davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
GUN TRAP CLAIMS AUTHOR VICTIM. MADISON STATION
Merchant Meets Fate He Had Planned To BefaII
 Burglars
BESsEMER BUREAU
 THE AsiE-UERALD BeesemeY. Ala. ,June 2d

Walking into a shotgun trap he had set in hts store for a burglar, A. c. Sikes, 53, well known merchant load of buckshot into his chest late Saturday night. dying almost in stantly. Mir. Sikes was alone at the time. His friends think he had re- turned after closing the store. as all doors and windows were locked ex- cept the side entrance, and the lights had been put out. Hearing the re- port of the gun, neighbors found the merchant lying dead several feet from the spot where he must have received the wound.
 Mir. Sikes- store had been entered several weeks before. thieves ob- taining a large quantity of merchan- dlse and sum of money. The shot gun trap was placed so that 1t pointed directly at the only opening between the counters on the left side of the store, where the safe was. A small wire had been connected with the trigger of the gun, and set counters so that anyone passing through would spring the trigger
 Mrs. Sikes and an only son. Rob ert Dunbar Sikes, had been called to Palmyra. Tenn, on account of the illness of Mrs. Sikes' mother. The remains were sent to Cumberland City, Tenn, at o'clock Sunday aft ernoon by Jacobs, where burial will take place Monday afternoon.
 Sikes was formerly engaged in the furniture business at Bessemer with his brothers and later entered busi- ness with A. J. Long. He had lived in this district for the past If years and for two years had operated the grocery business at Madison Sta
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
.LLYOD GEORGE SAYS AMERICA IN HER RIGHTS
Asks English People Not To
 Get Excited Over Seizure Of Liquor On Liners By United States Authorities
DECISION TO TAKE STEP ONE OF GREAT COURAGE
Says There Is No Doubt That Great Fortunes Have
 Been Made With Struggled Liquor From Foreign Shores

LONDON, June 24.-(By Associated Press. s.)-Addressin large congre- gation in the Welsh Baptist chapel here today. former Premier David Lloyd George made some interesting observations regarding the prohibit ton situation in the United States. During his discourse he made 1t ap- parent that he did not share the views of certain of the British news papers concerning the lack of right of the American authorities to seize British stores aboard ships.
 T hope we won't get excited over the seizure of liquor in New York harbor," said MT. Lloyd George. Ut Is not merely that America seems to be well within her rights. but [ think We ought to extend 8 certain measure of sympathy to her in her difficulties. It Is not a question whether we are or are not prohibi- tionists. But America is making a very bold experiment to deal with probably the greatest curse of mod ern civilization. She has tried many experiments, but they have been only comparative successes
 O O O
 Give America Fair Chance.
 ''She has made the decision with the courage that characterizes that great people, to try the prohibition experiment-one that has never been made on this earth before. Let us give her a fair chance. Let us be quite frank. One of Americas great est difficulties has been the liquor which has been pouring in by surrep- titious means from Europe.
 Tt is all very well for us to say that all ths liqor Is merely for our own sailors aboard ship. l don't say this with regard to any particular Ahip. It may not be so but, speak, ing generally. there Is no doubt for tunes have been made by smuggling liquor Into the United States in de- fznre If 2 1aw whieh WIS pesSed by a greater majority than almost aay other great law in any country
 "Give it fair trial. I don't say the experiment will succeed. It is just possible that America may have to modify 1t. They are a great, prac- tical, resolute and coura geous people, and if they find 1t necessary to change the law they will do 1t. But don't let's interfere with them. They are a people of more than 00,000, 900. highly educated and progressive. Therefore, 1t Is In the interest of civ ilization that they be allowed full time to test this effort to solve problem which Is Just as much ours as theirs"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
LAX GROVE YOUTH INSTANTLY KILLED BY LIGHTNING B0LT
Parents And Ptaymates, Witt messing Tragedy, Have
 Narrow Escape

Albert Wilson Hall, 13-year- old youth, was struck. by lightning and instantly killed at 12:40 o'clock Sun day afternoon while standing on the porch at his home at Oak Grove. His parents, sitting in a front room only ten feet distant from the lad. escaped unhurt. Playmates who witnessed the tragedy also escaped injury.
 According to Coroner J. D. Russum. who investigated the death of the youth Sunday afternoon. the Hall boy had been playing with his brothers and sisters in the road in front of the family home. When 1t began raining he made dash for the front porch. He was faster than his play mates and reached the porch first. Hardly had he arrived when a bolt of lightning struck him in tho neck. killing him instantly before the eyes of his playmates and relatives. No others were hurt by the lightning.
 Funeral services will be announced later by Johns Undertaking company.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
PARTY BRAVES
 HAIL OF FIRE TO
 SUMMIT OF FETNA
Lava Torrent Described As Huge River Of Fire 2,100
 Feet Wide

ROME, June 24.--After five hours of strenuous climbing through all most unbreathable sulphurous at mosphere and an incessant hall of hot ashes and incandescent cinders. Professor Malladra. director of the Vesuvian observatory. reached the summit Of Mount Etna Sunday.
 His party had started cn mule back, but were forced to abandon the animals when they were no longer able to stand the Intense heat about the cone of the flaming noun tain.
 He declares that the eruption is more intense, and that the main tor rent of lava is Issuing from the vol cano Hike huge river of fire." 2.loo feet wide.
 It flows along the slope. noise lessly and as smoothly as oil, reach ing the nearest valley at a speed of 90 feet a minute. He estima tes it's volume at 250o cubic meters a minute. declaring that Etna has probably already unloaded 65,000 GOO cubic meters of lava.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
HIS KIDDIES AND HIS WIFE EVER INV HIS THOUGHTS AS
 SKIPPER BREAKS RECORD

1T never doubted the Leviathan could do 1t I was sure of 1t months ago. I helped to build her engines and we were tackling job that was absolutely new, l lived with the old boat for the last three years. l know her. She can do even better. If some body hangs up a new record tomor- row. we can go out and break that.
 You know. we had a close call, though. At o'clock Friday morn ing I looked out and saw fog ahead. a heavy one. She lifted just as were about to enter. Looked like the handofthe Almighty. At s:17 our run was overland wed broken the worlds record. Just few minutes later the fog fell again, and we've been just crawling through it ever since.
 My black squad did 1t. They de- serve the credit. There's not better set of engine room men in any ship that floats. MT. Wolfe said to me- Lad. if you do break the record. You've got to have finished black squad We'll, I've got 'em.'"
 The engineering staff of the Levia- than numbers 295 men.
 Harrison will be In New York for a day or two, completing his work, and then goes home to his wife and children for a little family celebra- tion.
 Makes Next Trip July 4.
 The Leviathan will remain in New York until July 4, when she makes her first voyage to Europe. She will undergo minor repairs before her maiden trip as an American mer- chant vessel.
 The Leviathan dragged home from Cape Henry, where the speed burst ended, early Saturday to New York, on account of a heavy fog the hoarse siren was continually blow ing.
 On reaching the Narrows at mid night Saturday, the mist settled in more closely and the giant liner was halted. As the dangerously thick~fog made 1t almost impossible to navi- gate early Sunday morning, it was decided to wait until the tide Sun day afternoon before starting in. Many passengers became restless and a tug put out from the ship at noon, bringing in a score of newspaper men and several guests, including Senator Fletcher of Florida, the watchdog of the trip.
 Chairman Lasker has ordered that the ship be thoroughly gone over before the first voyage to Europe. July 1. of which he will have charge as representative of the shipping board
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
Fly THOMAS l.. STOKES

By Leased Wire To The AGe-Heraid
 NEW YORK. June 24.-"Daddy you've just got to beat the allure tania.'
 This farewell message from his seven-year- daughter, Helen. and his two boys. Bobby and Leonard ringing in his ears above the roar of the engines-was the great urge that drove Chief Engineer Bob Harrison, of the Leviathan, as he anxiously watched the liner in the Titanic effort which brought her the worlds speed reeord-that and the thought of his wife.
 That little woman back in Will mington, Del. is the proudest wom- an in the whole world tonight, Harrison said, pointing to pitcure over his desk-a woman standing on tho deck of steamer. here hair blown about her face by the sea breeze.
 The queen of the American mer- chant fleet docked here Sunday night all cay Sunday, after her arrival early in the morning. by heavy fog bank.
 Hears Children'. voices.
 Through it all." Harrison said, T
 
 children and see their faces as we stood back there on the dock at New port News. You've just got to beat the Mauretania. Daddy they said. It was all they could talk about irs all I've thought about for months"
 Harrison, a tall. wiry man. with curly hair, looked fresh. though he had only cat napstoften interrupted since the trial began. The lure of his aim. as the Leviathan speeded nearer and nearer her goal. stimu- lated him. he said
 Mir. Wolfe, chief engineer of the Majestic, told me he didn't believe l could to it," he said AS l dragged into my room here at night after hours with the engines, I'd have a vision of the firm look on his face as he challenged me. l could see him as plain as day, and then I'd feel what was up against. l offered to bet him $50 every time I'd see him. He wouldn't take me up. Wish he had"
 Then again I'd hear my children and think fmy wife--and MT. Gibbs" he said.
 w. F. Gibbs. supervising archietct, designed the new oil-burning engines of the re-conditioned liner. and was almost continually It Harrison's side during the test
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
] ] W N I OWL N. J RAWS.
 HUGE CROWD.
Building At 2211-12 Second
 Avenue North, Occupied By Furniture Warehouse And Ten-Cent Store Are Gutted
DENSE SMOKE HANDICAPS DARING WORK OF FlREMEN
Chief J. L. Akin Leads Nearly Entire Business District
 Force In Battle To Save The Structure-ExpIosion Signal

Two assistant chiefs of the Bir- mingham fire department and one fireman were injured by falling glass while fighting a stubborn and spectacular blaze which shortly be- fore noon Sunday practically de- stroyed the four-s story building al 2211-13 Second avenue, north, occu- pied by the R. B. Broyles Furniture company and the United 5, 10, 25- cent store. Losses were estimated at upward of so3,o00 by Fire Chief J. L. Akin, who directed the battle against the flames. Practically all downtt wn equipment responded.
 E. B. Brown, first assistant chief station No. 1, was forced to leave the scene to have his wounds dressed al station No. 6; H. G. Mckinney, fire man at station No. 1. was treated at Norwood hospital. and second Assist ant Chief J. H. Hargrove, station No 3, ignored slight hand wound and continued the fight. The other in jured men returned to their posts after receiving first aid.
 Enveloped In Flames.
 All four floors were enveloped. in flames as an explosion rocked the rear end of the building shortly be- fore Il o'clock, Chief Akin stated Giant tongues of flame. fnterwoven with dense smoke clouds, were lick ing hungrily about the structure as fire trucks dashed up. In n jiffy more than a .dezen streams of water were grappling with the jets of fire which lunged viciously toward the firemen. The three upper floors col lapsed within short space of time sending smoke spouts swirling sky ward, adding to hardships of the combat.
 Police reserves were called to keep the curious behind the danger line, hundreds of churchgoers thronging the streets adjacent to the burning structure. Street car and automobile traffic on Second avenue and over the Twenty-sec- ond street viaduct was blocked from 11:30 until l o'clock.
 The building was used as a whole sale house and workshop by the fur niture firm. Stored furniture was either destroyed or so badly dam- aged by fire and water as to be of no further use.
 According to MT. Broyles, employees had been taking stock in the ware house recently. He estimated the loss to stock at approximately s40,OO0, practically covered by insur- ance. The building is owned by Tal- ladega interests, he stated. No tenn porary arrangements for space have been considered, MT. Broyles said Employees of the Decent store could not be reached Sunday by either The Age-Herald or Chief Akin.
 Chief Akin and his mon won n1a n. dits from the spectators for theil daring in battling with the flames Chief Akin was the first to enter the burning building, gaining en. trance through a fourth floor win dow via a ladder. Stations No. 2, 3, and and aerial trucks from stations and fought the fire.
 Cause of the explosion thought to have started the blaze is not known
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
HIGHER WAGES
 BLEED FOR ,zJ|N SLUMP
Contractors And Lumber
 Dealers Quote Figures On
 Material Supporting Argu-
 ment That Prices Not Up BUILDING SUPPLIES SAID 30 PER CENT BELOW 1922
Paving Man Declares Bids
 Revised Upward Because Labor Costs Have Doubled
 Within Last Few Months

Higher wages rather than advance in material is to blame for any slump Tn the Birmingham building boom, according to views expressed Sunday by contractors and lumber dealers Reports of sky-rocket prices for lum- Der are declared to be wholly un- founded. Higher bids on street pay ing jobs are also attributed to an increase In the pay of labor.
 In contradiction of statements in the city building inspectors office that material had advanced, R. E. Scott, secretary treasurer of the Scott Lumber company. told The Age-Her- aid his firm had not increased prices IT, the last four months and he did not think any advances had been made this year. He further declared that building materials were down 30 per cent compared to 1922 prices. Lumber, he said, was only small per cent of the costs of erecting a homo.
 Rebukes City Action.
 In reference to a published state ment that the city purcha Ang depart ment had paid S9O a thousand for ment ought to be abolished if the statement was correct. He quotes prices on scaffolding at $35 per thou sand.
 In answer to complaints of Com missioner W. E. Dickson on high bids for street paving jobs, H. N. Bowdry. well-known contractor, said that his bids had been revised upward from 10 to 1S per cont on account of wage mon negro laborers who a few months ago were paid $1.50 to $2 and easily attainable, now get g to s4 day easily. Men on more skilled jobs, he added. draw as much as s and s10 a day.
 The advances are partly due. he said. to labor migration elsewhere.
 According to Dickson, recent bids on pieces of paving were from 20 to SC per cent over bids which have been received In the past. He stated that unless moro reasonable prices are made. work on some city projects will likely be delayed.
 As an example of rising labor costs. contractors interviewed called atten- tion to an advertisement in Sunday $ newspaper by the local union No. 62 of plasterers that beginning August 22. an increase of from $1 to $1.25 per hour, with an eight-hour day would be demanded. Notice to this effect was given by H. B. Gray, re- cording secretary. and N. Vinyard president of the plasterers' union Wage advances among carpenters iron workers. paper hangers. brick masons and plumbers are also said to be general.
 Offhand quotations on tho more common orders of lumber were given as follows: Framing. $34 per 1.00t feet: storm sheeting, $33 per 1000 finished board, No. 1 kiln dried, $7e per 1000; novelty drop siding. $70i No. framing. $66;s cement. 31 pei sack; best shell brick, $22 per 1000 lime, $2.25.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
HARD|NG'S PARTY RESTS IN DENVER AFTER HARD WEEK
Presidential Pilgrimage Is Now At The Gate Of The
 Far West

DENVER, June 24.-(By Associated Press.)-President Harding swung itno the far west today with his ar rival here at 10 o'clock for a visit of little more than 24 hours.
 The arrival of the chief executive in Denver marked a break in his trip in more ways than one. He came in contact with new interests and left largely behind the purely agri- cultural interest of the middle west He also obtained day of rest.
 The President and Mrs. Harding were met upon their arrival by a re- ception committee consisting of Gov ernor Sweet and Senators Phipps and Adams and Mayor Stapleton. Soon after they reached their hotel they left to attend services at the First Baptist church. and then luncheon at the home of Senator Phipps, spending g the remainder of the afternoon rest ing.
 , Resuming his active program to- morrow, the President will be taken on tour of the business section, tho boulevards and parks.
 At noon he will speak at the audi torium on Law Enforcement" and soon afterward he will leave for Cheyenne, Wyo., for another address late in the day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
RADIO MESSAGES FROM MACMILLAN VESSEL ARE CLEAR
Excellent Chance Of Con- tinued Communication By
 Wireless From B0Wdoin

Copyright, 1923, by the North Amer
 ican Newspaper Alliance for The
 Birmingham Age -Herald.)
 HARTFORD. Conn.,, June 24.-That the wireless apparatus on the Bow doin. the tiny schooner which Is car rying Dr. Donald B. MacMillan and his party tG the Arctic, is in fine working order was demonstrated to- day by the receipt of messages by hundreds of amateur stations throughout the country of America. Reports of this communication were received at the American Radio Re- lay league headquarters here. In spite of bad static and fading, the words sent by Donald II. Mix, the 21-year-old wireless operator on board the Bowdoin, were clearly heard. At the conclusion of the test many of these amateurs called Mix, indicating that the signals were strong and that there is an excellent chance of direct communication to the farthest Arctic regions.
 The BCwdoin announced the fact that she has put into Booth Bay harbor and leaves for Halifax Mon day morning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
Three Hurt In $5O,OOO Blaze
BLACK SQUAD" ON LEVfATHAN
 GIVEN BIG SUM


 NEW YORK, June 24. - The "black squad" the 295 men who sweltered In the engine room to set new worlds speed record for the Leviathan, were liberally re- warded by guests on a trial trip, who contributed nearly $6,000 to be divided among members of the engine crew and the rest of the operating force.
 The faithfulness of Chief En- glneer Harrison and his squad was the talk of the ship as word spread around that all previous speed records had been shattered. On the last night of the voyage. a movement was begun to reward the boys below decks, and contri- buttons literally poured out. One man gave $200. many $50 and S25, and twenty-dollar and ten dollar bills were numerous. The amount was about s2o per man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
Jolly Tries To Be Exponent or Name; Lands In Hospital

Sam F. Jolly of Brighton is in the Hillman hospital suffering from fractured elbow and mi- nor bruises as result of att tempting to live up to his name Sunday.
 Jolly, Postal Telegraph conn pany employe, planned to fright en friends. also company em- ployes, living at the Chesterfield apartments, Park avenue and Twentieth street, north. Accord ingly he mounted the fire escape and began to climb.
 Opposite third-story window, conditions were reversed. Jolly was scared when roomer shouted at him. Thinking he had been mistaken for burglar, Jolly lodged an expected bullet by leapfng downward.
 His friends are offering condo fences at the hospital
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
FORMER MINISTER LNAMORATA OF HIS TO HONDURAS IS DAYS IN SCHOOL
 DEAD IN HAVANA FOUND IN KANSAS
John Ewing, Brother of New Orleans States Publisher,
 SucCumbS

NEW ORLEANS, June 24.--John Ewing, 6s years old, former Amer ican mlAister to Honduras and a brother of Col. Robert Ewing, pub fisher of the New Orleans States, died in Havana today. according tC mes sages received here.
 MT. Ewing and his family were on their way from Tegucigalpa to visit friends and relatives in Cuba and thiS country. Tha body wl1l ls brought to New Orleans for inter ment.
 Mir Ewing was appointed minister to Honduras in 1913 by President Wilson and remained in that posi- tion until two years age.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
KILLS DAUGHTER AND SELF; WOUNDS THREE
Picnic Is Scene Of Kentuckian's
 CEaZed Outburst

LOUISVILLE. Ky, June 24.--Wil- liam znsmister. 35 years old, shot and and killed his daughter, Mamie, 15; Sarah Connolly, her 16-year-old chum, wounded three other young persons, and then killed himself at a church picnic on the Ohio river. near here, today. The three wounded are expected to recover. police say.
 The three wounded are: Thomas Mulfaney. aged IS, who suffered a wound in the face: Charles F. Eifler, shot in the shoulder, and Gertrude Franciona. aged 13, shot in the leg.
 Witnesses of the triple staying say Zinsmister fired more than 100 shots.
 Sarah Connolly was standing in the river at the time she was shot and her body floated down stream. It has not been found.
 A brother of zinsmister Is now serving a sentence in the peniten- ttary for murder.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
NEGRO ATTACKS ROBBER
HfEhwayman Makes Escape With
 S2O, Though Believed Wounded

David Washington, negro, 1923 Tuscaloosa avenue, was held up and robbed of s20 by an unidentified ne gro highwayman at Charles street and Fifth avenue at 9:30 o'clock Sun day night.
 After his money had been taken. Washington grappled with his as sailant. took his gun and fired two shots at him as he sped down a nearby alley. Officers flames and Mitchell found trail of blood. but no trace of the robber.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-25
FORMER GRID STAR
 NEW SELMA PASTOR
Offer Of Automobile And Assistant Wins Services Of Virginian

crT na. .X,s ni,,> Selma was the fortunate bidder for the services of Rev. Reuter- Cannon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Hampden- Sidney. Va, who will come here to, occupy the pulpit of the First Presbyterian church, de- clining a call from the Petersburg church. according to information re-
 Each city offered Dr. Cannon $4 ,00O a year, but the Selma church went Petersburg one better when they offered an automobile and pas tors assistant. MT. Cannon was 2 star football player both at Hamp- dem Sidney and Union Theological seminary. While student at these institutions he was familiarly known as Rip" because of his ability to rip through line of the opposing team