davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
SCRAPS OF PARCHMENT HAVE WORKED BIG SERMON TOUCHING CAUS3 OF PRESENT WAR

raise frontier regiment to fight un- der the flag of France. and he called on young man to write song. And in one night that young man wrote immor- tai 'Marseiles and the next morning 1t was sung in the streets of Strasburg. Instead of raising 600 men. as was in- tended, 300 men volunteered and today 'Marseilles' Is being sung on the battle fields Of Europe. the greatest of all war songs when it comes to tune and power of making men delirlous with patriotism.
 .On every battlefield of Europe the battle songs of the nations al war are being sung. Die Yacht Am Der Rhine Is being sung by the German fighters. while the British troops hurl back at them, 'Brittana Rules the Waves.
 Thank God, that great song, Tho Star Spangled Banner iean be sung not to arouse men to a patriotic fervor. but as praise to God that We are at peace with the world.
 'Nc nation. it makes no difference how big it is. will disregard a scrap of paper unless it feels able to whip the civilized world.
 Some people laugh that this country has recently ratified 19 out of 20 peace treaties with as many countries of the world, but when these war clouds are lifted, I believe that the prince of peace is coming, and I believe that the world is going to put more faith in scraps of paper. The doors of the peace palace at The Hague are going to swing wide open and the nations of the earth are coming in the spirit of reconciliation and settle their difficulties, writing on parsh- ment that will still the howlings of the dogs of war, and make for universal peace'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
zoo GAINS AN ALLIGATORi
 BUTJAIL LOSESS STEVEDORF
By RICHARD F. LussrER

An alligator, about two feet long was | formally presented to the city zoo d.,
 Avondale yesterday morning by Warden
 Glover of the city jail. The saurian had been taken fgem prisoner late Saturday night who had iinbiBed enough joy
 water" to see all sorts of odd things without having real sure-enough ali
 gator in his coat pocket
 According to Warden Glover when the inebriated prisoner was searched he an
 nounced that he had pet gator in
 his clothes. Under the impression hat
 the man was suffering from halIucina- tions the warden paid little attention.
 but calmly inserted his hand in the
 coat pocket and then withdrew it with
 a surprised and pained expression. The joyful' one laughed and promptly re-
 ceived an handed wallop which s-
 fenced his untimely merriment and then
 MT. Glover removed the prisoners coat and shook it. The saurian fell out of | the pocket and scurred beneath the
 jail safe
 1 After time Warden Glover decided
 that some other person must feel the odd sensation of placing his hand on al
 alligator under the impression that 1t
 was something else. Therefore he non-
 chalently summoned a negro stevedore: | "Ho, Flanagan,"
 l "Yessa Gap" from the negro who l hastily appeared
 Flanagan, I dropped my knife It IS under the safe. Get 1t for me, as I am getting to fat to stoop."
 \, ately dropped in front of the safe and stretched out his arm beneath 1t while he rubbed his hand over the floor feel l ing for the alleged missing knife. | He did not find the knife but in q few
 moments he evidently felt something very odd for he looked up at the warden and said:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
ORPHANS ASSO. TO MEET WEDNESDAY
Final Settlement Will Be Made on Recent Picnic at the Fair
 Grounds

The Jefferson County Orphans asso- ciation will meet Wednesday night at St. Paurs hall at 8 o'clock for the pur- pose of winding up the affairs of the recent outing given at the fair grounds for the benefit of the East Lake Or phanage. All persons who had tickets for sale are requested to make report of same in order that the committe in charge can make final settlement and ray all outstanding bills
 While the large majority of those hav- ing tickets have made reports there are still number of tickets out that have not been accounted for. The committee is anxious to have the matter brought to speedy settlement and urges all tnose connected with the outing to be psesent at tho meeting on Wednesday night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31

war about a scrap of paper, Ire youg Yet. that paper was a parchment to which England had put it's name and seal guaranteeing the neutrality of Belgium. and the world is plunged into war because 1t was written on parchment, indelibly.
 "Only scrap of paper! Why. the declaration of independence was only scrap of paper, yet it gave you and me and our fathers and our children freedom.
 The Magma charta was only a scrap of paper, yet toiay. because the barons forced King John to sign 1t, England is a great constitutional government and the lives of all men in the eyes of the law are sacred and protected.
 Not only have people fought over scraps of paper. but they have fought over phrases. No taxa ton without rep resentation' was one of the phrases which was the forerunner to the declaration oi independence. Sometimes even a hymn or song brings tremendous freedom to a people. Somebody said: It makes nc difference who writes the laws of a country if 1 only can write the songs of its people, How Dixie thrilled the Confederate veterans as they fought with their northern brothers in the war of the states.
 "On the eve of the French revolution the then mayor of Strasburg wanted to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31

enough w
 'G'wan you crazy nigger, and get hat Knife. or I'll tan you good and stout Was the rejoinder
 All right cap, but dar's sumpting wrong, | tell yer
 And the negro again placed his arm beneath the safe and started cautiously to feel about He suddenly withdrew if and with an expression of alarm on his iace squatted on the floor and @llled for match. His face showed signs oi oerspiration and he appeared trou- bled. The interested audience was siIent as all were watching the negro.
 Flanagan secured the match and Lght Ing with shaking fingers bent his cad near the safe and there with the lightec match furnishing a bright light saw the alligator with gleaming eyes looking straight at him about four inches away
 There was a loud yell from the nogro. And none can explain yet just how quick Flanagan jumped up and left the iail office It is known. however, that he came out of the jail at great speed and eollided with the patrol wagon at the door He bounced back about 10 feet and took a fresh start headed west with the wind
 At the entrance of police alley Ind Nineteenth street he hit passing cnapl, and there was an odd melange of arms and legs and lingerie but out of the mix-up bobbed Flanagan and with lengthy strides he headed north on Nineteenth street and disappeared in the darkness
 Thus ended the adventure of Flana gan with the alligator but yesterday morning when it was decided to present the zoo with the saurian youngster tha safe had to be moved and the thing aog- tied before the patrol driver consented to take it to Avondale. At the zoo the, keeper found box for 1t and a per manent home will be built today for it's reception.
 According to late reports Sir Gator is pleased with the change in living a-iar- ters and will soon be popular resi- dent of the Avondale ZOO
 He has been named Flanagan"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31

The maps of many countries have been changed. and countless wars have been caused by scrap of parchment. declared the Rev. Frank Willis Barnett, editor of the Alabama Baptist, at the Ruhama Baptist church in East Lake yesterday. The preacher-editor took his text from the fourth chapter of Timothy, and dealt at length with the epistles of the Apostle Paul. saying that his writ ings were source of inspiration. He said that the Apostle Paul was the most human of all the apostles.
 He referred to the injunction of Paul to disciple when the latter was going to visit town to which Paul had been visitor. Paul had left some of his pa pers there and he instructed his follow s- to be sure and bring them bcak to him.
 Paul was an educated man. declared MT. Barnett, and an educated man cant get along without books. But the things he wanted most were parchments, so | am going to preach to you this morning on scrap of paper.
 T read the diplomatic correspond
 ence that occurred between Germany
 and England before the outbreak of
 the present European struggle. When
 the English ambassador appeared be-
 fore the great chancellor of Germany
 asking for his passports. 1t was seen
 there was going to be breach. In
 his impatience the German cnancel-
 Tor said Why. you are not going to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
Cavity 20 Feet in Diameter and 62 Feet Deep in Rear of the Tate Residence,
 2504 Avenue F
THE CAVE-IN CAME
 DURING THE NIGHT
 WITHOUT WARNING
Rabbit Is at the Bottom Uninjured Eats Food Lowered to Him, But Declines to Use Bucket Ele- vator-Other Sinks in
 Same Vicinity

New evidence that there is a sub terranean river in the vicinity of Avenue F and Twenty fifth street came yesterday morning when without warning the earth n the back yard of the residence of R. o. Tate, 2504 Avenue F, sank in until there was a hole about 20 feet in diameter and 62 feet deep.
 No one was injured with the pos sible exception of a rabbit which was carried to the bottom by the cave-in.
 Br'er Rabbit, with his usual in- different attitude to material things, gazed nonchalantly about yesterday afternoon in the depths of the strange cavity. A basket which was lowered by a rope and which contained food caused the rabbit to nibble at the vainds but as far as embarlxing in the im promptu elevator the rabbit held aloof.
 The large hole in Mir. Tate's back yard attracted considerable attention yesterday morning and afternoon. There were many sur misses as to the causes of the dis turbance. The genegal theory was that there was a su1terranean river running beneath Avenue r, IS sev- eral months ago there were some cave-ins of a like nature in the locality.
 Many of the residents of Ave nue F and Twenty-fifth street ex- pressed alarm at the possibility of a subterranean river. They feared that if such was the case the ground on which their houses stood might sink in some night with dis astrous consequences to them selves. The street department will be called upon to investigate and to thoroughly reinforce that part of the city against such contin- gency according to the residents of Avenue F.
 That's some hole in my back yard" said R. o. Tate. and how that rabbit got to the bottom alive is more than I can understand. As for the hole. it was undoubtedly caused by subterranean river which passes in this section of the city. I remember that several months ego there were lot of sim liar sinks around here and the neighbors were all scared their houses were going to the middle of the earth. There's chance that this might happen yet as that hole is certainly food for thought
 The street department has been notified of the Assure in the earth at MT. Tate's residence and will Investigate the causes of it this morning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
ROWLAND ATTEMPTS ID COMMIT SUICIDE WHILE IN CITY JAIL Hangs Himself With Iron Chain While Religious
 Services Are Being
 Conducted

R. E. Rowland. a prisoner at the city jail, held on charge of disorderly con. duct. attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself with >an iron chain in his cell yesterday afternoon about o'clock while the religious services for the prisoners were being conducted.
 He was rescued by Warden Glover and it took several minutes to res,isci- tate him as his face had already black ened when the warden removed his recls from the iron nodse. He would give no reason for the attempt on his life.
 According to Warden Glover every sun day afternoon Mrs. Davis visits the prisoners and reads chapters of the Bible to the unfortunate men at the bastile. As Mrs. Davis was conducting the ser vices assisted by Miss Tyler. Howland. unobserved secured a heavy chain o> which the jail cots are suspended and attachin 1t to the top of his cell he hanged himself
 Warden Glover happene to be passing by in the jail corridor few moments later and observing the wildly kicking figure opened the cell and brought How land back to the material world. much to Howland's apparent disgust.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
IRON AND STEEL MEN ID BE ENTERTAINED
 AT NEWSPAPER CLUB
Will Be Thrown Open to Wis i. it0rs and Banquet Is Be- ing Planned for Gary
 and Hearst

The Birmingham Newspaper club. dur ing the Iron and Steel institute meeting October g9-30 will be thrown open to the members of that organization. It has ten tatively been determined by the local iron and steel men 10 see that every visitor 10 the iron and steel meeting Is given the privileges to the press club and that they be shown from the heights a panoramic view Of Birmingham such us can be se- cured at no other point
 In addition tn the informal visits to tho club it is reported that banquet Will be given there to Judge Ebert Il. Gary. William Randolph Hearst, the publisher. who will be here as Judge Garys guest. The absence of Judge Gary In Europe has necessitated the delay of any Invita- ton to him. However it Is asserted that tho committee of the press club in charge of entertainment will within the next few days extend to Judge Gary an nvi- tation, well as to Mir. Hearst to at tend a dinner there during the meeting in Birmingham.
 While Judge Gary as chairman of the institute will be actively engaged while here in the business meetings and the for
 mal affairs arranged for the institute cx-
 clusively, il Is believed that he win re-
 main over in Birmingham day or TWO after the meeting is ended and t banquet will probably be arranged for him then. In addition to the work which will he performed here at the institute meeting. 1t Is stated that Investigations and visits will be made by many of the prominent iron and steel men after the work of the meeting has been concluded. 1t Is stated that some of them who live a distance from this city have long wanted to visit Birmingham. and will not be satisfied with merely two-days stay in this city
 At the institute meeting 1t Is also planned to interest some of the prominent northerners in the city of Birmingham as playground, and the golf links of this city will come in for unusual attention
 Practically all of the Institute members are golfers, and 1t is believed If they are properly acquainted with the links here that the information will spread among the golfers ia the east and north. resulting in many coming here for win ter play.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
JUDGE GRUBB WOULD ACCEPT
 PROMOTION IF OFFERED HIM

the position as federal judge he would honor the higher position if appointed.
 As an evidence of the standing and ability of Judge Grubb he has frequently been designated by Chief Justice k. D. White of the United States supreme court to preside over the sessions of the district courts of distant states when matters of great importance were b,ing litieated and only last week he presided over the district court of New York at the investigation. of the proposed con- solidation of the Lake Shore and New York Central railroads
 It is understood among the ones on
 the inside that Judge Walker of Mont eomery seems to be the strong candi- date for the position. and the friends of Judge Grubb suggest that in view of Judge Grubbs exceptional record on the bench that he ought to be given the well earned promotion and that Judge Walker be appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the elevation of Judge Grubb to the higher position.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
EXPERT CHEMISTS
 REPORT THURSDAY

According to Coroner Charles L. Spain, the report of the chemist who is analyzing the contents of Mrs. Nancy Fields stom- ach will, be delayed few days. It is not expected before Thursday at the earliest.
 Mrs. Nancy Fields died suddenly at her home at Brookside last Monday night. It was alleged that her husband had pois- oned her and he was arrested by Deputy J. P. Brent. Isaac Fields. stoutly main taining his inubcence. is still at the county jail. being Held without bond.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
Not an Active Candidate for Vacancy on Federal Court of Appeals, But Is in Receptive Mood

While Judge W I. Gruhb of the Tinted States district court is not a candidate
 Tor the vacancy on the bench of the United States court of appeals caused by the death of Judge David D. Shelby. it IS understood that he is in receptive mood and would be glad of the promo ton If offered to him. ills friends con tend that by virtue of his splendid rec ord on the bench and of his experience as a temporary members of the court
 of appeals, he having repeatedly sat with that body In lieu of Judge X. P. Mccormick of Texas, emnently fit him for the position and that having honorea
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
HOWARD COLLEGE ID
 |0PEN SEPTEMBER {
Reception for Faculty and Students September II by
 Ruhama Church

Howard college will open for the fall session on September 9. according to an announcement made yesterday morn ing at the Ruhama Baptist church at East Lake. pr. J. M. Shelburne. presi- dent. who made the announcement in a letter to a member of the church. stressed the fact that the college will be able to take care of young ladies. Howard was made co-educational in- stitution last year.
 The Ruhama Baptist church will give reception Friday, September Il. to the faculty and students of Howard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
ADJUSTMENTS
At the Biiou

The BiJou will be opened for the sea- son tonight with an entirely new policy. that of nothing but music and comedy. The Heart Charmers, big musical comedy siniksr to many that have been seen at the kijou in the past. will be the opening attsactiQn. and 1t win be as clean and wholesofns IS any musical comedy ever offered at the popular the- atre. The company numbers A people and is larger than any that have conn. south at popular prices in many years
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
Many Are New Men Here
B. Y. P. U. Convention

Anniston. August 30.-(Special.)-A large number of delegates went from this city Sunday to attend the county convention of the Baptist Young Peoples union. which was held at the Baptist church in Jack sonvile The principal speakers at the convention were Dr. J. M. Shelburne. president of Howard college, and Glyn Herbert, president of the state Baptist Young Peoples union. pr. Shelburne preached at Parker Memorial church here Sunday evening
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
At the Orpheum

The Keith Big Time vaudeville acts. similar to those appearing at the Lyrio last season. will be seen at the Orphsum commencing with a matinee this after noon and a performance tonight at s:sO o'clock. The bill this week includes seven acts, with the Great Leon as one head- liner. sophye Barnard. the girl with the thrush's voice. another headliner. and Lou Anger. the German Soldier" great comedian as the third feature
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
Unknown Negro Found Dead

Coroner Charles L. Spain went to Dol cita yesterday afternon to investigate the dedth of an unknown negro who was found yesterday morning on thu Frisco tracks with badly crushed he3d. Dol cita Is about 12 miles northwestIof bir-
 mingham and is near No. 12 mirI or the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Raiir6 com pany. According to Coroner Spai ne mas not determined as yet whether train struck the negro or that he M mur- dered. X moro thorough lnyestigi lon will be held.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
Individual Cream Bottle

The individual cream bottle is heres
 This does not mean the individual milk bottle, nor yet pint bottle for cream. but a real. uaranteed-to-be-ge gefm-proof individual bottle holding just enough cream for one cup of coffee and just a little more for looks.
 The new cream bottle which is all of two inches high. just hit St. Paul. It is being exploited by restaurant on St. Peter street.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
Weaver Family Reunion

Anniston. August 30.--tSpecial) )--Mr and Mrs. D. F. Weaver were hosts to large numbear of their friends at the Weaver home north of here last Friday at a fam fly reunion.l MT. Weaver has been prom inent as farmer ginner postmaster and railway agent at Weaver for the past 70 years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
Kl0tzs in New York

been travelling in Europe for several months. arrived Sunday afternoon in New York and will leave immediately for Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
Barbour Store Deitroxed

clAyton. August 3o- Special. )-Fire conn
 letely destroyed the store, house and ecck of goods of E. w. Spires, about -Four mlles from this place. this morning. me amount of loss cannot be ascertained. 4uf 0Dlres carried . large stock, covered cF<lo1lI bx insurancs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-31
Two Struck by Lirhtninv

Marbury. August Especially MT. and Mrs. Lattiker were struck by lightning last night. Dr. J. w. Maddox thinks that both are out of danger. MT. IattiSer Is unconscious.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1914-09-24

President Wilson has made his posi-
ton with regard to mediation so very
clear that it is expected that even the
volunteer .fpeace agent" who are re-
sponsible for the various absurd reports
of what is going on at Washington will
be able to understand. There is moth
ing going on at Washington The
president feels that he has done all
that he can at this time in his notifca.
ton to the nations of his willingness
TO use his good offices to end the war
and the next suggestion of mediation
must come from one of the belligerent
nations. The president will remain
strictly neutral, and diplomats and
volunteer peace agents can get no
hearing at the White House for any
communications which have not the Of
fetal sanction of their governments.
The president does not propose to be
drawn into any discussion or to inter-
fere in any way until he is invited
to do so.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1914-09-24

Prior to the Civil War there had been
o rapid increase in the number of medi-
cal colleges, there being at the time
about sixty in this country. Following
the war, however, the number increas.
ed by leaps and bounds, until in 1906,
not counting the out-and-out diploma
mills, maximum number of 1872 col
leges was reached. 1t was then dis
covered that this country alone had
made medical colleges than all other
countries of the world combined! The
conditions were preposterous. Although
an unusual but real demand for doctors,
caused by the rapid development and
growth of the country, was what orr
ginally led to the formation of proprie-
tary medical colleges, nevertheless, not
only was the demand soon supplied, but
also there came to be so vast an over
supply as to be actually ridiculous.
And such collegesl Although there
were some fairly good ones, very
large per cent. were joint stock corpor-
ations, conducted solely for profit.
AAuy WCiG 0SNOJu VI HNuIpultuUt lew
held seriously to any entrance standard
and whoever could pay the tuition fees
the only requirement--wa admitted.
In order to swell the number of stu
dents and incidentally the income from
fees, glowing advertisements were
printed and salaried solicitors were
sent to offices, workshops and farms.
Large classes were turned out each
year after only two short sessions is
it wonder that there has been a mark
eu decrease following the quiet but
careful investigation of the Council on
Medical Education? The Journal of
the American Medical Association saws
that there is no question that the great
reduction in the number of medical
colleges and the remarkable improve
ment in the quality of those remaining
will result in a greatly improved medi
cal profession and--more important
will insure for the people better quail.
6ed physicians.