davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
KEEP UP WORK ON
GRADE CROSSINGS
Stearns Will Be Retained
Several Months to Work
Out Plan for City

Engineer Stearnes, the grade cross
ing expert from indianapolis will be
employed by the city for some sew
eral months yet, it was stated by
members of the commission yesterday
Mr.. Stearnes is the expert who Is work
ing out q grade crossing system for
the city. one report of which has al
ready been made, and he was orig
inally employed until September 15
The report that has been made on
the grade crossing system Sc far con-
Germs but the central section of the
city and itself is not yet out of the
hands of Mr. Stearnes. The plans are
now in the hands of the railroad en-
gineers for examination and con-
sultation is to be held October 10, but
it may be some time before the city
engineers, the city commissioners and
the railroad officials finally reach an
agreement.
Besides this. the remainder of the
grade crossing plans taking in tn.
Northside lines on Ninth and Tenth
avenues and other sections of the city
remain to be worked out, which prob =
ably will require some several months
Members of the commission stated yes
terday that the city could not afford
to let Mr.. Stearnes go until the entire
system for grade crossing elimination
had been completed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
LEE CLAYTON Sworn
IN AT MONTGOMERY
Becomes Assistant u. S. At
torney for Middle District
of Alabama

Montgomery September 1s.-(Special.) }
Lee Clayton of Barbour county was
sworn in today assistant United States
attorney for the middle district of Ala
bama. Mr.. Clayton has just been ap-
pointed to that position by President Will
son.
Mr.. Clayton was highly recommended
for the assistant district attorneyship at
Montgomery and his Endorsements includ-
ed many of the most prominent men in
Alabama He had the support of Sena-
tor Bankhead and the late Senator Joseph
f. Johnston, together with the support
of several Of the representatives at
Washingt on. y
Mr. Clayton liz the brother Of Henry d.
Clayton. recently appointed by Governor
O'Neal to succeed Senator Johnston. and
is a lawyer of splendid ability His many
friends in Montgomery are gratified over
his appointment. He succeeds Frank l..
Vance, republican. of Montgomery
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
WILTON JOHNSTON ON
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Greenville Man Succeeds +. p. Rigsby
Who Moved From
Butler

Montgomery, September 16.-(Special.
Announcement was made today of the
appointment of J. Wilton Johnson OF
Greenvile as a member OF the board OF
education of Butler county, to succeed
r. p. Rigsby, who has moved out of the
county. The appointment WAS made ny
Superintendent Willingnam and became
effective at once.
State Highway Engineer W. s. Keller
has gone to Jackson county to let a con-
tract for the construction of a state-aid
road from Bass to the Tennessee line
Mr.. Keller will return to Montgomery
Tuesday.
Capt. Reuben f. kolb commissioner OF
agriculture and industries, and a candi-
date for governor, returned Tuesday from
Abbeville. where he addressed voters oi
Henry county in the interest OF his cam
paign. Captain holb declares he was en-.
Enthusiastically received in Henry county
and expressed great confidence in RS
ability to carry that county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
JUDGE LANE WILL
LEAVE TODAY FOR
MER|TED VACATION
Has Been Working Too Hard
and Suffers From Nerv-
BUSINESS and Worry Over
His Official Duties

City Commissioner A. o. Lane ex-
poets to leave this evening for re-
sort in northern Kentucky where he
will spend probably a considerable
length of time reganing his health.
While the Judge is improved in health
in the last few weeks, the urgent ad-
vice of his physicians and friends at
last has prevailed and he stated yes
terday that he had made up his mind
to leave this evening.
Judge Lane spent three or four days
about a week ago on a little "trip but
on account of his return to the city
so soon he was little benefited. DR.. f..
p. Riggs, Judge Lanes physician, states
that about the only thing ailing the
commissioner Is too much work and
he is threatened with a nervous break
down. The judge states that he has a
good appetite and feels no i'll effects
except from nervousness and worry
over official matters.
Judge Lane this evening viii take
the vacation which his friends say he
should have had this summer Judge
Lane is the only one of the three com
misioners who has stayed in the city
through the entire summer and through
the very hottest weather of the sea-
son he was always at his office at
tending to every detail of his official
position as head of the police depart
ment and commissioner of public Jus
tiee. He states he does not know how
long he win be gone, it depending on
how he enjoys himself and whether or
not he can secure absolute rest and
quiet
Some of the judges friends had
urged him to go to Europe for change
of scene but the Judge states, he
thinks too much of his official obli-
cations to take that long trip and,
besides, he does not believe he would
secure the rest and quiet that he
wants
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
Suits Filed

The following were among the suits
filed yesterday in the city and circuit
courts:
Lon Dark VS.. Payne Fire Proofing COM
pany and f. W. Marks Construction COM
pany. The plaintiff claims $1,000 damages
from each defendant alleging personal
injuries.
j. A. Odell VS.. Southern Bell Telephone
company; $1,000 damages claimed for an
alleged wrongful removal of telephone
j. NJ. Aycock VS.. Birmingham Railway,
Light and Power company; $1,000 DANA ges
claimed by the plaintiff who alleges that
he was carried beyond his destination.
Reuben Wright VS.. Birmingham Rail-
way. Light and Power company; $4,000
damages claimed for alleged personal
injuries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
COUNTY COURTS

The entire session of the first division
of the criminal court was taken up yes
terday in the trial of Frank Smith and
Henry Vardell, two negroes charged
with grand larceny. The case went to the
jury late yesterday evening and after sew
eral hours deliberation the jury found
the defendants guilty as charged In the
indictment. The negroes were charged
with breaking into freight car in the
Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic yards
at Elyton and were arrested by Detec-
tives DAILY and Warren. At the last term
of the criminal court they were tried twice
for the same offense and in each In
stance mistrial was the result.
The evidence against the negroes was
largely circumstantial; it is understood
an appeal will be taken
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
EXCHANGE OLD TEXT
bOOKSAT HALF PRICE
Willingham Announces Con-
cessiOns Granted State
by Publishing Houses

Montgomery September 16.-(Spe-
cial. with the opening of the public
schools of the state announcement is
made by Superintendent of Education
Henry ]. Willingham of the concession
granted the state by numerous pub
fishing houses by which old text books
may be exchanged for one-half of their
original value.
According to Superintendent Willing
ham, this is the first time In the his
tory of Alabama that this promotional
exchange concession has been granted
the state, and it is expected that the
concession viii mean thousands of dol
ars to the buyers of text books
The publishing houses will exchange
old text books, no matter in what con-
dition they may be presented, for new
books in a corresponding grade, or for
a book on the same subject in a higher
grade, which allows children who are
promoted to exchange their old books
at fair price for books in the next
higher grade. A book which originally
cost 40 cents is worth 20 cents under
the promotional exchange system, and
all other books are worth one-half of
their original cost.
Fifteen months, beginning September
I. are allowed by the publishing
houses in which to exchange old books
for new, which gives sufficient time
to get the fun value out of an old
book and then exchange 1t for new
text for next session.
The text books commission recently
adopted books for use in the public
schools for the next five years. Prac-
tically 20 per cent of the old books
were readopted.
Schools all over the state are now
opening. and Superintendent willing
ham thinks the prospects for a good
session are the brightest in the history
of the educational department
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
HIGHLAND NURSES
GRADUATE SEPT. 27
Class at Infirmary This Year Num-
bers 27-Exercises Always Occa-
si0ns of Unusual Interest

The 1918 graduating class OF the
South Highlands infirmary nurses will
be held September 81 according to in
vitations that We're issued yesterday
by Mrs. Mary Byrne Irwin, superin-
tendent. The graduation exercises at
the South Highlands infirmary are al
ways the occasion for unusual inter
est on the part of those participating
and those outside the classes who are
invited to take part In the formallties
The reception will be entirely in
formal as the Invitations that have
been issued indicate. The class num-
bers 81 nurses that have been study
ing at the infirmary for four years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
JA|L WORK AWAITS
APPROVAL OF OATES
Several Thousand Dollars to
Be Spent in improvements
at the Central City Jail

City Commissioner Lane stated yester-
day that work on the overhauling of the
city Jail would be started just as soon
as State Prison Inspector W. II. Oates
could come to Birmingham and indorse
the plans. The plans have been drawn
and are only awaiting DR.. Oates 70.
X before the contract Is let.
The city commissioner intends making
some very marked improvements in the
central city Jail, an appropriation of sew
eral thousand dollars having been made
for that purpose DR.. Oates has written
Judge Lane that he is highly pleased over
the action of the city officials in improv-
ing the conditions of this prison, although
he had never condemned it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
IDEAS ADVANCED
AT AID CLUB LUNCH
Committees on Home Products" Week
Will Be Named at Next Regu-
lar Luncheon

Following a short but interesting trade
talk on the retail clothing business by
Joe Saks. the club went into an informal
get-together session. President Sparrow
read letter from Mrs. J. b. Reid, in
yiting the club to lunch at the State fair
Monday. Octo,.er Is Everything at the
lunch to be a "hCme product" This m
vitation was unanimously accepted
Mr.. Sparrow stated that in some way lie
had misplaced a letter received from
President W +. q. Harding of the Cham
ber of Commerce. expressing the sincere
appreciation of that body for the Ad
clubs whole hearted cooperation in the
campaign for the auditorium. W. =.
Radcliffe, secretary of the Chamber OF
Commerce. declared himself anous To
give the Ad club credit for the splendid
series of ads an1 in their support in all
matters efrecting the auditorium cam
paign
Mr.. Rosenberger brought up again tho
question of Home Products week,
which was the subject of much discus
sion. 1t was decided to have three
speeches on this subject from prominent
men at the next luncheon. Committees
Will be named 70 secure the interest and
cooperation of local manufacturers and
retailers Secretary Cox of the Ad club
will write to othef cities in the south and
east for data as to how their Home
Products" are exploited.
A suggestion was offered by J H. Ed
munson that it would be a good idea TO
build the auditorium that a permanent
display of home products could he made
there. The club heartily concurred in the
idea.
While the attendance at the Ad club
luncheon yesterday trihe off IL was
one of the best meetings the club has
held in some time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
PYTH|ANS ARRANGE
FOR BIG OCCASION
All Lodges in Third District
Will Cooperate to Enter
tain Dayton Team

Thomas r. Walker secretary of the
executive committee from the third
Pythian district associat ton. which has
in charge Pages Night" has opened
headquarters on the second floor of the
First National bank building and has
assumed active charge of the cam
paign to make the event one of the
most notable that has ever occurred in
Pythian circles.
1t is estimated that over 500 candi-
dates will be initiated into the rank
of page on this occasion and il is the
purpose of the executive committee TO
Pythias in the third district IN max
ing the affair success.
AT recent convention of t,le third
district association 1t was decided to in
vite- the crack degree team from Day
ton, o., to visit Birmingham and to
eXemplify the work connected with the
ranke of page. This team numbers over
100 and is composed of the leading
Pythians of the Ohio city VINO have
gained a national reputation for the
proficient manner in which they con-
Ter this degree.
The executive committee having this
mattef IN cnarse is herman beck.
chairman: Thomas r. Walker. secre-
tary: d. W. c. Yarbourough, Alex Gar
ber. B. Clay Jones, DIR. Murphree, w. T.
Parker, George Huddleston, Frank Ar
leo and Allen Holt
Every lodge in the third district will
be visited by members of this COM
mittee and their aid and encourage
ment enlisted in making the affair a
success Mr.. Walkers schedule for this
week includes the following lodges
Tuesday night, Steel City lodge, Ems
ley, No. 100: Wednesday. Enocn lodge
No. 81, Pratt city; Thursday, Birming
ham lodge No. IS. and Friday,
Fairview lodge No. 240 Other mem
bers of the committee will make
visits over the district during the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
WASH|NGTONPARTY
TOLEAVE SATURDAY.
Will Urge Birmingham as
Suitable Location for
Federal Appraisers

President w. p G. Harding Of the
Chamber of Commerce and the special
volunteer delegation from the chamber
will leave for Washington Saturday to
appear before the interstate commerce
commission in behalf of Birmingham as
the location of the southern headquarters
of the federal appraisers who will gather
railroad data for the next several years.
All members who intend making the
trip should report their names to Secre-
tary Radcliffe by this evening. Mr.. Rad
cliffe states that If 10 or II men make
the trip special Pullman will be en-
gagged Seven or eight have already vol
unteered Local business men attach
much Importance to the effort TO secure
these headquarters.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
BIG CROP IN TEXAS
r. w. Nicholson Says Cotton Will
Show Well Despite Contrary Reports

r. w Nicholson, one of the best
known of the travelling men who make
Birmingham. was here yesterday, en-
route for New York. after an extensive
trip through Texas and other states of
the middle west. He said that Texas
will furnish great cotton crops despite
reports to the contrary.
II have travelled through the entire
state" said MIR. Nicholson last night,
.and while | am not farmer. L was
told and from what / saw ! belyieve 1t
to be true. that the cotton crop of Texas
will be one of the best the state has
ever had. found trade unusually good,
which Is an evidence Of the good crops
in prospect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
TREAT PROMISED
THE ODD FELLOWS
West End Will See Stereopticon Views
of Odd Fellows Homes of the
Country Tomorrow Night

Grand Master Fred j. Cramton of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows of
Alabama, accompanied by his brother,
Congressman l.. c. Cramton, past grand
master of the grand lodge of Michigan,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, will
deliver lectures and exhibit stereopticon
views Of Odd Fellows Homes in the
United States and Canada, at Odd Eel
lows hall, West End. Thursday, Sep
tember IS. 1918. at 7:so p. m.
The public is invited and admission
will be free. This is said to be a rare
treat for the Odd Fellows of this dis
tyict.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
CORONER TOPROBE
KILLING OF BUTLER
Will Probably Impanel Jury This
Morning-SOn of Butler
Active on Case

Unless something urgent interferes
Coroner c. l.. Spain will empanel a jury
this morning to hold an inquest into the
killing of Robert r. Butler, the Woodlawn
cothier, who was mysteriously shot last
Thursday. r. w. Butler, a son of the
deceased. has taken an active interest in
the case and will be factor in bringing
forth evidence at the inquest 1t is thought
that will shed some light on the affair A
large number Of witnesses have been sum-
moned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
Will DrOp Charges

Montreal. Que, September 166.-Lawyers
interested in the prosecution of Gentle
man Roger Thompson, the chauffeur
who drove the automobile in which Harry
X. Thaw escaped from Matteawan. aa-
nounced today that 1t had been agreed
to drop the charges against Thompson.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17

The city commissioners have informally
agreed that the municipal auditorium
bond issue election will not be called
until full meeting of the board is had.
President Exum is expected to return
Saturday. but it is not known how long
Judge Lane will be away.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
PLANNING TO COME
TO LAND CONGRESS
Letter From Mr.. Underwood Among
Those Received by President
Thompson

The following letter was received yes
terday at the headquarters of the Ala
bama Land congress from Congressman
Oscar w. Underworld:
Mr.. N. F. Thompson, President. Bir-
mingham:
MY Dear Mr.. Thompson-I write to
thank you for your kindly congratulations
On the Senate passing the tariff bill. 1t
has now gone TO conference, hut | hope
will complete our work and have the bill
in tha HANDS of the President within the
next two weeks. In reference to my com
ing home, expect to do so at the earliest
possible moment, and If | can attend
the land congress ! will be glad to do So
but of course in my position OF leader of
the House ! am compelled to remain In
Washington more closely than other men,
bers of Congress. With kindest regards.
am yours very truly.
20 w. UNDERWOOD"
The following letter is from the Butler
County bank at Georgiana:
1T shall be our pleasure to have a
representative at the Alabama Land con-
gress which meets in your city on Novem-
Der 4. and 8.
I'VE heal rtily indorse this movement We
believe that cooperation on the part of
the farmers bankers and railroad men
will mean much to our state, and to get
together, discuss and formulate plans
which are necessary to advance the de-
velopment of Alabama is indeed a great
work and should have the support of all
our citizens Very truly yours,
BUTLER COUNTY BANK,
by Ulay w. Black, President"
Another circular letter goes out from
the headquarters of the land congress
today to the newspapers of the state. urg-
ing them TO see that good delegations are
sent from their respective localities and
as snnfl q the nrngra mine. can be cnnn-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
OAK HILL ASSOCIATION
Will Take Charge of Management of
Cemetery September 30

The Oak Hill Memorial association.
which was formed some time ago. will
formally take charge of the Oak Hill
cemetery September 80, and after that
time the city will pay to the associa :
tion the money it heretofore has been
spending annually for the upkeep or
the cemetery. The commission will
recommend to the association that Sex
ton Bailey be maintained in cnarge of
the cemetery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
Makes Protest on Alley Paving

r. e. MiddIet0n, property holder on
Fifth avenue and on Twenty second
street. made protest before the COM
mission yesterday in regard to the
paving of the alley between Fourth and
Fifth avenues and Twenty first and
Twenty second streets. He alleges
that the grade of the alley has dam
aged his property.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
ELECTION TO WAIT
ACTION BY FULL BOARD

In case the bond issue carries. the
Chamber of Commerce will have nothing
to do with the location of the site or
any of the business matters connected
with the erection of the building, as the
project will then have become a city fos-
tered proposition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
In Second Division

In the second division of the criminal
court. Judge Greene disposed of the docket
set for the day. Twelve forfeitures were
taken against the bondsmen of those who
failed to answer when their names were
called, three cases were nolle pressed,
three defendants were acquitted and one
prisoner was convicted All the other
cases were passed for cause.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
Iron Company a Bankrupt

Milwaukee. Wis. September 16-The
Beaver Dam Mallable Iron company of
Beaver Dam, Wis, today filed a volun-
tary petition in bankruptcy, giving esti-
mated liabilities at S5O00O0 and assets at
$4,000 Judge F. A. Geger of the fed
eral court appointed Ernest f. Smythe of
Milwaukee receiver of the concern.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
Formal Resolution

Whereas, A regular municipal election
was held, according to law, In the city
of Birmingham on September Is, 1913, for
the election of a president of the board
of commissioners of the city of Birming-
ham for the term of three years begin
ming the first Monday in November, 1913;
and
Whereas, The vote for said office at
said election has been canvassed by this
board and ascertaned to be as follows,
viz: Nassar l.. Allen 1881, George b.
Ward 1853, Clement r. Wood 1907; total
vote 725l; and,
Whereas Said George B. Ward re-
ceived majority of all the votes cast
in said election for said office; now, there
fore. be it
Resolved. by the board of commission
ers of the city of Birmingham, That said
George b. Ward Is, and he is hereby de-
clared to have been duly and legally elect
ed to the office of president of the board
of commissioners of the city of Birming-
ham for the term of three years commenc-
ing the first Monday in November, 1913'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-17
Ward Formally Declared
Elected With Total Vote of
4O53 for Entire City
COMMISSION WILL
ISSUE CERTIFICATE
Official Vote From Wylam Made
Change Which Showed Wood
Had Run 16 Ahead
of Allen

There were 72o1 votes cast in the mu-
nieipal election Monday, with George b.
Ward running first. Clement Wood sec
ond and Vassar Allen third, according to
the official canvass of the election re-
turns by the city commission at the meet
ing yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Ward, according to the official
count, received 1858 votes Mr.. Wood 1907
and Mr. Allen 1891.
After the official count had been made
and certified the commission adopted a
formal resolution declaring George b.
Ward duly elected to the office of presi-
dent of the city commission to succeed
Culpepper Exum, and providing that a
certificate of election be issued to him to
that effect. The resolution in part fol-
lows:
Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-09-03
$4,000 TAKEN FROM
WEALTHY IOWAN
Bachelor of WaverIy Loses For
tune During Night.
BLOODHOUNDS ARE Oh TRAIL
Victim Refuses to Help Authorities
All Information Given Out by His
Housekeeper Who Says Thief
Entered by Window.

Waverly, Ia, Sept. Henry Wood
ford, eccentric bachelor and one of
the wealthiest men in this section
of the state, was robbed of $4,000 in
cash and securities at night.
The room in which he had been
sleeping and where the money and
bonds were hidden was looted, the
thief evidently having gained en-
trance to the house through a win
dow.
The robbery was discovered by
Miss Nellie Fails, Woodford's house
keeper, who went to make up his
room while he was at breakfast.
Bloodhounds were put on the scent
and followed a trail from the window
of Woodford's room to the Illinois
Central station, where the trail was
lost.
Hidden in Mattress.
Woodford denied himself to the au-
thorities, and his housekeeper was
the only one who would give any in
formation. She said that the money
had been taken from Woodford's bed
room.
A package of bonds valued at $751;
900 was found on the floor just inside
the window. Much of the plumber
was in securities which were not
negotiable.
Other Robbery Recalled.
Miss Fails, according to Woodford,
is a cousin Of Delilah Fails, convict
ed sixteen years ago for the murder
of Jerome Kern. The woman served
fifteen years in the penitentiary at
Annamoosa in expiration of her crime.
Six years ago the Fails woman was
paroled and obtained employment as
a servant in the home of wealthy
Omaha man. One night the family
returned home from the theater to
find that the house had been robbed.
Delilah Fails was found bound and
gagged. She told a story of burglars
attacking her, but the story was not
plausible enough to prevent her from
being recommitted to the peniten-
tiary. She completed her term year
ago.