davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
FACTS ABOUT SNAKES

From the Charleston News and Courier.
 H IsII stories never lack fascination
 and snake stories are not bit | less alluring. With the world rocking in the throes of its might fest war and the newspapers filled day after day with the epic narra- lives of mighty battles on the sea and land, readers of the News and Courier have yet found time amid the din to prove that they are nightly stirred up over snake story appearing in these columns some days ago in the form of a dispatch from a South Carolina town alleging that the female rattlesnake has no rattles. So warm are the controversies to which this statement has given rise that it seems advisable, in the interest of peace and harmony, to touch upon certain facts of snake lore.
 There are three kinds of rattlesnakes in South Carolina-the diamond-back rattle snake, the timber rattlesnake, and the ground or pigmy rattlesnake. In each of these species-as well as in the 10 other species of rattlesnakes found in North America-both male and female have rat ties. The rattleIess ''rattlesnake" which started all the discussion. was evidently not rattlesnake at all, but a copper head known also as highland moccasin, and poisonous species. Neither sex of the copperhead has rattles, and the term "pilot rattlesnake," often applies to the copperhead, is a misnomer. as the cop perhead is not rattlesnake. but instead a moccasin. It should not be confused with it's cousin, the water moccasin or cottonmouth moccasin. common especially in the low country of the state, and also poisonous Nor should the cotton-mouth moccasin be confused, as 1t generally is, with the several species of harmless water snakes found in the state. The water rattier." for instance. is neither a rattlesnake living in the water, as one would judge from its common name. nor a variety of poisonous moccasin. as any low country darky will insist that 1t is. but instead perfectly harmless species known as the banded watersnake. A variety of this species. common m South Carolina and also harmless. is the red-bellied watersnake.
 These facts are set forth with the Idea of settling a controversy, but 1t may well turn out that they will lead to new dis putes. Most people know no more about snakes than they do about Balkan poll- tics, but they have certain beliefs and theories and they will stick to these through thick and thin. 1t would be easier to capture Gibraltar single-handed than to persuade the average man that the spreading adder is not only nonpois- Iono,,s hut that 1t cannot be induced to bite; that the much dreaded scorpion little lisard-as. indeed. are ali the other species of lizard found in the United states. with the single exception Of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
In.tallInwl El,ctr,c Eou,pment

R. D. Robinson of Cincinnati, inventor of the electric process of laundering and president of the Electric Laundry Equipment company, sellers of his equipment, has been in Birmingham the past week. While here MT. Robinson superintended the equipment of the Elm pire laundry plant with his electric pro- cess machinery Mir Robinson will leave tonight for Washington. where he goes to equip two government laundries with his machinery
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
FOOD VALUE OF FISH
From the Pittsburg Sun.


 When one reads of the value of the fish catches in fresh and salt water, wbs. the business is carried on commerci: v and extensively, he cannot but be iu- pressed with the immense value of fish as food. In every word and figure of the monthly statements that come from tbe fishing centers of the great lakes and from the ocean there is argument in favor of purif1cation of our inland streams and restocking them with fish most likely to live and thrive. The demands of thought less industry have been ruinous to the hsh in streams that pass through cities where there are any number of factories The waste water, almost a saturate solu. ton of chemicals, is turned back into the creeks or rivers which are otherwise polluted by sewage and other waste Fish are killed and a great source of food is destroyed. to say nothing of the sport that Is ruined.
 Of course, the value of the fish that might be caught in noncommercial way in the rivers hereabout, providing there were any fish in them, would be inconse- quential compared to what is caught in the big fishing grounds But the saving to the man of family would be materla, if 1t were possible for him to go to the nearest stream with some assurance that he would be able within reasonable time to catch enough fish for meal
 Some idea of the magnitude of the fish Ing industry on the Atlantic coast can be secured by the statement that during July s,sss,S04 pounds of fresh and salted fish, valued at $s32,s34 was landed at Bos- ton; 7,S40.S62 pounds at Gloucester, val ued at $10S,001, and 2,SO4.3lS pounds at Portland, valued at s3O,SO6 The total for these three ports was 1s,11S,7ss pounds, valued at $562,24.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
ALABAMA PRESS

opelika Daily News: Mrs. Mediil Me cormick reports that she has obtained the promise of 20e congressman to vote for woman suffrage when the proposed suf- frage amendment is brought up in that body. Mrs. Mccormick had better con- suit Mrs. Bessie O'Brien Hundley of Bir- mingham and ascertain from her just about what percentage of promises may safely be relied upon and then continue in her efforts for more promises. Mrs. Hundley has just had some experience in endeavoring to realize on promises.
 Mobile Register: There is but a mo- mert of legislative life left Why not use it in recording the corporate affilia- ton of the members It will have a his- toric value. Maybe there will never be another legislature in Alabama contain ing members who are under the pay of pubic service corporations. Anyway, we hope therell never be.
 Montgomery Advertiser: The papers all over the country are congratula ting Alabama upon the passage of the com pulsory school attendance law. Ala bama. is wearing her new-made laurels with becoming modesty Only two other states have no compulsory education law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
Hot Weather in East

"The season at Atlantic City has been unusually long because of the excess sively hot weather" said Max J. Wink Ter, who is back from his vacation spent in the east
 Tt was certainly hot in New York. The season usually ends at Atlantic City about Labor Day, but the crowds there last week made 1t look like the middle of July or August was especially sur prised to find so many Birmingham, ,peo- pie there"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
From the Portland Telegram.

From the Portland Telegram.
 Tho United States Attorney General found it necessary to use several hun dred words in order to properly construe the La Toilette act. The ship owners only use half . dozen, but they are wholly unprintable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

cild uOnster OI tne SoutnWeSt, that tl 'coachwhip" snake never whipped an body or anything to death: that u young of great many snakes, includfr the rattlesnake, are born instead of b ing matched from eggs: that you cam tell rattlesnake's age by the number i, his rattles; or that the rattlesnaks iinmune to his own poison and that, thor fore, you cannot make him commit su eide by tickling him with . stick q, causing him to bite himself. {.
 
 WHEN FROST IS ON THE PUNkI By James Whitcomb Riley.
 When the frost is on the punkin and Il
 fodder's in the shock, fi And you hear the kyouck and gobble
 the struttin' turkey cock, And the clackin' of the guineas and u
 cluckin' of the hens,
 And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tipto'
 on the fence; fs O, it's then's the time feller is a-feeli
 at his best, , :, |. With the risin sun to greet him from
 night of peaceful rest,
 As he leaves the house bareheaded ar
 goes out to feed the stock, When the frost is on the punlkin and u
 folders in the shock. M They's something kindo' harty-liks abo'
 the atmusfere
 When the heat of summer'S over and tl
 cooxn' fall is here
 Of course. we miss tho sAowers. and tl
 blossoms on the trees.
 And the memble of the hummin 'bir<
 and buzzin of the bees:
 r1.~ f--y- 1-l-~ -
 scape through the haze
 Of . crisp and sunny morning of the airl
 autumn days .es "A i A s. .... .s Is a pictur' that no painter has the co
 orin' to mock M When the frost is on the punkin and q
 fodderf's in the shock. d The husky, rusty russell of the itossels And ths raspinss 6f the tshsisa leavs
 as golden as the moFns ~ The stubble in the furries-kindo' lou
 some-lilke, but still f A A-preechin' sermons to us of the barI
 they growed to fill: H The strawstack in the medd6r. and q
 reaper in the shed; M The hosses in their stalls bolow-t1
 clover overhead- M = &W
 ticlxin' of a clock, % When the frost is on the punkin and tl
 fodder's in the shock! F Then your apples all is gethered. and tl ones a fesler keep6 Fl Is poured around the csller-fioor in d
 and yeller heaps: ,5l And your cider-makin's over, and ytj
 wimmern-folks 10 through El With their mince aAd apple-butter, &l
 their s0uiA and sAusage, too! don't know how to tell it--but ef sich|
 thing could be.
 AS the angels wantin' boardin'. and thef|
 call around on me- I'd want to 'commodate' 'em-all {(
 whole indurin' fIock-- 8| When the frost 10 on the punIxin and 1
 fodder's in the shock! l z s K x .tk { ~. fi fr q
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
HELPING THE ALLIES

From the Rochester Democrat.
 When notoriety seekers like MT. Bryan and Senator James Hamilton Lewis take a position opposing loans to Great Britain and France. the task of the foreign com mission becomes very much castor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

fDr Dumba overlooks the factor ig- nores it-that when a foreigner becomes a citizen of the United States he owes al- legiance to his adopted country and not the land of his birth
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

A torch for an larson trust" usually receives fancy price for his services, but seldom remains at liberty long enough to amass a fortune.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
What a frosty spirited rogue is this.
 Henry ".

BEGINNING THE DAY-Gsive me patience. Q Lord. May I trust Thee even when I see Thee not. May I follow Thee, hut he able te whit patiently until Thou leadest. Help me to He down until Thy time, help me to rest until Thy can. In Ckrist's name. Amen.-H. RI. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

An "advance man for the Weeks presidential boomet says there are fools who will vote for Roosevelt every chance they get.s There's nothing like having a personality
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

The Germans are endeayoring to pro- tect French works of art from French shell fire, an extraordinary proceeding for "barbarians."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
PITY THE DODGERS

From the Boston Herald. The latest figures of the Massac chusetts highway commission show that in every 6 persons in the state, one is an auto mobile owner, four passengers and 30 dodgers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

As the Turks claim to have 100000 men under arms the allies will have to bestir themselves if they want to capture Con stantinople before Christmas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

Zeppelins don't do much damage to British property, but they play hob with British temper.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
AND ELsnwHEnr roo

From the Brooklyn Times.
 A dead man has been nominated for public office in the Maryland primary elections. Many dead one has actually Deen elected to public office in this com munity, and is drawing full salary, too
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

The first cranberry crop of the season is now being marketed and quips about the Thanksgiving turkey are in order.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

The Anglo-French commissioners should not have attempted a bluff in a country famous for it's poker players.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

The observer who thinks the architec- ture of American cities is plain and monotonous should Inspect a few of our moving picture palaces from good vantage point across the street.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

Time was whe nthe American squirrel hunter made a pretty fair soldier, but that was before war became such com plicated business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

One reason why Switzerland views the strife in Europe with euuanimity Is the fact that citizens trained to arms vastly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

Chicagos prisons are in such bad con- ditior that it's no wonder ''vag" pre- fers leaving town to being arrested.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
PEsSIMIsTIC
From the Fl Paso Times.

From the Fl PaBO Times.
 The Birmingham Age-Herald suggests that at least there is some consolation in the thought that more flies were swatted during the summer just closed than ever before There were probably moro flies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

One dollar will buy nearly 1000 eggs in rural China. but the Chinese egg is not always above suspicion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

The movement to stop treating in Eng land will doubtless be indorsed by the thrifty Scot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

MODERN EDUCATION. How is your little boy getting along school?''
 "Oh, splendidly." answered the fol mother. His teacher says he excels in tI toothbrush drill. and since he's been tai ing breathing exercises he has a che expansion that boy twice his age wou be proud of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22

The chief business of France just now is war and no time is being wasted ir idle talk. t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
RIGHT SHAPE. ANYHOW.

RIGHT SHAPE. ANYHOW.
 MT. Gadders gave Tommy Gadders sound thrashing for playing submaril warfare in the bathtub." T don't think the punishment ftt, the crime.'' Perhaps not, but what made MT. Ga ders so wrathy was the fact that tl youngster used one of his choice Havana for a submarine"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
PROOF.

Gar you keep secret Perditag'
 'Of course can. I once kept seer for two whole days."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
LONG DISTANCE SYMPATHY

He weeps for the woes of a stricls
 brother
 Who lives ten thousand miles away, But. alack and alas. like many another. He turns down a beggar most eve
 day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
MIXED ENTERTAINMENT.

That monologist used to be a race track habitue. understand"
 Yes He followed the ponies.''
 Just so. And now see by the bill that he follows the monkeys"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
A ROUGH MATTER.

A ROUGH MATTER. Let us have peace,' Reformers say; For a wage increase
 The workers pray. And all the while The big guns roar Munitions stock
 Doth gaily soar. War may be bad
 For our foreign friends. But 1t sure does boost -- The dividends.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
A RIVAL TO KELLY.

A RIVAL TO KELLY. ii How did that baseball player ever s the nickname. 'Culebra'?" Because he slides so."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-22
HIS POINT OF VIEW.

HIS POINT OF VIEW.
 What do you think about national pre- paredness?' asked the militant person. ''I dare say it's a very good thing for a nation." replied MT. Twobble. thought fully. but in my relations with Mrs. Twobble I find a policy of nonresistance more conducive to peace and harmony n the family circle''
 PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. "Why do you insist on having mar ried man for a chauffeur?"
 'As a measure of safety" replied the cautious motorist. "Yes?"
 When it comes to taking chances. figure that even if he doesn't think about my family, he might think of his own.''
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-30
SOME TALK OF EXTRA
SESSION TO ARRANGE
AN EARLIER PRIMARY
Proposal Has Come to Governor
From Several Sources-It Is
Under Consideration.

Pierre, s.. D., Dec. 24.-There is q
strong probability that an extra ses-
sion of the state legislature may be
held next month for the purpose Of
fixing an earlier primary date, thus
doing away with the necessity of q
special primary to select delegates to
the republican national convention. 1t
is clsimed that the extra session, II
held to making thia one adjustment,
would cost only aoout one-third as
much as the special primary.
Governor Byrne may take the ques-
ton up with the members of the legis-
lature soon after the holidays for the
purpose of securing an expression from
them. He would not be disposed to
call h session unless the members
pledge themselves to adjust the pri-
mary date and adjourn without at
tempting to transact other business.
On account of the busy season on
the farm extending all through April
and we'll up to the first of June, it Is
probable the legislature will be OPP
posed to moving the regular primary
date ahead more than n week
changing from the first Tuesday in
June to the last Tuesday in May. The
primary date question was under dis
cussion last spring, when the present
measur was adopted. AT hat time
Governor Byrne urged a date in May
and If this suggestion had been fol-
lowed the present complications would
have been avoided.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-30
SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS
FLOODED BY MINNESOTA

White Rock. S. D., Dec. 24-Resident
OF this section are looking forward
with interest to a meeting, to be held
at Paramount, NJ. D., in the neal future,
at which it is expected final action will
be taken toward instituting a $1,000
600 damage suit against the state Of
Minnesota.
The damage suit will be instituted
by farmers of northeastern South Da-
kota, southeastern North Dakota and
adjoining counties in Minnesota, near
here, who suffered severe loss to their
crops this year because of the floodins
of state bitches running into Lake
Traverse on the Minnesota side of tho
line.
A recent meeting of a committee
was appointed to make a list of all
claimants and the amounts of thet:
claims, and this committee is expected
to make a report at the meeting to be
held at Paramount. 1t is understood
that the committee now has it's work
about completed.
Those interested in the contemplated
$1,000, 900 damage suit declare that not
only has there been an enormous crop
damage sustained during the past year
from the flooding of these state bitches
but that thousands of acres of valu-
able farm land practically has been
cOnfiScated.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-30
YANkTON COLLEGE NEAR
TO MEETING HILLS OFFER

Yankton, S. D., Dec. 24.-Two recent
gifts to the Yankton college endow-
ment campaign. one Of $4,000 from A;
j. Abbot, of Bon Homme county, and
another of $1,000 from on eastern
donor brings the total amount thus
far secured up to nearly $1SO,OO0.
About 100000 more within the remain
ing days of the month would make up
the total of 100000 necessary to Sc
cure from James j. Hill the full $4,000
of his offer to college. rounding out the
full s250,G00 for increased endowment.
Mr.. Abbot's gift is the second contribu-
ton he has made to this campaign, the
first one having been for $4,000. given
two years 6 to start the campaign.
The $40, 900 gift from the eastern donor
has just been secured.
January /, 1916 is the final day Of
settlement between the college and Mr..
Hill. These two recent gifts give re-
newed hope for the success of the cam
paign. 1t is quite possible that at the
very close SIS, 900 can be secured from a
guarantee, provided other contribu-
tons bring the campaign to within
that distance from the goil. In case
this could be lone there would be only
about SIS, 900 needed to bridge the gap.
The college has very thoroughly can
vassed its constituency both in the
state and outside, and to secure ven
his amount additional will be diff
| cult: yet a strong final appeal is being
made through bulletins sent out this
week in the hope of interesting givers
who will come to the rescue and help
win the fight. Some gifts in moderate
| amounts are being secured in the state.
IL only enough of these can be gath
| cred in. and along with them q little
further help from the east the goal can
be reached. Vhere will be no further
extension of time on the part of Mr..
Hill.
President Warren has been in the
! east for about a month and will remain
in the field there up to the very last,
in daily communication by wire with
the college office at Yankton with re-
spect to totals and the narrowing gap
| between amount secured n the $780,
900 required.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-30
MANUAL LABOR PLANNED
FOR SIOUX CITY FL CATERS

Sioux Falls. S. D., Dec. 21.-When the
new prohibition law goes into effect
in Iowa on January 1, the police au-
thorities of Sioux Falls are a%nticipat-
ing an influx of a large number of I'M
desirable characters from Sioux City.
The belief that there will be such an
influx is based upon the fast tina when
the saloons of Sioux City close on the
last day Of this month, to remain
closed, the FOUNDERS will drift to the
nearest places which will be likely to
furnish them such accommodations as
suits their taste, and these places, they
naturally figure, will be Omaha and
Sioux Falls.
Just one thing which may prevent a
wholesale o of the FOUNDERS from
Sioux City to Sioux Falls is the fact
that South Dakota has a law which
empowers the peace authorities to put
to work undesirable characters Who
have been arrested as Migrants, or on
other charges, and who have not the
means to pay their fines.
Should the wholesale exodus of I'M
desirables from Sioux City materialize,
the provisions of this law, which was
enacted by the last legislature, will be
enforced to the letter, with the result
that it will be possible, through rear
rests from time to time until the I'M
desirables leave the city, to keep them
almost steadily at work under guard
of officers during such time as they
remain in Sioux Falls.
Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-30
FARMLAND RoBBED HOUSE,
THEN TIED SELF TO POLE

Parker, S. D., Dec. 23.-The sequel to
the robbery and alleged "holdup" at
the Ben Van Ingen home, II miles
southeast of Parker, vas disclosed un-
der the third degree quiZzing of Sher-
if Shanks and States Attorney Han
son. Scroggin (known also as Stro-
jen), the hired man at the Van Ingen
farm, confessed hat while the family
was away he robbed the house, getting
only about 81, and then tied himself
up at the telephone insulator outside
the house just before he expected the
family to return. When they returned
he told them how he had been over
powered, bound, gagged, tied up full
length by his thums, etc. His story of
having been held up and robbed at
night on the bridge over the Vermilion
a month or so before is also thought to
be a fake.
Scroggin was fined $40 and costs,
which he paid and left this vicinity at
once. The Great Northern depot at
Irene was broken into and robbed of
$40 a few nights ago while the agent
was at upper.
HOWARD-At their annual business
meeting the members of the local civic
league elected the following officers for
the coming year: President. Mrs. Boyd
Wales; vice president, Mrs. Theo. Hanson;
secretary, Mrs. Henry Schueller; treas
urer, Mrs. Fred G.. Reeve.
PIERRE-The returns made to the state
department show that 200 deer have been
killed in this state this year. OF these
40 were bucks and 60 does. Twelve of
the deer were killed by hunters in the
eastern part of the state. and the rest by
Black Hills hunters.
vEBLEN-The town OF NARROW is prac-
tically defunct. There are two stores re-
maining in the town, once quite a flourish
ing place. and the two firms are selling
their stock at auction and will retire from
business. MARROW will become a deserted
town. Or revert to a wheat field.