davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
STUDENTS ON TRIAL
FOR HAZING ESCAPADE

Hillsboro. N. c.. March l3.-Twelve
jurors we're selected and the taking OF
testimony began here today in the trial
of the four university of North Carolina
In connection with the death of Isaac Will
liam Rand, freshman of the institution.
who met death while being hazed. The
students on trial are Ralph w, Oldham.
Raleigh: Audrey C. Hatch. Mount Olive;
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
TWO ALABAMIANS CONTEST
FOR MINISTER 70 HONDURAS

Washington. March 13-(Special )-There
Is a merry little contest being waged for
the post of minister to Honduras. Wood
ford Mabrey of Camden, Asa., and w. M.
Little Of Birmingham are two Alabam-
fans in the frst, and Judge D. w. Herring
o. Jackson, Tenn. is being urged BY
Representatives Sims. Judge Herring was
consul to Honduras during the first cieve-
hn1 sdmiuistration. In the second Cleve-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
ONE is KILLED
NEAR GADSDEN

Gadsden March 13.-(Special)-Du
station, 12 miles east of here, was struck
by a cyclone late this afternoon, one
man. James HARRISON. being killed. Ten
residences were demolished, together
with church and schoolhouse The
teacher in the school had just dismissed
the so pupils when the building was
struck.
All wires were down early tonight and
further details cannot be secured al this
hour News of the disaster was received
at o'clock tonight from train crew
that succeeded in reaching Gadsden after
having cleared the right of way of fallen
trees.
Advices received here at O'Clock to-
night after the restoration of Telephone
communication indicated at least 25 farm,
houses have been demolished in different
parts Of the country. The known dead at
this time are. James HARRISON of Duke
station; Mrs. Alvin Ford of Holses Bluff;
child of Bud Johnson. near Hokes Bluff;
Mrs. Forest Afford, three miles north of
Hokes Bluff. A score were injured a
child of Alton Ford, whose wife was
killed, was blown away and is believed
dead.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
TODAY'S AGE-HERALD

1--Nogales surrenders to the rebels.
Williams appointed assistant secretary
of the treasury.
Fierce storm sweeps southern states.
Convict clerk missing with sl5a.oo0
shortage.
2-Servian transport rddled by shells
Mrs Mccormick inspects schools.
~ Editorial comment.
5-Protest against Withdrawing owl car
service.
May lease women eonvicts to planter.
Report plans TO directors today.
New York bankers to visit Birniing-
ham.
s--Society.
T-Sports.
s-Postmasters to be allowed to serve out
commissions.
s-Democratic forces assume control Of
Senate.
club gives banquet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14

land admipistration Mr.. Little was consul
TO that country. Mississippi also has a
candidate for the same Job in the person
of State Senator j. D. Hardy of Gulf
port There may be others, but If SO.
they have not reported yet.
senator Johnston was notified by the
postoffice department that railway SER
vice has been ordered established from
April lS on the extension Of the Alabama
ana Northwestern railroad between
Dixon's Mills and Lewiaton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
]. SHELTON WILLIAMS
TO BE ASSISTANT TO
SECRETARY M'ADO0
Former Railroad President
Accepts Important
Position
is WELL KNOWN
THROUGHOUT SOUTH
Nomination to Go to the Senate at
Once-Selection Causes Much
Comment in National
Capital -

Washington. March Is.---John skeI-
ton Williams. a Richmond, VA, bank
er, hns accepted an offer to become
assistant secretary of the treasury, and
his nomination Is expected to he sent
TO the senate af an early date, nc
cording to White House snnouDcc-
ment.
Mr.. Williams was for a long time press
ident of the Seaboard Air Line railroad
ss stem, and was actively identified with
its creation. He probably will take charge
of the fiscal bureaus of the treasury.
Robert w. woolley. who has been se-
lected as another assistant secretary of
the treasury, will succeed Sherman Allen,
in charge of miscellaneous bureaus, in
cluding the revenue cutter service. public
health. service. life saving service and
the selection of sites for public buildings
Picks Men on Merits Z
William r.. Mccombs, democratic ma
tional committee chairman, declared to-
day the President had determined to pick
out diplomatic representatively. solely on
a basis of ability rather than wealth.
limitations have been received in Wash.
ington that Richard Olney might decline
the post of ambassador to Great Britain
Friends with whom Mr. Olney has been
in communication thought NE veteran
diplomat would not accept the post be-
cause his law practice had become so
extensive that he did not feel it possible
to abandon that work now.
No word had been received at the White
House early today from Mr. Olney Tele-
grams have been dispatched to him by
(COnflmued nm Tmrs Na~>a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14

ingo, Miss Is reported TO have been
either wrecked or badly damaged. Ap-
peal was made to Memphis for tents to
house the Inhabitants Twenty houses
were demolished at Algonla,
At Lexington. Tenn. about 100 buildings,
mostly residences, are ,ep.rteo to have
teen wrecked and at Camden one sec
tion of the town is reported in ruins. Tnis
information was brought to Jackson.
Tenn, by passengers arriving early his
morning who viewed the wrecxage from
TIE car window Ielegraphic commune
cation with Camden is cut off and verflca-
tion of this report is not possible
A number of small villages In the
southern part Of McNairy and Hardnan
counties in Tennessee were also dam
aged
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14

William L. Aierriman and Arthur III.
Stryon. Wilmington.
Attempts by counsel for the prosecution
and attorneys for the defendants to reach
an agreement by which they could bring
III special verdict in the case failed to-
day after two hours conference. -Four
witnesses were introduced for the state
before court was adjourned for the day.
They told of the defendants coming TO the
room occupied by Rand at the university
and taking him to the athletic field where
le was forced TO sing and dance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14

Montgomery, March 13( Especial Theodore Lacy, chief
clerk of the state convict department and custodian of all its
funds has disappeared with his $500O Of
balance and with moneys estimated $4,000 his possession
Discrepancies date back june 191 and cash
carried with him obtained from local banks checks
signed by James G. Oakley president Of the convict board
Warrant for Lacys arrest has been issued and reward of
$15Uu offered by Governor Neal and the sheriff of Mont
gomery county The defatng official last in Mont
gomery about o'clock Wednesday afternoon after he had
turned checks alleged be worthless amounting
$4,000 Dan Irawc first assistant clerk the
department
Sufficient proof of the shortage obtained Thursday
morning by State Examiner Brooke when deposit books
Lacys desk First direct evidence of discrepancies
found Wednesday when the records Of the chief clerk
failed to show duplicates of cotton bills amounting
than $4,000
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
TWenty-Eighf Reported Killed and
Many Thousand Dollars Worth
OF Property Destroyed
CITIES REPORT
GREAT LOSS OF PROPERTY
James Haralson Is Killed Near GadsdenSchoo House De
molished and Children Injured In Talladega County
Louisiana Town Practically Wiped Out BY
Cyclone-Wires Down In Path of Storm

Twenty eight reported to have been killed and
property valued several hundred thousand dollars destroyed
by wind and rain storm accompanied by lightning
which swept portions of Louisiana Texas Alabama Mississippi
Tennessee yesterday The deuge of rain extended
more extensive and practically demorazed telegraph and
telephone service for;several hours
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
BELIEVED TO HAVE HAD
$50. 900 IN MONEY

1T is believed Lacy left town with about
$50. 600. From the Montgomery Savings
bank he secured $4,000 in money and from
the Exchange National bank $3.50 If he
had any other it has not been discovered.
The warrant for Lacys arrest was signed
by examiner Brooke by order of Cover :
nor ONeal, and was sworn to before the
Judge of the Montgomery inferior court
1t charges Lacy specifically with the enl-
bezzlement of $4,000, the allegation being
that within the past 70 months he
(Brooke) has probable cause to believe
and does believe that the offense of en-
bezzlement has been committed by Theo
Lacy, for that the said Theo Lacy, being
public officer of the state of Alabama,
to-wit: Chief clerk of the convict de-
partment of the state of Alabama, did
knowingly embezzle or fraudently corr
vert to his own use money coming into
his hands as an officer of the convict
department of the state of Alabama, to-
wit; The sum of $4,000. Said sum of
money was received by said Theo. Lacy
in his official capacity as aforesaid, chief
clerk OF the convict department of the
state of Alabama
Governor O'Neal has employed a Mont
gomery law firm as his personal advisors
He prepared a statement for the news
papers Thursday evening. but withdrew
it after submitting it to his attorney.
President Oakley has admitted to Rob-
ert q. Arlington, assistant county So
licitor, that his signature to the check for
$4,000 on the Montgomery Savings bank
is genuine. He explained that 1t had
long been the custom in the office to
leave blank signed checks in the possess
sion of the chief clerk, so he could make
any payments while the president was
out of the city. Mr.. Oakley has been iii
several days and has not been at his Of
flee
In the defalcation, the commonwealth
finds itself almost severed from it's last
financial straw. The almost impossible
has happened. The steel ribbed vaults Of
the states strong box feel the loss of
snug sum that would tide the common
wealth over financial stringenHy that is
not only present, but that has been pres
ent during pretty much Of the past two
years.
EXTRA SESSION is
| EXPECTED IN MONTGOMERY
What steps must be taken by the state
to retrieve Its loss have not as yet been
tContinued On Page Eightl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
SCHOOL HOUSE DESTROYED; /;
MANY CHILDREN HJIRT

Talladega. March 13.-(Speeial) )-News
has just reached here of a cyclone in
the western part of the county
1t seems to have passed over Childers-
burg. .Wilsonville and Stives, and fol-
lowed the Coosa river. All wires are
down.
Details of the disaster are lacking but
reports say the schoolhouse at stives
has been blown down and more than a
dozen children wounded. The houses of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
Rigid Investigation Is Now
Under Way and Will
Be Vigorously
Prosecuted
THE CLERK SECURED
$4,000 WEDNESDAY,
FROM CAPITAL BANKS
O'Neal Deeply Regrets That Clerk,
Whose Appointment He Approved,
Should Prove False to Trust.
Goes Into Details of
Transactions of Lacy

Montgomery, March 13.-(Special J
In statement to the public late
Thursday night, Governor O'Neal de-
clared that the investigation into the
shortage and the books of the convict
department would be carried on until
everything considered in the least
suspicious was brought out.
Il deeply regret that clerk whose
appointment was approved by me,
whose Endorsement was the strongest
ever presented to an executive, has
been guilty of flagrant violation of
the trust reposed in him. said Gov
ernor O'Neal. "The public may be
assured that the investigation which
| have instituted will spare no person
who may be guilty of crime"
1T would seem impossible, after the ef-
forts Of the governor aided by the chief
of police and the sheriff and all the law
agencies of the state for Mr.. Lacy to
make good his escape" he continued.
Governor O'Neafs statement which was
dictated to a stenographer and read and
approved by Judge John Pelham, Mai r.
e. Steiner, Associate Justice Edward de-
Graffenreid and other state officials fol-
lows.
"At ? o'clock today, l instructed the
sheriff of this county to take all possible
steps to secure the arrest of Theodore
Lacy. clerk of the convict bureau, for
embezzlement I informed the sheriff that
had secured sufficient evidence to jus
tify Mr. Lacy's arrest and that war
rant would be issued as soon as the
papers could be prepared.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
AMERICAN PRIVATE
SERIOUSLY INJURED

Private Allen A. Umfleet. Troop @,
Fifth cavalry U. S. A.. Was seriously
wounded by rebel bullet while do
Ing police duty near the interna tional
line here. The shot passed through his
face from nose to ear. No other Amer
leans We're injured.
The United States soldier was shot
when the attack was al its height.
Lieutenant Colonel Tate. in charge of
the Fifth cavalry patrol, at once sent
word to General Obregon, in command
of the rebel forces:
You have shot of my men.
fCOntinucsl on Pare Etuhtl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
Chief Clerk Of the Convict Department
Last Seen In Montgomery Wednes-
day Afternoon-No Trace Of
Him Obtained Since
BROOKE SWEARS OUT WARRANT
AND REWARD OF $500 OFFERED
FOR ARREST OF THE FUGITIVE

Lacy Was Not Under Offers Give Up Personal
Property to Make Good the Los-only An Investigation
Will Reveal Extent Of Defalcations- ns-May Mean An
Extra Session-Tendered Checks Birmingham
Banks In Payment of Funds to State-No
Money Deposit Here
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14

and furnished the important informa-
tien.s
Only 100000 is left in the treasury. Here
is Governor o Meals statement: I'VE
have 100000 in the treasury and the
amount of the shortage has not been crei-
tied to the treasury. said Governor
ONeal tonight. During the month we
will collect between 100000 and s40c,e90,
and think this will tide us over
Governor O'Neal has ordered examiners
to delve into the convict department and
to bring out everything possible to de-
termine the amount of the shortage. The
total loss is variously estimated. All de-
pends on whether or not drafts on the
Hanover National bank of New York for
$4,000, the F'fth-Third National bank of
Cincinnati for $4,000 and others can be
stopped.
When Lacy presented the countersigned
check at the Montgomery Savings bank
for $4,000 Lacy was given $4,000 in cur
rency, check on the Montgomery Bank
and Trust company for $4,000 and drafts
on the northern banks for $4,000 and
SIS 600
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
WAS RELUCTANT TO
TURN OVER BOOKS


an examination of the accounts of the
convict department with the varions
mines, was also instructed by me to get
the bank accounts of he convict depart
rnent. and show what money had been
received and deposited to the credit of
the state On Tuesday. he Informed me
that Mr. Lacy had failed to furnish him
the statement of his hank account, but
claimed he would do so as soon as he
could complete making some entries. OF,
Yesterday morning I gave Mr. Brooke a
letter to Mr.. Lacy instructing him at
fuce to turn over all books. s' atements,.
correspondcnce or bank deposit sllp:
chewing the deposits OF the convict hui-
rrau. Shortly after / gave this notice,
Mr.. Brooke Informed me that Mr.. Lacy
was out of his office.
II sent a messenger to the convict
department and the only person in
charge was Mr.. Greer Mr. Oakley be-
ing sick at home. I instructed Mr..
Greer to find Mr.. Lacy and get the
books and deliver them to Mr.. Brooke.
or I would take steps to have his desk
opened by force. / sent several messen-
GERS in town to ascertain where Mr..
Lacy was and deliver my letters, bur
late in the evening I was informed
that he had been found and would he
present this morning with all OF his
bank books ] also called Mr.. Oakley.
president of the convict bureau, and
told him unless the books were de-
Ifvered this morning I would take stens
TO have Mr. Lacy's desk opened. That
did not understand why there was
any effort made to prevent the ex-
aminer from getting possession Of the
papers In his examination.
"Prior to all this, on yesterday morn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
EXAMINERS PROBING
CONVICT DEPARTMENT

OnueF my INSTRUCTIONS Tor several
months past, the examiners of public ac-
counts have been engaged in an investi-
cation of the convict bureau. Examiner
Mccall was investigating the books of
the convict bureau at Montgomery. Ex-
amner Brooke was instructed to examine
Banner mines and all other mines om-
ploying state convicts Examiner Evans
was instructed to examine the books of
the state cotton mills at Spegners. On
yesterday Examiner Evans informed me
that he had found six items amounting
TO little more than S2S.000, shown on
the books of the superintendent of the cot
ton mills at Speigners which were not
entered on the books of the convict de-
partment at Montgomery. These items
were for goods which had been sold at
various periods from the commencement
of my administration down to this day.
I asked Mr.. Evans what evidence he had
that these amounts showing goods shipped
to a certain firm in Cincinnati, had been
| paid. He stated that he had no evidence
of the payment of these amounts except
the presumption that the parties to whom
the goods had been shipped had, prior to
this promptly paid their accounts on the
| first day of each MONTH 4
II stated to him that | believed these
facrs warranted me in taking steps to
arrest Mr.. Lacy, but he said it was pos
| sihe"that Mr.. Lacy had another set cf
| books, which he had not seen, and that
before taking any action. it was propcr
| that I should call Mr.. Lacy's attention
| to these amounts and ask for an explana-
| tion. This morning Mr.. Evans came to
| me and stated tnat he was una ole to Sc
| cure any rcrscna. interview with NJ
| Lacy, as he had been to the office, and
| before action was taken it was proper
| that we should send a telegram to the
! party to whom the goods had been sold,
| to ascertain whether the money had been
| paid. Accordingly sent telegram upon
my arrival at the office, to the firm In
| Cincinnati TO whom the goods had been
| sold asking whether they had paid tie
| amounts shown by the various items, and
| Io my Telegram received no reply.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14

WIN his records ldliiuR 10 tally
with those IL the states cotton mill
at Speigners, the examiner yesterday
requested Lacy to produce his deposit
books. This was not done and the
examiner reported the matter to Presi-
dent Oakley this morning. The gov
ernor was informed of the shortage
after its discovery and warrants were
Immediately issued.
NOT REQUIRED TO
GIVE BOND TO STATE
Trusted for years by state officials,
Lacy was not required to give a bond
to the state. Unless banks by whom
checks for $4,000 signed by James
q. oakley. president of the convict
board, are drawn are forced to return
the money the state will lose it--that
IS IL the money is not returned by
Lacy.
Lacy disappeared some time Wednes-
day afternoon. He was last seen about
/ O'Clock when he delivered to Dan G.
Trawick of the convict department
checks on the First National bank of
Birmingham and the American Trust
and Savings company of Birmingham
for about $6S.000 and $4S,000, drawn in
favor of State Treasurer John Pur-
ffoy in settlement for the convict de-
partment's collections.
Payment on the checks was refused
Thursday morning and the depart
ment was notified that 1t had no money
on deposit. Other evidence caused sus-
picion against Lacy to be changed TO
open charges of embezzlement An in
vestigation showed that Lacy had
drawn $4,000 from the Exchange Ma
tional bank in Montgomery Wednes-
day afternoon. This Is not accounted
f<.,% ;e 4 rl,< = .
Montgomery Savings bank day or so
ago.
Governor O'Neal and Sheriff Horace
Hood have notified every detective
agency and every peace officer in the
United States and instructions have
been given to have the ports at Mo-
bile, Pensacola. New Orleans, New
York and other places closely guarded
so Lacy cannot leave the United States.
James G. Oakley, president of the
convict board, has offered to give up
everything he possesses to repay the
amount of the defalcation. He trusted
Lacy to the extent that he gave him
signed checks with Instructions to fill
in the amounts when the department
was ready to pay out money. These
checks are the ones Lacey used in se-
curing the money for his own use.
FIRST EVIDENCE
FOUND WEDNESDAY
How far the shortage goes back,
no one can tell until a thorough in
vestigation is made of the books kept
by Lacy The first shortage and the
one which caused Governor O'Neal to
order examiners to look into Lacys ac-
counts thoroughly occurred early in
1911. this being $4,000 due from north
ern firms for goods purchased from
the cotton mill at Speigners, which was
discovered Wednesday. Governor O'Neal
wired the companies this afternoon to
determine whether or not they settled
with the state. No replies have been
received.
Officials are working on the main
clues that Lacy is either hiding in
Montgomery or has gone to Atlanta.
Chief Of Police Taylor was in COM
munication with Chief Beavers of At
lanta several times Thursday evening
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
MANY WOUNDED
ARE UNATTENDED

Twenty injured from both sides we're
brought to hospitals here but an Amer
lean physician who braved the firing
line, reported many more wounded VINO
could not be reached without danger to
the rescuers. American residents here
quickly gave their services as Red Cross
volunteers.
Nogales is set in an ideal position for
defenses, between two ranges of hills rum
ring parallel north and south. The state
troops wore compelled to move through
tbs mountainous lane and were moved
down by the fire OF the federals rifles
and machine guns. on the plains be-
tween the hills the attackers concealed
themselves in shallow inches caused by
the morn1ain freshets.
Here men dead or wounded lay in the
sun without attention. Twice during the
day General Obregon failed In stubborn
attacks on the defenders,
At $40 o'clock the third attempt was
made to assault the federal positions.
This was more successful; the defenders
deserving the right front and extreme
left trenches and fleeing to the cover of
the town. This increased the hot fire
on the Amer ican side and w1en a report
reached Colone, Tate that one of his
troopers had been wounded he hastily as
sembled his men.
The American Red Cross workers were
refused passage through the federal lines
and the American soldiers had difficulty
in clearing the streets of spectators.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14
SEVERAL ON THE
AMERICAN SIDE OF
BORDER INJURED
American Troops Rushed to Scene
From Fort Huachuca--The War
Department Gives General
bliss Power to Act Ac-
ccrding to Demands
of the Situation

Nogales, Ariz,, March 1s.---col mel
Kosterlitzky, commanding the federal
garrison at Nogales, sono'a, sur
rendered TO General Dbregon, The rebel
commander, at $40 o'clock after
terrific battle which lasted throughout
the day.
During the conflict several pei as
on the American side of the border
were wounded.
American troops were rushed hera
from Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and to-
night 600 troopers of the Fifth cavalry
are on duty along the border
Despite protests from Lieutcra ant
Colonel Tate and Consul Simpich
many bullets struck on the Amc~'ran
side throughout the day. The renewed
attack late in the. afternoon increased
the danger to resid--ts of the Arizona
town. Three non-combatants were
wounded here, while two American
women had narrow escapes from in
jury, one bullet even pie~aing
woman's skirt while on the porch of
her home. Casualties are estimated
at about 100 killed and twice that
number injured.
MANY WOIJNDED
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14

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The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14

4Ceatl..ed q Pags aashs1
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14

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The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-14

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