyde. and his creation of board of
trustees each member of which possessed
the confidence of the publc-Grover Cleve-
land, ex-Chief Justice Morgan J. O'Brien
and George Westinghouse-instant COM
posed the fierce struggles with which the
Equitable was imperiled, and also ended
the dangerous financial tension which this
struggle caused. In only one way Mr.
Ryan says, did he interfere with the trus-
tees, and that was by insisting that they
should get the opinion of policy holders
when seeking to elect new trustees.
1t is in the brief illusions to his own
career that much of the interest of this
article Is to be found. Mr.. Ryan says
that his career began about 1880, and that
was a time when the United States was
just awakening to It's stupendous oppor-
tunities. having recovered from the demor-
alzation caused by the civil war and
being at that time enriched by the won
derful discoveries and achievements of In
ventors, especially in the field of cleo
tricity.
The year 1880 was the date of the real
awakening of the south to its own mag
nificent opportunities. an awakening
which has been followed by marvellous re-
suits in that section of the country
Mr. Ryan's philosophy of the accumula-
| ton of fortunes is briefly but incidentally
| alluded to. He asserts that the common
idea that great fortunes have been ac-
! cumulated with lightning like rapidity
| is all wrong. Every fortune which is the
creation of personal efforts or was not
! inherited or due to some discovery OF
mineral riches has been of slow, gradual
accretion. Mr. Ryan believes that al
most all of the men who have achieved
greatly were inspired first of all by the
ambition for great achievement, regarding
/ success of that kind as of higher value
than the mere achievement of money
| In Mr. Ryan's view, two of the eIe-
ments of success in important corporate
Undertakings are: First, absolute absten-
! ton from participation in politics. He be-
lieves that corporation like the Equit-
able. for instance. should carry on all
of it's legislative activities either in sup
port or in opposition to proposed legisla-
/ ton absolutely in the open. He is also a
firm believer in publicity. intimatng that
| publicity has come TO stay. and he uses
the word publicity In it's broadest mean
| ing.
tage of corporations that their drec-
| torates should be composed. of small
] number Of men He asserts that the men
| are also In that way engaged in very inn
| portant' public services since there can
be no honorable, fair and great material
prosperity obtained unless the public is
| also served.
ern spirit of cooperation. He declares
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
Henderson Receiving Attention

wANTED-TODAY. THREE RIM
fsRs FOR DERRICK ENGINES; ONE
BOILERMAkER; ONE ENGINE RE-
PAIR MAN; TWO FOREMEN; ALL.
FOR OUR WORK IN CHOCTAW
COUNTY. BREWER & JONES, ROOM
20 POTTER BLDG, PHONE MAIN
1884.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28

that the great material prosperity and all
OF the undertakings which have been of
advantage to the public have been secured
through the cooperation of American
banks and bankers with these undertake
ings, and he is firmly convinced that 1t is
a mistaken view of some portion of the
public that a money trust or a monopo-
lstic control of cash and credit has been
created and greatly developed in the
United States.
Mr.. Ryan has now practically retired
from active business life. lie has become
deeply interested in religious and pfllan-
thropic movements The private chapel
which he has caused to be built and fur
nshed in his New FORK city house, which
was formerly owned by one of the most
distinguished and highly honored of the
Hebrews in New York city, a member of
the firm of Stern Bros, is declared to be
one of the most beautiful chapels of that
kind in the United States.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28

The Eufaula Cigar company has opened
up its new factory here, with A. L. Fow-
Ter in charge. The factory was formerly
located at Dawson Ga, but inducements
offered through the Commercial club
brought the concern to Eufaula
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28

FOR RENT OCTOBER I-2O27 Sec
OND ANENE; DESIRABLE RETAIL
LOCATION. w. II. LEEDY REAL. Es-
TATE AND INSURANCE COMPANY.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28

An increase OF 100000 in the property
returns of Barbour county was reported
to the board of revenue by Tax Commits
sioners J. Oppenheimer of Eufaula and
e. Lingo of Clayton. The board has al
ready reviewed the reported and con-
firmed the increases.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28

j. x. Quillin of Clayton, this county.
ras received a telegram from Congress-
man Hendy D. Clayton of the third dis
trict, stating that his nomination to be
postmaster at Clayton has been sent to
the United States Senate for confirmation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
Revelations in Character

| The great interest and value which the
| public Is likely to discover in this some
what lengthy article will be the revela-
! ton of some of the intellectual and tenn
peramental qualities of Mr.. Ryan which
hitherto the public has not presumed he
possessed. His description of the long pa
| tient and solitary contemplation which
he gave to a purpose slowly formulated in
| his mind of buying the Equitable stock
and then trusting 1t in the interest of the
lpolicy holders of the insurance company
tells a story of the caution and the pro-
found reflection which those who know
Mr.. Ryan have been aware were charac-
teristic of all his business undertakings
His mind moves slowly. He looks at a
business question from all points of
view. In this case he did not dare trust
anyone with his purpose, for he was
convinced that IL he were to buy the con-
troll of the Equitable he must do it with
his own money and act upon his own ex-
elusive judgment
Mr.. Ryan states emphatically that the
difficulties which led at least to the vol
canic explosions in the Equitable company
companies, as we'll as banking and i'm
portant corporate interests, were not Gre
ated by any Wall street Influences al
though that was the idea of the public at
the time. They were due wholly, accord
ing to Mr.. Ryan, to clashing personal am
bitions, internal iealouses and reckless
disregard of responsibilities toward the
nI1hlfc
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28

The Second regiment band. with full
military strength of s2S members and the
Eufaula Rifles will go to Birmingham
Monday to attend the annual encamp-
ment of the Second regiment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
Reveals New Side of Famous
Financier Who Has Now
Practically Retired
MANAGEMENT OF
BIG CORPORATIONS
Tells Why Mr.. Cleveland Was Chosen
to Head the Special Trustees
When He Purchased Con-
troll From Hyde
BY HOLLAND

| New York, July 27.-( Especial )--After
hesitation which has lasted at least a
year, Thomas F. Ryan decided several
weeks ago to publish, in case any mag
azine editor cared for the article, the
story of the reason why he. year ago.
bought the Equitable Life Assurance So
ciety The article was written by Mr.
Ryan. He had but to suggest that he had
an article of that kind to George Har-
vey to learn that Colonel Harvey was not
only willing to publish 1t, but looked upon
1t as of such interest as would justify the
earliest possible publication. The article
Will appear In one of Colonel Harvey's
magazines within few days, possibly to-
morrow. 1t is entitled, WAY l Bought
the Equitable, by Thomas F. Ryan"
What special reason, if any. persuaded
Mr.. Ryan that the present is a more OPP
perfume time to publish this article than
Immediately after the late j. p. Morgan
bought Mr. Ryans stock in the Equitable
he alone knows. There is really nothing
in the article so far as statement of
facts is concerned which was not already
known, If not to the general public at
least to business circles in this city Mr.
Ryan's reason for selecting ex-President
Grover Cleveland as one of the trustees
to whose absolute authority over these
SOP shares which were majority of the
Equitable stock and his selection of Mr..
Cleveland as chairman of the board of
trustees not only LAY tribute to President
Cleveland's lofty character, but also call
attention to the somewhat embarras ssed
financial condition in which the express
ident found himself after his retirement
from the presidency
Mr. Ryan says that at one time the ex-
egencies of income needs was so great
that there We're serious propositions to
commit to Mr.. Cleveland the manage
ment of a large hotel property or to ask
him to accept the presidency of a trust
institution. Mr.. Ryan felt 1t to be al
most humiliating that the ex-President
was compelled to turn to ephemeral
magazine work in order to secure an ad-
dition to his income. The intimations are
made that Mr.. Ryan would not have been
persuaded to carry out his purpose of
buying a majority of the Equitable stock
had he not counted upon the assistance of
ex-Presdent Cleveland in carrying out
his plans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28
MASONS MEET IN
.EUF FAULA AUGUST q.
Grand Lecturer to Speak.
Rifles Leave For Bir-
mingham

Eufaula, July -(speciall-The an
nual Masonic conference OF the Four
teenth district of Alabama will be held
in Eufaula with Harmony lodge. on
Thursday and Friday. August 21 and y.
Among the speakers will be Grand Lee
turer Angus M. Scott.
Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-31
WHEN ARE PLAYERS AT BEST?
McAleer Says Between 30 and 35 Years of Ase-Major Leaguers Should Be Able to Save Money.

"A baseball player ought to be at his
 best between 30 and 35," said James R.
 McA1eer, "and he ought to save $30,000
 while in baseball The author of the
 aforesaid ought to be some authority
 on the subject, because he was playing
 the game about that age. Moreover,
 being chief mogul of the champions of
 the world. his observations concerning
 diamond athletes ought to carry
 weight. If McA1eer's remark is act
 ually true then baseball is unquestion-
 ably the best of all outdoor sports, so far as the players thereof are concern
 ed. In no other branch of athletics
 can a man, as rule, stand the strain
 after say, 27 or 2S, and nearly all of
 them begin to go back at 30, And how many men have saved $30,066 at the
 age of 35? "Of course, a man isn't SC fast after 30 as he was beforo,'' added learned to think by that time, and he should be more valuable te his club after 30 than befere-always provided he has taken care of himself"
 As evidence McAleer might mention Jimmy Archer, the Cub premier catch er who is regarded one of the best there is, and is 30 this summer; Chief Bender, who will be 80 next May, and ing he hasn't taken such good care of himself as an athlete should. Al Bridwell, who is 32 Merdeeai Brown, ST; Jimmy Callahan,S9i Frank Chance, S4; Hal CndS6, 5Ui fIeQ OldTk6, il, and whe was playing manager of the Pirates until after he was BS; Cliff Cravath, 31; Sam Crawfard, 83j Birdie Gree, 31; Harry Davis, whe has just gone back te help the Athletics eR their feet again at 46i Red Deein, S3s Pat Devgherty, whe was doing things at 35; Kid ElbeFfeld, whe is 37i John nv Bvers, 80; Russell Ford, 36; Artie Holman, s1; Hughie Jennings, 4si Johnny King, 3s; Tommy Leach, 3s; Lefty LiefieIds soi Larry Laleie, ssi Christy Mathewsen, who pitched the best game in his career last Octoher, when he was just 32; Mcbride, 32; sdatty Mcintyre, 32; Mike Mitchell, 90; 1 Earl Moore, 34; Mike MoMrey, 30, George Mullin, 33; Eddie Plank, 3S; Ed ReuIbach, 31: Lew Richie, 3e Frank Sehulte. 31 Jimmie Sheckard. credited with 34 years, but who they say. is l two years older; Gfabby Street. 3e: 1 Jake StahI. 34; Ira Thomas, 3z; Joe Tinker, 30: Honns Wagner, g.
 McAleer might mention these, but he | would immediately start dispute. if i he did-a dispute as to whether all or | the most of these, were not better be- | fore 30 than aftet, and whether, after 30. they were not going back" In fact, 1t is very likely that, without mention ng names, McATeer has started a win ,er dispute already. Let's see what hap 1ened now that he has opened a little argument for the fans. "Is a baseball l ,layer at his best between so-and 352s,