davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
Mr.. Silyer's Questions

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
In reference to the above letter from
DIR. George Eaves, one of my best friends,
may / ask him to write another letter an
swering the following questions based on
this first letter:
/. BY whom have been imposed upon
3 How have done incalculable damage
to the poor?
g. How do you know Henderson ever
worked at Jasper?
A. How do you know Hendevson's father
ever ran a hotel and saloon?
8. Why has the alleged fact In question
been mentioned at all?
g. How do you know Henderson's father
sent him a railroad ticket?
T. Why do you insinuate that Hender-
son sold his ticket for IS.
5. How do you know that Information
was not asked of the wholly trustworthy
acting head Of the Associated Charities y
Q. How do you know the Rev. Willis
Clark ever gave Henderson transportation
to Jacksonville or enough money TO buy
such transportation?
TO- Why do you challenge" the negro
business mems league and no other or
to this organization why was a slur i'm
piled by placing IT in quotation marks?
II. Have ] said Mr. McGrath was not 1
great, sane, useful and invaluable citi
zen?f'
~. What assertion of Henderson's ha,
been unsupported?
RALPH r. SILVER.
birmingham, September -, 1915.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
COURT ITEMS

The case ofyRobert Payne, charged with
murder in the second degree, is on trial
in the first division of the criminal court
before Judge Samuel r. Greene. Payne
is charged with being implicated in the
killing of Will Ellard at Hagan's drug
store at Lewisburg, which occurred some
time ago.
He entered plea of not guilty through
his attorney, Judge Hugo l.. Blach The
state is represented by Attorney Robert
n. Bell Assistant Solicitor Hugh Locke
and Attorney j. M Russell. A few wit
nesses were examined before time for
adjournment and the case will be taken
up again this morning at the usual hour.
1t is expected that the case will consume
the entire day.
Judge William f. Fort completed the
docket In the second division early in the
afternoon and took up two of the cases
set in the first division. Lucius Scott was
found not guilty of grand larceny. In the
case of Pearl Mack, charged with an as
sault with a weapon. Judge Fort sus-
tanned a motion to quash and the defend-
ant was discharged. In the second d.
vision the following were found guilty,
and will be sentenced Saturday: Annie
Goggins. assault with a weapon; Ludie
Moore. carrying concealed pistol; Carrie
MacDonal. assault and battery; Willie
Small, gaming.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
MRS. BUTLER TAKES
. STAND AND TELLS
STORY OF KILLING
Says Husband Pointed Pistol
at Her and She Grabbed
1t and Weapon Was
Discharged

Mrs Clllia Lutes Butler took the stand
IN her own behalf yesterday afternoon
at the preliminary hearing held before
Judge II. b. Abernethy of the court of
common pleas. She is charged with as
sault with intent TO murder, the criminal
charge ON which she was arrested When
her husband was shot He died from
the effects of the shot and a coroner,s
jury was empanelled but failed to agree
as to the manner of his death. so tile
charge has not heen changed
The shooting of r. K. Butler occurred
on the morning of September II at the
home of his wife, the couple having sep
arated some time previous. The first in
timation of the shooting was when But
Ter walked TO neighbors house and fen
to the ground. On examination he was
found to be shot through the abdomen.
He was moved to a local hospital and
died soon after.
AT the hearing yesterday the state put
on the son of the deceased by a former
wife, who testified to the dying state
ment of his father, in which he said thst
lie was shot by Mrs. Butler. This was
corroborated by another witness who was
Several other witnesses were examined
as to hearing the shot fired and the
state closed it's case, There were no eye
witnesses to the shooting.
Mrs. Butler took the stand and calmly
and without a sign of emotion told her.
side of the case. She said that a neIgn-
Dor informed her that Butler wanted to
come out to see her and talk several
matters over, including the divorce pro-
eeedings. that Were pending. She stated
that she told him to come and that when
he got inside the house he commenced
to abuse her and threatened to kill her,
Finally she said he pulled a pistol aud
pointed 1t at her and thinking her lie
In danger she grabbed the pistol and
while they were struggling for it's pos
session it was discharged. She said her
husband ran out of the house and that
she did not know he was badly Injured
until she was taken to jail.
In the absence of the solicitor Judge
Ahernethy cross questioned Mrs Butler
but she stuck to her original statement
The question of ownership of the piston
came up and the case was continued
until this morning in order to examine a
witness on that point. Harsh and he'd
dow are attorneys for the defendant
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
FIRST TENANTS TO
MOVE INTO THE NEW
BUILDING ON OCT. |
From Fifth to Twentieth
Floors Jefferson County
Bank Skyscraper Will
Be Ready on Time

Tomorrow week will be October /, and
on that day tenants will move into the %
story slsyscraper OF the Jefferson County
Savings bank at the corner of Twenty
first street and Second avenue. From the
fifth floor to the twentieth floor the build
ing is practically completed, and Eugene
f. Enslen yesterday affirmed that the
tenants will be taken care of as con
tracted. The elevators are being installed
and two will be in operation October
for tenants. The freight elevator is rum
ming now, on which furniture will be car
ried.
The lobby will be tiled commencing this
morning and most of the marble will be
placed before the week end. The i'm
mense granite pillars composing the ban,
entrance and the Twenty-first street side
are about completed and they present a
most imposing front.
The floors completed now are practically
equipped, including the installation u
electric fixtures. the polished floors, the
marble lobbies and the many modern fea-
lures of the new structure. Each office
is equipped with built-in .mirrored lava
tories
| on every sixth floor there is provided
| ladies' rest room with lavatories and
couch, with maid in constant attend
ance. on each floor at the elevators viii
be installed a Western Union clock Tht
marble work in the building is perhaps
the most attractive in the south The
| pannelng is unusually elegant and re-
fleets the geratest credit upon the design
ing architect Mr.. Weston and the Off
cials of the Alabama Marble company.
The geratest precautions have been
taken against fires and the building IS
considered fireproof in every respect. AT
each lobby entrance there have been in
stalled automatic steel doors which close
If fire starts in any of the lobbies, thus
completely isolating such fire from the
elevator lobby or communication by stair
cases to any other floor. Each floor stair
is encased in marble and fireproof WIN
dow shashes and doors.
Mr.. Enslen said yesterday that some of
the tenants had obligingly consented TO
take temporary suites until their specially
selected suites were completed. How
ever there will be few of such instances.
A larger force of men than ever em-
ployd on that building Is now engaged in
rushing the work through. and 1t is be-
lieved that there will be very little con-
fuison when the tenants start to moving
in, October l.
The press club floors are being COM
pleted rapidly and will be In shape GER
tainly by December 10, from every indi-
cation. An extra force is engaged on
that work. The flag which will wave
from the press club windows and FOR
which pole has already been placed, will
arrive today. The flag to iutter from
that place is larger than any in Birming-
ham, and cost over 800. 1t is stated that
the flag will be unfurled October l. when
the tenants start to go In the building.
The flag cords are solid copper, being
without duplication in this state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
ATLANTA OFFICERS
HERE YESTERDAY
Not Investigating Actions Of
Black-High in Praise of
Chief Bodeker

Detective J. c. Bullard and w. I.
Morris, private secretary to Chief OF
Police Beavers of Atlanta, arrived in
Birmingham yesterday afternoon. They
called at police headquarters and were
received cordially by Chief Bodeker
with whom they had a lengthy confer
ence. Messrs Bullard and Morris denied
to reporter that their visit to Bir-
mingham was to investigate the con
duct of Detective John Black, who was
considerably in the limelight last week
in connection with his trip after J. f.
Hargrove, another citizen of the Geor-
gia capital.
Secretary Morris stated to the re-
porter that they came to Birmin CHAM
for the purpose of effecting the arrest
of a negro murderer. This negro. Poney
johnson. was arrested yesterday after
noon at the Terminal station by Of
fcers Propst and Randall on the de-
mand of Messrs. Bulard and Morris,
and placed in the city. Jail.
NO, my boy; we are not here to in
vestigate John Black. said Secretary
Morris, last night I'VE just heard that
the negro Poney johnson could be ap-
pretended in Birmingham and we CAME
after him. We pointed him out to the
officers and the johnson negro is now
in Jail awaiting positive Identification
and eXtradition papers. As for the
Black affair, why we know nothing of
it and you may state that we are not
making any investigation in Birming-
ham of Mr.. Blacks conduct while here.
Il want to say that the whole af-
fair in which Detective Black was
mixed up was very regretable. Without
going into the merits of the case it
can be said that the Atlanta police de-
partment deeply regrets having in any
way embarrassed the Birmingham de-
partment. I wish to state that the en-
tire affair is being thoroughly investi-
gated in Atlanta by Chief Beavers and
a report on the case will be made pub
lie soon"
Detective Bullard and Secretary Nor
ris also were delightfully."- impressed
with Birmingham and marveled at its
rapid growth. Mr.. Morris is well ac-
quainted with Chief Bodeker, having
been OH Il iOnS TRIP Ol the pOIce cnleIS
with him in all the northern cities
about a year ago. Secretary Morris was
loud in his compliments of the local
police force. He said
you are to be complimented on hav-
ing such an excellent chief of police.
/ can assure you that Chief Bodeker
is a national figure among the police
chiefs of the United States and Canada
and his police work is always looked
upon as precedent to go by. In Bir-
mingham l understand Chief Bodeker
is accomplishing wonders with a very
limited police force. In Atlanta we
have over 800 men on the force and
in Birmingham / understand that the
number is about 120 officers. 1t is re-
markable to me that such a small force
can keep good order and protect such
a large area of territory as the city
of Birmingham. You cannot give too
much credit to Chief Bideker for the
results he is getting out of his present
force as he deserves a lot of It,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
WALKER SEEMS
SURE Of SUCCESS
TallapOOsa Circuit Clerk
Candidate for Major in
Fourth Regiment

Dadeville, September 22-(Special)-A
great deal of interest has been aroused
5ere by the article appearing in yester-
days Age-Herald in which it was said
that Captain Carlisle of Birmingham was
an easy winner, with reference to the
election of major to be held Wednes-
day in the Fourth regiment.
Capt. n. S. Walker of this county is
one of the candidates for this office aud
has already received assurances Of sup
port from at least three fourths of the
officers of the regiment. Captain Walker
is at present circuit clerk of this county
and has been closely identified as an
officer with the National Guard of Ala
bama for more than 90 years. His service
began with the First regiment under Col.
Price Williams and be has commanded
companies in the Third and Fourth His
record as a National Guard officer is
well known all over the state and ii is
confidently believed throughout this sec
ton that he will be an easy winner in
Wednesdays election.
Captain Walker has the backing of a
large majority of officers of the Fourth
regiment over their own signatures and is
candidate at their solicitations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
Real Estate Transfers

The following real estate transfers
were recorded in the office of the pro-
bate judge yesterday:
s1250--J. C. Almon and wife to w. H.
Worthington. lots 23 and "a In block
16, Birmingham Ensley Land and I'm
provement company's survey.
$2200-Mrs. Lucy Bernabo to John
Tedescki, lots s. 9 and 10 in block 142
lots IL. 12 and 13 in block i13. anci
lots 1. and 8 in block Ais, Elyton
Land company's survey.
$2500--L. w. Jones to Highland De-
velopment company. part of the north
east quarter of block 1885, Elyton Land
company's survey
$3000-W Woodlawn Realty company to
Il. W. Mckinley. lots IL. II, IS and
10, in block l of the Woodlawn Realty
company's fifth addition to the city OF
Birmingham.
$31,50O-Rebecca L. Marks to the
New Southland Realty company, lot
In Mountain Terrace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
BUILDING LAWS ARE
ALL BEING ObEYED
Aldrich Explains Problem i'm
Connection With New
POstOffice Annex

That neither the architect nor the
contractor is violating the building
laws of the city of Birmingham is the
contention of Postmaster w T. Al
drich in reference to the annex to the
postoffice building that is now under
construction. He states that the wall
in controversy is not supporting wall
as designated in the citys building or
dinance, but that the roof will be sup
ported by concrete columns that are
much larger than the citys require
ments and that the wall itself, built
of hollow bricks, is merely a fire cur
tain. He states that every one con-
cerned or Interested in the building
is ready to obey all established local
authorities and that he was Satisfied
the matter will be settled amlcably.
Colonel Aldrich states that since the
Inauguration of the parcel post almost
everye. postoffice building n the coun-
try is oramped for room and as the
business is rapidly growing the need
for more space is becoming more ur-
gent.
4 have been working on this annex
for several MONTHS said Colonel AL
drich, and had several hard PROPOSE
tions to overcome. one in particular
was the greater fire risk by building
close to an adjacent building. To over
come this objection Mr.. Welton the
architect, has devised structure that
Is fireproof. especially from adjacent
buildings. The roof is built of fire
proof materials and is independent of
the walls for support.
Reinforced concrete and iron pillars
carry its entire weight and if there
were no walls at all 1t would stand
so far as not using the streets or
sidewalks for scaffolds or for mate
rial, We have six feet in front and
about 40 feet in the rear that we can
use. In addition the government prop
erty extends to the curbing of the side
walk. l feel sure that when the matter
is fully understood there will oe moth
ing more to it.
I'VE are very anxious to have the
annex completed before the holiday
rush comes on so as to handle the
business with eXpediency. This is the
first time in the history of the postai
department that an addition mas been
made to a postoffice building and it
was carefully looked into before con-
sent was given to erect the annex. We
are much indebted to the First Ma
tional bank for their ready assistance
in financing the project"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
4bUMS" MIGRATE
TO WARMER CL|MES
Birmingham Now Has More
Than Usual Share of Pen
Gil Sellers on Streets

The annual southwark ''bum migra
ton is on and city officials say will
continue. at full heat until we'll along
toward Christmas. Buns tramps
professional beggars, cripples and such
unfortunates as refuse the aid of char
table Institutions have been applying
for permits to sell trifles on the streets
of Birmingham in great numbers the
last few days
These migratory birds of the genus
homo wend their way southwark every
fall from the big northern cities
and always stop over for a few days
or week in Birmingham to sell a
few lead pencils or neckties or some
thing and pay expenses for the next
jump southwark. The majority of them,
1t is stated pass on through Birming-
ham and do not stay here on an aver
age longer than week.
In the spring, with the wild ducks,
they work their way back north, where
through the warm summer months they
cavort on pastures new until Jack Frost
again appears on the cycle of the sea-
sons.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
Suits Filled

The following We're among the damage
suits filed yesterday in the city and cir
cult courts
Carl Middleton. by his next friend. s
A. Middleton, VS.. {. w. Ford $1,000 dam
ages claimed for alleged personal in
juries received by being run over by an
automobile belonging to defendant.
S. A. Middleton VS.. c. W. Ford: S5GOt
damages claimed for alleged injuries to
minor son.
Nettie Thomas VS.. Birmingham Rail
way, Light and Power company, S50Gt
damages claimed for alleged personal in.
Juries
Henry Smith VS. Louisville and Nash
Vile Railroad company; $4,000 damages
claimed for alleged personal injuries.
T. f. Romine VS.. Republic Iron and
Steel company; $4,000 DANA ges claimed for
alleged personal injuries.
Jake Bradley VS.. Tennessee Coal, Iron
and Railroad company; $4,000 damages
claimed for alleged personal injuries.
George Smith VS.. Louisville and Nash
vile Railroad company: $4,000 damages
claimed for alleged personal injuries.
Elliot Smith VS.. Louisville and Nashville
Railroad company $1,000 damages claimed
for alleged personal injuries.
Rufus Mays VS.. Birmingham Railway
Light and Power company; $1,000 damages
claimed for alleged personal injuries
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
SETTLING TAX CASES
Board Has Adjusted Over 200 Cases
With Reduction Under $4,000

According to data being compiled by
the board of adjustment for its report
TO the city commission, tits indicated that
since its establishment few months ago
the board has settled over 200 cases of
contested tax assessments with total re-
duction in assessments of not more than
about $4,000 In order to reach settlements.
In handling these cases. the board had
property assessments before it which will
aggregate practically half millions dol
lars. From these reports, the city Off
cials are highly pleased with the work
OF the board. which will be dissolved in
the near future when all the old tax
assessment cases are disposed of.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
Too Many Attacks Made

Once for all, may we not all cry "sur-
feit' on this carpng at the Associated
Charities? Every irresponsible and mex
perienced citizen may claim the right to
offer it. just as bachelors and old maids
know all about bringing up children and
the care of babies. IL my word and
judgment, after long and intimate watch
ing of the Associated Charities office, are
worth anything. ] will go record for
the conviction that in any other city Mr..
McGrath would be esteemed as a great
sane, useful, nay, invaluable citizen, and
his office a an asset of the highest value.
That the American Red Cross thinks the
same is shown by It's rpeated calls upon
him for expert service.
But when a responsible newspaper lends
itself to airing the unsupported assertion
of an unfortunate negro and that without
yielding the accused association the cour-
tesy of an opportunity to tell the facts,
an outrage is wrought.
Practically all that is the matter with
the Associated Charities is that 1t is in
sufficiently sustained. Before Mr.. Silver
attacks 1t again. will you not send him
for few months study OF the problems
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
GET READY FOR BUDGET
City Departments Are Busy Going
Over Books for the Year

'i'he different departments at the city
hall are very busy at the present time
going over their books In order to make
an annual report October l. Every de-
partment head of the city will be re-
quired to make a detailed report covering
II months.
At the first meeting after the reports
are submitted, the city commission will
adopt budget for the coming fiscal year.
that arise, and of the support that Is
givsh in any eity-cleveland. Chicago, or
even Memphis. where the work is young
but splendidly supported
Regretting the length of this letter,
yours respectfully, GEORGE EAvES.
Birmingham, September %, 1913.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23

It takes more than a sick cook to get
the best of a man who has been a city
commissioner of Birmingham for two
years. A little experience as a city COM
missioner fits a man for all vocations.
Sunday morning Commissioner James
Weatherly, who at the present time is
"batching it, While his family is out of
town, awolxe at the dawn of day to find
the dusky damsel who plies her trade
over the cook stove not ON schedule. An
investigation revealed the fact that she
was ill. plum sick is what the lady
told the commissioner.
Not wishing to come down town for
breakfast, Mr.. Weatherly therefore de-
cided to cook it himself He turned the
hot water on in the bath tub and depos-
tied a couple of eggs in the water. He's
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
SUIT BROUGHT FOR
EDGEWOOD MINE
Three Hundred Thousand Dollars
Damages Involved in Suit in
the Federal Court

suit involving one of the Tennessee
company's mines and a claim of $500. 900
damages is being tried in the federal
court before Judge w. T. Grub.
Mrs. 8. G. Poole ct al is suing the
Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad com
pany for the property on which the Edge
wood mine is located and for $4,000 on
the ground that the property was sold by
her mother while she was minor and
had an interest in the estate
Eighty-four witnesses have been sum
moned by the litgants and the case will
probably last several days. J. B. Aird Is
representing the plaintiff and Messrs.
Percyf Benners 4 Burr the defendant
company. +
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
TAKES MORE THAN A SICK
COOK TO STOP WEATHERLY Y

very fond of soft boiled on toast" From
there he went to the kitchen. where he
deposited slices of bread In the oven of
the gas stove and turned on the electric
coffee percolator.
He then sojourned in the library to pc
rlise The Sunday Age-Herald and when
he returned he found the coffee boiled
dry, the bread burned UP and the eggs
barely warm through Here's where his
experience as a commissioner came in
handy. He made the best of the situa-
tion by compromise.
Remembering a trick of his boyhood
days, he carefully picked a hole in the
raw eggs, turned them up and gulped
down the contents He opened the win
dows to let out the burned bread smoke
poured cold water the percoator un-
til it was cool enough to set away and
smaclSing his lips returned to his morn
ing paper.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
Marriage Licenses

The following marriage licenses were
issued in the office of the probate Judge
yesterday
Henry Hughes to Elizabeth Warren
w. r. Coilies. Adamsville. to Fay
Acton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
Hearing Postponed

A number of witnesses were examined
by Judge John ii. Miller yesterday in the
habeas corpus proceedings filed by Dan
A. Bailey and VIII Bailey, but owing to
the absence of an important witness. who
at present is in Mississippi, the further
hearing was continued until October 2.
The two Baileys, father and son. were
indicted for the murder of a young man
named Britton, who disappeared from
his home the latter part of 1912. The de-
PENDANTS were committed to jail without
bond at the time of their first arrest, but
were later released on bond. The grand
jury now in session found a true bill
against each defendant, charging them
with murder in the first degree. and they
were rearrested and placed in Jail.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-23
Hillman Annex

The board of revenue decided yesterday
TO build an annex to the Cox building adj
joining the Hillman hospital, for the ac-
commodation of the nurses employed at
present and to make room for the addi-
tional nurses that will be employed when
the new wing is completed. The building
will be one story, 19xl5 feet. and will be
built by the county force.
The board is receiving bids for several
dozen chairs for use in the new court
rooms when completed.