davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04

you were to search the annals of
crime, in both this country and Eu-
- rope, it is not likely that you would
find a more extraordinary case than the
murder of DR.. George Parkman a noted
millionaire, of Boston, by Prof John w.
Webster, an instructor at Harvard col
lege. The prominence of the murder
would be the cause of your astonishment
and the very f1imsy reason that he con-
fessed for having caused so terrible a
crime. The Parkman- Webster murder
trial remains as interesting and as vital
in its Importance today as it was in
1s49 when the entire country was stirred
by the murder and the developments
brought out at the trial.
DR.. Parkman was a philanthropist and
a highly respected citizen. He was one
of the founders of the Massachusetts Med
ical college, and 1t was through his in
fiuence that Professor Webster secured
his position at Harvard
The doctor left home one morning to
make purchase for the family. When
he failed to return they became anxious
and the following day instituted search
for him. The search was kept up for
more than a week not only in Boston and
vicinity, but over land and water and
under water.
Finally 1t was learned that DIR. Park
man had had an appointment with Pro-
fessor Webster on the eventful Friday in
the latters rooms in the Medical col
lege of Boston, in which institution he
lectured. 1t took considerable thought
before anyone was willing to lay even
the slightest suspicion upon the honored
professor. But all clews led to the pro-
fessor, and finally it was decided to ex-
anime his apartments in the college.
The premises used by the professor con-
sisted of a lecture room, an upper labora,
tory, furnished with a stove, water and
a sink, and small room adjoining, where
chemical materials were kept. These were
on the first floor. By a basement stair
way a way was made to vault at the
base of the building, and it was in this
vault a week after the murder, on No
vember 80, that there was discovered ly-
ing in the vault parts of a male human
body.
In consequence of this disclosure Pro-
fessor Webster was Immediately appre-
hended. Then a more careful search was
made which resulted in the finding, buried
among tea in tea chest, a large hunt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
Charles +. TOMIc In CITY

A prominent visitor to Birmingham for
the past two days has been Charles f.
Towle, the well known newspaper CORE
spondent and theatrical man, who is rep-
resenting the "Stratford-upon-A play
ers who will present Twelfth Night" and
The Comedy of Errors at the jefferson
on February % and "a. Mr. Towle, in
speaking of this unique organization.
which comes directly from the famous
Memorial theatre at Shakespeare's birth
place, said yesterday:
'The Stratford-upon-Avon players have
presented 81 of the SO plays of Shakespeare
at their annual festival and pageant at
the Memorial theatre, Stratford-upon-
Avon. During their American tour they
have at command IA plays to be pro-
duced at moments notice, so to speak.
We have chosen Twelfth Night" for the
premiere in Birmingham, because the
students at the High school are at pres
ent very much interested in the study of
this charming play.
There is no other organization in the
world like the Stratford-upon- Avon play-
ers, and no Shakespearian company is in
we are. For instance, Hamlet is given
in its entirety, requiring six hours to pre-
sent the original play. Richard the Sec
ond,' as well as Richard the Third the
second part of Henry the Fifth and the
entire War of the Roses series, is in
cluded in the repertoire of the Stratford-
uponAvon players.
''Shakespearian scholars will delight in
the beautiful and accurate presentation
that they make, and Francis Robert Benz
son, our leading man, is one of the most
distinguished English actors of the day.
He maintains a dramatic school which
has sent forth most of the good poetic
actors on the English stage today, con-
ducts the annual Shakespeare festivals at
Stratford-uponAvon, pageant of great
note. He was also chosen to direct the
army pageant three or four years ago,
and two years ago this coming spring he
had charge of the great historical page
ant at Earl's court, in which many of the
British nobility took part; and in which
the ancient sports of the age were re-
vived. Those who saw the pictures of the
event will recall on what gorgeous scale
it was presented. Mr.. Benson is also
largely responsible for the revival of Nor
ris dancing in England, and has produced
more plays of Shakespeare than any
other individual manager in the history of
the stage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
GREAT TRIALS OF HISTORY
TRIAL OF PROF. JOHN W. WEBSTER

Ing knife and various parts of a human
body.
In arresting Professor Webster three
OF the Boston police proceeded at night
in coach to his residence in Cambridge.
He very willingly accompanied the Of
ficers. but he was deceived as to their
errand. When they reached the Jail and
he found himself a prisoner he said:
hat is the meaning of all this?" 10
this Mr.. Clapp replied: "You are now in
custody on the charge of being the mur-
derer of DR.. Parkman."
On hearing this announcement, he ut
tered two or three sentences which were
not distinctly understood, but which were
supposed to refer to the nature of the
crime with which he was charged.
After long investigation of the case
the grand jury found an : I'rtnent
against the prisoner for the
which came on for trial at Bost
Chief Justice Shaw and three 3
justices, Wilde, Metcalfe and Dew -s
March 49, 1850. Some time bel nd
judges took their places upon tn, HcH.
Professor Webster entered and t,
seat in the felons dock When
dictment was read to him he pleaded NOT
guilty" His counsel was ex-Governor
Clifford.
The trial lasted during II days, there
being no fewer than 116 witnesses exam
fned-47 of them being called on behalf
of the accused. including his professional
friends and neighbors. Scientific testi-
mony was also given by Prof. o. w.
Holmes and others, and the court sat
eight or nine hours each day. The tes-
timony was of most deeply interesting
and exactng character.
1t was brought out that the cause of
the murder was a dispute over the pay !
ment of a debt that Webster was owing
to Dr. Parkman. Through all the pro-
tracted trial the prisoner maintained al
perfect composure, and previous to the
charge of the judge Webster addressed
the jury, explaining away the evidence d
against him and asserting his innocence.
The jury brought in verdict of guilty.
After several attempts to have this ver1
dict set aside, and when this was found
impossible of accomplishment, ProfessoiI
Webster confessed his guilt but he said
he was provoked to striking Parkma n
at insinuations he had made and with nd
intent to seriously harm him. So plainl
however, were the facts involving his guild
that he was compelled to pay the ex1
treme penalty of the law within full view
of the classic halls of Harvard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
TEXAS GOLF BY MOONLIGHT

TEXAS GOLF by MOONLIGHT
From the Dallas News.
What wonderful weather we're hav-
ing-what glorious days!' But don't
overlook the nights; they've been pretty
nice, too-in fact, so radiant the moon,
so inviting the open, that nothing less
than golf by moonlight has been the
outcomel
So far as the records disclosed, Dallas,
has set the pace. 1t remained for
Charles Dexter, Jr., Louis Jacoby and
Sandy Baxter, Dallas Country club. to
demonstrate upon the links here the pos
siblity of golfiing by moonlight-and to
play 2s holes between p. m. and mid
night, and only lose one ball; which is
some golf, yea, more golf than is some
times played in broad open daylight.
Three caddies were used, solely TO watch
and locate the balls-or rather to hear
and locate the balls. The driver could
see clearly in making his drive, but the
eye could not follow the course of the
flight at all. Consequently at each stroke
the caddies were skirmished ahead about
200 yards, and by the thud of the falling
ball succeeded-with only one exception
in the % holes--in finding each one The
single loss occurred at the tenth hole on
Dexter's drive, the ball going into the
rough and defying location.
The 1s-hole course was made In IS.
Bogje for the course is S1-daylight
boogie. of course. This indicates the
quality of golf played in the moonlight
game. After compelling the course the
players went 10 holes more.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04

to note that whereas the political enc
mics of Oscar w. Underwood, in as
sailing his position in regard to i'm
portant matters, and in characterizing
him as a "reactionary,' declare with
out hesitation that he and President
Wilson are at loggerheads in regard
to questions of state.~And yet when
one investigates, he finds that in prac-
tically all matters, Mr.. Underwood's
view and Mr. Wilson's view are identi-
cal-even as they are in regard to
woman suffrage and the liquor ques-
tion.
This means simply that they are
both democrats, and hold dear the in
herent right of the state to regulate
its own internal affairs without die
tation from the central government.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
sn,end,d Passenger Service

.'Our Birmingham special has now been
in operation for four years, and in that
time has proven itself a great success y
said j. p. Thomas, Jr., city passenger
and ticket agent for the Southern rail-
way.
'"rhe Birmingham train is growing more
popular every day. and only recently il
was found necessary to make a. large
addition to sleeping compartments in
tended to be reserved for Birmingham
passengers The train and its service
are modern in every respect Steel cars
are used, and the 3O-hour schedule be-
tween this city and New York is a great
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04

1t is now reported that the exiled ex-
President, Cipriano Castro. of Venezuela,
is in Trinidad and the news has aroused
the Venezuelan capital. Evidently home
coming day is not observed with much
effect a landing theres he will find no
fattel calf prepared to celebrate the event.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04

Japan seems willing and anxious to eff
feet an amicable settlement of the diff
cuties arising from the California alien
land ownership embroglio, but she has
strongly intimated that any new enact
ments unfavorable to the Japanese will be
deemed as a menace to her friendship.
and If too drastic, as a casus belli. Our
government has endeavored to point out to
Japan the difficulty which It's peculiar
autonomy presents in the way of salts
we'll to keep a wakeful eye upon the Flow
cry Kingdom.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
YOUTH AND AGE
,y Julia Neely Finch.

BY Julia Neely Finch.
So fast 1 flew; so swift sped
Along life's sunny upper slopes;
So blue the skies far overhead,
So smooth the way that stretched befo
How could I hear them calling there
Amidst their dead and dying hopes?
Like little birds that strike to rise
On wounded wings. their piteous cries
Ascended fiuttering to my feet: 4,
7 heard them Saintly, far and sweet:
And ah, their yearning, yearning, yea
ing eyes.
Ali fi,l4d with love and mother wise:
All, me. 1 hearken now, too late,
Each Ia turn the heights must know
And each the shadow depths below.
Ills my turn now to call. to wait:
To look above with yearning eyes
Along the slopes OF sunny skies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04

The Daughters Of the American ReYolu-
ion are doing most excellent work in
bringing TO light relies Of a historic past.
The chapter Of this organization at Fred
eriek. Md. has just unearthed the sash OF
General BrsddecA which vas made in 17Os
and upon which he was carried from the
battlefield which shows traces OF his
blood, II Is now in possession OF Mss
Sarah knox Mood ~ Winchester. Va.
The sash was given 70 Colonel Washing
ton. sfter~srd President. and from him
passed 10 his nsphew. Lawrence Lewis.
whose daasater married Col :. e. w.
Butler ~ New Orleans. Colonel Butler
save it u Ger ZaeAAry Taylor. from
whom it desceaas2 10 Lis granddaughter
Miss Weed. the present aw1sr. sashes
were made s;Tca.s IN hose days for the
very purpose 60 serving as a stretcher
should rs wss7sr - wounded 1t is al
lesed that Br&t&ocS was killed in revenge
by one - his owa men and the body was
treated WIKI s-sst ignominy, being buried
in the middle o. public road with wagons
driven and horses ridden over the grave
10 obliterate every trace thereof
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
ROADS IMPROVED 500 PER CENT

FROM the Wilcox Progressive Era.
The county roads have been improve
500 per cent over what they We're seve
years ago when the law went into effec,
Then, one could scarcely travel over tn
public road There was the old roa
law that was enacted 80 years or NOR
ago. but no attention was paid to it; no,
there is scarcely any road in the count
but what is in good, passable condition
There must be no let up on our publi
roads. no ringing of backing bells. bu
an cIlward march continuously, that vii
give uss good roads all the year round
The county people are most interested i
good roads, and no money that the count,
spends is better spent than in work t.
give us better roads.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
General Villa. the Mexican revolutionis

General Villa, the Mexican revolutionist,
seems to be possessed of a level head even
though he cannot write. He is credited
with saying, IT would not be President of
Mexico If 1t were offered me on a silver
platter. am fighting man. not a diplo-
matist. and l have no aims or ambitions
to become the ruler of Mexico. 1 know
my limitations and I do not care to en-
barrass my friends who have supported
am not fitted" man who recognizes his
limitations is a philosopher and he who
has the courage to admit them is consider
able of a hero.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Voting Privilege

Il have now been q resident OF
Birmingham for almost two years. but
under the laws of Alabama have no
voting privilege" said James A. Wio-
bens of this city. but formerly of Chi
cago.
"The present constitution Of Ala
hama requires that a citizen must have
resided within the state for two years
and within the county for as much as
year; and 1t so happens that the next
primary election will occur about a
month before 1 will have the right to
vote. The laws OF Illinois are not SO
stringent In this regard; and 1 under
stand that 1t was only in 1901 that the
required residence period in Alabama
was changed in the constitution from
one year to two years.
While I recognize the states right
to regulate its suffrage qualifications
and TO disfranchise foreigners who have
NOT Vet had time to become familiar
with the customs and laws of the coun-
try, think that most every one Will
agree that 1t does not require the or
dinary citizen of any intelligence who
moves from one state to another two
years 10 become qualified to take part
in elections, especially to vote for a
President: and l see no reason why the
constitution should not be so amended
that the two-year clause would only
operate against the foreigner. and so
that male citizen moving from one
state to another would be privileged
after short residence in this state. to
establish his voting rights by furnish
ing certificate of certain number of
years of citizenship in another state
of the union"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04

nducement to travellers. The flying spe-
eial bearing the name of Birmingham
en- route to New York. passes through
many large cities and much thickly pop
ulated territory of the east, and 1t Will
be readily seen that the train. to GER
tain extent serves to keep this city be-
fore the mind of the people OF this ricn
section of the United States. We are now
contemplating large advertising cam
paign for this special, and the name 'Bir-
mingham' will not be sighted
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04

AS chairman~of the isthmian canal COM
mission Colonel Goethals receives $4,000
per annum. The Panama canal act fixes
year, but Representative Britten of Illi-
nois has introduced bill to amend the
law in the raising Of the salary to $4,000
so lons as Goethals holds the office. This
departure is fully justified, inasmuch as
1t obtains the services of such a character
as Goethals furnishes, and 1t is believed
that this change was the basis upon which
the Colonel was induced to refuse the
New York police commissionership and
consent to become the zone governor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
TREES HELP PUBLIC HEALTH

From the Kansas City Star.
aien and animals have good reason for
their fondness for trees. 1t is not only
because the trees add SO much to the
beauty of our streets, or because the at
tractiveness of rivers and lakes and even
of the seashore depends largely upon the
trees that we look upon them as silent
friends. They help US in a more material
way than with their beauty, great as tina t
help may be. They add to our physical
comfort and to our health
The side of the street having the most
trees is the popular side in summer. That
is because it is the coolest by about 20 de-
grees, Mr.. Farwell tells us, for "a full
grown tree sends out 1871 gallons of water
through Its leaves into the air. Shading
the ground also serves to moderate the
heat. And the air around the trees is
more pure. The foliage takes in car
bonlc acid gas, which is poisonous to us,
and gives out oxygen, which is healthful,
indeed, indispensable to us. Medical au-
thorities recognize that trees promote the
healthfulness of a community.
The tempering effect of trees on the cli-
mate is not confined to summer. In win
ter they actually radiate heat. in addition
to their benefits as windbreaks when
planted in clumps and groves.
That 1t pays TO have trees in the town
and city and on the farmstead is shown
by the fact that real estate on shaded
streets and that on which trees are grow
ing sells for better price. No little of
the welfare and prosperity of town, city
or country depends upon its trees, land
there is direct connection between the
attractiveness of the village or of the
home on the farm, and the love of the citi-
zens for their village or of the children
QI tLn fa f1a1. thei,. ham -
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
200 LETTERS ON GRAIN WHEAT

IUIH IHt IIINtTpUUI GUSI.
Perhaps the greatest feat of micro
scopic engraving was accomplished by
Jewish farmer In Alberta, who pre-
pared an address of welcome to the
Duke of Connaught The address was
Inscribed in Hebrew on a grain of
wheat and contained no fewer than
900 letters. So fine was the lettering
that a microscope was necessary to
read the inscription with any ease.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
CHRISTMAS REMINDERS

FFVIn TIE RICHfnOHu IlmeS-DlSpatch.
To Exchange-A box of 200 La Punka
Colorado cigars, blue and yellow neck
tie, a pair of embroidered red suspenders,
a handsome edition Of the Book of Job,
profusely illustrated; two dozen paper
knives. six pair of new shears and a re-
fillable, nonspillable inkwell. all for Sec
ond-handf 81 bill, or what have you?.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
INDORsES MOBILE CANDIDATE,
From the Evergreen Courant.

FROM tne evergreen Courant.
The Courant indulges the hope tina
every voter in Conecuh county will re
member to cast his ballot for Hon. s. J.
Gaillard of Mobile for railroad commits
sioner. We now have an opportunity L
get member of the commission from thi
section of the state, and no cleaner O
ADLER man could be found for the plac
than I'dlmer Gaillard
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
CALF OR GOAT.

From the Admission Star. q
The Age-Herald prints a cartoon show
ing the return of Lacy, who says t
Father Alabama: well, Pa, you can xii
the calf now" but it would seem tha
Alabama has been made the goat an
itself has been almost "kilt'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
ODDS ON UNDERWOOD

From the Tuscumbia Alabamian-D Dispatch.
Money talks. Even money is being laid
that Underwood will win by 10000 major
ity. Several wagers have been made and
two to one is demanded by those who
take the Hobson end that Underwood will
not have 1900 majority.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
A SWEET SUGGESTION.

Landlady: II don't think 1t appropriate
Tor the Macabees to call their room a.
lodge; 1t ought to be named a hive"
English Boarder: Yes. Hive thought
Of that before"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
MOVING EASTWARD.

Inere's but one boom TO rival
Inc Pacific's awful flood;
And that's the swelling boon,
or Oscar Underwood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04

The question OF raising the embargo
upon arms In Mexico is now deeply alb
sorbing the attention OF President Wilson.
So far the policy has resulted in simply
denying munitions to the federalists,
buying them abroad. Foreign govern
ments could not lay any restriction upon
such traffic without special legislation and
the President has not felt it Incumbent
upon him to ask for such legislation. ia
pan has been the largest shipper Of NUM-
tions into Mexico, but 1t has been pretty
we'll settled that the Japanese govern
ment has not been an abettor to the pri-
vate individual engaged in the shippings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04

BEGINNING THE DAY-Turn
bacH the years, O Lord. and make
nre little child today. Help me 10
lnugh again. Roll off the burden OF
my days. Relieve the tension OF my
life. Make me willing TO learn
rendy 10 change, able TO trust. May
l take Thy hand and go singing
through all these golden hours. For
Christ's sake. Amen.-H. VI. h.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
TOMoRRow-TRIAL OF EUGENE ARAM

cleared the work remaining is tn
completion of the tunnel Innings an
the installation of the regulatin
works at the shafts. Thus the aqueduc
has developed, in a few years, from a
irregular black line on sheet of trac
ing paper to 100-mile tube of con
crete and steel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
SWIFT RIVALRY

Two things keep growing faster.
AS by the years are swimmin';
Inc one is transportation
And the other one Is women.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
lROUBADOUR AND JESTER
NELLIE OF KELMAR.

ne sunset bells had ceased their sony.
Inc sunset fires had gone,
AND twilight, falling from the stare
Fell on us two alone.
Soft undulating waves of grain
Beneath the mountains crest
Lay as mesh of silken lace
Upon a sobbing breast.
The golden peaks just glorihed
Grew sombre, sad and scar;
The whip-poor-wil begin their flight
Yet still l fingered there.
For fairer than the roses wild
And purer than each star
Was she who fingered by my side,
Dear Nellie of Kelmar
With passion deep my lips were fraught
And breathed my bosom's cry:
Then softer than the dying day
Her answer was a sigh.
Oh bliss. oh rapture. treasured sweets,
OF love dream void of pain:
I'd give my life, my soul, my all
To live that hour again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
TOO MUCH BLAST.

TOO MUCH BLAST
Brown THAT orchestra at the theatre
last night was terrible: it--was completely
fossilized."
Jones; What do you mean by that?"
Brown: why. you couldn't hear a thing
but the trombones."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
THE TIN WEDDING.

Wife: John, We will have been marrfcC
10 years next Tuesday. and | thought O.
presenting you with a radium scarf pin.
Husband: II believe an egg shirt stu,
would look more SWELL
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
A SPIRITUALIsT

Il have a message from the dead d.
She said and she was witty.
For she slyly showed to me
A letter from Pratt City.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
AT THE SPELLING BEE.

Harry: "Will Grimes was just sure OF
winning the prize but he went down on
the word ratiocination."
Tommy: II guess he was stung wasn't
he?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
CANDELMAs

Mad l am and growing madder;
Now my Ire to you | sing.
l waited for that grounding shadow
All day and didn't see thing.