davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
A Duel In the Air

From the Washington Star.
 A thrilling spectacle took place the other day on the French frontier when a German aeroplane passed overhead spying out the land. First there was a rapid fire of the anti-aircraft guns and though the white puffs of the shells seemed to encircle it, they appeared to be doing no harm. Then the Ger man air man caught sight of a British aeroplane and immediately started in hot pursuit of it.
 Another British aeroplane, which was returning from a scouting tour over the German lines, dropped out of the white clouds, as if by magic But be- ing above the German plane it's pres ence was not perceived until it was quite close. Then began a sensational battle For fear of injuring their own machines, the soldiers stopped the fire from the anti i-aircraft guns Left to themselves, the two crafts circled and recircled around each other, the British aeroplane rushing in sometimes and then darting away again, while the machine guns kept up rapid firing Suddenly the German plane dropped with an abrupt, twisting drive. For 1000 feet or more it fell, helplessly. Then, as if the aeronaut had made a frantic effort to adjust his levers, the machine strengthened out for a second or two.
 The British plane followed the Ger man in its fall. in graceful, spiral curves, and when it righted. opened re- newed fire upon it. A burst of white smoke from the German aeroplane an nounced the explosion of the petrol tank The body of the German machine fell crashing to the earth. It's heavy four-cylinder engine embedded itself in the ground, its wings and body shat tered into splinters, and it's steel stays bent and twisted, lay scattered about.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
HOLBROOK BLINN IS
 VERY ENCOURAGING
 OF AMATEUR WRITER
'"The TyrO Need Not Be Discouraged If He Has An Idea," Says Famous ActOr-Is Always Appreciated At the Studios Company Is Here to Make Mining Pictures At Maxine of Frank Norris "McTeague"
By RICHARD F. LUssIER

You've got to get that er-er zipp-fn the thing to get it over"
 HclbroolI Blinn, one of the most noted character actors on the American stage, was the speaker. The scene was the lobby of the Tutwiler hotel, and the hour was while it rained so dismally last even ing-that is it was between the time or dinner-and considerably later. The scene also shifted from the Tutwiler to .he Colonial theatre, where The Lily and the Rose" was enjoyed and back to the blue-eyed demoiselle who serves pastry at the fount.
 The above quotation was spoken some time during the pleasant evening whieh was spent in a dissertation classical and otherwise-on the theatre, moving pictures, the latest styles in debutantes' prohibition and what constitutes trim ankle. The rain accounted for the lnJec- tion of ankle in the oaptious criticism or the kindred spirits that surrounded Mr. Blnn last night.
 And of this merry company, word or two Mir. Blinn is in Birmingham on a visit after 20 years absence because ol a desire on the part of Director Barry O'Neil to take several mining scenes Tn the filmization of "McTeague or san Francisco" the great story by the late Frank Norris With MT. Blinn is Barry O'Neil, also a well known figure on the contemporaneous stage, George D. NC Intyre assistant to Mir O'Neil, Waiter Greene. Robert F. Graham, Jrr Louls Fierce, Horace Haynes, Richard Wnsoii' and Max Snyder, a cameraman' rms telented assembly of movie foik are part of the World Film company, ihey have been in town since Wednesday will in all probability leave early Mon d.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
LETTERS TO EDITOR
Vote for Bond Issue
,e Editor of The Age-Herald.

To the Editor of The Age-Heraiu
 Sir: I have just read with much in- terest the address of Senator Lusk in sun davis Age-Herald He pleads for greater economy in the states administration Who is there that does not want 1t? Sen ator I.usk proposes a scheme that may in time bring the much desired financial re- lief. Who does not want this? But what Is to happen in the meantime? The state is in debt It owes individuals, it owes banks. it owes institutions-in short 1t owes pretty nearly everybody within its borders. Will the senator or some oppo- rent of the bond issue take up now these long standing obligations and thus help out the patient and long suffering credi- tors of the state?
 If this is not agreeable. then why not turn in and help get the bond issue
 passed-help relieve the burdens of the state? There is no politics in this. There can be no divided opinion as to the pay ment of debt. Does anyone for one moment think that the great state of Alabama is to default in the payment of her debts? Can we excuse ourselves as a state in a business proposition that as an individual we would not tolerate for one moment? All my residence in this state, now nearly 20 years, I have heard econ omy preached-the ins as well as the outs and I believe in it. But the Immediate question is the bond issue. Let's vote for 1t. LYMAN WARD,
 Principal Southern Industrial Institute
 Camp Hill. December fl, 19l5.N
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Allen Chosen Trustee of
 Dayton Iron Company

Chattanooga. December 17-(Special) ) W. B. Allen of Dayton, Tenn. was elect ed trustee at the first creditors meeting in the bankruptcy proceedings of the Day. ton Coal and Iron company of Dayton, Tenn, here this afternoon. The question now under consideration is whether or not the trustee shall at once open and operate the mines at Dayton in the au- thority of his position for the benefit of the creditors. With the present high price of iron it is believed that the mines can be operated at a large profit, that would prove of great benefit to creditors ir selling their claims. The meeting will be continued Saturday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Government Claims Plan to Wreck Welland Canal Was
 Evolved in Buffalo
MAPS AND DRAWINGS
 FOUND IN OFFICE
One Prisoner Was Formerly Head of Secret Service of Hamburg -Ameri- can Line-Spies Employed From
 Headquarters at Niagara Falls

New York, December 17.-Paul Koe- nig, formerly head of the secret serv- ice of the Hamburg American line, and Richard Emil Liendecker were arrested tonight by agents of the department of justice charged with conspiring to blow up the Welland canal
 Koenig was arrested at 45 Broadway in the offices of the Hamburg Amer ican line. Before the war he was in charge of the steamship company's bu- reau of investigation, but since then it is charged he has been the head of the German secret service in the United States.
 Lendecker was taken into custody at his office at S45 Fifth avenue, where he has been selling antiques. The agents of the department of justice de- clare they found in his office maps and drawing of the Welland canal. Both men are said to have admitted that they had been along the canal on the American side, but asserted that they did not cross into Canada.
 The specific charge preferred against koenig and Lindecker is violation of section 13 of the United States penal code, which prohibits the planting within the boundaries of the United States of a military expedition against foreign power.
 Lindecker claims to be an American citizen and has admitted. it is said, that he had been employed by Koenig, koenig took out his first citizenship papers in this country ten years ago, but never applied for his second. The cpt r1,-y,,, ant ,cynrtf fc ort K has been known by many names.
 GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION
 The arrests were made by William M. Offley, in charge of the govern- ments neutrality investigation; Joseph H. Baker his assistant, and Captain Thomas Tunney of the New York bu- reau of explosives and combustibles.
 Koenig, under the name of Stemmler 1t was charged, was responsible for obtaining from Gustav Stahl the affi- davit in which he declared he had seen guns on board the Lusitania the day before she sailed on her last voy- age Stahl was convicted on charge of perjury and sentenced to IS months in the federal prison at Atlanta.
 The actual plan to blow up the canal was mapped out in Buffalo, according to the complaint, which was made by Captain Offley, in charge of the gov ernment investigation. The complaint specifically charges that it was the ''pur- pose and intent of said defendants, to destroy, mutifate and damage the Wei land canal by force of arms"
 The precise etaiis -of-- the alleged plot were withheld but it is understood that Koenig and Lyndecker had em ployed spies who went out from Mi agara Falls to photograph the canal, prepare plans and make arrangements for blowing up the waterway at it's most important point and that nitro g1ycerin was to have been used. koe- nig is given Is aliases in the complaint. They %include German, English and Irish names. While the complaint spe- cificaly mentions that the accused men gpurposed to "set on foot a military en-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18

ptace in the theatre It will never quits be supplanted. Of course. in pictures there is more fancy, more appeal to the poetic-ycu can explain more.'
 What influence has the pictures on the general public2" another stock ques- ton from the reporter.
 "An influence for good, I am positive It elevates just as the theatre but more, because it reaches millions where the spoken drama appeals to only thousands And then again the pictures are within the reach of all-the iliterate to the high est-it brings to the maelstrom of hu- manity a lesson in manners, as it were. It visualzes all manner of life and all manner of people are better for it."
 And now a little advice to the throb- ping, sweet, young things of this city and environs who have designs on ap- bearing in pictures" said the reporter.
 "It takes slightly less talent in a way to get on in the pictures" replied Mr. Blinn. but as on the stage a young girl has to be prepossessing in figure and in face to win laurels on the screen. Far he it from me to attempt to discourage or blight the ambitions of any fair demoi- selle. Let them all try it. It brings an added interest in their lves'
 Amen" said both Mir. O'Neil and Mir. Green.
 Allow me to add word of encourage ment to the scenario writer" spoke up Director O'Neil. An idea is always ap- preciated at the studios and any time if you strive you may hit it-the zipp. as Mir Blinn expresses it-and land There Is good money in scenario writing"
 There's also good money in playwrit- ing" said Mir Binn. and the tyro need not be discouraged if he has an idea. Get that zipp (and MT. Blinn made an ex- pressive gesture) and your play is sold"
 Then the conversation drifted to the war. the low cost of living in Europe be- fore the war. the trite things in moving pictures and finally to The Birth of a Nation"
 That Is more than worth while" esaid MT. O'Neil. Mir. Henry B, Walthall who, I understand, Is one of your estimabe citizens. is very good in this picture which is by far the greatest film that has ever been produced.r
 Mir Blinn and MT. Green then elected to retire. as Director O'Neil had vouch- be convenient hour to be ready to pro- ceed to Maxine mines.
 "Ill leave a call to wake me if it's fair, said MT. Binn.
 Tt cant be far-its an outrage to get up in the middle of the night said Mir. Green, and then the party broke up. But just as the elevator started up, MT. Blinn said:
 Young man, if you write a story be sure to get that-what dy call it?-the zipp in it."
 Owing to the official action of the ed- torial board of censorship, most of the -zipp-has been left out
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
FIVE ARE KILLED IN
 REAR END COLLISION
Pennsylvania Accident Due to Fog-Eleven Are
 Injured

Chester, Pa, December 17.-F'ive per sens were killed and Il injured, one probably fatally in rear end collision tetween an accommodation train bound from Wilmington to Chester and train of empty express cars on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad tonight at Felton, two miles south of here. Two Of the dead were employees of the railroad and two were negro passengers. Daniel Cal lenger, a passenger of Philadelphia, was the fifth victim.
 The accident was due to a dense fos, which made it impossible for the engine n an to see the signals, accordlhs to railroad officials. The accommooatioii train. consisting of three day coaches and an engine, was standing at reiVoii station when the empty tram craslieu into it. All three coaches or the accoin- yr odation were telescoped and the engine wac hurled down an embankment. The ,a ssengers. most of whom were Wofk- inc in ammunition plants at Whining +on were thrown in all directions ana tbe wooden coaches were reduced almost to kindling wood
 A moment after the accident, an ex- nress train from Philadelphia for Baiu- more crashed into the wreckage' put h'- tle further damage resulted.
 Philadelphia. December 17.-lnformatlon received at the Baltimore and ono oi- fiees here was to the effect that i've nersons had been killed and score or more injured, some fatally. Dense log prevailed in this section tonlgnt anu rs ilroad officials say this probably was the cause of the accident.
 The wreck occurred about 6 O CLOCK a' Ee,ton. two miles south of Chester. Ac- cording to the few details received by the company a train of empty cars ran lhto an accommodation train bound from Bal .timore for Philadelphia. The deao ana III s,irod were taken to Chester hospitals
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
GRACIOUS COMPANY
 ABOUT MIR. BLINN

And now that the interview has again l been brought back to where it started, a i few words may be said of the gracious | company about MT. Blinn. They were all seated about the center of the lobby | movie folk instinctively go or the center-and they-were Barry O'Neil, a noted director in filmland. Walter Greene | and George Mcintyre. However, MT. Me l Intyre after talking of the European conflict early sought his downy couch Here it was that the scrivener trailed | in:
 MT. Blinn, I believer the reporter could not believe anything else Tor a clean shaven, strong faced individual stood up and answered in clear reso-
 nant voice:
 That's I'm"
 The slang, the brisk, apparent savoii faire of MT Blnn at once placed the scribe at ease and without pause or consultation to his manual on how to interview the great and near-great, the reporter said
 DO you think moving pictures will SUD- plant the stage?'
 That question covers wide territory, replied MT. Blinn, and then MT. O'Neil spoke up;
 we are in Birmingham doing a few mining scenes at Maxine mines on the
 great Frank Norris story called Me
 Teague of San Francisco In moving
 pictures it will be called I4ifes Whirl
 pool We will remain here a few days
 longer" And then MT. O'Neil, while MT. Blinn conversed with MT. Greene, told the story of "McTeague." It was dramatic tale, of the psychology of the downfall of two human lives-a man and a woman. It should be a master film under the skilfull direction of MT. O'Neil and the artistic character portrayal of MT. Blinn. Miss F'ania Marinoff plays tie woman" opposite MT. Blinn.
 Are moving pictures stronger in ap- peal than the drama?" question from the scribe, who was quite busy trying to look like ''he belonged This time MT,
 Blinn answered quickly and to the point.
 Tn many ways the screen has the ad- vantage, but the spoken voice has its
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
PROPERLY INTRODUCED,
 THE INTERVIEW BEGINS

With everything explained except the ages. comnlexions and whether they are married and the rest of important lacts or what the general public considers im- portant, the main trend of the interview will be taken up In the first place when MT. Blnn mentioned the-zipp, in the thing he was answering a question on whether the tyro playwright stood chance against the master minds or the theatre.
 MT. Blinn should know. He has been acting and managing astors. actorlhes patching up plays and producing piays and near-plays since 1878 At least at the age of six he started in at Baldwin's s theatre in San Francisco. His mother. Nellie IIolbrook one of the foremost Shakespearian actresses of her time was responsible for David Belascos start m the theatre, and Mir. Biinn entertaileu with pleasing remembrance of many ahec.- dotes of Mr Belaseos early trials on the stage-but the interview diverges. Well skimping here and there. Mr. Blinn toured the country several times in Shakespearian plays-and in 1893 played i "Orlando' in As You Like It, at the old O. Brien opera house. Since that time and until Wednesday, MT Bllhh had overlooked Birmingham. still sklmp- ing rapidly over the tides of time It IS stated that Mr Biinn went abroad and toured the continent and provincial Eng land-and also played in London. Any way he returned to America-a finished artist. Then he appeared Tor severa' seasons as leading man to Mrs. flsKe in "Salvation Nell' and later starred Tn ''The Boss" both tremendous dramatic things by Edward Sheldon. After thls came an experiment to uplift the drama the Princess theatre in New York.
 Tt was my experiment at the Princess theatre that brought me in touch with the incipient dramatst," said MT Blnn' flor no room in that delectable nttle playhouse was too sacred for the thou sands of manuscripts that were showered on me when I announced that It was my intention to elevate art. Zpp-the thing is still going up.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Mrs. Mary l.. Williamson

Mrs. Mary l.. Williamson, aged 73,
 died yesterday morning at Il 45 o'clock at the residence of her son, J. A. Will Hanson, 925 Twenty-eighth street, south, The remains will be sent to Verbena
 this morning at o'clock by Johns Un- dertaking company. The deceased is sur vived by seven sons. $. J. Williamson, C. M. Williamson, J. A. Williamson, F. B. Williamson pr. J. $. Williamson, R. l.. Williamson anu Louis R. Williamson; two daughters. Miss Mary Julia William
 son and Mrs w. C. Sheppard; a brother, C. w. Mitchell of Boiling, and one sister, Mrs. B. F. Merriweather, of Montgomery
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Defends Fireworks for Boys

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 The cartoon appearing in Wednesdays Age-Herald may not have been prompted by my letter of protest on the fireworks question: which appeared in recent is- sue; indeed, it is probable that the let ter escaped the cartoonist's attention al- together. Be that as it may, I feel justi- fled in again referring to this wanton de- struction of the best part of real boy S Christmas. It must be great to have suggests. I have heard many long g-dis- tance stories of such things, but tio not remember anything so serious in life times observation and experience covr ering almost half century. True, burned
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
English M. c. Dead

London, December 17.-Albert Stan ley, member of the House of Commons from Staffordshire, northwest, died to- day at Northampton. eMr Stanley was born in 1862. At the time of his death he was secretary of the Midland Miners Federation and a member Of the joint solicitation board of coal owners and miners. He was elected to the House of Commons in 1907, as a la bor member
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18

terprise,H it was stated by Assistant District Attorney Wood, who prepared its text, that this did not in any way mean the use of troops. He indicated that only few persons were con. cerned in the alleged plot.
 Prior to the arrest of the men the federal grand jury began an investi- gation into this newest phase of the violation of American neutrality which it is intimated will embrace other ac- tivities of Koenig's organization.
 Koenig and Lyendecker will be ar- raigned tomorrow morning.
 The Welland canal connects Lakes Erie and Ontario, extending distance of 27 miles from Port Colborne to Port Dalhousie. It is the route which ves- sels take from Chicago and other great lake ports to reach the St. Law renee river. Grain shipments from these ports are thus transported to Flu rope.
 Late tonight two detectives con- nected with the New York city "bomh squad arrived at police headquarters with Frederick Metzler 21 years old a clerk in the offices of the Hamburg American line. who they arrested at his home in Jersey City. in connection with the alleged conspiracy In which koenig and Lyendecker are involved
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Virginia Kimhell

Funeral services over the remains of Virginia Kimbell, the wo-year-old daugh- ter of Mr and Mrs. E. A. Kimbell, who. died Thursday morning at 4 o'clock at the family residence in West End, were held from the residence yesterday morn ing at 10:30 o'clock. Interment followed in Elmwood cemetery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Grecian Difficulties

London, December 17.-An Exchange Telegraph dispatch from Athens states that the newspaper Kiroi states that Premier Skouloudis and Minister of the Interior Gounaris yesterday explained to the German minister that the en- try into Greece of German and Bull garian troops, especially the Bulga- rians, would raise questions which might we'll place Greece in position of difficulties
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Arthur Ivan Harbour

Arthur Ivan Harbour, the 13-year-od son of MT. and Mrs. w. A. Harbour died yesterday morning at o'clock in local infirmary after brief illness. The re- mains were sent to Florence yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock by Shaw x Son for interment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Mrs, Lille Lembauph

Mrs. Lllie Lembaugh, aged 29, died yesterday at the family residence, 4322 Avenue B. She is survived by her hus- band, H. G. Lembaugh, her parents, MT. and Mrs. Brittian; two brothers, Walter Brittian and Louis Brittan, and two sis ters, Mrs. J. B. Rogers and Miss Lois Brittian.
 Funeral arrangements will be announced
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Miss Katie Pearl Thomas

Funeral services over the remains of died Thursday morning at S:30 o'clock at the family residence, 905 Cotton avenue West End, were conducted from the resi- Gence yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock Interment followed in Elmwood ceme- tery. Miss Thomas is survived by her parents. MT. and Mrs. w. J. Thomas, one brother and three sisters.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Patrol Boat Wrecked

London. December 1.-The German pa- trol boat Bunz has been wrecked on the Island of Langeand in the Baltic sea, says a dispatch to the Exchange Tele- graph company from Copenhagen. The bodies of several German officers were found on the shore, the dispatch adds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Mrs. Ida F. Crosthwaite

Mrs Ida F. Crosthwaite, age 62 years, died last night at Il o'clock at the late residence, 1923 Avenue G. The remains will be esnt to Georgetown, Ky, this morning at 6:45 o'clock by Lige Loy. The deceased is survived by her husband, J. G. D. Crosthwaite, two sons, J. D., Jr., and M. G., and a brother Joseph Finley, of Georgetown.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18

of
  by   to you to do
  ave to cure 
   Birmingham
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Deaths and Funerals
Hazel Mcdonald

Hazel Mcdonald, the two-months-old daughter of MT. and Mrs. J. w. Me- Donald, died yesterday morning at z o'clock at the family residence, 409 First avenue, Elyton. The remains will be sent to Nelson's Switch this morning at 6 o'clock by Warner, Smith & Co.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Indian Revolt in Peru

Lima Peru, December 17--A serious revolt of Indians in the department of Puno is reported The prefect of the department in a message to offi- cials here, states that he is going to the scene of the revolt. and hopes to arrange for peaceful termination.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Women Enraged at
 Seizure of Paper

London, December 1.-The seizure of Britannia the official organ of the Womens Social and Political union. has brought the suffragettes and Scot land Yard after a long truce into their old-time attitude of mutual recrimina- tions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-18
Mrs 1T M Sharne

Gadsden, December 17.-(Special) )-Mrs. T. M. Sharpe, 47 years old, of Attalla, died last night following an operation. The funeral will be conducted at Ii o'clock Saturday morning, conducted by the Rev. I. A. White of the Attalla Baptist church. Burial will be at Forest cemetery.