davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-24
The Germans Report q Great
Victory at Nepfchateaun.
Capture Many Gums, Prisoners
and Several Generals.
ARE IN VIGOROUS PURSUIT
Defeat Brigade of British
Cavalry at Another Point.
A Movement to Retake Muel-
hausen Has Commenced.

A dispatch to the Associated Press
from Berlin by wireless telegraph has
brought news of German victories
over the French. Official announce
ment is made in the. German capital
that a German army has defeated
French army at Neufchateau, captur-
ing guns and prisoners, including sew
eral generals. The Germans are pur-
suing the French vigorously. in one
case beyond Longwy. Anather Ger
man army captured $50 French guns
in the French department Of Meur-
theet Moselle.
The Germans are reported west IT
the river Meuse, advancing against
Maubeuge. They have defeated an
English brigade of cavalry.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-24

Continued on Page Ski
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-24

| London. Aug. 24-AccOrtling to re-
cent repOrts q French fleet is cruising
! in the AdriatiC.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
r. HI. DANA ADDRESSES
CIVIL SERVICE LEAGUE

Chicago, December S-More than hall
the public employees in the United States
are in politics and their jobs are the SUBJ
structure Of the great Political machines.
Richard Henry Dana of Boston, president
of the National Civil Service league, de-
clared here tonight in his annual address
at the leagues convention.
The extension of civil service rather
than the protection of places secured by
the system. he explained. is to be the Inn
mediate work of the league.
1.-THE whole civil service OF the federal
government" he said, includes about
475.0O0 persons with an aggregate total sal
ary estimated at s40o,0oo,Ooo year. OF
this number only 81 per cent is under Z
strict competitive merit system.
add to this. the services OF the cities.
counties and states. there is q grand total
of nearly 100000 appointees with an a6gre-
gate annual salary of SOC. 100000. OF which
the far greater part is still in politics un-
protected by civil service laws, and ID
used to build up political machines
All the better positions, together with
the power of awarding contracts and ad-
vantages are still available to the political
"bosses."s he said.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
GENERAL REVIEW OF WAR SITUATION
BY COLONEL OF BRITISH GENERAL STAFF

the British army around Ypres held itf
ground against repeated onslaughts by
vastly superior forces. The writer details
the German attacks and describes how
they were frustrated.
The eyewitness tells of blows deliv-
ton. had to Withstand an almost con-
tinuous bombardment and to meet one
desperate assault after another. each car
rfed out by fresh units from the large
numbers which the Germans were devot-
Ing to the operations Finally. the
French came to their assistance, and
never WAS help more welcome, for BY
then our small local reserves again and
again had been thrown into the fight In
the execution Of counter attacks. and our
men were exhausted by the incessani
fighting"
The British front has been considerably
shortened. and In addition has been REIN
forced. while lull has enabled the com.
manders to readjust their forces. strength.
en- their positions and bring up reserves
There has, therefore. been 4 great gen
svsasanue1 - Pa6e xsas
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
Estate COMMITTEES
TO HANDLE COTTON
LOAN FUND NAMED
Last Step Preliminary to
Putting Plan Into Opera
ton Taken-Barr Heads
Alabama Committee

Washington, December s.-The last inn
portant step preliminary to the actual
operation of the Si35.00o0B0 cotton loan
fund was taken today by the cotton loan
committee when it completed the state
committees in Ii of the southern states
These committees will select local COM
mittees at once in every cotton producing
community The cotton loan oommmit-
tee also announced tonight that, meet
ing of the chairmen of the state COM
mittees would be held here December 10
TO discuss details of The loan plan The
committee for Florida was not given In
tcnight's statement and it was said a
committee may latersbe named for Mis-
souri, since the southeastern part OF that
state produces cotton. Although the PLAYS
for putting the fund into the hands of
cotton producers have gono steadily for
ward 1t was indicated tonight that pos
sibly large part of the $i0oo0o,00o con-
tributed by northern banks might never
be used. Officials here realize that some
southern producers are not particularly
enthusiastic over the plan IN view Of
the interest to be paid on loans and Of
the prices now quoted on cotton on the
New York and Liverpool exchanges. AT
the same time 1t was said the plan is
regarded as successful whether dollar
is borrowed under 1t or not. The very
fact that the cotton exchanges have re-
opened and that cotton is selling for
fairly good prices, officials declared, was
due to some extent at least to the COM
petion of the loan fund
State Committees
The state loan committees announced
tonight are composed of the following
bankers:
Alabama-J. IL. Barr. chairman, Br-
mingham; A. NJ Baldwin, Montgomery
n p Renfro, Opelka George A. Scar
cy, Tuscaloosa; H. l.. McIllderry. Tai
ladega: Tom o. Smith, Birmingham, and
Il. c. Melvin. Selma.
Arkansas-M. Wright, chairman; O. W.
Rogers, Ed Cornish and w. L. Heming-
way. Little Rock; $. c. Alexander, Pine
Bluff w. Il. Lane. Jonesboro and S. 8.
Faulkner Helena.
Georgia-R F. Maddox. chairman:
Frank Hawkins and W. s. witham. AT
lsnta f. w. Stetson, Macon: w. +. Nc
Cauley, Savannah; d. c. Ashley, Val
dosta, and John II. Reynolds. Rome.
Louisiana--sol Wexler, chairman, and
A. Breton, New Orleans l.. f. Thomas,
Shreveport; r. Kirby Smith, Shreveport.
Joseph Gebeln, Baton Rouge, j. w. Boil
ton, Alexandria, and T. e. Flournoy,
Monroe.
Mississippi-Z. d. Davis, chairman. and
J. d. Stirling. Jackson; e. r. Peacock.
Clarksdale; j. T. Thomas, Grenada: Wat
ker Broach. Meridian; B. A. Weaver
(Continued ON Page TwOl
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04

ish held only one-twelfth OF the line 90
the greater share of the common task Of
opposfng the enemy fell. and still falls. to
the French. while the Belgians played an
almost vital part.
II With the fall OF Antwerp the Germans
made every effort to push forward be-
sieging force toward the west and brought
W new army corps to drive the allies
out Of Belgium and break through to
punkirk and Calais. Altogether they had
10000 fresh men. Eventually the Germans
had north OF La Bassee about u corps
and eight cavalry divisions; that Is. q
force Of 10000 men. with whic hto attempt
to drive the allies into the sea. In addi-
tion there was immenssly powerful arma-
ment and heavy Siege artillery. which also
had been brought UP from around Ant
werp'
Allies Outnumbered
|forcs Of 7g4oQo men, with which 70 attempt
cred by the Germans 1t Niouports Dix
nude and Ypres where at nfot tho allies
were greatly outnumhered.S Tqtta While
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
OFFERS HIMSELF
FOR CANCER TEST
Buffalo Prisoner Would Sac
rifice Himself for Inocula-
tion With Cancer Virus


Buffalo. N. r.. December s--Frank j.
Hickey. sent to Auburn prison for the
murder 9f Joseph Joseph. a 7-year-old
boy. IL the prisoner who recently offered
in letter to Thomas Mott Osborne. war
den OF Sing Sing prison. to sacrifice him
self for. inoculation with cancer virus
to ascertain whether the disease is con-
tagious.
The nrst offer was made several months
ago to Roswell Park Of this city, who died
a few days later. The letter was turned
over to the director Of the state cancer
laboratory, who referred 1t to Attorney
General Carmody. The attorney general
ruled the state could not accept the Of
fer.
Hickey In HIS letter said he made the
offer With no, Idea Of possible pardon o.
uommutati tion Qe hontAncsA
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
V|LLAAND zAPATA TO
DISCUSS SITUATION
Mexican Military Chiefs
Will Confer at Cuer-
navaca

Washington, December s.--Provisional
President Gutierrez and General villa and
several military chiefs have gone from
Mexico City to Cuernavaca to discusa
with General zapata the distribution Of
forces in the capital and vicinity
This was reported today In official dis
patches to the state department. which
said conditions In Mexico City were quiet
'Zapatistas patrol the city said an
announcement from the state department..
summarizing official messages dated late
last night The army Of the north h
encamped In the suburbs No further
molestation Of foreigners has occurred
and fair order Il being maintained. There
has beer no friction"
Genert-f villa. according TO the disc
patches. has ordered that no private prop
erty be occupied without the consent -
the owners
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
New Battle Develops South
west of L0dz Where the
Germans Have Formed
New Line
RUSSIANS AT LAST
ARE WITHIN FIRING
DISTANCE OF CRACOW
Fall Of City Will Lay Open
Roads to Vienna and
Berlin-LulI in Battle in
the West

London. December 3.-(10 p. m.)
With the hull in the battle in the west,
which has become a heavy cannonade
at widely separated points with only
occasional infantry attacks, interest
centers in the struggle between the
Russians and Germans in the east.
AT last the Russians have approached
within firing distance of Cracow, their
advance from PrzeymM having proceed
ed without any real check They were
reported today to be mounting heavy bat
teries around the town of Wielczka.
which they occupied yesterday and from
which the outer forts of Cracow can
be reached.
Important as this is--for the fall of
Cracow would lay open the roads to
Vienna, Breslau and Berlin-the main In
terest in the east conunues to rest with
the operations on the irregular front
from Czenstochowa through Lodz and
Lowicz to the East Prussan border. or
fetal pronouncements as TO progress here
are guarded and indefinite and it is
difficult to arrive at conclusion as 20
the course OF events
New Battle Develops
1t Is apparent, however, that a new
battle has developed southw est of I,odz.
where the Germans have formed ne g
line with fresh forces brought from Kali
isc and are again tryi2g to penetrate the
Russian center.
The Russians, too, have had time to
straighten out their line, and, In the ewes
of the allies, another battle following "a
closely that just concluded IN thss re-
gion must help tlIeut In the long ron.
for. 1t is argued, win or lose. the Ger
mans must be- further weakened, and. in
addition, soon will have to turn theif
attention to the Russian offensive against
Silesia and around Cracow.
Might Unite Forces
On the other hand, German experts be-
lieve that defeat for the Russians would
enable the German generals to unite
all their forces for another blow against
the allies in the west.
There has been no news for some days
of the fighting in the Caucasus or in
Egypt. but throughout the whole Of
Africa more liveliness is anticipated, now
that Gen. Christian DeWet has been
captured and Gen. Louis Botha can car
ry out his original plans OF moving
against German Southwest Africa; the
first Australian and New Zealand con-
tingents have been landed in Egypt for
operations against the Turks and Port
uguese reinforcements have reached An
Gola to take the offensive against the
Germans on their African borders.
The political event of the day was the
premier OF Italy's announcement that
nothing had intervened to prompt Italy
to alter her policy Of neutrality.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
WALTER JOHNSON SIGNS
FEDERAL LEAGUE CONTRACT
Star Pitcher Of Washington American League Leaves Organ
ised Ball Contract Calls for Over $4,000 and
Runs for Two Years

feyviile farm, confirmed late today tn.
st9tement Of Prssidsnt Weeghmdnsof tht
Chicago Federais that he had been siinst
BY the Chicago club FOR two years. bd,
refused to say what his salary was to bs
is It more than >1s.ooo : yearT' he waI
asked.
1T is,. said the pitcher. but added tha,
tho Rsure should be announced BY NJ
Neeghman.
Il had = long conference with Tinke,
today" continued Johneon. "He made ~
= very intereGting odzsr-quits the best
have yet rece1ved-'ehd took HIN ut
that's al. I'm ready TO report 70 chi
|cago whenever they want ma ~
| Immedsately after thsds con1erenee III
losa1ln~sa = raus xea>
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04

N'S' StuuShiy yesterday IN south caro-
lima, were golf companions and very warn
friends Their death happening on tn,
same date has deeply depressed the Ccun.
try club golfers.
Mr.. Drennen was the sixth child of the
late w. B. Drennen, who lived in Bloun,
county, near Arkadelphia. Walter Mel
Vile Drennen, the seventh son, 10 the
only brother of the late Mr.. Drennen
Mr. Drennen, however, is survived by
three sisters, Mrs. A. B. Jones of East
Lake. Mrs. Thomas z. Hagood of this
city and Mrs. Josie NJ. Bellenger ol
Franklin, Tenn. His nephers are Felix
M Drennen, Hubert A. Drennen. Dr. c.
Travers Drennen of Hot Springs and DR.
Earle Drennen, who recently went tc
Paris as a surgeon attached to the Red
Cross.
A Pioneer Citizen
Mr.. Drennen came to Birmingham be-
fore he was 1S years of age to accep,
position with Drennen & Co.. founded
by his elder brothers, over 40 years ago
He was taken into a partnership befora
he was 81 years of age and had beer
with the one firm which bore the fam
lily name since that time. He was madt
president of the firm some years age
and had been actively engaged in pro.
noting the interest of the establishment
since that time. Mr.. Drennen was a di-
rector of the Birmingham Railway, Light
and Power company, director of the
Jefferson County Savings bank, president
of the board controlling the Episcopa
Orphans Home in Mobile, besides be
ing senior warden of st. Mary's church
Hts wffes WHO t1rvives him, was miss
Emma Houston of Athens. daughte
OF the late Gov. George S. Houston o
Alabama. He leaves two sons. who ar,
twins, aged Is years. They are Charlie:
Drennen and Houston Drennen.
Mr. .Drennen was held in the highes
esteem by citizens in all walks of life
In Birmingham. He was held to be ont
of the most sagacious business men ir
this state and was never connected with
a. firm or business that ever failed Hii
death removes from Birmingham a bus
mess man and a citizen whose valu,
cannot be measured. His devotion Il
the work of his church was remarke ed
upon time and again here. There was
never movement started by the Epis-
eopal church but what Mr.. Drennen wal
heartily interested in that movement. He
had for a long number of years repre-
sented ST. Marys church at the doiceSar
council meetings and Bishop c. NJ. Beck
with of the Alabama diocese accounted
Mr.. Drennen one of the strongest mer
of the diocese. He was very deeply In
terested in the financial relief for the
orphans home In Mobile and had recent.
ly devoted a great deal of attention tt
1t. He was there few weeks ago in ths
interest of that work and was to have
been there next week to read paper
before a meeting of the executives
Mr.. Drennen resided at Five Points.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
BELGIANS SHOT BY
DUTCH SOLDIERS

London, December 3.--tl1 p. ND
Dutch troops killed six Belgians and
wounded nine today when rioting
broke out at the Belgian detention
camp at Zeist, Holland, according to
Het volk. published at Amsterdam. The
dispatch reached London from Reuters
correspondent at Amsterdam.
Troops have been sent from Utrecht
to strengthen the guard at Zeist.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
SENATOR BANKHEAD
ADDRESSES RIVER
IMPROVEMENT MEET
Heartily Favors Developing
Water Power of Tennessee
River-Stirring Meet
ing Is Held

Decatur, December 3.-tSpeeial )-united
dressed the afternoon session of the Ten
nessee River Improvement association He
favored most heartily the utilization OF
the water power at Muscle Shoals and
the making of the Tennessee navigable the
year round He declared he thought Con-
gress would finally adopt the plan OF
building dams, which plan has been before
Congress for sometime. and has met with
the approval of the government engi-
ners.
other stirring addresses were delivered
by Judge i. H. Nathen. f. w. Pratt. Capt
Sam Blackwell and many others. all
speaking in favor of the plan of dams as
is now before Congress- and the associa-
ton indorsed this plan as being the most
feasible
To Offer Resolution
The association. with a. membership In
nino states. will offer to the Congress
of the United States resolution in the
form sof a memorial asking that Congress
make complete and permanent navigation
of the Tennessee river and necessary i'm
provements of rivers of other states, and
indorsing the report of the government en-
gineers, which was sometime ago rem
dered. The memorial was adopted by the
body unanimously.
Next week large delegations will go
to Washington, and will call ~spon the
congressional committee on December IL
In. fla ixtfa nf
ments.
Chattanooga was chosen as the place OF
meeting next year. the date to be fixed
by the officers of the association
The following officers were elected;
President, John A. Patton of Chatta-
noosa: secretary, Fred Giddings of Chat
tanooga; vice presidents, c. W. Ashcraft
G. o. Miller. J. II. Grover and c. Il.
Busch
Asked to Be Retired
A touching scene of the afternoon ses-
sion was when Mr.. Patton asked to be
retired as president of the association.
after number of years Of service. The
entire delegation arose and shouted, "No,
no. Senator Bankhead arose and made
an eloquent appeal to Mr.. Patton to again
accept the election. In short speech he
finally decided to accept, and said he
would lead the delegation on to Wash
ipgton and il possible TO victory on De-
cember IL.
The association adjourned tonight after
an illustrated lecture by ]. w. Worth
ington on the power possibilities of Muscle
Shoals and the making of the Tennessee
river navigable.
Before the lecture of Mr.. Worthington
tonight the river convention resolved it.
self into an old-fashioned Methodist ex-
perience meeting Alan Jemison OF Bir-
mingham In happy little speech which
took the convention by storm. said "Bir-
mingham is especially interested and will
send at least two delegates to the Wash
ington meeting December 49, The con-
sensus of opinion of the convention was
that at least 100 delegates would go to
the Washington meeting and that spe-
cial train Will probably be secured. The
delegation will arrive in Washington on
December and will appear before the
rivers and harbors committee on Decem-
ber II.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
TODAY'S AGE-HERALD

I'D. M. Drennen dies suddenly.
Germans attack Russian center
Lacy guilty of embezzlement
Urge complete revision of tax system
2-Methodist Episcopal conference given
over to committee work.
S-Railroad supply men to reflect busi-
ness status.
Editorial comment.
5--Ship macaroni to Cuba
Charge changed against Hurd.
Alabama gifts to go through New Or
Z leans.
7-6ociety.
9--Markets.
1o-Explain navy's lack of torpedoes.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
LACY FOUND GUILTY
. OF EMbEzz[EMENT
FOR SECOND TIME
Convicted of Embezzling
$2207.12 in the Bernard
Frank TransactiOn-Re-
ceives Verdict Calmly

Montgomery, December 3.-(Special)
For the second time within a year Theo-
dore Lacy, former chief clerk OF the
state convict department.. has been found
guilty of embezzlement. his latest convic-
ton being on an indictment charging the
embezzlement of $2207 II, known as the
Bernard Frank transaction. Lacy's first
conviction was on an indictment charg-
ing the embezzlement of $4,000. his sem
tence in the first case having been fixed
by the court at 10 years in the peniten-
tiary. Sentence In the second case will
be pronounced by Judge Armstead Brown
Saturday
Lacy received the verdict Of his latest
conviction with the same complaisance
he displayed when jury several months
ago pronounced him guilty of stealing
state funds. No change of expression
was noticeable on the face of the man
who il now regarded as one of the most
mysterious characters the state has
known in many years. He sat in his
chair chewing piece of gum when the
verdict was read.
Returned to Cell
Notice of an appeal was made when the
verdict was pronounced. and the prisoner
Jail, where he has been in confinement
since his voluntary surrender early in the
year.
The trial of Lacy on the second indict-
ment consumed less than two days. The
case was called Tuesday afternoon and at
o'clock Wednesday night 1t was in the
hands of the jury. Consideration of evil
dence by the jury consumed the entire
night, and the verdict was not ready un-
til court convened at $50 O'Clock this
morning.
Little Interest in Trial
There was no interest displayed by the
public in the second trial Of Lacy. No
crowds thronged the courtroom as at the
first trial. when the public interest was
keyed to degree of Intensity never be-
fore manifested In trial In Montgom-
cry At that time 1t was thought that
Lacy would tell his story. 1t was be-
lieved that he would divulge the secrets
of the mysterious. money-laden pine box,
the extent OF his wanderings. the manner
and what accomplices, II any. he had in
his stupendous theft Of more than sl00,Ou0.
But Lacy did not tell. neither did he Of
fer any evidence In his behalf. Through
out the Hhg trial he sat calmly In his
seat. heard his character maligned with
out change Of countenance and heard
himself called the betrayer Of friendship
and trust sf.. q & g rs
Never Told Story
Hence the public did not expect Lacy
to tell his story on his second trial, nor
did he. Neither did he offer one scintila
of evidence. His demeanor was the same
as on his first trial. when the courtroom
from morning until night was crowded
and thronged with an expectant audi
ence. pressing forward In their seats to
hear every word of evidence which the
state was bringing out to convict the
prisoner. and straining their necks to
catch q glimpse of the notorious thief
Lacy's second trial was on an indict-
ment charging the embezzlement Of
tCsntinuea On Psge Ten)
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
D. M. DRENNEN'S SUDDEN
DEATH AT COUNTRY CLUB
is SHOCK TO BIRMINGHAM
Was On Golf Links About to Begin Play When
Stricken By Heart Failure Death Is Instantan-
eous- Funeral Services Tomorrow Morning At
1890 O'Clock From the Residence-Was Head
of One of Largest Department Stores In City

D. NJ Drennen, president of rennen company Of Bir
mngha largest department stores dropped dead of heart
failure yesterday afternoon at lilo O'Clock.
He the act of graspng sand to tee his golf ball
at the first Country club tee when he stricken Death
instantaneous Mr. Drennen to play nine holes with Maj
j. B. Cobbs the Country club links Feeling in fine spirits
and apparently in the best of heath Mr. Drennen had dressed
and joined Major Cobbs the tee 1t there that
stricken and died before ANYTHING could be done.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04

.:ss: '-s';s { :. T:';:: ss::. =:
ian Il med contract with
ths CHI eot League club, was
the al made by Charles
Weeghri x rr Of the local club
Later ID that Johnson's :
6ontract bars. The amount
q hjc 81 bnounced. weesh-
p,an eaid oceived the news
~ long a be from Joe Tin
ker, Who In coneyv1''e'
KAns.. tod
ursns,S d nber a-vvaltei
Jeknnou. "a 3 from his Cot.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-04
MR.. DRENNEN'S DEATH
SIMILAR TO COL. BUSH'S

Mr.. Drennen met his death in a way
similar to that Of the late Col Thomas
9. Bush. in that they both suddenly died
on the Country club golf links. Colonel
Bush had played a few holes just before
death claimed him. He died In 191ol Mr..
Drennen and Arch Henderson. who also