davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08

dred and sixty persons either were burned or drowned, 5S9 buildings and ST5 head of cattle destroyed. The towns of x. Douglastown and Newcastle were wiped out
 The overturning of the excurson steamer Victoria in the Thames at Lon don, Ont, on May 24, 1881. cost 19S lives.
 OTHER FIRES
 Fires have swept several Canadian cities, but with small loss of life. iOn May 2s, 1s45, fires in the city of Quebec made 1600 persons homeless. The great fire of St. John, N. B., June 20, 1877, which destroyed half the city, made 13,- 900 homeless and on June B, 1886, Van couver, B. C., which then had popu- lation of only 200O, was entirely swept away The Toronto fire of April 19 1904 threw 5000 persons out of employment, but did not result in any loss of life. Tn the Parliament buildings fire at Ot- tawa on February 3, 1916 only two per sons lost their lives.
 The fall of the Quebec bridge in Au- gust 1907, resulted in the loss of 75 lives, 14 more being sacrificed when the center span fell in September, 1916
 The cyclone which struck the city of Regina Sask., on June 90, 1912, while it caused great destruction of property, had the surprisingly small casualty list of 1 killed and 10 injured.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
THREE IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN RAIL SITUATION First Priority Order Classi- flying Materials Issued
 by Lovett TRAFFIC MANAGER TO MOVE WAR SHIPMENTS That Such Official Will Be Named Is ndicated-Harrison Says Rail
 roads Are Ready for Any
 Operation Plan

Washington, December 7.--A dcci- sion as to the governments attituac townrd the railroads, involving snS- sections for either government oper- alton during the war or suspension of antitrust laws and financial support, sin rested tonight with President Wilson. No move was looked for un- til after Monday, when the President will go over the entire subject with Senator NewIands, chairman of the congressional committee Investigating transportation problems.
 Today, however, brought three i'm portant developments in the situation, They were:
 An order by Robert s. Lovett direc- tor of priority, giving preferential shipment to fuel, food and government supplies over all general freight.
 Indications that the government will name a general traffic manager to take entire charge of the movement of gov ernment supplies and war materials.
 A statement from Fairfax Harrison, chairman of the railroad war board. that the roads und eprresent direction are prepared to furnish all the trans portation possible to obtain under any management.
 The President is viewing the problem from every angle. His advisers are by no means of one mind on the subject and their proposals have run all the way from policy of government seiz- ure to that of a hands-off attitude, leaving the roads to work the prob
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
KEYES TELLS SORD|D
 STORY ID CONDEMN ACCUSED WOMAN
Witness Admits Beating Nurse, Who Passed as His Wife-Did Not
 Love Her

Dedham, Mass, December 7.-George Il. Reyes, husband of Mrs Pauline Reyes, who was shot to death in their Brookline home on June 1s, recited on the wit ness stand today the story of his rela- tions with Miss Harriet A. Varney, a nurse, who is on trial charged with the murder of his bride of eight months
 Put on the stand as the states most important witness against Miss Varney, he told of how they had posed before the world as man and wife, of his en- phatic refusal of her request that they be married and of how, after he had married his stenographer he had tried to break off relations with Miss Varney.
 He laid before the court the details of his intimacy with the nurse, which began the first year of their acquaintance. He said that he provided her with ring, and that even her relatives knew them as MT. and Mrs. Reyes.
 When he was turned over to David F |o'Connell of Worcester, counsel for the defense, one of the first questions he was asked was:
 Did you ever love Harriet A Var ney?'
 "No," he answered.
 In discussing with Miss Varney the possibilities of his going to war, he told or saying to her:
 "If I should be killed I suppose thai would please you?" "Oh, mo-" she replied, according to his testimony, If wanted you killed would kill you myself Reyes admitted that he had beaten Miss Varney on three occasions, leaving marks on her face and body. A few minutes before noon on June 19 the day Mrs. Reyes was killed, he met Miss Varney in Boston after she hat telephc ned him, he said. They had luncf together. but his companion ate very lit. tie.
 Under questioning by MT. OsConnell Keyes admitted that he had engaged counsel immediately after his wife wat found dead and that he had kept rec ord of his movements and had noted timt carefully.
 You started out to establish an alibi?' declared MT. OConnell. That didn't bother me any. wasn't particularly afraid" Reyes answered.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
AMERICAN A|RMEN SUFFER THEIR FIRST
 CASUALTIES IN WiP
Corporal and Private Ar' Reported Wounded-Sal tary Section Awarded
 French Decoration

Washington, December 7.--Americas army airmen fighting the German planes on the western front have suf- fered their first casualties. Two men, corporal and a private, were today reported wounded.
 With the American Army in France. Thursday, December 6.-The first American unit to receive the coveted "Fourrager" Ca French military decor ation form on the left shoulder), in the colors of the ribbon of the Cross of War, is American sanitary section No. 5. Notification of the award was an- nounced at headquarters today.
 The section previously had received two official citations. A general order from General Petain declares they dis played splendid conduct before the enemy. In forwarding the communica- tions the chief of the French military mission attached to the American army added:
 This glory distinction is 8 merited reward for the brave men composing the section, who on famous battle field have given evidence of the fra ternity and solidarity between the sol diers of France and America, united in the common cause"
 Information as to the exact nature of the sections services was unavaila- ble tonight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
HALIFAX CITIZENS LEFT ALIVE WORK
 UNT|RING IN AID
Great Emergency Meeting Is Held and News of Help Coming Wild
 ly Cheered

Halifax, N. S., December 7.--An emer- gency meeting of the citizens of Halifax was held at the city hall today. Lieu tenant Governor Grant and Deputy Mayor Colwell presided. The large audi ence listened with intense interest and ringing applause to the telegrams from far and near which have poured in with messages of sympathy and promises of assistance, much of which is on the way and some already here Two telegrams came from the Duke of Devonshire, gov ernor general of Canada, who is in Regina. He said in one
 Regret news; hdpe for exaggeration; tender sympathy and offer all aid"
 Calls to all the nearby towns which were sent yesterday for medical supplies, doctors and nurses were answered imme- diately.
 Mrs. Jesse Jones, director of womans 5 work, Washington, D. C., offered Red Cross supplies, asked for information as to what is most needed, and assured spe- cial transportation
 Vancouver, Saskatoon, Quebec, Mon treal, Hamilton, Windsor and St. John all wired similar offerings of food and other aid
 The American ship in port offered 150 blankets. The manager of the terminals offered food and shelter for 200 persons
 Capt. De Carteret, of the French Cable company, said he would provide a tenn porary hospital. His offer may be ac- and dumb institution which is in such a dangerous condition that it may be nee essary to vacate it.
 registry has been organized at the city hall wheer all the homeless are asked to leave their names, so that the missing may be found if possible. All homes shelteringa strangers are asked to assist In this work.
 The Bank of Nova Scotia will provide mrnities now organized.
 A committee of women is being organ ized to assist in relief work at the homes of the insered, with headquarters at the city hall where all the homeless are public schools held a meeting this after noon for the same purpose.
 The lieutenant governor reported with pride the wonderful fortitude of the in mates of the Old Ladies' Home when he visited that institution today.
 The Dominion Coal company has placed it's entire quarters at the disposal of the city and today the Very Rev. Dean Lloyd found the crypt~of All Saints cathedral available as house of refuge Nearby towns will be especially asked for glass and building materials.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
Most of Damage Done in London Air Aid Was the
 Work of Single Machine

London, December 7.-Most of the dam age done in London yesterday morning In the German air raid appeared to have been the work of a single airpane, which lowered over the city and dropped five explosive and two incendiary bombs.
 One of the explosive bombs fell hear residential block, breaking windows. while an incendiary bomb caused large fire when it fell on wallpaper and brush establishment. A laundry, brew cry and an occupied school and glass ware storehouse also were struck. but there were no casualties in these places.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
IN TEETH OF BLIZZARD

lem out for themselves. He gave care full study today to the interstate com merce commissions recommendation to Congress that the government operate the roads or suspend during the war laws which prevent complete pool ing and consequent unifcation of all rail systems. &l2
 Senator Newlands prepared himself today for Mondays conference by dis cussing with the legislative committee of the interstate commerce commit tee it's accommodations.
 FIRST GENERAL ORDER
 Todays priority order, effective De- cember 12, is the first general order issued by the government classifying materials for shipment. It was issued at the urgent request of the food and fuel administrations and government departments. The railroads have op- posed it pn the grounds that it would retard rather than expedite shipments Unofficial action taken by their eastern operation committee they have held is accomplishing the results sought and has not set up infiexible rules which a government order imposes.
 The materials classified today will move in the following order:
 Railroad fuel, live stock, perishable foods and feeds, military supplies oth- CT government supplies on special re- quest, coal for coking plants and coal for current use.
 The intimation that the government will name traffic manager came from the railroad war board. which has urged the appointment of such q man to coordinate demands by various government departments for priority for their shipments. Edward F. Cham bers of the Santa Fe system now traf- hc manager for the food administra- tion, has been suggested for the place.
 WILL NOT CONFLICT
 The new office, it is declared, would conflict in no way with the functions of the committee on priority. The du-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08

raliWdy at F1a'iIax.
 with sheets of ice arrived at St. John today, bearing half a hundred children, their heads bandaged and their little arms in slings. They were orphans who escaped when their asylum at Halifax was wrecked. A shower of stone and glass had maimed some of them for life.
 PLANS ARRANGED
 With 13S miles to go the plans of the relief party for immediate work at Hali- fax had been exceilently arranged wher the special arrived at St. John tonight The party will be placed at the disposal of military authorities for service any where.
 A woman came through to Moncton with an infant apparently asleep clasped to her breast. The mother, temporarily insane had made the long journey with only the body of her child. The ghastly discovery that the head was gone was made by citizens.
 Maj. S. G. Giddings, in charge of the surgical un.eJ in addressing meeting on the train today, said late reports showed that the extent of the disaster was even greater than was first indi- cated Fifty per cent of the population of Halifax had been injured, he said.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
Mississippi Revenue Agent
 Begins Back Tax Suits

Jackson, Miss. December 7.-The first of a series of suits for alleged back taxes involving claims by the state of Mississippi totalling more than s1,000,0c0, was filed in the IIinds county chancery court here today by State Revenue Agent s. V. Robertson against the Chi cago, Rock Island and Pacific, Illinois Central and Alabama and Vicksburs railroads. The revenue agent seeks to hold the railroads liable for per cent gross income tax on freight cars op- erated in the state under Mississippi law enacted in 1912 He asks for back taxes covering period of five years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
LSHEV|KI SEND 1. TROOPS ID PACIFIC l. PORT, VLAD|VOST0k This Report From PetrO- grad, if True, May Com
 pei America and
 Japan to Act

Petrograd, Thursday, December e.-Ftf- teen hundred Bolsheviki troops are TO- ported to have arrived at Viadivostok.
 The above report, if true, possibly would indicate that the Bolsheviki gov- ernment is now in control of the trans Siberian railway, which runs from Petro- grad, q distance of 6521 miles, to Vladi- vostok, Russia's principal seaport on the Pacific.
 Washington, December 7.-If Bolsheviki troops are moving into Vladivostok the United States and the allies may be forced at any time to adopt a definite policy toward the radical government at Petrograd Great quantities of munitions and supplies, shipped by the United States. are stored at the Pacific port awaiting shipment over the congested trans Siberian railroad, and 1t is well un- derstood that the allied governments do not intend to permit them to fall into hands that might prove hostile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
NEWSPAPER MEN CALLED

After issuing his statement Mir. Harri- son and other members of the war board called in newspaper representatives and laid the railroad situation, as they saw it, before them.
 Members Of the board feel that the gov ernment financial aid is essential if equip- ment is to be renewed and if tracks and terminals are to be extended. Suspension of antitrust laws to permit pooling of tariffs and profits, they believe, would add to the efficiency of freight movement and would dispel hesitancy on the part of roads in putting into operation a com plete pooling.
 A government loan, according to the railroad men. would not relieve the inn mediate situation, but would he of in- calculablel value if the war lasts long and traffic remains heavy. It is impos- slbie they say, to obtain from the banks money for extension because the money IS going into war materials Heavy shipments of cars and locomotives to France and Russia have caused domestic orders to be set aside.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08

The Empress of Ireland disaster, more over, had several striking points of sim ilarity in it's origin to the collision which wrought such frightful havoc at Halifax Both were the result of col lisions Tn each case it was a Norwegian vessel which rammed the other ship and in each case the collision was attributed to a confusion in whistle signals.
 THIRD IN RANK
 Forest fires which swept northern On- tario in July, 1916, wiping out the towns of Cochrane and Matheson, may be ranked third, with se5 dead. and the Por- clrpine forest fire, also in northern On- tario, in August. 1911. had a death list of about 200
 Disastrous forest fires also swept the Rainy river and Lakewood district of Ontario and the New Brunswick lumber woods in the same year. While. the loss of life was exceeded in these lonfla- grations, the greatest forest fire in the history of Canada was that known as the Mirimichi fire of 1862, which de- stroyed 6000 square miles of pine forests, or one fifth of the land surface of the province of New Brunswick. One hun
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
THE WEATHER
Weather Forecast

Washington, December 7-Forecast for Alabama: Rain and colder Saturday: cold wave; Sunday fair; continued cold,
 Georgia: Rain Saturday; warmer on the coast; Sunday fair and much colder.
 Mississippi: Clearing in early morning Saturday; much colder with cold wave; Sunday fair; continued cold.
 Tennessee: Snow or rain and colder Saturday with cold wave; Sunday fair; continued cold.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08

ties of the government traffic man ager will be solely to decide what should move first of government ship ments, advising the committee on pri- ority. The committees functions cover all shipments, public as we'll as gov ernment
 Mir Harrisons statement is inter- preted as an answer to suggestions for government operation of railroads. It was given out at the railroad war board s offices and replied to declarations that the railroads have broken down" un der the strain of war. After asserting that the roads could not be operated more efficiently under different manage ment, MT. Harrison said:
 HARRISON'S STATEMENT
 The point of the whole matter is that the railroads have been operated with the highest efficiency and have until now transported, witout substantial com plaint, the greatest volume of traffic in the history of the country.
 ''The railroads, under direction of the war railroad board. are prepared without reservation to make common use of fa- cilities power and equipment to ac- eomplish the highest measure of success in the transportation effort of the coun- try. They point out however that cer- tain action not within their power is essential. namely:
 GO operation Of important military and industrial agencies of the government, to avoid unnecessary congestion on inn portant lines serving territory of intense industrial activity and occasioned chief ly by extravagant use of preference or ders for shipment.
 Reasonable additions to power and cars to replace equipment wearing out and to provide for recent increase in traf- fc."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
Cold Wave Warning
 Issued in Washington
 for East Gulf States

Washington. December 7.-Cold wave warning for the Ohio valley, Tennessee, the plains states, the east gulf states and Texas were issued tonight by the weather bureau. A cyclonic depression of considerable intensity is central over the lower Mississippi valley, the bureau, said, and as it moves northeastward there will be general rains in the south and snow in Tennessee, the Ohio valley and the middle Atlantic states.
 Sharply falling temperatures tomorrow in the lake region, the Ohio valley, Ten nessee and southward to the gulf were forecast, with cold weather Sunday in Florida and the Atlantic coast districts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
Halifax Catastrophe Greatest hl History
 Of Canadian Dominion
By the Associated Press

The Halifax number Of lives lost VIII rank
  approaches sinking liner Empress May 29 1e14 when flax
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08

Henry \. ToInppert-Resident of Bir- ningham for 30 years died at" 8 D. m yesterday at 2421 Avenue H. The funeral arrangements will be an- nounced later by Lige Ley. He Is survived by one son, ". II. Tomp- pert of Birmingham and two daughters. Mrs. IT. E. Collins of Montgomery and Mrs. Florence M Hutchinson of Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08


 A single telegraph wire offered Halifax only a precarious means of communica- ton with the outside world and 1t was feared momentarily that this line would snap. because of the storm. Telegraph and telephone companies are making des- perate efforts to provide makeshlft
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
Relief Train Racing NorthUord m Teeth
 of Great Blizzard

On Board Massachusetts Relief Train, Via Amherst N The first official word Halifax Boston, speeding the relief
 death suffering estimate
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08

William H. Norresl-The remains of William H. Norrell, age S6, who was killed Thursday morning in a rail- road wreck at Waco. Ga, were re ceived here Friday morning by Lige Loy. Funeral arrangements will be announced later He resided at 151f Allen street, north. Survived by fis widow and two children. Was a Ma son and a member of the Brother hood of Locomotive Engineers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
DEATHS

Bernice Lathem-Age IT. died at the family residence, 2205 Avenue F., Friday morning. Funeral services will be held from the residence this afternoon at 3 o'clock with inter- ment at Elmwood cemetery with Johns in charge
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08
X Prohibited Feast

From the Boston Transcript.
 He-You look nice enough to eat
 She--Well. don't forget that this is a meatless day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08

pr. Edmond Dewit-Age so. died Thursday at , local infirmary. Flu neral services over the remains were held yesterday afternoon from Johns private chapel with interment at ElmWood cemetery
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08

 To find and bury the dead, to care for the wounded and house the homeless, was described as a task calculated to tax the available resources of half dozen nearby towns.
 Help from Boston is a God-send to Halifax" Hayes said in his message, which also asked that Ratsheslly go ahead with the plans for dispatching Red Cross outfit from Massachusetts. Meanwhile at St. John, where a great quantity of hospital supplies was taken aboard, Mir. Ratshesky learned that vir- tually every pane of glass In Halifax had been shattered by the blast. It is easy to comprehend what that means with snow and sleet. There was not a no- ment's delay in sending to Boston a re- quest for the prompt shipment of glass; putty and tar sheets to make roofs for the homeless.
 IN TEETH OF BLIZZARD
 Through most Of the day the relief train was racing in the teeth of bliz- gard. As the distance to Halifax was cut down the storm increased and snow piled higher everywhere.
 A Pullman car with it's sides covered
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08

Belon Brasser-The funeral of Belon Brassell, age 33, who was killed by falling beam at bridge being built over the Warrior river, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 230 from Shaw's chapel, with Model tent No. II of the Macca bees in charge. lnterment in Oak Hill cemetery will follow, with Shaw in charge. Brassel is survived by sister. Miss Belle Brassel, and brother. L. Brassel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-08

an outbreak or pneumonia. This rescue and others like it have added to the fear that many who were maimed by falling buildings an.1 unable to help themselves perished in the flames or have been frozen.
 Some of those reported missing have been found and some families have been reunited
 The body of Captain James, port board ing officer, was recovered from the ruins of pier 8. Lieut.. Commander James A. Murray was killed in the backyard When the body of Elizabeth Ryan, 10 years old, was found she still was clutching a school book in one hand The wife of Lieut.. Alfred Shaw, who sailed overseas last, week. was killed in her home.
 SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
 ARE DOING HEROIC WORK
 Soldiers from the garrison and sailors from ships in the harbor have done he- roic and devoted work. Not only have they picketed the streets, but they have toiled ceaselessly among the ruins. There have been no reports of footing, although windowless stores and houses nave afforded ample opportunity for 1 theft.
 Nearly every merchant has given his stock to aid the injured or to feed and eiothe needy survivors. 1 Chief of Police Hanrahan received to- day from Lieutenant Governor Grant the following order: You are hereby authorized to com mandeer and make use of any vehicle of any kind that you find necessary for the purpose of moving the injured and dead of the city"
 Sir Robert Borden, the prime minister, arrived here late today to- place at the disposal of the municipal authorities all the resources of the federal government for the relief of sufferers.