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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 09, 1912
Page
1
United Press dispatch from Mexico City reports a major quake hitting Seaportian destroying half the city with 34 dead and 1313 injured in Ciudad Commada. Twelve shocks felt and volcano Colin erupts after years, lava pouring out. Another quake feared.
Aaron Perkins, a Black man, was acquitted of killing Benhy Strain in self defense after Strain struck him with a billiard cue. Claude Neville, another Black man, received 23 years for complicity in the Frances England robbery. four Black suspects were named, with one at large and another yet to be tried.
New York May Crane assistant sales manager of American Steel and Wire Co admitted evidence against the wire pool was burned. He said President Backus asked if the papers were destroyed and that the papers were burned because they believed they would not be needed again. He denied correspondence with James A Farrell about wire pools.
The bodies of a man a woman and two children killed in a Hat tiesburg Mississippi train wreck on Monday have been identified as L. P. Hollis his wife and two daughters of Edgewood Texas confirmed by United Press from New Orleans.
The Steamer Chattanooga arrived this afternoon from Bridgeport with a miscellaneous cargo. It will sail tomorrow back to the area carrying fertiliser and other freight.
Market notes show Middling at 11 1 4 with slight gains for bellwether grades. Trading activity remains light as the market closes with quiet price movements.
J. W. Wellborn United States Government Special Pension Examiner is in Decatur to certify identity on pension certificates. He will inspect in Decatur for today and tomorrow then return for a month in the area covering ten counties in the northern part of the state.
A Montgomery conference between L&N railroad representatives and Alabama state officials may yield a compromise on freight and passenger rates. If agreed, U.S. Judge Thomas G. Jones could lift the 212 cent passenger rate injunction, allowing the new rates to take effect. Attending are H C Selheimer, S D Weakley, Sydney Bowie, with former Governor Comer likely to join and Gov. O Neal backing resistance to rate increases.
Monterey Mexico May 9 An uprising of laborers on the plantation of Charles Hamilton an American in Oaxaca state resulted in 24 attackers slain and two rurales and one state soldier killed The battle lasted two days.
The 1912 graduating class will receive diplomas and a gold essay medal at 8:30 in the Masonic Theatre. Dr. George H. Denny of the University of Alabama delivers the commencement address. Seven seniors, Misses Allene Adams Jennie Perkins Ruth Hartung Gladys Warner Nell Brock and Messrs Russell Jenkins Everett Thergort, graduate.
MIS ALMA LAMPKIN wins an automobile prize and donates a dollar while Westminister Church sends in a contribution for refugee homes. The article notes relief efforts amid continuing floods and the hardship faced by displaced families.
Miss Alma and Mrs. Fred Hurston lead efforts at Westminster church collecting clothing and money for flood victims. Contributions from Decatur total 143.44 with checks and cash pledged to Natchez and forwarded through Southern Express and railways.
Decatur High School closes with events led by Prof J M Collern day at First Methodist Church on May 12 at 8 p m featuring a commencement sermon by Dr A P Montague, president Howard College. May 16 and 17 include a School Auditorium recital and graduation exercises with class poems songs readings and diplomas.
Five men killed and eleven injured when a blast furnace at the American Steel and Wire Company exploded early this day in Cleveland Ohio. Two of the injured are reported dying at a hospital.
H. Malone purchases from A. B. Lampkin a lot on Vine Street and plans to start building a residence soon. Several realty deals are pending for vacant lots on Vine and Alabama streets as prospective buyers consider building rent cottages.
Montgomery May Gov Eva O Neals mother issued a proclamation yesterday designating Sunday May 12 as Mother s Day and urging Alabama citizens to observe it with appropriate exercises and emblems.
The Owl Drug Co contracted for the building on the corner of Church and Bank streets and for the adjoining Mitchell & Dinsmore building to expand retail and wholesale drug operations. J. M. Benson bought the residence on Fourth Avenue West from B. L. Nichols.
A local note extols daily ads by A Buttrey and E Chandler as drivers of trade and income. It urges steady, ongoing advertising, citing lessons from American Telephone Company president Theodore Vail on the power of persistent promotion and the impact on receipts.
Henry Warten and L M Warten of Athens join with T R Shuford of Decatur to form Warten and Shuford Cotton Merchants set to open mid July as a major northern Alabama firm with strong backing and plans for eastern and foreign connections. Shuford has long experience in the McFadden Cotton Co and will lead office operations in Decatur before the July opening.
In May 12 year old John Brown was shot by Willie Wilson, a man of the same age, outside the furnace office. Brown carried a zinc water pall when Wilson fired a 22 caliber pistol through the pall into Browns thigh. Wilson was arrested after officers intervened and jailed.
May Mann was convicted in the Criminal Court of inciting troops to mutiny during the recent coal strike. He received six months in jail after admitting guilt but arguing his statements urged soldiers to consider harming strikers, not to disobey lawful commands, citing wartime conditions.
Decatur Development Company directors convene at 8 PM at the Decatur Light Fuel and Power office to review a counter proposal from Chickamauga Manufacturing for a shirt and overall factory. A representative spoke recently and negotiations move forward with Reliance’s counter offer.
A report details plunder seized from skiffs and flat boats as breaks and crevasses spread, renewing anxiety among crews and local authorities.
Reports describe a widening Torras break 3,000 feet wide and five crevasses flooding districts. New Roads residents flee as vandals attack boats and refugees, while West Baton Rouge floods intensify. Torras is 18 miles wide at one point with the town of New Roads under danger.
Melville Louisiana reports a refugee stream after the steamer Whitman landed evacuees from Pointe Coupee Parish. Rain ruined rations, women and children were exhausted, elderly plantation workers aided. Government barges distributed meals as fires burned in the streets, refugees sent to Crowley Rayne Lafayette and Alexandria.
Arthur Jones found guilty of murdering John Holland and sentenced to death. First white man in Jefferson County to be hanged for such a murder. Deputy Sheriff Henry Cole and Guy Rogers face perjury questions after Cole’s habeas corpus hearing. Detectives accused of framing Cole in the case.
The Confederate reunion was held in Chattanooga with a plan for a joint celebration with the Grand Army of the Republic. The Jacksonville, Florida and San Antonio events were noted, and the gathering adjourned after discussions about the Gettysburg commemoration.
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