davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
RED CROSS SEALS
 TO REMAIN ON SALE
Pro- Holiday Sale of Seals Has Been Decided Upon Until First of
 the Year

It is announced that Red Cross seals will remain on sale in Alabama this season until the first of the year Though the pre-holiday sale of seals it is stated, has been heavy 1t has been decided to permit supplies of the stamps to remain on deposit at con venient business places in Birmingham Montgomery and elsewhere so those who may wish to make purchases with which to decorate New Year cards and other correspondence may do so. This custom has been adopted in other states.
 Red Cross seals will continue on sale all during the week following Christ mas at the following Birmingham es- tablishments:
 The Hotel Tutwiler, the Jic<el Hill man, Post Card Exchange, K. D. Bur nett Cigar Co.,. Brown-MarX building Triangle theatre. Adams Drug Co.,. Ca heen Bros, Loveman, Joseph x Loeb, Parker Drug Co.,, Drennen Co.,. Burger Dry Goods Co.,. Magnolia Point Pharm- acy, Fowlkes & Myatt, J. Blach & Sons Louis Saks, l.. Pizitz, Steele-Smith, and Porter Clothing Co
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
MRS. JANET RAMSAY. CALLED ID REWARD.
Mother of Erskine Ramsay Died Suddenly at Home
 of Daughter

Friends in the city will regret to learn that Mrs. Janet Ramsay, mother of Err skine Ramsay, died suddenly yesterday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mar win Kelley of Big Stone Gap, Va. She was 76 years of age and had beeh in good health almost up to the time of her death. Her three sons who reside in this district, Erskine Ramsay, Andrew Ram say and Charles Ramsay left yesterday for Greensburg, Pa., their former home, to attend the funeral of their mother.
 Mrs. Ramsay was well known in Bir- mingham, having visited here as the guest of Mrs. Culpepper Exum, Mrs. J. c. Pat terson and other friends. By her gracious personality she endeared herself to a large circle of acquaintances, who ex- tend to the bereaved children their deepest sympathy.
 For the past two years Mrs. Ramsay has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Kelley. The remains will be shipped to Greensburg, Pa, her former home, where funeral services will be held with interment at the family burial ground at Shafton, Pa. She was the widow of the late Robert Ramsay and is survived by eight sons, William Ramsay, Erskine Ramsay, Robert Ramsay, Morris Ramsay, Andrew Ramsay, Charles Ramsay, John Ramsay, and George Ramsay, and three daughters, Mrs. Thomas Jones' Mrs. Mar win Kelley, and Miss Mary Stuart Ram Say
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
TUTWILER ROMANCE

The staid and conventional regis- ter at the Tutwiler hotel told Il tale of romance last night.
 A casual observer, in glancing over the growing list of the guests of the hostelry, noted that Miss CIarice Smith of Little Rock was passing Christmas Eve. Being of an impressiOnable penchant. he re- marked inwardly, 9TH bet she'll be lonesome on Christmas day away from home."
 Three hours later. the clerk at the desk gave his attention to the supposedly lonesome lady. who die rected his gaze to the register.
 "Would you be so kind as to aI- Q low me to register" she asked of the clerk.
 The request being rather un- usual, the clerk parried with, "Why. is there anything the mat ters"
 A blush mounted her half smiling face, and man. at her side, stepped forward and offered an absolute reason.
 For, when the pen had ceased its | series of significant ups and downs, the register read, MT. and Mrs. J. R. NIcDOnOugh. Attalla. Ala. And the clerk added the rest. "FrOnt'' was followed by furry of active heels and needless to state, more luggage was moved to z3S.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
ED BILLINGS DIES
 AT LOCAL INFIRMARY

Ed Billings, we'll known citizen of Ensley, died at a local infirmary at 7:3O o'clock last night after lengthy illness. He is survived by two sons, Donald and Ed Billings, and one small daughter Alice Billings.
 The remains will be brought to the Ensley B. P. O. Elks' home, 2010 Ave- nue D, this morning, where funeral ser- vices will be conducted at 10:30 o'clock tomorrow morning. The Rev. A. K. Wright, pastor or the First Baptist church of Ensley, will officiate. The Baptist church choir will furnish mu- sic at the services. Interment will be | made in the Oakland cemetery. Echols & Angwin will have charge of the funeral
 The following friends of the deceased have been requested to serve as pall- bearers: Tom Devereau. L. c. Graf. Hugh Hill. William M. Landrum, Henry Keller and I. A. Miller.
 Mr. Billings was well known in this
 district, having been in the plumbing business in Ensley for a number of years. He was a member of the Ems ley lodge, B. P. o. E.. and all members
 are requested to attend the funeral ser- vices. He has a large circle of friends
 who will be grieved to learn of his death
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
ALABAMA VISITORS i.
 AT LOCAL HOTELS

Tutwiler-G. o. McGuin, Athens; l. c Deloy, Margaret; J. R. McDonough and wife, Attalla; M. N. Kennedy, Anniston; the Rev. A. Levine, Selma; J. F. Pruett and wife, Anniston; Lois Lasigi, Annis- ton; George Scott and wife. Marion; A. B Hooper, Jr., Albertville; E. E. McMillan and wife, Mobile.
 Molton-Mrs. M. Bates. Mobile; c. D. Clarke, Gadsden; w. D. Smith, Jasper; E. M. Cansley. Montgomery; H. R. Edmann, Lincoln; H. E. Elliott. Johns.
 Empire-A. s. Joseph, Tuscaloosa; Rob- ert Cruise, Millport; Maude L. Hardy Sheffield pr. F. R. Lubright, Helena; Dr. K. P. Goggins, Hackleby; Miss s. H. Bar row, Jackson; w. M. Cole and wife, Garn- sey; E. E. Russell, Littleton; J. F. Leon ard, Alabama City; Mrs. E. M. Nelson Alabama City; E. l.. Loveless, Albany.
 Metropolitan: T. F. Winters. Acmar M. l.. Pafford, Guntersville; John San ders, Acmar; Tom Johnson, Sylacauga; c. w. Derrick, Cullman: A. r. LeGrand Tuscaloosa; H. w. Griffin, Garnsey; c. c, White, Blocton.
 Hillman-S. H. Green, Tuscaloosa, Thomas E. Blacke, Tuscaloosa.
 Morris-A. l.. Rodgers, Athens; Johr Hightower, Sylacauga; r. B. Leech Dadeville; J. c. Evans, Anniston; w. E Moore, Anniston; M. H. Worrell, Tuske- gee; F. P. Newell. Reform; F. M. String. fellow, Reform; B. l.. Watson, Tusca- loosa.
 Burt-Thomas H. Stephens, Gadsden: w c. Griggs, Gadsden; R. B. Holmes. Mulga Horace Dobbs, Collensville; R. R. Brile Blocton: G. Hess. Mobile; c. H. Allison Tuscaloosa; William Gormley, Montgem cry; H. P. Smith, Sylacauga; H. J. Rus sell Mobile
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
CHILDREN PORTRAY
 BIRTH OF CHRIST

The table "The Birth of Christ" given at Temple Emanu-El yesterday afternoon by the children of the Inde- pendent Presbyterian Sunday school, was witnessed by a large audience.
 The temple was especially decorated for the occasion, the rostrum being converted into field, strewn with hay and grass.
 All of the characters familiarly con- nected with the story of the birth of Christ were portrayed by members of the Sunday school. Miss Freda Atant was Mary" and the child Jesus. was Phillip Henry Fitts. Jr. Miss Marga- ret Fearn took the part of Anna" and Joseph was represented by El- mer Harper Simeon" was inter- preted by Leon Hamrich.
 In the evening at the Lyric theatre the services were given over entire ly to the singing of Christmas carols. The theatre was crowded. Members of local musical organizations were pres enl and assisted in the singing. After Lac services they sang for the per sons at the county and city jails.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
ABSENCE OF DISORDER IS NOTED
 ON EVE OF CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES
CHRISTMAS OBSERVANCE
 BY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
Members of Local Communicates to Celebrate Time HonOred Christmas Custom With Appropriate
 Exercises-Visiting Fraters Invited

Annual Christmas observance will bs held this morning at 10:3O o'clock at their respective asylums by Cyrene comman- dery, No 10, and Woodlawn commandery No. 31, Knights Templar. A programme appropriate to the occasion has been pre- pared for these exercises and all Sil Knights and visiting members are invited to join in the celebration.
 The official toast to Right Eminent Sir Lee $. Smith, grand master, will be read and responded to wherever two or three knights are gathered together" and this time-honored custom will be observed the country over at the same day and hour. The toast follows:
 "With the Birth of new century of Templar history, may the ac- cOmplishments of each year be pregnant with real achievements for God and humanity.
 To this toast Grand Master Smith sends the following response:
 "Sir Knights:
 God and Humanity!
 What a knightly call and one worthy of our noble Christian order. What motto to be engraved upon our banners. With the achievements of the past century fresh in our minds, a growth from a mere handful of goodly knights enlisted in the cause of suf- fering humanity, up to the grand en- campment of today, composed of a quarter of a million of the grandest and best men our country can produce. AS to the accomplishments that will be achieved in the next century we can not either promise or surmise, but we can pledge oudselves, each true knight for himself, that insofar as his indi- vidual part in the crusade for God and humanity is concerned it shall be lim- ited only by his power and capacity as given him by his creator
 Each in his sphere must do his part. We live but one day and one year at a time. Let us therefore unitedly see that this present Templar year shall be the greatest in all our glorious history.
 In conclusion let me call your atten- tion to a short extract from clip ping from a Los Angeles paper refer ring to the thirty-third triennial con clave held in that city in June last:
 We take it upon ourselves to assert (not without expectation of contradic- tion, but without fear of contradic- tion) that the Knighs Templar are the manifest most orderly and dignified body of men eyer assembled in con- vention in the csty of Los Angeles, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
CLEVER SW|NDLER ROBS JEWELLERS OF
 DIAMOND RINGS
Birmingham Jewellers Lose SLY On Mail Order-A Forged Check Is Means
 of the Fraud

The inactivity of the shoplifters dur ing the shopping period was marked but this was offset by the appearance of clever swindler. who mulcted two Birmingham jewellers out of dia- mond rings. The rogue was clever and made use of up-to-date methods.
 He is supposed to have been Law renee "Christmas" Keough. For the last five years this fellow has piled his swindling during the holiday pe- riod and has been dubbed "Christmas' for this penchant The jewellers were strung by his cleverness. one to the extent of s100 and the other a s17.50 gem.
 The fellow was modern, they both admit that He first procured the sta tionary including letter heads and en- velopes, of & responsible lumber firm and also got checks of the company. After having assembled the necessary data to make a strong showing, he wrote a letter to the jewellers and stat ed that he had seen diamond bargains in the press. He enclosed a check, filled out with the name of the reputa- ble lumber company upon it, and add ed, significantly, "reference-Bradstre or R. G. Dun."
 In the letter he asked that the ring be sent to his neice in Atlanta.
 The jewellers, despite the holiday rush, investigated the credit rating of the firm, after noting the name of the president was upon the check. Both were assured when the credit agencies pronounced the rating in the hundred thousands
 In fact, one Birmingham jeweler was so joyous that he immediately wrote to the "opulent lumberman," stating that he had received the or der and that he thanked him. Imme- diately came telegram in response, saying that instead of sending thanks, the company was sending condol- ences." The president hinted that 1t was an unseasonably trick to play April fool" jokes during the Christmas holidays, and confessed that some scamp has stolen their stationary and had played rings" around jewellers elsewhere.
 According to a jewellers trade jour- nal, the swindler is none other than Christmas" Keough.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25

they had to go some in order to earn
 that distinction.
 Sir knights, there is a commenda-
 ton of which we may be proud-an ideal for us to strive to live up to.
 Courteously and fraternally yours,
 LEE s. SMITH. Grand Master" Grand Master William W. Ransom has 1ssued request to every commandery in the state that they meet at their respec- tive asylums and observe the occasion with suitable exercises. The request fol- lows:
 ''The grand commander earnestly re- quests that each eminent commander of the jurisdiction convene his commandery In it's asylum on Monday morning, De- cember 25, at Il o'clock, central standard time, extending an invitation and giving a welcome to all sojourning sir knights. Let the sir knights who assemble on this occasion remember that 1t is more blessed to give than to receive and it is the knightly duty of each one to con- tribute to the comfort and happiness of the widows anl orphans of this jurisdic- ton, in proportion as God has prospered him.
 Recorders of communicates are hereby requested to report to the grand com mander the amount of offering and num- Der of sir knights present, at this observ- dnCo. COurLeOuSly ana IrdLerHally,
 WILLIAM w. RANSOM,
 Grand Commander" Tn response to the request of the grand commander, Frank s. Barnes, comman- der of Cyrene, and George w. Hayes, commander of Woodlawn, have notified the members of their respective com manderies to meet this morning for the exercises and have extended the invita- tions to viisting fraters.
 The respective programme of exercises follows:
 Cyrene-Prayer by Sir Knight J. W. Johnson, grand prelate; official toast to grand master and reply. An address by the Most Eminent Sir William w. Ran som, grand commander, on "Our Order" " An address by Eminent Sir F. N Keiser, on 'The Knightly Spirit" An address by Most Eminent Sir Russell M. Cunning ham, on "The Day We Celebrate" An address by Eminent Sir Nathaniel l.. Mewhinney, on "Our Knightly Dead" "Reminiscences by Eminent Sir Joseph D. Matlock Felicitatons Among the Fra terS
 Woodlawn-Musc Reading of the les son by Excellent Prelate o. s. Finch. Prayer by Sir Knight Ross c. Baker Official toast to Right Eminent Sir Lee $, Smith, grand master. Address, ''The Prince of Peace" Sir Knight Claud Orear. Address. "Templarism," Sir Knight R. F. Lovelady. Address, Sol diers of the Cross,' Sir Knight A. J. Dick inson. Felicitations among the fraters.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
MATERIAL EVIDENCE OF
 SPIRIT" OF CHRISTMAS
Parcel Post Express Company Handle Over 2800 Pack ages and Parcels During the Week and Indications
 Are That Many Were Not Dry

eel post division had handled nearly 200,- 900 packages Of this total, about 10000
 have been sent from other cities. The generous of Birmingham have posted S5,
 O00 during the past week.
 The volume of mail has been incredi- tably enormous. The postoffice depart
 ment has received between 4O,O00 and 50o00 sacks of letters, cards of greeting and other literature. But despite the flood of parcels and letters. the postoffice depart ment has handled 1t with dispatch and
 ease that has been remarkable. There
 were fewer than 4000 parcels awaiting de- livery last night.
 The Southern Express company, which is the principal agency in Birmingham,
 has handled about 5000 parcels and ship ments during the past week, according to the estimates of w. F. Gossett. On hand last night vera about 5000 packakes that will be delivered to the various songinees during the day.
 It may be holiday for the multitudes.
 but for the expressman, the parcel post
 man and the mail carriers, it will be a day
 of travail and burdens. There will be only one delivery of mail.
 Estimated figures in Chattanooga show that 2S,000 packages of liquor were re-
 ceived for shipment by the Southern Ex-
 press company there on Monday and Tuesday.
 William Corning, president of the
 Campbell Liquor company of Chattanoo-
 ga, stated last night that the pressure of business in Chattanooga had been so
 great with the express companies there it was impossible for them to take care of the liquor dealers business. My firm received almost $25.O00 in postoffice money
 orders in the first two days of last week, :" said MT. Corning last night. Most of the shipments went to Birmingham and At l lanta Thousands of packages of wet
 goods could not be sent out on the day received on account of the rush of busi-
 ness. It has been a great year for the
 wholesale liquor houses in Chattanooga"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
NEWS OF O|L STRIKE
 ATTRACTS DEALERS
A Score of Western Oil Men In City to Investigate
 Conditions
Cordova is on the map.

C0rCoVA IS on the map. More than 20 oil men are registered at
 Birmingham hotels and will remain in
 touch with the situation at Cordova until after Tuesday, when the drillers, having
 attained depth of slightly over 800 feet,
 will send the bore further into the oil
 sands. Perhaps the well will be shot with nitroglycerine.
 More than 20 oil men from Texas and Oklahoma were registered at the Tutwiler last night In addition to the first party of Tulsa operators, which includes James
 H. Gardner, L. c. Brush, R. A. Griffith
 and L. c. Pape, there are many others from Oklahoma. Harvey A. Heller, Felix l.. Cast, A. L.
 Becky, Frank Thantz. Adam Wrollerski and L. P. Sandbach of Tulsa are stop ping at the Tutwiler.
 Shreveport has forwarded a rather sub stantial delegation of investigators in George o. Baird, 1T. B. Lanford, w. F..
 Moore, L. B. Webster, G. D. Terwilliger,
 J. H. Russell, H. Raaisman, D. Holcomb. l J. A. Gardner and H. H. Dugan. 1 Texas is represented by c. G. Trippe of
 Dallas and E. J. Minter of Tyler. | The operations are directed by for 1 mer Gov. Charles N. Haskell who IS | in New York city, according to James 1 H. Gardner MT. Gardner stated last I night that the work at Cordova would
 be resumed Tuesday, but that he did l not know to what depth the well 1 would be drilled. This, he added.
 would be determined by the orders 1 that MT. Haskell sent to Mort Mo Cain the drill manager. | Inasmuch as the derrick at Cordova IS
 substantial. it was expected that the hole
 would be deepened until it penetrated the
 Knox-Dolomite sands.
 Mir Gardner will leave this morning Tor | Neu York
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25

The police department was kept busy Saturday night on minor calls, and 30 arrests were made from o'clock until yesterday at noon. Ten more arrests were made this year on Christmas eve on charges on drunkenness than last year, according to the docket at the Northside city jail
 The police department worked a 12-hour shift Saturday in order to enforce the city ordinances on the downtown streets Saturday night, and the usual noises by the blowing of horns and shooting fireworks were not heard. Chief of Police Martin Eagan and other officials were on the job until an early hour Sunday morning.
 Up until 1 o'clock yesterday morning no shooting, cutting or robbery was reported to the police, but shortly after this time the following were reported:
 Issac Crawford, negro, 1216 Forty-eighth street, north, was knocked in the head with a blunt instrument and robbed of S5 in cash and gold watch at Ills o'clock by two unidentified negro men at Twelfth avenue and Forty-eighth street, north. The wounded negro was removed to the Hillman hospital and is in serious cOnQILlOn. Ills dSSdlldIlS luctuO lHCiA escape. and at late hour last night they had not been captured,
 Clestia Rogers, negro, 2504 Avenue D, was fatally wounded at o'clock yes- terday morning when she was shot in the body several times with a revolver by Bob Shelton, negro, at the above address. Shelton made his escape, and no clue has been found to his where abouts. The woman was carried to the Hillman hospital, where very little hope is held out for her recovery. Jeal- ously is supposed to have been the cause of the shooting.
 Ed Williams. negro, of Cordova was slightly wounded at 2:35 o'clock yes terday afternoon when he was shot in the left leg with revolver by Shell Johnson, negro, at Twenty-fourth street and Avenue c, south. The wounded negro was carried to the Hill man hospital. His assailant made his escape, and at late hour last night no clue had been found as to his where abouts.
 Not a single serious accident was reported during last week, and only Q few automobile accidents ocurred. The drivers of the automobiles seemed to be on their guard in avoiding acci- dents.
 The local merchants congratulated the police and detective departments in the efficiency that was used in keep ing down the shoplifting which both cred the merchants several years ago. Only a few shoplifting cases were re- ported to the authorities during the Christmas rush.
 The police department was not bothered with the purse snatcher this year. as it was several years ago dur ing the Christmas holidays. One purse snatching case was reported to the po- lice department olast week. and the thief was captured several hours later by Officers T. V. Ryan and E. w. Crump.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-25
The Worlds First Christmas
By G. LEWIS BALES


 Nineteen hundred and sixteen years ago today, the Roman empire was mis- tress of the whole civilized world. The domain of that world d-empire stretched from the Rhine and the Danube on the north, across the Mediterranean sea to the Sahara desert on the south, and from the valley of the Euphrates on the east to the Atlantic ocean on the west
 which girdled the Mediterhanean in- cluding France and England, was made up of the most diverse peoples and races. Egyptians, Arabs, Jews, Greeks, Ital- ians, Gauls, Britains, Spaniards-all alike were under the sovereign rule of the proud old seven-hilled city on the Fiber. One great state embraced the nomad shepherds who spread their tents on the borders of the Sahara, the mountainaers in the fastnesses of Wales. and the citizens of Athens, Alexandria and Rome, heirs to all the learning and luxury of the ages.
 Whether one lived in York or Jerusa- lem, Memphis or Vienna, he paid his taxes into the same treasury, he was lllcu py tiC Sdiic ldNt emu ioOhSo W the same armies for protection.
 Augustus Caesar was Emperor of the world.
 Politically the world was at peace. Three times during the suspicious reign of Augustus, the gates of the temple of Janus at Rome, which were open in time of war and closed iii time of peace, were shut. Only twice before in the 750 years of the city's existence l.o |, aIo 60 m a q the Roman people been at war.
 But religiously the world was chaos. For long time before the fall of the republic, the decay of religious faith had been going on-men were looking for the light of truth. The captives who had graced the triumphal marches along the Appian way had brought