davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
-Four Sacks Of Registered Mail
Stolen-One Sack Contain
ing $4,000 Overlooked
VERY DELIBERATE
IN RANSACKING CAR
Uncoupled Mail Car Near Ironddle,
Rifled 1t and Left On the Engine,
Which Was Abandoned

Queen Crescent passenger train No. New York New
Orleans running 40 minutes ae held up last night 10
ococ about II miles north of Birmingham by three masked
robbers who of registered mail said to have
contained over $4,000
The three thought to have boarded the train at Chat
tanooga and half miles south of Alfalfa held the
engine the point of revolvers They then the train
within five miles Of ondae where they forced the to
uncoupe the express They left Engineer Murphy
and the fireman with the train
The bandits the mail down the tracks for mile
uncoupled the mail The robbers then entered
the covered the five clerks They asked for the
chief clerk A. B. Mervile and demanded the registed mail
Merville replied that he had He slightly cut the
left shoulder upon attempting resistance.
The robbers ransacked the and secured the registered mail
They then took the New York and Washington regis
tered mail and decamped leaving sack containing $4,000
behind. The express not molested
The clerks the declined to estimate the amount which
the secured but Chef Clerk Mere admitted that
sack which overlooked contained $10000 and it
said the other sacks contained like amount The exact
ascerained until the postal authorities check
np the missing letters
thoroughly ransackng the the robbers uncouped
the engine from the and ran about mile down the track
where they abandoned it and apparently took to the woods
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
THAW PETITION TO
Be HEARD TODAY
The Final Preparation for
Habeas Corpus Writ
Are Made

Concord y. H., February l9.--Final
preparations were made tonight for the
hearing tomorrow of Harry X. Traw's
petitions for writ of habeas corpus ana
for admission to bail before Judge Edrar
Aldrich. Chief interest centered In the
question of bail for whatever the de-
oision in the matter OF habeas corpus. the
question Will be taken to the United
States supreme court.
Most of Thaw's legal advisers in his
fight against extraditon to New York
on a charge of conspiracy in connection
with his escape from Matteawan were
here tonight. Governor William A.
Stone OF Pennsylvania, chief of his coun-
sci. spent many hours in consultation
with his New Hampshire associates.
Judge William NJ. chae and George +.
Morris of Lancaster.
Mr.. Stone will probably make the argu-
ments tomorrow for the defendant. It
was not known tonight who would argue
for the state OF New York, although It
was believed that William T. Jerome
would be in charge
Mrs Mary C. Thaw. Harry's mother,
arrived here from Pittsburg today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
FINAL Warming SENT.
TOBANKS FAILING TO
ENTER new SYSTEM
Must Signify Intentions by
February % or Liquidate.
Probe Stock Sub
scriptiOn Laws

Washington, February 19-Final
warning was sent tonight to the 40
national banks of the United States
which have failed to signify their in
tention to enter the new federal bank
ing system, that application for mem
bership must be made by February 2S
or banks must prepare to go into
liquidation within 10 months. The re-
serve bank organization committee at
the same time took steps to learn from
the attorney general from every state
where state banks under their laws can
subscribe to stock in the reserve banks,
on action which is essential of mem
bership in the new federal system.
The warning to the national banks.
signed by NJ. C. Elliott. secretary of the
committee, was as follows
Required to Accept
"1he organization committee has
ruled that, under the provisions of the
federal reserve act all national banks
are required to accept the same and
to notify the organization committee
to this effect on or before February
23, and falling to do so shall go into
liquidation not later than December
22n6, 1914 Whether national banks
failing to give the notcie required on
or before February 2s, can. under any
circumstances, be permitted to enter
the system later, has not been official
ly passed upon, but the unanimous rul-
ing of organization committee is that no
national bank can claim this privilege
as of right after date mentioned. Ma
tional banks representing over 9s per
cent entire national banking capital of
United States have already given notice
of intention to accept the provisions of
new law. You are requested to notify
the organization committee Immediate
ly IL it is the desire Of your bank to ac-
ccpt the provisions of the federal re-
serve act"
McAdOO's Telegram
Secretary McAdoos telegram to the
state attorney general said
'"rhe reserve bank organization will
be Obliged IL you will inform the COM
mittee whether, under the laws of your
state, 1t is permissible for state banks
desiring to enter the new system to
subscribe to stock Of the federal re-
serve banks. II not, please advise when
your legislature next meets and wheth-
er or not 1t is probable that at. that
time legislation giving such permission
will be enacted. Prompt and full reply
by mail Will be much appreciated.
The federal reserve bank organiza-
ton committee will hold no more hear
ings, but bankers and business men
may present additional arguments in
support of their claims for reserve
hanks in writing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
SENATOR BACON IS LAID
TO REST IN MACON, GA.

was In the power Of the nation, his ma
tive state and his home city to accord
to Senator Bacon's memory today marked
his funeral. Thousands of citizens. faced
the driving rain to march with the
funeral cortege, while other thousands
standing with heads uncovered, lined the
streets through which the procession
passed. Senators and representatives who
accompanied the body from Washing
ton. confederate veterans. national
guardsmen, members of Senator Bacon s
immediate family and official representa-
tives from many state organization fol-
lowed the body to the cemetery and
stood silent during the short services
there. Among the mourners was Gov
ernor John M Slaton, who accompanied
the funeral train from Atlanta.
Tonight the congressional delegation
which came Of the national capital to at
tend the funeral returned to Washington.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20

Macon, Ga, February 1s.-Under weep
ing. sodden skies the body OF augustus
o. Bacon, soldier. statesman and for II
years United States senator from Geor-
gia, today was laid in its grave at Rose
Hill cemetery here. Tonight the new
made tomb was hidden beneath a great
bank of flowers. piled high by the low
!4ng hands OF hundreds of sorrowiny
friends ~
simplicity marked tbe burial services.
Before the long procession followed the
body to the grfve a brief impressiv e
service was said at Christ Episcopal
church. AT the tomb the coffin was low
cred to it's last resting place with the
rites OF Masonry Every nonor that u
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
INFLAMMABLE DARTS
FOR AIRSHIPS TESTED

.Buc. France, February 19.-An in.
fammable dart for use on aeroplanes
was tested today in the presence Of
military air experts with satisfactory
results. The dart carries small reser-
voir containing gasoline which explodes
on contact. Its purpose is to. set fire
to dirigible balloons or buildings
Three of the darts. dropped today
from an aeroplane at an altitude of 500
feet, found their mark.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING
SWEETHEART WILL NOT TALK

Aurora. H., February 15.-Anthony Pc
tras today refused to testify at the in
quest into the murder or Theresa Hoi-
lander. formerly his fiancee. who was
beaten to death in cemetery near her
home Monday night.
Petras who is under arrest was brought
before the coroner's jury but. after stat
Ing his name and residence. refused on
advice of counsel. to reply further. His
attorney announced that Petras would
be ready to talk one week from saturday
and the inquest accordingly was adj
journed to that date.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
TODAY'S AGE-HERALD

10. and c. held up and robbed
Craig withdraws from Congress
race.
Oakley and Lacy to be tried before
governor retires.
Goethals declines to state position.
Thaw petition to be heard today
2.-Hobson leaders defend record on
49,. prohibition.
al. and N. moves old depot at Gull
man. ~ ~ 7-sf
A. Editorial comment ia{tS
5---Fyffe no longer considered for po-
lice chief.
Name selected for photo drama
New @pay-as-you-ente devices.
Holds leases Of mineral lands un-
taxable.
6-Society.
7-Sports.
8-General treaty extension now ap-
pear assured.
establishment of neutral zone In
Mexico assured.
11-Markets.
IL Michigan sheriffs censured by
strikers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20

Among the witnesses was Walter Hick-
man, negro. at first suspected. Hick-
man repeated the story he told the police.
that he was on the trolley car in which
Petras and Miss Hollandef also were pas
sengers. and that Petras got off block
beyond the spot where the girl alighted
and ran back.
Louis Nelson testified that he saw =
man running in the direction OF Petras
home from the vicinity OF the cemetery
at about the time the murder ID sup,
posed to have been committed.
Louis Hollander father or the dead gira
repeated his statement that his daugh-
ter had met Petras early on the fatue
evening and had been frightened By hi.,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20

SPECIAL TRAIN RUSHES
OFFICERS TO SCENE
Birmingham officials of the road
were notified of the holdup and a spe-
cial train rushed officers to the scene.
No trace of the robbers was found
and Chief Eagan with his men re-
turned to the city at 2:30 o'clock this
morning, leaving the railroad special
officers to continue the search.
According to Conductor John White,
the three robbers must have boarded
the train at Chattanooga. That they
were familiar with everything about
the train, there is but little doubt,
Judging from the deliberate manner
in which the deperadoes went about
their task. The train was about one
and one-half miles south of Alfalfa
when masked bandit stepped up
from the tender and ordered Engineer
B. j. Murphy to throw up his hands.
Then the robber took charge of the
engine, while another of his pals COW
cred the engineer and fireman. At
the time of the holdup, Engineer
Murphy states, the train was making
an average speed of 55 miles an hour.
About l2 miles north of Birmingham,
between Irondale and Trussville. the
robbers stopped the train and COM
PEELED the engine crew to uncouple
the mail car from the rest of the train
The rob oers then ordered the train
urew TO stay with the rest of the train
while they departed with the mail car
and engine. Two miles further south
they stopped again and going back to
the mail car demanded an entrance.
The five clerks within had suspected a
hcldup and had sxtinguished the car
lights. However hearing loud curses
and threats the mail clerks fearing
that the mail car would be blown up
by dynamite. lit up the car and opened
the car door The clerks were unarmed
FORCE CLERKS
TO LEAVE THE CAR
As soon as the door was open a
young man in dark clothes with a
handk erchief covering all of his face
but his eyes jumped within the car and
two others quickly followed. They were
armed with nickel plated pistols,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
O. & c. PASSENGER TRAIN HELD UP
NEAR IRONDALE BY THREE BANDITS GET $40 00(
BILL WOULD BAR
TANGO AND THE
SLIT SKIRT, OH!

Annapolis. Md. February 1a.-Delegates
now in session in Montgomery county
introduced in the house Of delegates tr-
day bill to prohibit the wearing bs'
girl and women of hish-heeled shoes AMI
slit skirts and also the dancing of such
Immoral dances as the turkey trot. the
bunny hug, the tango or the loop the
loop
The bill prescribes that money collected
from fines for violating ITS provisions
shall be used to educate girls how TO
dress decently.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
COL. COCKTAILS IN
GOTHAM; DECLINES
TO STATE POSITION
Attitude Makes Matter of
Acceptance of Police Com
missi0nership More I'm
certain Than Ever

New York. February 19-Col George
w Goethals, builder of the Panama ca
nal, arrived here on board the steamer
Metapan for Colon, made non -committal
answers to questions about a letter taken
to him from Mayor John Purroy Mitchell,
that left the question of his acceptance
of the New York police commissionership
more uncertain than ever. and announced
his intention of taking the first train to
Washington.
Blunt questions and ingeniously de-
vised queries about the police commits
sionership alike brought the invaria BILE
answer: Il have nothing to say on the
subject for the police commissionership. -
When your term as governor of the
canal zone expires. will you then consider
taking the police commissionershp?" he
was asked.
II really don't know" answered the
colonel.
The first person to greet Colonel Goeth-
ais was Robert S. Binkert. secretary of
the City club, with letter from Mayor
Mitchell. The colonel was silent about
the contents of the letter. He said he did
not expect to see Mayor Mitchell.
Business in Washington
The business that took him to Wash
ington. the colonel said. was the re-or-
ganzation of the government of the canal
zone, the appropriation of s34 100000 for
terminals. docks and fortifications. and
especially the disposal of charges against
John Burke. manager OF the commissary
department of the Panama railroad.
II am anxious to see that matter out
of the way" said Colonel Goethals.
Burke himself is anxious TO have the
charges put in writing and disposed Of
He has not been accused of misappropria-
tion of funds, as had been said, but of
accepting bonuses from companies to
which contracts had been awarded"
Regarding Burke Charges
Lorin G. Collins, Santa Fe lawyer
who also arrived on the Metapan. liz
Burke's attorney. "The charges against
Burke" he said, never have been made
openly. They were started by dis
gruntled under-employe. The whole affair
Is nothing more or less than an attempt
by an ambitious individual to discredif
the administration of Colonel Goethals.
The matter will be threshed out in this
city. Burke has been told that he Is
wanted by the district attorney and has
been given six weeks to prepare his case.
Everybody knows that Burke is an
honest man.
Colonel Goethals was met at the pier
by Mrs. Goethals, Henry l.. Stimson
former Secretary of War, and A. Il.
Drake, vice president of the Panama rail-
road with Colonel Goethals on board the
Metapan came his daughter-in-law. Mrs
George r. Goethals. and his secretary.
William II. May
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
Rel;eve Sulzer Liable

Albany, N. Y. February 19.-In settling
a bill rendered by Ralph B. Tompkins,
employed as gate tender at the executive
mansion during the recent impeachment
william Sdlzer is believed by
attorneys to have made himself liable for
many accounts he contracted personally
during the proceedings
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
Suffrapettes Incorporate

Atlanta, February 1s.-State-wide
action in the matter of furthering the
cause of woman's suffrage party Of
Georgia, in articles of Incorporation
granted here today to that organization.
The corporation VIII be affiliated with
the National Suffrage association.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
BANDIT WHISTLED
"EVERYDODY'S DOM 1T"

And with these words and amid more
curses, one of the bandits leaped nimbly
to the south end of the car over heap
of mail sacks and with a knife ripped
open four registered mail pouches. The
contents he quickly transferred to a
sack.
Another bandit entered the car and
going over the registered account book
calmly checked up the mail to see that
they missed nothing. At that the rob-
bers overlooked a mail pouch addressed
to New Orleans estimated to contain
$4,000 All the stamps were left behind.
During the entire procedure one of the
bandits calmly whistled; Everybody 9
Doin' IT,"
Following the opening Of the four reg
istered mail sacks, the bandits left on
the ground shouted: Hurry up, there
inside: this amt no Christmas party;
we should be goingi" And the bandits
within answered jovially: "All right
we're coming.' They then pade farewell
to Clerk MerviIle and, uncoupling the
engine from the mail car, they started
off footing the engine whistle. The clerks
then got back in their mail car and
remained there until an Age-Herald re-
porter arrived on the scene about 1910
o clock this morning.
The clerks were all very excited but 8
few minutes later as Acting Chief Of
Police Martin Eagan, accompanied by
City Physician Charles Whelan, Police
Sergeant T. ]. Shirley. Officer Edward
Jones and OFFICER Rochelle arrived they
gave a calm account of the holdup. The
mail car presented a disordered appear
ance and stamps and registered letters
were strewn all about the car floor.
PASSENGERS NOT
ALARMED BY HOLDUP
After hearing a brief account of the
holdup from Clerk Merville. Chief Ea-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
Mrs. Robert Louis stevenson Dead

Santa Barbara. Cal, February 10.
sMrs. Robert Louis stevenson, wid-
ow of the famous novelist. died OF
appoplexy at her home in Monte
cito yesterday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20

, thought by the clerks to be of the
owl lhead" type.
One of the bandits demanded to know
who was the chief clerk. A. B. Mer-
Vile answered. II am" and the rob-
bers answered: "All right; show us the
registered mail" and then two of the
bandits forced Clerks Clayton b. Hun
ter, A Stevenson, John r.. Livingston
and Jack Woodall to vacate the car
while they robbed it,
Chief Clerk Merville was rather slow
about showing the bandits where the
registered mail sacks were and one of
them stuck the end of a dirk sharply
into his left shoulder an inch or more
Mr. Merville pushed out a small box
and stated that there was all the reg
istered mail in the car.
Your - lar shouted one of
the bandits. 9TH show you where the
OF he 70
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20
FORCE CLERKS
TO LEAVE THE CAR

As soon as the door Was open a
young man in dark clothes with a
handkerchief covering all of his face
but his eyes jumped within the car and
two others quickly followed. They were
armed with nickel plated pistols,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-20

CONTINUED ON PAGE Eight
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-01-16

far-reaching problem. The problem
of making manhood out of boyhood is
great The temptations OF modern
city life are many.
The boys of today must fight the
battles of tomorrow; train them so
that they can fight a good fight. Give
them the Y. M C. A.
No young man goes wrong while
at work 1t is after working hours
that he plans and executes his mis-
chief. The Y. M c. A. provides /
place of recreation for the young
man after working hours The envir-
onment of such a place gives a young
man strength to overcome tempta-
tons.
/ have often said in other cities that
Americas was endowed by God as no
other city of its size in the south.
hope you will save this Y. NJ. C. A and
give me the opportunity to still say Il
good word for Americas when / can"
Prof. j. E. Mathis presided as toast
master
DR.. ]. A. Thomas. L. G, Council w
T. Lame, Jno. w SILVER, also made
talks.
Mr.. White, who is a successful bust
ness man, told Of the work of the Y. M.
C. A. in providing recreation and
Christian environment for the boys
who work for their living. He referred
to successful business men who owe
their development to membership in
the Y NJ. C. A. He spoke of the work
of the association in intoxicating a
sense of honor and thrift in the work
ing boy of today who will be the bust
ness man of tomorrow.
Commander-in-C Chief Council gave
the command to march forward. The
order was transmitted to the workers
by acknowledgements Shiver and
Mathis who ordered their captains to
go to work and wage a vigorous war
fare.
Everyone left the hall enthused and
ready for work If the atmosphere
that pervaded the hall last night stands
for anything the Y. M. C. A. whirlwind
campaign is going to be a success.
Americas is going to prove that her
slogan "the city with high ideas and
the cash to back EN- up is true. Ameri-
Gus is going to raise the necessary
funds before the FIVE days has expired
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-01-16
OFFICIALS OF
CENTRAL ROAD
VISIT AMERICAS
CAME BY A SPECIAL TRAIN
Given Drive Over Americas
By Citizens

Quite party of prominent officials
of the Central of Georgia railway spent
an hour in Americas yesterday, while
en- route from Savannah to Bir-
mingham upon a tour of inspection of
the Central's properties in that city
The officials came by special train, ar
irving at o'clock over the Seaboarl
and departing an hour later for the
Alabama metropolis.
In the party were Vice Presidents w
A. Winburn and A r. Lawton; General
Manager Noise, Division Supt. Henry
Baldwin and President Peasants, of
the Ocean Steamship Co., which is con,
trolled by the Central.
Having been apprised Of the coming
of the railroad officials, several Amer
icus business men met the party with
automobiles at the Seaboard static l
and entertained them with a pleasant
drive about the city, while their train
was being switched over to the yards
of the Central. The special left Amer
icus at 5 o'clock, the officials pleased
with their brief visit here.
They will return tonight to Savan-
nah, where the annual meeting of the
Central Railway Company will be held
tomorrow.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-01-16
Fireman is Killed
By Failing of Wall


Boston, Jan 15.-Joseph A Hack
EFT, fireman, was killed by a falling
wall in a fire which destroyed the de-
partment store of W. and A Bacon
in Washington street in the Ruxbury
district early today. The blaze caused
$4,000 loss.
With the temperature at 10 below
zero, water instantly turned to ice AMI
the fremen had to work in relays.
stopping frequently to break the ice
which encased their suits and he'll
NETS.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-01-16
TIFFANY STOCK WATERED
BY BURSTING OF PIpE

New York, Jan. 15.-The fire de-
partment rushed to Tiffany's i'm
mense Fifth avenue store today to
combat not flames, but water An
automatic sprinkler pipe had burst
on the second floor, flooding stock
and showcases. All entrances and
exits were closed while the fiIemea
spread tarpaulins and bailed out the
water with buckets and mops. The
firm declined to give any estimate OF
the damage.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-01-16
BARKEEPER ON A RAMPAGE
KILLS Wife and SON

Augusta, Ga, Jan. 15.-Wilham
Dennis, the 17-year-old chauffeur
who was shot by Samuel j. Norris,
the Augusta saloon keeper, yesterday
afternoon when the latter also shot
and killed his wife, died at the hos
pital at an early hour this morning.
Dennis was shot through the body.
Norris still refuses to talk and APP
pears not to realize what he has
done. Norris was formerly an inmate
Of the state asylum for the insane.
Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1914-01-16
! UNHAPPY MARRIAGES
BLAMED ON "SPOONING."

Z Milwaukee, Wis, Jan. 15.-"Cut =
= out the spooning in courtship and =
y you will eliminate half of the I'M =
= happy marriages of today" said =
\ Prof. r. w. Shannon, Of Marietta, =
: Ohio, addressing the Y. M. c. A. on 4
= sex hygiene here. =