davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
Vital Statistics

BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. James F. Lambert, Rem lap. April 19, girl.
 Mr. and Mrs. Julius Patterson, Route B. springville. April 24, girl. MT. and Mrs. John H. Black. Rem 'Api Mr. I and Mrs David P. Murphree. Route 8, Pinson. May 16. girl. Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Brooks, Route 2. Pinson, May 20, girl.
 MT. and Mrs. Frederick M. Dale. Pin Mir. and Mrs. James R. Blythe, Truss vile. Route l. June D.. girl. Mr. and Mrs. Toy T. Davis, Dixiana. June g.. boy.
 Mr. and Mrs. Harmon s. Wear, Truss vile, June l. boy. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Young. 41o2 syca- more street, May 4. girl.
 Mir. and Mrs M |. Savage Route 4' Birmingham, June 15, girl. MT. and Mrs. Clarence w. Majors. 7629 Walker avenue, June 8, girl.
 DEATHS
 Mrs. Sarah A. Adolphus.. ISIS Hunts- vile avenue, June 15, age 70 years. James R. McGowan, Mt. Pinson, May Il, age 9 months. 16, age l month.
 William E. Gambell. 1o6 First street, Thomas station June Is, age 3S years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17

company, they will have no trouble in being well-spoken of to higher off, ficials and may retain their positions with the next administration. or get a new and better position with these companies. All such minor officials are paid small salaries by the state: the temptation is all one way. viz to stand with and by the company. whose business 1t is to mako money out of these wards of the state.
 Thus we see the environment and plight of these prisoners. under. ground in the mines. or in remote turpentine and lumber camps. ThG governor is far away and the word of the convict doesn't go far and his complaint may be regarded as rebel lion against authority.
 Tt is true the convicts are classf- fled by the state physician accord ing to apparent physical ability, be- fore they are leased; and there are local camp physicians who treat the convicts when ill in service; but these local physicians are not paid much by the state and are subject to the same influence and environ ment as wardens and deputy war dens. Consciously or unconsciously, they breathe company atmosphere and are but parts of the great ma chine of profit making, with convicts as pawns in the game
 Objects Of Punishment.
 All experienced judges, and in fact, all modern thought agrees that the objects of punishment are: CD To protect society against law vio- lations: (2) to train, discipline and reform the offender. All recognize that labor and discipline are neces- sary and excellent correctives for criminals; but to consider profit making as the foundation of any system of justice is abhorrent to
 every sense of righteousness.
 Tn our state, succeeding adminis- trations have regarded the lease system as one of chief sources of public revenue. Profit for the state out of the convict. therefore. is a basic principle of the plan. This profit for the state cannot be real pany. out of the convict's labor. so many tons of produce a day. from which the company expects and re- ceives great profit. There is, there fore, common interest between the ! state and the company in profit making. each guaranteeing and sus- taining the other. How can justice be worked out of such a scheme?
 What shall be done with the con- victs? Do as other states are do- or in factory; but give them some- thing more than toll and strain and hopeless monotony; teach them Christianity by example. as we'll as by paid chaplain's precept. Train them in good citizenship and moral stamina, and finally restore them to hopeful and useful lives after their terms are over.
 After an experience of over ten years on the bench of the criminal court. the undersigned has seen something of the causes of crime and believes many convicts can be cured by kindness, blended with firmness; by justice. tempered with mercy.
 The present system of hiring out convicts for profit is burden on the conscience of judge and jury and causes many men of conscience to hesitate before committing prison- CTS to the dangers and degrading effects of so-called system of jus tice which in practice works injus- tice. WILLIAM B. C0RT."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
REPLY TOBRANDON ON CONVICTSMADE
 BY JUDGE FORT
(COntinued From Page One.)

,
 opinion forced seemingly reluctan. legislature to act.
 Appealing To ConscIence.
 ITO save our own state from fur ther distasteful exposures and simi- lar disgrace, a committee of public spirited men and women is now ap- pealing, not to the cupidity, but to the consciences of our people, urging an immediate expression of popular opinion on this discredited system, in order that governor and legislature alike may be directed by the public will to end this outrage forever
 Alabama has as many good peo- pie as any other state. but, judging by the past, we can claim to be no better than the people of any other state which has used this system and been subject to its temptations.
 The principle Is wrong and in- evitably works injustice. If we are unwilling to abolish 1t for the sake of the convicts let us do so for the sake of our own civilization and good name. Why has this plan of leasing convicts been repudiated and cast aside by enlightened opinion in ev- cry state which has tried it? Let us examine it's practical workings. The companies leasing convlcts have the certainty of making immense profits and can also sell their products cheaper in the markets than com petinS companies using free labor. In theory and on paper, the state keeps. control of its convicts In practice, where hundreds of men are leased. squads of or 10 men work in different entries and these sepa- rate squads are under the control of company officials or check runners,
 " ic ha daily task Is made by each convict; these men In the different entries of mines are cut off from similar squads working in different entries under other company officials. The state has a deputy warden, whose duty it is to inspect and supervise the work ing of these men; but it is utterly impossible for him to be with any squad more than few minutes each day: and both he and the warden are largely dependent on the company boss or check runner for information on which punishments are inflicted. Question of Endorsements.
 "The wardens and deputy wardens are appointed by the governor. upon recommendations and inducements. Whose business Is 1t to secure strong inducements for warden who will be satisfactory to the company? Is it not prime necessity for com- panies working convicts to secure wardens and deputy wardens who will work in sympathy with them? Anyone. who is familiar with practi- cal politics, knows that these mat ters are ever overlooked by interested parties and that the strongest in- dorsements are secured for subser- vient and approved applicants for these jobs. These wardens and dep uties, therefore, often owe their po- sitions to powerful interests and have every obligation to work with and not against the selfish designs of such interests. If they please the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
PETITIONS IN BANKRUPTCY

Petitions in bankruptcy during the past week were as follows: Cliff Price, Tittersville. Ala. Juno II. 1923. No. 20159. Liabilities. s175.5o; assets. wages due by T. c. l., $2b. Attorney, C. R. Robinson.
 w. L. Camper. Fairfield. Juno II. 1923. No. 201G1. Liabilities. s310.l Q; assets. wages due by T. c. I. Go. $40. Attorney. F. b. McArthur.
 H. II. Washington. Edgewater. Ala. June Il, 1923. No. 20115S. Liabili- ties, sos; assets, wages due by T. C. I. Co.,, s20. Attorney none.
 Sam Burton, Birmingham. June II. 1923. No. 2015G. Liabilities SIP: assets. wages due by Republic Iron and Steel company, $59.46. Attorney, Powell & Powell.
 w. D. Hart. Birmingham. June II. 1923. No. 2016O. Assets. household goods, fixtures and clothes, S200. At torney S. w. cnyder.
 J. A. Wilson. Birmingham, June 12. 1923, No. 20,165. Liabilities. s2,203.94; assets, cash. $40! personal accounts. $1l00; overland car S367; rent lease, $So. Attorney. w. H. Brantley, Jr.
 Will Boyd, Birmingham. June IF, assets wages due by T. c. l. O.. $50. Attorney. R. E. Perkins.
 Lon Harvey. city. June II, 1923, No. 20162. Liabilities, s61.6S; as- sets wages due by Southern Rail- way company, s29. Attorney, none.
 Robert J. Ham, Ensley. Ala, June 12, 1923, No. 20163. Liabilities, S243.49; assets .none. Attorney D. J. Hummer.
 Callie Brand. Bessemer, Ala. June IS 1923 No. 2016S. Liabilities $92.50; assets wages due by Woodward Iron company. Attorney ntre
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
BISHOP DOBBS WILL DELIVER HIS FAREWELL SERMON ON SUNDAY
Fairfield Says Goodbye To Noted Methodist
 Minister
FAIRFIELD BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD Fairfield, Ala, June 16

The farewell message of Bishop H. M Dobbs to his people prior to leav- for Brazil to remain an indefinite time, will be given at the Fairfield Methodist church at II o'clock sun day morning. The bishop and ms family have booked passage on a steamer sailing June 24 from New York.
 Being q close friend of Rev. T. l.. Mcdonald, pastor of the Fa1rfleld Methodist church, Bishop Dobbs &C., cepted an invitation to preach at the local church before going away. He is naturally well known in Fair field and it Is expected that he will be greeted by an immense con- gregation when he begins his ser mon Sunday morning. His presence in Fairfield will be occasion for con- siderable interest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
GREENWOOD PLAN s ENLARGEMENT OF POST
New Commander Outlines Work
 Contemplated For Year

Arthur Greenwood. newly elected commander of the Birmingham post, American Legion. Friday night spoke enthu usiastically of the need that the legion inspire Amer!canism wherever and whenever possible, to encourage proper respect for the national colors, and heartily approved a pro- gram of work with the Boy Scouts. MT. Greenwood outlined a few out standing legion plans for the ensu- irg year, stating that a renewal of activities and an enlargement of membership were important fea- lures.
 Since becoming naturalized American citizen MT. Greenwood has stood heartily in favor of American ism and all that 1t stands for Since it's organization he has been lead ing member of the American Legion and a hard worker in it's recent membership m campaign.
 Following is list of new officers of Birmin gham post: H. c. Smith, vice commander. Aubrey c. Hooper. finance officer: R. H. Bethea, junior vice commander; Rev. Oscar Dewolf Randolph, chaplain; James R. Strick- land, sergeant -at-arms, and Mrs: George Louis Bailes, historian or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17

should not have made any better progress"
 Coroner haven't you had some cases that would make you dream bad dreams at night?" he was asked.
 Bad dreams? Pshaw, l never think of them the minute after they are disposed.
 Tt may be strange, but the sight of the dead even if they were ter ribly mangled, never did cause a thrill In me. If a person hates tt' see such a sight and can't touch a dead person then they don't want the coroner's job.
 At the time of the explosion at Dolomite mine l spent a day and a night among the dead and 1t didn't have the least effect on me"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
MILLION DOLLARS SPENT IN STREET. I AND ROAD WORK.
EnsIey Citizens Gratified At Substantial improvement
 Residential Section
ENSLEY BUREAU !
 THE AGE-HERALD Ensley. Ala. Juna Is


 Work of resurfacing the highway on Avenue F to Pratt City Is pro- gressing rapidly and it Is expected the entire street will be open for traffic during the coming week. The blocks that have been surfaced have been opened. but through traffic is not permissible at this time. The contractors have been working 12 hours every day during the past three weeks to get the street opened, as they have been informed of the great inconvenience occasioned by the long delay in building the street. It was stated Saturday that Warren Brothers, builders of the road. would start work on the west end of the same highway Is soon as they com pletcd the links Into Pratt City. The unpaved section will be from Nine- teenth street and avenue F. west. on Avenue r to Twenty y-ninth street. Property owners in that section have signed a petition for the work and part of it has been contracted for. With Avenue F opened to Fairfield and Avenue E, the traffic between Fairfield. Ensley. rratt City and Bir- mingham will be materially reduced on Avenue E. As it Is, Avenue E ds frightfully overcrowded. The completion of this road will also be another item in a long list of i'm provemcnts being made in this sec- ton or that have just been com- pleted. The road, linking Edge water. Bayview and Docena with Wy lam and Enslcy have been followed by the road linking. Pratt City and Enelsy. and with the Fairfield -Bes- semer road being constructed. not to mention the link connecting Pratt City and Birmingham and the Eighth avenue road into Birmingham, this section has right to claim a series of the most important and worth while road projects in this part of Jefferson county. Added togeth CT. it is expected that over s1 500,- 000 has been spent on roads connect ing the western sections during the past 12 or Is months. More improve ilents of this kind are under con sidcration and will eventually de-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
BIG PITTSBURG OIL
 FIRE SPENDS FORCE
Score Of Bremen Injured And
 S2OO.OOO Loss Suffered

PITTSBURG. June 16.-The oil fire at the plant of the Atlantic Refining company, raging since late yester- day, tonight was believed to be under control.
 More than score of flremen were injured. Several fire companies still were on duty tonight Company of ficials again tonight refused to es- innate the loss but it was believed that 1t would exceed S200, ,000.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
MARRIAGE LICENSES

Robert s. Thomas. 2s. to Lucy P. Tricks, 26.
 Isaac David Knoblock. 21. Fairfield, to Flosse May Little, 16
 Glennie Erell, 22, Empire, to Ida Mae Roy Clark Bishop, 22. to Almedia Lu- cile Chambliss. 20.
 NJ. L. Baggett. 26. to Geneva shet- field. 24.
 Henry D. Cook, 20. to Ruth Vivian Briggs. 20.
 William Paechal Sturdivant, 30. to An nie Rebecca Irwin, 26.
 W. L. Wright. 21. Gadsden. to Myra Virginia McClendon. 19.
 James II. Patterson. 24, Cincinnati, O.. to Mary Amelia Scott, 21.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
ALLEGED ADDICTS HELD
Chr Driven Without Lights Arousea
 Suspicious of City Officers

II doesn't pay to drive automobiles in Birmingham without lights, two women found Saturday night. Mrs. John Moore. alias Ethel Jones. who gave a fictitious address, and Mrs. M. R. Wright. 2Ol4 Fifth avenue. north, are in the city jail charged with violation of the law and held for the government. They were ar rested at o'clock in Third avenue, north, near Seventeenth street, by Officers Welborn, Weir, Burkett and Pritchard. The ywere riding in . Ford coupe. driven by Mrs. Moore.
 A bottle of powdered morphine, one-third full, was on the floor board near the drivers seat, the officers said. On the seat, they stated. were needle and a drinking glass.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
AXIS CLUB TO SELL
 TICKETS TO LYRIC
Mrs. Donald Wood Heads Group Who Will Aid Building Project

"Why Men Leave Home." to be pre- sented at the Lyric theatre for one week beginning Monday. will be of especial benefit to members of the Axis club. ac- cording to the announcement made Sat urday by Mrs. c. P. Beddow. The busi- ness manager of the company has agreed to give the club 50 per cent of re- ceipts for tickets not sold at the box of flee.
 Mrs. Donald Wood, chairman of the ticket sales committee, will appoint com mttee to be stationed on the downtown corners during each day of the week. Funds from the sale will go to the build- ing fund for an auditorium. which the Axis club expects to build soon.
 The company Is composed of John Me- Farane, Hazel Corrinne, Edith Spears. Raymond Bromley, Helen Travers, Arthur Byron. Hazel Reading. Franklyn George. Meba Palmer. Lawrence Heating, Walter B. Gilbert. Marianne Risdon and Sherold Page.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
SACRED [. ] CONCERT
 MEETING SUNDAY
Public Invited To Assist h Singing Sunday
 Afternoon

Tho regular monthly meeting of the Birmingham Sacred Concert as- sociation will be held at 2:3o o'clock Sunday afternoon at tho West End Cumberland Presbyterian church, which Is located on the West End car line near Berney station.
 W. T. Johnson, president of the association will preside over the meeting, while the class choir and tho congregation will render the pro- gram. A cordial invitation Is ex- tended to all lovers of sacred music to attend the meeting and assist in tho singing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
GIRL, HELPLESS, EL0PES
Lies Strapped To Board As Marriage
 Ceremony Is Read


 Ceremony Is Read
 SAN FRANCISCO. June 16.-Love that reckoned not of invnlidism has resulted in the elopement and marriage here of Jean Strang. 19, and George c. Frank lin, 22.
 The girl lay strapped tightly to a board while Justice of the Peace Walter M. Bird of Burlingame read the marriage ceremony in his office. year ago the girls spine badly injured in an auto mobile accident. She has lain strapped to the hard plank ever since.
 Young Franklin has been constant in his affections. despite the opposition of the girls mother to the match. Yesterday he called for the girl ostensibly to take her for an automobile drive. Franklin and his chum, who later acted best man, carried the girl to the automobile in their arms. The whereabouts of the young couple today unknown to the girls mother.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
PROFESSOR BAKER EXPECTED

Prof. B. B. Baker, new superin- tendent of schools, will make his in- itial bow to Fairfield Tuesday, when he will speak at the Kiwanis club luncheon. There Is considerable in- terest manifested here in the coming of Professor Baker, who Is to have charge of the schools just at the time when the work Is expanding considerably. and when several prof.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
PLAN JULY 4 CELEBRATION

The committee from the Exchange and Kiwanis clubs engaged in plan ming for the Fourth of July celebra- ton will hold meeting Monday morning to go over details of work already done and outline further ac- tivities of the committee. It IS stated the committee will name some subordinate committees to have charge of speakers and other details. Merchants and citizens generally are co-operating fully to make the celebration a success. Nothing will be overlooked to provide good time for those attending.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
MINE FOREMAN FREED
Acquitted Tn Connection With Pennsyl-
 yepie Mine Disaster

Acquitted Tn Connectio With Pennsyl-
 vania Mine Disaster
 EDENSBURG. Pa., June 16.-Owen Flanagan. indicted for involuntary man. slaughter in connection with the Span gler mine disaster last November. was found not guilty today. Flanagan was foreman of the mine when TT men were killed in an explosion. The commonwealth charged that he was negligent. William Young. mine superintendent, indicted on a similar charge. was freed yesterday when the court ruled that the prosecution had him,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17

J. D. RUSSUM-Coroner Russum of Jefferson county is who does not sit down and bewai the fate that caused the loss of both his legs in accident He has record of activity in his two and onehaf that rivals that of any in full possession of all his physical and mental faculties.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
NI,II.HIE TO ELORIDA

w. R. McLure, for many years one of the most active business men in Ensley, has disposed of all of his holdings here, except one office, ana will, if is stated, remove to Florida. MT. McLure is active in civic mat ters and his removal will occasion oa~ -ral regret
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
TEAM BALKS, TWO DEAD

RALEIGH. N. C., June I6.-Jasper Hodge. 15. an dhis brother Thomas. IL. were instantly killed here today when their mule team baked on q grade cross ing. The boys could have saved their own lives but died trying to pull the mules from the path of the oncon1ing train.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
5000 KILLED BY QUAKE
Villages Are Destroyed In Persia
 With MilliOna LOSS

CONSTANNTINOPLE June 16.- The Persian embassy here today con- firmed reports that 5000 persons were killed and four large villages destroyed in the district of Korassan by an earthquake on May 20 Twen- ty-three small villages were partly destroyed and the loss will run into the millions, the embassy stated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
RUSSELL WILL TEACH CLASS

IT. c. Russell, teacher of the Mems class of the Shadyside Methodist church. will teach the Wesley Bible class of the Ensley First Methodist church Sunday morning, During the vacation of W. F. Turnipseed. reg ular teacher of the class. there will be given others an opportunity of teaching the class of men at the Methodist church. It is stated that MT Russell is an unusually fine teacher and every member of the class is requested to attend the meet ing Sunday morning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17

ects are being held up awaiting his opinion Professor Baker, who comes from Ruskin college, is an educator of note and is expected to keep the, schools of Fairfield in the forefront of progressive work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
PLAN ANOTHER CONTEST

The merchants of Fairfield inter- ested in the second series Of prize awards will meet Monday afternoon at 2:3o to plan for the second con test and to provide for the drawing which is to be held Monday night, when Ford and eight other prizes will be awarded. The contest mas been under way for several months and 9O,000 tickets have been issued in dollar denominations to those making purchases in the stores eh gagged in the contest. It is statea that other merchants plan to join in the second series, which will broaden tho scope of the campaign. The committee meeting Monday after noon will determine upon all the de- tails of the plan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
FOR MER CITIZEN DIES

Information was received in En- slev Saturday of the death of J. A. Rees, former resident of this city which occurred at his home in Wauhatee, Fla. Saturday morning He was the father of Mrs. r. H. Tyler of EnsleY, who was at his bedside when the end came and also Mrs Steve Hoag Of this city. He is survived by two sons. Mir. Reese was a resident of this city in it's early days and many of the older citizens remember him as high class citizen whose death Is to be re- gretted. He was a member of the Ensley chapter A. F. and A. M, The Masonic order at his home town will conduct the general services.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES

Rev. F. C. Scott, pastor of the Ensley First Presbyterian church. announced the order of service for Sunday as follows:
 Sunday school at 9:45 o'clock. Morning sermon. The Transforma- tion in Retrospect" at II a. m.
 At the evening service the topic will be the Belief of Blindness and the Blindness of Unhelief."
 Junior Christian l1ndeavor at 4:3o D. m, and the Senior Christian En- deavor at 6;S0 o'clock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
MIR. DAVIS ILL.

Robert A. Davis of Holley S Davis contractors is confined to his home on Ersley Highlands. He was taken ill at the Merchants picnic Thurs day, and has been in bad since that time. He is expected to be at his office within a few days.
 Robert Chadwick, Jr.. is attending a summer school in Tennessee. He will be absent from the city the greater part of the summer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
Realty Transfers

Watkins Riddle and Lula Hendrix Bid dle 70 George B. Matthews and Jennie M. Matthews, tract of land in the north east quarter of the southeast quarter and the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter, section 36. township 16, range 2 west for S6 660.
 Central Park Highlands Land com pany 10 Y. W. Anderson. lot B. in block 2. according to map of the Central Park Highland Land company for Sl,l00,
 \. F. Alley to C. j. Strickln. lots 32 and s. In block :, according to map and plan of the survey of property of the Tarrant Land company. known as Tar rant City. for $l,SOO.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17

One bath of Akheaten of Egypt, which he built in his palace grounds about 1875 B. C., was 390 feet long and 195 feet wide.