davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1920-10-09

thntshn6e&annni3snn a30sAna4sM =
TIA hllx wv
sereeants,' Win Tong s1frs d papes
and pencils IN their hands,.
wake up, laddie," said the ma3or.
quite in his old, easy fashion, as II we
were back on Corriemuir again.
Eyes. major" I stammered.
II want you to come with me. ! feel
that I owe something to you two lads
for 1t was I that took you from your
homes. Jim Horscroft is missing"
I gave start at that, for, what with
the rush and the hunger and the weari'
ness, I had never given a thought to
my friend since the time he had rushed
at the French Guards with the whole
regiment at his heels. 80
81 am going out to take tally OF
our losses,' said the major, land If You
care to come with me I shall be very
glad to have you"
So of we set, the major, the two ser.
geants. and I, and, oh but it was a
dreadful, dreadful sight-so much 50
that even now, after SO many years,
I had rather say as little Of 1t as pos
sible. It was bad to see IL the heat
Of the fight, but now, in the cold morn.
ing, with no cheer or drum-tap or
bugle blare, all the glory had gone out
of it, and it was just one huge butch
er's shop, where poor devils had been
ripped and burst and smashed, as
though we had tried to make a mock
Of Gods image. There on the ground
one could read every stage Of yester-
days fight, the dead footmen that lay
in squares, and the fringe of dead
horsemen that had charged them, and
above. on the slope, the dead gunners
who lay round their broken pieces. The
Guards column had left streak right
up the field like the trail of snail.
and at the head of it the blue-coats
were lying heaped upon the red ones,
where that fierce tug had been, before
they took their backward step.
And the very first thing saw, when
I got there, was Jim himself. He was
lying on the broad of his back, his face
turned up toward the sky, and all the
passion and the trouble seemed to
have passed clean away from him, so
that he looked just like the old Jim as
I had seen him in his cot hundred
times when we were schoOlmates to-
gether. had given a cry of grief at
the sight of him, but when came
again to look upon his face. and to see
how much happier he looked in death
than I could ever have hoped to see
him in life, it was hard to mourn for
him. Two French bayonets had passed
through his chest, and he had died in
an instant and without pain, If one
could believe the smile upon his lips.
CTO BE CONTINUED)
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1920-10-09
CHAPTER XIV.
The Tally Of Death.

Day was breaking, and the first gray
light had just begun to steal through
the long, thin Sits in the walls of our
barn, when someone shook me hard by
the shoulder, and up, l jumped. l had
the thought in my stupid, sleepy brain
gripped hold of halbert that was
leaning against the wall; but then, as
saw the long lines Of sleepers, I
remembered where I was, but 1 can
tell you that stared when saw that
it was none other than Major Elliott
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1920-10-09
Soul Was Made for Jov

There is strange possibility Of
gladness latent in all sorrow. That
is why the people who suffer and
struggle most are often among those
who are most surely happy. Your soul
was made for joy, as surely as harp
was made for music.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1920-10-09
unho,dino Christ and Church.

0PH0t010
Don't think for moment that you
are doing anybody a favor by uphold
ing Christ and his church. The Lord
Of this universe needs no unfolding
by us, unless he condescends to use
vs.-Biahop H0uden.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1920-10-09
Credit .Majnstay of Business.

In large cities it is estimated that
more than 80 per cent of the COM
mercial business is done by checks
and drafts, less than 10 per cent be-
ing done with cash.
Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1920-10-09
uneinkahle lifehoat

An unsuitable lifeboat equipped
with doors that automatically close
over its occupants should it upset has
been invented In Europe.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
Personal Effects of
Recluse Turned Over
to County Authorities

1.-THE personal effects found on the
body of James Leaf, an cid timer, who
died unmourned last November were
turned over to the county administra-
tor by Assistant Coroner John r. T.
Rives yesterday. Two receipts of
money donated to the Red Cross. a
Bible, clipping of one of Bulwer Lyt-
tons poems, and s237 in bills were
found on the body of the man
Leaf was 20 years old, and with an
old horse and wagon had piled his
trade in Fairfield principally. He lived
In an old hut in 1he woods, spending
most of hts time to himself. He told
the people of Fairfield when he first
came here that he had been a steam
boat captain on the Mississippi IN the
old days.
One night near an old creek close to
Fairfield he was found in an uncon
scious condition, his horse and wagon
nearby. Two dogs that had been with
the old man for some time had disap-
peared. He was carried to hospital
in a critical condition, and without tell
ing anything much of hts history or
relatives died there.
The horse and wagon is being kept
in the city stables at Fairfield. A no
tice will be published asking the heirs
of James Leaf to make claim for
any of the property that might be left
after the hospital bills are paid and at
the end of IL months. should there be
no claim, the money will be turned
over to the county treasurer.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
POSTAL RECEIPTS
SHOW INCREASE
Increased Business at Post
office Emphasizes Needs
of New Building

The postal receipts at the local post
office during the year 1919 amounted
to $S3O019.1o, according to an an
Eouncment made yesterday by Post
master r. B. Smyer and is the largest
in the history of the city This shows
an increase of s38,213.s2 over 1918,
Notwithstanding the fact that on July
+ 1919. the rate of postage was re-.
duced rom to cents on letters and
from cents to cent on post cards
The total receipts for 1913 amounted
to s791.s05.2s.
The receipts for the month of De
cember, 1913. were s91, 1926. as com
pared with s73,S46.0S in December,
1915 and was an increase of approxi-
mately $1,000. 1t was stated that the
amount o. mail handled during this
period vas 40 per cent greater than
ever before
During the last quarter of 1919 the
receipts amounted 10 approximately
s23 800 mole than for the same quar-
ter in lals, While tie increase for the
month Of December was three times as
much as the combined increase in Oc-
tc Der and November. 1919
"1he amount of business at the loca
postoffee mas increased to such pro-
portions that al the postal employees
are HOPING We will be in the new
building hefore the holiday rush OF
1929 legips. said Mr.. Smyer. "Our
quarters are very small for the vol
ume Of hrsiness handled here and
only by the splendid cooperation OF
every inembe~ of the force We're we
able to handle the rush efficiently
OF course. It meant hard work and
much cNe'time. but everyone put his
or her shoulder to the wheel and we
made It through splendidly."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
50 ALIENS BECOME
AMERICAN CITIZENS
Naturalization Hearing Is
In Progress Before Judge
Grub of u. S. Court
OF BIRMINGHAM. ALA.
s,.,.n.n,. November II. 1919.

More than so aliens were made citi-
zens of the United States yesterday
afternoon following a hearing before
Judge W. I. Grub of the United States
court, when they swore away all al
iegiance to every foreign power and
affirmed their intention of becoming
American citizens. Practically every
nationality was represented with
Italians leading. Major Charles ]. AL
leon, clerk of the court, administered
the oath.
The hearing was to have been held
yesterday morning, but on account of
the late arrival of J. E. Jackson of
the bureau of naturalization, with
headquarters in New Orleans, was
postponed until yesterday afternoon,
beginning at 80 o'clock. Long before
the hour appointed the courtroom was
crowded with applicants, their wit
nesses and interested spectators who
witnessed the examination of the
aliens. The majority of applicants APP
peared to be anxious while awaiting
the calling of their cases, but when
they were passed there was a bright
light in their eyes as they realized
that they were then full-fledged Amer
lean citizens.
Among the countries represented
were Italy, Greece, Rumania. Germany,
Poland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and
Portugal
The case of Carl Herbert Joseph
Buell., German who was interned
during the late world war, was con-
tinued until this morning in order
that he might secure additional wit
nesses. while the case of Ernest
kraetzschmar was dismissed
A number of local suffragists at
tended the hearing yesterday and wit
messed the examination of the alien
applicants.
The hearings will be continued
through today, a large number of cases
of soldiers well as civilians having
been set for hearing at this time.
During the hearing yesterday many
pathetic as well as humorous incidents
occurred when the following were
naturalized:
Saverio Parcarello, Arthur Bridier,
Matteo Scalici, Marcus Kapner, George
Archer, Sam Lit, Henry Jean Vedel,
Peter Hanson Lind Louis Cachon,
Jacob Drummer, Albert Henry Berthon
Carlo Virgone, Morris Turner, William
mutt. Louis Piozzi, Mike Colidis, Au-
gustin Marises Anselme, Allamel CAST
mer. Sam Miranda Francesca Mazzara
Philip Victor Gadilhe, Alfonso Di
,Agostino, Steve Letanosky Benjamin
Edward Harris. Thomas Barnanelli,
Frank Alfred Barton, Trouillas Ar
mond, Justin Barrot Denis Joseph
I. ssSrifin. Guy Lopresti. Sam Jannazzo.
Sam Lambardo, Abraham Bennett
Heldman, Joseph William Porter. Mike
John, Kromis. Henri odizies, Ben
Watnf.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
Railroad Men Waiting
For Action By Congress
Local Officials Anticipate Action Which May Cause Many
Changes When Lines Go Back to Private Owners
Small Railroads in Bad Way


Railroad men, up near the top, are
watching Congress as hawks eye a
man with gun. So much may hap
pen in the next so days. But what?
And that is what they are wondering
about.
To begin with, there is one class of
roads that has suffered peculiarly in
the past two or three years--those lit
tie branch roads, privately owned, that
the government did not see fit to take
over. The result was that the little
fellows, railroad men say, had no fed
eral support yet to do business had to
meet federal pay scales.
Courts in nearly every state in the
union have one or more of these lit
tie roads to deal with now, and in
some cases they have been ordered
junked. Plainly and simply sold for
what the physical material in wood
and metal will bring.
Now, according to one railroad Of
fetal in Birmingham, who might lose
his job if he were quoted. so he is not
going to be. by name, there seems,
from the present outlook, but one
thing to do and that is, in cases where
it seems it might pay, for the larger
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
DR.. P. {. CHEEK is
PNEUMONIA VICTIM
Proprietor of Birmingham's
First Drug Store Dies
the Age of sc

DR.. r. E. Cheek. one of the Oldest cit-
zens o. Birmingham, died last night ct
IN O'clock at his home, oslo Twelfth ave-
nue., north DIR. Cheek was Sc years cid
and VAS stricken with double pneumonia
last Sunday.
The funeral viii be held from the resi-
dence tomorrow afternoon at $3.50 o clocb.
Interment will be at Oak Hin cemetery.
DR.. Cheek came to Birmingham in Sep
TENDER, 1871, so that he is one of the real
pionsees of the city, He owned and oper-
ated the first drug store in Birmingham
and to this business he devoted many
years Of his life. In recent years he had
given practically all of his time to real
estate Investments and development and
his holdings of local property were eX-
tensiNe.
He is survived by his wife and seven
children as follows: z. e. Cheek, simmons
Cheek Amos Cheek, Mrs. A. n. Hawkins,
Mrs. sS. ]. Cole Mrs. H. IL. X. jefferson
aud Mrs w. y uobson of Jacksonville'
Florida.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
ARK OF RADICALS
HALF WAY ACROSS.
WIRELESS REPORTS

New York, January Emma Goldman,
Alexander Berkman and the other de-
ported radicals who make up the passen-
ger list of the Soviet ark Buford, now
on its way to Russia, observed the pass
ing Of 1919 and the advent of 1920 on the
high seas. A wireless message from the
ship, filed New Years day. gave her po-
stioa as approximately two-thirds OF the
way across the Atlantic. AS the SNIP
sailed December q, the promise OF slow
and "meditative" passage is being Iui-
filled.
As no mention was made in the wire
less message % any unusual occurrence
on board army officers here assume Ahat
all is we'll 'rhe Buford has taken a
route well to the northward of the Azores
therefore. the first land to be sighted can
be any where between the northeriy coast
of FrAace and the OrlSneys, with pos
sibiIity Of passing from the Atlantlc mo
the Ncrth sea through the English chah-
oil
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
Sugar Beet Growers
IL Plan Organization to
Combat Sugar Trust

Washington. January Country
wide oraizgnation of sugar beet farm
ers To fight the so-ca1led sugar trust is
the object of a joint conception Of
farmers organizations called TO meet
in Denver January 26
The call, issued by the international
Farmers Association, the Farmers
Union of Colorado. the Ancient Order
of Cleaners. the Mountain States Beet
Growers Association, the state oranges
of Washington and Colorado and more
than twelve cooperating farmers or
CARNATIONS, declares the country IS
producing less than one-fourth tho
sugar consumed in it and asserts "the
national sugar bowl is in the clutches
of few powerful corporations which
are so organized and united as to form
most menacing trust"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
Moonshiner Captured
By Belgian Police Dog

Ashevilie. \. c., January raui'
the Belgian police dog owned by .
Glenn Young, special agent OF the de-
partment of justice. figured today IN
the, raid made by revenue OFFICERS on
three Illicit stills in Polk county near
here, the dog capturing one OF the
operators. .,,,
Surrounding the spot where the stiils
had been hidden the officers sent the
dog in to rout out the operators. In a
few minutes he came out Just behlhu
one of the men, who was captured by
the officers, who then rushed the plant.
capturing over 1000 gallons of beer,
several gallons of hot LIQUOR and three
complete outfits. a fight was put up
by the operators in an effort to save
the plants. but they were overpowered
by the officers. This makes So stills
captured in this section in six weeks
and the twenty second operator.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03

roads to absorb some of the little fell
lows. This. no few men believe, is in
prospect within the next few months.
But before that happens there is due
a reorganization in officialdom of
many of the great roads. Uncle Sam
changed the high-up personnel in num-
bers of cases. When the roads go
back to private ownership on March !,
men who have been deprived of their
high places will be returned to office
with many of the roads and others
who were retained as presidents by the
federal administration may have lost
caste with their old directors and be
slated for the discard as soon as the
directors again have a say in the mat
ter.
But Congress. according to the man
who discussed the subject, may have
something more to say, for there are
several powerful interests now at
work in Washington that are trying
to influence the powers to do certain
things, and the coming few weeks may
see new phases of the railroad situa-
ton develop.
Mid February is about the time for
NAL definite announcements are looked
for
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
RUSH OF STUDENTS
BACK TO COLLEGES
HEAVY Increase In Railroad
Passenger Business Noted
as Result

Had no idea so many Alabama
folks were getting Quotations" said
the railroad man yesterday. Seems
like everybody around here is gong
off to some college or other
Beginning with January |, move
ment of students that is expected TO
last several days started. Every train
looking in at Birmingham is puliihg
one or more extra coaches.
Another feature of the big passenger
movement developing this first week
of 1920 is the number OF military folk
whose Christmas Burroughs are explr-
ing. Uniforms of soldiers and sailors
are as much in evidence at the railway
stations as the boys of the military
schools and other educational insu-
buttons. the latter's presence denoted
by that subtle. indefnable slant TO
their raiment that says college as
plainly as if it were printed in large
letters.
And then there are the girls. girls
of every age and color of eyes and
hair bevies of them, all headed back
to college again.
Some of the railroad folk were near
ly running round in circles yesterday
trying to handle the throngs and get
them comfortably cared for and put on
the right track.
By Sunday the worst of it, or the
hest Of it, is expected to be over, but
in the meantime many traffic officials
are Ewing on sandwiches and forget
ting to shave, for they say the move
ment is developing proportions almost
equal to the pre-Christmas rush and II
is takipG practically all of the avail
abIs passenger rolling stock of the
roads to handle the movement.
Beginning with the rush that started
December 20 1919 and extending
through the first week of January
1920. the local officers of the railroads
believe that the business done in the
time mentioned viii exceed by many
thousands of dollars any previous sim
liar period in the history of Birming-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
One Divorce Case For
Every Two Marriages
Unusual Record of 1900 Divorce Suits Here During 1919
War Assigned as Cause of Situation-Hasty
Marriages With Soldiers Blamed

For every two marriage licenses is
sued during the past year in Jeffer-
son county. there was one divorce suit
filed in the office of the chancery
court
This startling comparison was dis
covered when conservative estimate
was made by liner Hood of the chan
Gerry court office yesterday.
approximately 1900 divorce suits
were brought during the year, and a
conservative estimate would be that
about so per cent of these were
granted. This would allow half for
colored divorces, bringing the number
of white divorces close to 800.
The war is given as the main reason
for such a large number. The glamor
of the uniform the departure of the
soldier boy all tended to bring about
hasty marriages, and as a consequence
speedy applications for divorces short
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
C0Y[E RECEIVES
WAR DECORATION
Croix de Guerre Pinned on
Birmingham Man By Sen
atOr Underwood

c4 ,,oi 1.r,as v covle Of 912
Ia, a.tvaa +be
Souih A"eil'h
croix de guerre 1or bravery III ao.io'
The medal which he found awaiting
-, - r,.;yed home Yesterday,
mn ~" r,,.,,,,,on
was pinned on MIN "l INC
hotel last night by Senator Underwood
nrior +o heeinning his speech on the
-,
0u'iiiii's go 80
Marshal Foch OF France cl'eo scr
gea Mt Major Coyle in the following or
IL, ,aa NV % 1918.
uei, IL, -
Win the approoa'ioii -
mander-in- chief of the american ex-
naa;+ionarv forces in France. the mar
chief
snal Oh rrance' 't''s
of the French Armies OF the East
cites in the order of the division
.c vt r.oes Y covle Head
: o, :, g r.
quarters company, loth =. :. iniai.i' :
Gave proof of a splendid initiative
a oapraga during the attacks from
49, -. ,ats mar
The 18TH 70 me Azu - ahio,as havins,
Solssons. Suppiies a. af the
been cut OIL ~ eone '.s issionad
bombardmehi, tnis ~ hrin !.
ofncer himseil ~ u
up OF supphes ,,nI,,ing
IN spite OF enemy lie' anuS ~ AZ,
| the assaultins troops "i''''
sired tune .,,af o,ar,,
sergeant Major ooye ss,a 80.
On the JUAN rat',e csr,narv
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
A CLEAR EXPOSITION

Senator Underwoods speech was the
dearest exposition of the proposed rail-
road legislation that has been made here,
and it carried force and conviction with
It for the reason that the speaker knew
his subject and knew how to present it..
There was no hesitancy, no evasion, no
attempt to curry favor with any class
or set of men, but straightforward. de-
l-berate statement of the provisions Of
the bill and the speakers stand on 1t.
II am no coward, and I don't believe
YOU will accuse me of being one, and [
am no fool and I don't believe you will
accuse me of being one the senator de-
clared and there was no mistaking his
meaning or the position he occupies on
The railroad legislation.
You have honored me for almost a
quarter of a century he said ''by keep
NJ me in the halls OF Congress. In that
time labor has asked me to support a
great many mea sures, and / have sup
ported most of them, because | thought
they We're right and just"
At the conclusion Of his speech Senator
Underwood was warmly congratulated by
a large percentage of those present He
leaves tomorrow for Washington to be
present when Congress reassembles, on
Monday
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
Issue Nearly $4,000, 600
In Building Permits
Greatest Year in History of City Except One When Many
Large Buildings Were Erected-Surpasses All
Records for General Building Activity

Building permits for the year
just ended totaiied S3.96o,3I5, this
being with one exception the inrg-
est amount of money ever expended
for building in birmingham.
The biggest year In the history OF
the city was 1913, when many large
structures went up, among which
were the Tutwiler and Motion no
tells, the American Trust building,
the Jefferson County Bank build
ing and the HidgeIy apartments.
For general building prosperity,
however, 1919 surpasses even 1913,
in that the money expended for
construction work was more wide
Iy and evenly distributed. In 1918
only S1.Z93,s7: was spent ON build
ing.
Total number of permits issued
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03

ly after the soldiers started arriving
back from the service.
The main charge brought in the ma
jority of the suits was the convention
al one, "cruelty," or "a reasonable APP
prehension of violence"
In the cases of the negroes aban-
donment was the prevailing cause, and
was due to the exit of so many negroes
to the north several years ago. The
two-year period for grounds for this
style of divorce happened to fail dur
ing 1919 hence the large number for
this specific reason.
Several records were set in the time
that 1t took to procure divorces, the
most notable occurring during Novem-
Der, when from the time the bill OF
complaint was filed until the judges
affixed his signature. the proceedings
took exactly 80 minutes. The second
best record was a divorce secured in
less than a day, it taking little Jess
than II hours to legally separate the
connie
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-03
NEGROES RECOGNIZED
ON OWN BOND BY
JUDGE ABERN ETHY

Sarah Smith and Ola Frazier. negro
women, and Simon McNair, a negro man.
who were arrested December II and
charged with murder in connection with
the death of ]. +. Reynolds. We're recog-
nized by Judge II. r. Abernethy in the
court of misdenleanors yesterday and al
lowed freedom on their own bond.
The crime for which the three are held
occurred during November, when J. r
Reynolds was found dead on Twenty
third street and rhird alley. A small
hoy. an eyewitness to the murder. stated
az the coroner's inquest some time later
that two parties dressed in overalls had
GONE the shooting. Robbery was said
to have been the cause OF the attack on
the white man