davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
The Governor and
TheO Lacy Meet for
First Time in Year

Montgomery, February 25.-tSpeclal9
When the governor of Alabama saw The
odore Lacy in court yesterday morning,
it was the first time he had looked upon
the face of the alleged emeezzler of state
funds in nearly II months. The chief
executive had not seen him since his re-
turn, although Lacy visited the capitol
a few days after his surrender.
1t was learned that in the afternoon
Lacy spoke to the governor while the
chief executive was passing him in one
of the jury rooms, extending his hand.
How are you, sir?' replied the chief
executive, Immediately passing out of the
room.
The incident was observed by several
persons in the room. The governor has
spent the greater part of the last two
days In the courtroom. He confers with
the states attorneys and takes deep in
terest in the court proceedings
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
BOYS ON STAND TO
KEEP THEIR MOTHER
FROM DEATH CHAIR
State Rests Case Against
Woman for Murder of
Husband-C0nfessiOn
Is Introduced

Little Valley, n, Y, February %.
rested the peoples case against Mrs.
Cynthia Buffum. on trial charged with
Patrick S. Collins at once outlined the
plan of the defense and during the
afternoon placed in evidence the testi-
mony of the womans five sons. Under
a bitter cross examination by Mr.. Cole,
the boys never wavered in the story
they told to keep their mother from the
death chair.
The boys said their father had been
a heavy drnker the last year of his
mother and sister, Laura, who died
February 3 this year, of poisoning.
were sick last summer at the time the
father and husband became i'll and
died.
The boys said their father when
blinking said.
I'm going to do away with with
myself and the whole family
Mr.. Collins said he would prove this
therat of wholesale destruction; that
bulluH Hdu Dten abusive. TO MS wife,
that Buffum was given to heavy drink
ing and that at the time Buffum was i'll
that Mrs. Buffum suffered from the
same symptoms
Statement Allowed
Justice Brown had a statement made
by Mrs. Buffum to Mr.. Cole in Buff
falo on December 10, to be competent
and 1t was read to the jury.
Mrs. Buffum declares the confession
was wrung from her by detectives who
made her drunk. In 1t as read today
She stated that her husband had ac-
cused her of undue intimacy with
Ernest Frahm.
Il would never have thought so much
OF Frahm' the statement said. but he
put so many propositions to me. He
wanted me to go away. He said If
Willis ever struck me again he would
kill him for me.
81 loved Frahm. felt I had to do
everything and anything for him. He
kept urging me to go with him and |
said / would go, but for Willis. He
said he would get Willis down a dark
road and shoot him and I said there
We're other ways to get rid of him.
-->-~-- ->--~-----------s--------.
CONTINUED ON Page EighD
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
OAKLEY WILL BE
PLACED ON STAND
INLACY CASE TODAY

Montgomery February 25.-(Special)
James G. oakley, former president of the
state board OF eonsiot inspectors, nnder
indictment by the Shelby county grand
jury charging the embezzlement of $35l7 50
of state funds and under indictments by
the Montgomery county grand jury,
charging the embezzlement of $4,000, will
be placed on the witness stand by the
state to testify in the Lacy case
Oakley came to Montgomery two days
ago, but owing to a severe cold has
remained at his home the greater part
of the time. He may be placed on the
stand tomorrow.
There is considerable speculation as to
what the state will attempt TO prove by
Oakley,
The brother of the former head of the
convict bureau, Sheriff Charles l.. Oak
ley of Bibb county. is also in Mont
gomery, and has been an interested spec
tator at the Lacy trial.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
WITH BATED BREATH.
ALABAMA WATCHES
TRIAL OF THEOLACY
THEO LACY WILL
TELL OWN STORY
OF MISSING FUNDS
BY L. $. BETTY

Montgomery, February 25.-(Speciai1
Theodore Lacy will tell his own story
After 10 months of patient wai,sng BY
thousands of people throughout Alabama
for details of the theft of more than
$4,000 of state funds. alleged to have been
stolen by Lacy once trusted official
OF the state convict department, the
promise is made that Lacy will tell what
he knows concerning the sensational
crime with which ne is charged.
Theodore Lacy will be placed on the
witness stand to testify in his own de-
Tense. This announcement was made
this afternoon by two of Lacy's attor-
neys-Ray Rushton of Montgomery and
Col. Jesse Stallngs of Birmingham. These
lawyers would make no other admissions
They simply said that Lacy would be
placed on the stand. 1t was intimated
that Lacy's story would be interesting
moreover, one that the people of Ala
bama would believe. What will Lacy tell?
Through his attorneys he plead not guilty
when his case was called this morning.
Just what Lacy will tell is the principle
question that is being discussed by Of
ficials and the hundreds of spectators
who have crowded the courtroom for the
last two days, He ansewred not guilty
to tie states charge & embezzlement
yet he IS going on the stand. 1t seems
to be established peyond every possible
doubt that he got 100000 in cash from
three Montgomery banks None of this
money has been acc tounted for. Then
what will Lacy say? Every possible de-
gree of speculation mas been indulged in,
thousands of questions have been asked
and unanswered, and still the case baf-
fles everyone who inquiries into it.
But it seems that the remarkable drama
is to be unfolded. that the people of Ala
hama will really learn and within a few
days, all details of the unsolved mystery,
The promise is held out by his attorneys
OF great and deep interest, and one that
will be credited. Still the defendant
claims to be not guilty of the sensa-
tional crime with which he is charged
The announcement that Lacy would be
placed on the stand came as surprise
to the lawyers repf esenting the state,
none of whom seemed To think the de-
fendant would be allowed TO testify.
Lacy may go on the stand tomorrow
afternoon. There is probability that the
state will be through with the examina-
zion of its witnesses by noon recess, and
it is expected that the defendant will
he placed on the stand as soon as the
defense taken up its cuse
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
'FLYING SQUADRON"
FOR PROHIBITION
PLANS CAMPAIGN

indianapolis, Ind, February 25.-A new
movement for the advancement of ma
tional prohibition. to be known as the
Flying Squadron of America has been
completed, according to an announcement
made here today by j. Frank Hanly, for
mer governor of Indiana, who is chair
man Of the executive committee of the
squadron.
Among those associated with Mr.. Han
ley in the movement are Eugene Chafin.
twice prohibitionist candidate for Presi-
dent; DIR. Ira Landritn of Nashville.
Tenn. Clirton n. Howard of New York,
Daniel A. Polling, vice president of the
National Anti-Saloon League, and Mrs.
Mary Harris Armour of Georgia.
The flying squadron declares in it's
prospectus that 1t will not represent any
rarty or special interests and will work
entirely for national prohibition. The
squadron. it is planned will travel about
the country spending ABOUT three days in
whirlwind campaigns in each of the
largest cities and state capitals.
1t is estimated that 1t will require $500
600 for the campaign to pay the speakers,
singers, hall rent, and other workers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26

New York. February 25.-District At
torney Charles S. Whitman will not
personally assume the responsibility of
letting Charles Becker go free on the
charge of numbering the gambler Her
man Rosenthal, 1t was learned tonight
At least it was indicated that the
prosecutors present intention is to
move for a second trial of the former
police lieutenant, whose conviction as
RosenthaIs slayer was set aside by
the state court of appeals yesterday.
1t was reported today that Mr.. Whit
man, fearing he could not get a sec
ond conviction, planned to seek Beck
cr's Indictment on a charge of extor-
tion and bribery. Mr.. Whitman tonight
denied he had such a move in mind
Interest centered tonight on what
hope the district attorney might have
of finding witnesses to corroborate the
testimony of Vallon, Rose and Webber,
who at the time of the prosecution OF
Becker and the gunner received i'm
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
MINE COMMITTEE
MAY NOT VISIT
COPPER MINES
Disagreement in Selecting
Guide May Cause Proposed
Underground Trip to Be
Abandoned

Hancock. Mich. February 25,-After
striking copper miners concluded presenta-
ton of their case before the congressional
committee today and public hearings
had been adjourned until Saturday, dis
agreement arose over the selection of a
miner to accompany the committee on a
visit into the mines tomorrow.
Counsel for the mining companies and
the strikers could not settle on guide
No agreement was reached and another
conference will be held. 1t appeared to
be the sense of the committee that the
proposed trip underground would be aban-
.doned unless differences on this point
could be adjusted.
Two days will be devoted to an inspec-
tion of mining properties. In the mean
time counsel for the operators will be pre-
pairing their answer to the strikers
charges.
Angus w. Kerr, on behalf of the min
ers announced today that petitioners for
the investigation would close their case
with the understanding that the question
of a full inquiry into the Calumet disas-
ter would remain in allegiance. Chairman
Taylor said the committee would devote
the day in Chicago to hear witnesses from
the Michigan National Guard. and at
that time the strikers could present addi-
tional witnesses.
The operators were not prepared to be-
gin presentation of their case today, AL
len f. Rees, senior counsel for the COM
panies, announcing that they had not had
time to classify evidence presented by the
strikers. The committee therefore ad-
journed until Saturday although the op-
orators indicated that they probably
would NOT he ready before Monday
Charles r. Tanner, auditor of the West
ern Federation of Miners, today described
to the committee the deportation of Pres
ident Charles II. Meyer and himself. His
story was substantially the same as re-
lated by Meyer in published interviews
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26

munity on their promise TO tell the
truth.
vallon late today denied it was he
who fired the shot that killed Rosen-
thai This statement was made after
Becker in Sing Sing today had declared
he Thought Vallon was the slayer.
Becker is pretty smooth" said VAL
Ion, 'and his object in accusing me is
plain. He hopes the accusation and his
expressions of sympathy will influence
the four men In the death house to
think he is going to do something to
aid them. His idea is that as long
as he can make them think he is their
friend they will not confess and give
information duplicating him to the dis
trjct attorney"
Mr.. Whitman tonight said no evi =
dence ever was presented at his office
that vallon fired the fatal shot. "The
reports were investigated and no cor
federation was found" he said. ''rhe
highest court In the state has decided
that the conviction of the gunmen
stands and that they committed the
murder"
Becker will be brought here from
Sing Sing late tomorrow or early FRI
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26

". s. WEST NAMED
GEORGIA SENATOR
SlatOn Appoints Valdosta
Lawyer to Succeed
Bacon

Atlanta, February 25.-W. S. West. a
'lawyer of valdosta. Ca. late today was
appointed by Governor slaton as United
States senator to succeed the late SEN
ator A. O. Bacon. Mr.. West will serve
until next November, when state cleo
tion will be held. Indications are that
there will be a multitude of candidates
for the Georgia vacancy. Senator Bacon's
term would not have expired until 1918.
Mr.. West was a delegate at large to
the democratic national convention at
Denver in 1908. From 1892 until that
year he served in both houses of the
state legislature and was president of
the state senate in 1905-06. The newly
appointed senator is IS years old. He
was born in Marion county. Georgia.
After he was graduated from the aca-
demic department of Mercer university.
Mr.. West taught school for several years,
returning late to the same institution
and taking degree in the law depart
ment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
,Continned on Page NineD
ANOTHER SENSATION
FURNISHED STATE
Winston Tax Collector Said
to Have Embezzled
Nearly $4,000
nv l.. :. RETTY

Montgomery. February 25.--(Specia)
News has been received by the gov
ernor of the embezzlement of approx
imately $4,000 of state and county
funds by J. NJ. Tingle, tax collector OF
Winston county. Tingle is said to have
disappeared Monday night taking with
him more than $4,000 in cash. which he
had received from tax collections. The
remaining shortage was reported by
Examiner of Public Accounts ]. r. Cor
man, who examined his books several
days ago
The governor several weeks ago sent
MIR. German to examine Tingle's books
and the examiner reported a shortage
of about $4,000, which Tingle's sureties
promised to make good. In the means
tins. before making an additional
bond, Tingle. IL Is alleged. proceeded
to collect a large sum in taxes, ag-
gregating more than $4,000 and at ths
opportune time he disappeared. Tingle<s y
a republican. The governor will pro g
ably employ a special detective on
case. Xxx
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
Body of Clemente Vergara
Demanded From Officers
of Huerta Government
ANXIOUS TO EXAMINE
BODY OF BENTON
British Ambassador Seeks Information
as TO Cause of Englishman's
Death-U. S. Policy Is I'm
changed, Says Mr.. Bryan
PARTIES
ARE TO DE NIsHED

Laredo, Tex, February 2o.-As-
suranees that the men responsible
for the execution of Ciemente YER
CARA, an American citizen, hanged
by Mexican federals near Hidalgo.
Mexico. will he punished. have been
given United States Consul Garrett.
at Nuevo Laredo. " Colonel Al
vsrez. commanding the Nuevo La
redo garrison.
Just what steps are being taken
was not made public, Int II is un-
dersteod the federal i'fieer assured
Consul Garrett that the inYestiga-
ton of the case would be thorough
Colonel Alvarez mas peculiar In
terest In the VerEara incident 1t Is
pointed out. as he ia relative OF
General Alvarez, federal eomman-
der at piedras Neglas, whose or
der that Vergara should be re-
leased. it is now known, came after
the hanging.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
ED LACY REMAINS
CLOSE BY BROTHER

Montgomery. February 25.-(Special.)
One of the closest observers of the pro-
ceedings in the Lacy trial is Ed Lacy
of Orrville brother of the alleged de-
faulter.
Mr. lacy was with his brother on the
night of his surrender, several weeks
ago, and has spent much time in Mont
gomery since that surprising event. He
has occupied a seat in court close by
his brother since the case was called.
Mr.. Lacy was formerly private secre-
tary to his grandfather. the late SEN
ator Edmund Winston Pettus. He has
but one arm and Is one of the most
prominent men in Dallas county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
Chauffeur Who Carried
Lacy to Bank Gives Sensa-
tiOnal Testimony
BANK CASHED THREE
CHECKS FNR NUREAU
President Harold of Montgomery Saw
n ings Bank Tells of Lacy Coming
TO Bank to Secure Money for
the Convict Department
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Montgomery, February 25.-tspcciaD
A pine box which c. L. Harold. pres
fdcnt of the Montgomery Savings
hunk, had aided in crammIng TO the
brim with gold and currency, and
which he had seen Theodore Lacy.
then chief clerk of the convict depart
ment of the state. uncomfortable with
the burden, bear from the Montgomery
Hank and Trust company was, two
hoArs later, according to the testimony
os Harry Dickinson. chauffeur.
sumbIed from an automobile TO the
pavement In front of Harrison's saloon
empty.
4 The testimony of these witnesses,
the one a banker and the other an
urchin unschooled In diplomacy, COM
posed as dramatic a story, a story as
told in the courts of this state. Until
the defendant himself takes the stand
In nm effort to explain the mystery
which has long surrounded him, and
10 dfSproNe n cnargc against MIN OF
embexxling $f60.000. 1T is safe to ven-
aurc the prediction that no future day
will contain more of the dramatic than
This contained.
: Cashed Departments Checks
The story which Harold told had
Ii not been supplemented by the more
-'anarhabie narrative of the csauffesr,
would have been romantic enough 10
serve the pages of a Diamond Dick
publ ication. The witness is president
, Of the Montgomery Savings bank,
wherein. prior 20 March II. the convict
department, in the name of j. c. Oak
ley. president. had deposited its money.
He testified that his bank had cashed
three checks for the department. One
in September 1872 and another in
January, 1913, was made payable to
John Purifoy, state treasurer. The
third was for $4,000 and was made
payable to cash Currency was de-
manded, he swore, and his offer to give
.New York exchange was not accepted.
He testified that both Lacy and Oak
ley informed him that currency was
required because an examination of the
books of the department was under
way and it was deemed by the, Off
cials of the department, wise to have
actual money on hand, when the ac-
count was examined.
Or March s. according to his testi-
mory. the defendant deposited In the
name of j. G. Oakley president, sum
, il excess of 100000 At that time, he
/ swcre, Lacy informed him that by
of al IN
March n, he would present a check for
the entire balance to the credit of the
department. explaining that it would
be necessary that the bank furnish
cash. as an examination was being
made of the books of the department,
and he judged 1t best to have actual
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
DISTRICT ATTORNEY WHITMAN WILL MOVE
FOR SECOND TRIAL OF CHARLES BECKER

day and placed In the Tombs pending
a new trial or quashing of the MUIR
Ger indictment. His counsel tonight
said the court decision automatically
restored Becker as a member of the
police department under suspension
His counsel say that his move, If he
makes one, to get back as police
man, viii be to get a writ of man
damus directed against the police com
missioners. Under this he could be
tried before deputy and have an OPP
portunity to prove his innocence of any
charges against him
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
TODAY'S AGE-HERALD

1-Keen interest In Lacy trial.
Boys testify to save mother.
Mine committee may not visit copper
district.
Probe into hanging of American cit
iZen.
Dixie shivers in snowstorm.
2-Four furnaces blown in past week
3-Four men to spend billion dollars in
next four years.
4EEditorial comment.
5-Heaviest snowfall since 1904 in Bir-
mingham.
Cleveland party entertained here.
Track question postponed.
Huge works for muscle shoals.
6-Society.
7-Sports.
S-Annual banquet of laundrymen held
9-Blast furnace men soon to be here.
12-Hartselle visited by blaze.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
No Contest Will Result

Washington, February 25.-No contest
over the seating of w. S. West, as sem
atnr from Georgia. to succeed the late
Senator Bacon, can develop in the Senate
as the appointment was made under
the Georgia law recently enacted for
such emergencies Senator Kern, chair
man of the privileges and elections COM
mittee, said tonight that Mr.. Vests cre-
dentials would be considered as soon as
Governor Slaton forwarded them to
Washington and that the committee
would favorably report them to the SEN
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
BURNETT PLANS TO
CAMPAIGN IN MARCH

Washington. February 25.--tSpecial)
Representative Burnett said today that
he had made arrangements to leave
Washington about March / to engage IN
his contest for reelection in the Seventh
district. He will remain in his district
until the primary, unless called back to
Washington on account of the immigra-
tion bill now pending in the Senate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
Would Reduce Road Stock

Hartford, Conn, February 25.-Filed In
the office of the secretary of state to-
day was a certificate of reduction in the
capital stock of the Atlantic Coast Line
company of Bridgeport. from 81. $4,000
to $S, $40, 900, and par value of each share
from 500 to $50. The reduction is in
accordance with vote taken at the
annual stockholders meeting held at
Bridgeport February 20.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
Eiphi Inches of Snow

Auburn, February 25.- (Spaeiale
Eight and three-tenths inches of snow
fell today the heaviest in ih years, the
college building and campus present
most picturesque appearance. Collegs
students have greatly enjoyed the novel
scene. many of them for the first time
witnessing a real snowslorm. They
held n carnival at the public uptown
places which the professors early In
the day came to regard as dangerous
ground
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
Falls throughout Day

t'alkville, February 25.-(Speea1) )--Snow
began falling here early this morning
and has continued undated all day The
recent freeze has hurt young oats. of
which there is large acreage sown
in this section Fruit growers In this
section say the fruit so far Is uninjured
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
Steady Fall AT Decatur

Decatur. February 2o.-tSpecial.l- "A
snow commenced falling this morning
about O'Clock and Tell steadily nearly
all day. At a late hour today there
was about two inches of snow on the
ground and still showing The thermonl-
eter has stood al freezing about all day
todaY
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
Snow Changes to eei
North Alabama Covered

Huntsville. February 25.-(Special)
North Alabama is covered with Two
inches Of snow tonight, the first of the
winter The snowstorm continues to-
night
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
DIXIE SH|VERS IN
ICY SNOWSTORM;;
RECORDS BROKEN
South and Southeast Is Gov
cred by a General
Snowfall
TEMPERATURES FALL
FOLLOWING STORM
Children of Mobile Witness First
Snowfail-Traffic Not Seriously
Interrupted, But Many Trains
Arc Delayed

Atlanta. February a5.--Thc south
and southeast tonight shiyered In the
grin of n general snowstorm. which
bianketed the Atlantic senboard as fnr
south as southern Georgia md south
west 10 gulf states. Weather bureau
records for from $ to 20 years were
broken. Failing temperatures aceom-
panied the storm In many sections. the
snow turnIng 10 slcet.
While no serious Interruptions OF
traffic We're reported early tonight.
many trains were behind their sehed-
-ses in localities where the snowfall
was heaviest. Wire service was sla
moralised between Georgia and F'lorida
points early in the evening. and 1T vas
Impossible at that time to establish
communication with Jacksonville and
Tampa. Fla.
Thermometers Low
The heaviest snowfall was reported
Ia Georgia. South and North Carolina,
Louisiana and Mississippi At Macon,
Ga the precipitation reached a depth
of six inches, while an almost equal
amount was reported at Augusta and
Savannah In Louisiana and Missis-
sippi the snow began falling about
noon and at nightfan II had been re-
corded from a trace In the extreme
south to six inches ip The northern
| section. rhermometerf at New Or
leans, Mobile and othg gulf points
hoyered about the rrecf%as point and
the snow melted as il
Snow Changes to eet
In addition To n heaN8 snowfall In
South Carolina, the eosstftry around
Charleston WAS covered with a coating
of Ice and sleet. Snow changed 10
sleet late in the day, causing progress
on the streets of the city To be diff
heult for both pedestrians q traffic
Birmingham. Montgomery nd other
s1ahama eitiea We're afeeF BY the
fsn wstorm. More than 81 4 inches
fell in the former city.
| While snow fell In the southern part
of North Carolina, low temperatures Is
lin The northern section Of the STATE.
as well ns In Tennessee and Virginia,
caused the precipitation to be very
! light.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26
First Snow of Season

Hartselle. February Especial The
first snow of any duration this season
is falling here today and work on the
many new buildings is AT a standstill
as we'll as proving a auletus on trade.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26

Continued on Page Nine)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-26

Continued on Page Eight