The Hattiesburg news., December 15, 1908, Image 1

About The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917

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VOL 11,—NO. 247.
HATTIESBURG. MISSISSIPPI. TUESDAY AFTERNOON. DECEMBER 15. 1908.
SINGLE COPY 5 CENTS
HATTIESBURG IS AFTER
REDIED FREIGHT RATES
.
4
Large Delegation of Citizens Go
Before Interstate Commerce
Commission
T. MARSHALL MILLER
ATTORNEY IN CASE
o
Gives Interesting Interview in New
Orleans Paper Regarding the Con
tentions of Hattiesburg—Railroad
Side Will Be Heard.
A large delegation of citizens mem
bers of the Commercial Club left yes
terday afternoon for New Orleans
■where they will appear today befot£
the Interstate Commerce Commission
in an efTort to secure for Hattiesburg
an equitable freight rate. The hear
ing began yesterday before Commis
sioner Clements and will be continued
through today.
At the New Orleans meeting of the
commission yesterday the city of Hat
tiesburg was represented by V. M.
Scanlon, T. S. Jackson, E. W. Hick
man, C. W. Hassell and W. A. Morris
man, all of whom went to New Or
leans Sunday.
Secretary Larson and fifteen or
twenty other citizens left yesterday
afternoon for New Orleans In order
to appear before the commission to
day.
It Is believed that Hattiesburg will
secure the rates asked for as it is
nothing but just that she should.
The rate case from this city was
carried before the Interstate Com
merce Commission more than a year
-ago and this is the first time it has
come up for a bearing. The case will
hardly be decided for some time, as
the railroad people claim the right
to be heard in the matter and they
•will be givpn a hearing later.
Concerning the hearing of this case,
the Times-Democrat says:
Eighty-four railroads and steamship
lines are to be arraigned before the
Interstate Commerce Commission to
day under a complaint of the Hatties
burg Commercial Club on a charge of
making excessive freight rates to
that city and discriminating against it
as in favor of cities within less than
100 miles and of relatively less com
mercial Importance. The style of the
petition Is "The Commercial Club of
Hattiesburg vs. the Alabama Great
Southern and other railroads and
This "and other
steamship lines."
railroads and steamship lines" takes
In all of the great trunk lines with
the exception of those operating In
the Far West and through the New
England states and all of the steam
ship lines doing business with Gulf
port, Mobile and New Orleans.
Former Attorney General T. Mar
shall Miller of Mississippi, who has
been retained by the Hattiesburg Com
mercial Club to press the suit, said
yesterday that the Hattiesburg merch
ants and jobbers had been compelled
to make the petition because the job
bers In other towns were being en
abled to dome right into territory
(Continued on Page 4).
♦ THE DAILY NEWS
♦
PROGNOSTICATOR. ♦
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-Washington, D. C., Dec. 15.—For
Mississippi: Partly cloudy tonight,
probably becoming unsettled by Wed
nesday; moderate temperature.
»■
TEDDT TAKES
PULITZER TD
TASK TODAY
Accuses the New York Editor of
Publishing Willful Slander
Against Chas. P. Taft.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
ASKED TO PROSECUTE
Message Sent to Congress Today Is
Said To Be the Warmest Document
Ever Before Written by Strenuous
Executive.
Hearst News Service.
Washington, Dec. 15.—Couched in
language probably without a parallel
in the history of state papers, Presi
dent Roosevelt today sent to congress
a message dealing with the charges
made by the New York World regard
ing its charges concerning the deal
by which the United States came into
possession of the French Canal Com
pany on the payment of $40,000,000.
In the World article It has been
hinted that Charles P. Taft, brother
of the president-elect, and Douglass
Robinson, brother-in-law of Roosevelt,
received part of the money.
In a fearful excoriation of Editor
Joseph Pulitzer of the World, the
president denies In toto that any graft
was connected with the negotiations
incident to the purchase of the prop
erty of the French Canal Company,
and says that the United States at
torney general is now preparing to in
stlute prosecution against the New
York World and its editor and owner
for criminal libel.
The president maintains that there
has been nothing to conceal and gives
many records showing the process of
the negotiations for the sale.
He denies most emphatically that
either Charles P. Taft, William H.
Taft or Secretary Root had anything
to do with the transaction, which was
conducted entirely by Philander C.
Knox, at that time attorney general.
The message characterizes Pulitzer
of the World as a slanderer. The verb
age of the document far outdoes any
previous efforts of the president In the
line of strenuous denunciations.
ARF TAKFN
FROM RUINS
Panama Disaster is Woist in the
History of the Canal Zone,
It is Said.
Panama, Dec. 15.—The quantity of
dynamite which exploded in the work
ing of the canal at San Obispo Satur
day is now said to have been twenty
eight tons and the damage done cov
ers more than fifteen acres.
Twenty-five dead bodies had been
discovered up to noon today and many
more are said to be under the debris.
The seriously Injured number nearly
a hundred and several of these will
die.
Thus far the officials have been
unable to fix the blame, but a thorough
investigation Is being made.
The accident Is the worst that has
occurred on the Isthmus since the
beginning of operations by the old
French Company.
IBRIDE OF
V
WAS SHOT
Devoted Young Husband Fired
the Shot Which It is Feared
May Prove Fatal.
WOUNDED WOMAN IS
BROUGHT TO THE CITY
Weapon Was a Shot Gun and Sev
eral of the Shot Passed Through
Her Lungs—Now Resting Easy at
South Mississippi Infirmary.
A sad and pathetic accident
curred late yesterday afternoon in the
Eatonville neighborhood in which a
bride of about three months was pain
fully, and It is feared, seriously hurt,
in an accidental way, by a loving and
devoted husband.
The lady who was the victim of the
sad accident is Mrs. Cora Graham,
wife of Mr. E. E. Graham, who is al
most heart-bi^ken over the terrible
affair.
oc
It appears that Mr. and Mrs. Gra
ham were out walking in the field, not
far from their home, and that Mr.
Graham had his double-barrel shot
gun along. A rabbit was spied on the
roadside and Mr. Graham raised his
gun to shoot when the trigger snapped
and the gun failed to fire. About
this time a squirrel was seen
tree near-hy and Mrs. Graham
supposed to be watching the squirrel.
Mr. Graham then tried the other bar
rel of the gun on the rabbit and It
fired, killing the rabbit. He then
up a
was
attempted to reload his gun quickly
so as to shoot the squirrel, and un
breeched the gun and placed two load
ed shells in it. As he went to snap'
the gun together, one of the barrels
fired, and Mrs. Graham, who had
started toward the rabbit caught the
full load In her body,
caused the
Just what
to explode is not
gun
known, unless It was the force used
in throwing it together. Mrs. Graham
fell to the ground, seriously wounded,
and her husband rushed to her aid at
once. He found that the load of shot
had strucjt her under the right should
er and had ranged upward. He got
her home as speedily as possible and
summoned Drs. Stevens and Mounger
of this city, who found that some shot
had passed through the lungs and
that the condition of Mrs. Graham was
very serious indeed. She was brought
to the South Mississippi Infirmary
this morning, and her condition is con
sidered quite serious and her recovery
is very doubtful. It is said that pos
sibly she has an even chance to live.
The husband is almost crazed with
grief. He and his wife had only been
married about three months, Mrs.
Graham's maiden name being Miss
Pool.
STAOINS
FIRST POINT
Judge Sends Men On Horseback
to Arrest Men to Serve
As Jurymen.
Union City, Tenn., Dec. 15.—Judge
Jones today despatched men on horse
back to various sections of Obion
county to summon 300 veniremen from
which to select a Jury to try the night
riders who participated in the murder
of Captain Qulnten Rankin at Reelfoot
Lake.
The action of the judge In deciding
to summon the veniremen himself is
considered a victory for the state, the
defense having contended that this
should be done by the sheriff In the
regular maner.
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UWMMDMtDM OKZJ&ZXIOD
Don Luis Toledo-Herrarte, the Guatemalan minister, who was seriously
hurt in an automobile accident.
Old Fiddler s Contest is
Arranged Jor Friday Night;
Benefit of the City's Poor
The old fiddlers' contest will be
given at the Auditorium Friday night
and it is probable that the building
will be filed with spectators and those
who delight in the i old-time music,
especially as the proceeds are to go
to the Kings' Daughters to help buy
things for a Christmas tree for poor
children. It will be one of the rarest
treats that has been given in Hatties
burg for some time. Mr. R. A. Bell
will be master of ceremonies and the
names of the Judges, for the fiddlers'
contest will be announced later. The
following splendid program has been
arranged for the evening:
Program of Old Fiddlers' Contest.
"The Kiss Waltz," Chorus.
Medley, Chorus.
"Dutch Warble," Chorus.
"Rochester Schottische," Chorus.
"Rose Waltz," Chorus.
"Jenny Lind Polka," Chorus.
Fiddle Contest.
Accompanist, piano, Mrs. John T.
Haney.
Accompanist, guitar, Mr. John W.
THREE DEAD;
SUICIDE PACT
Destitute Family in Chicago is
Believed to Have Agreed
to Die Together,
Hearst News Service.
Chicago, Dec. 15.—A. Bernstein, a
painter, aged 22; Eugene Feineberg,
a fortune teller, aged 21, and Mrs.
Carah Feineberg, mother of the latter,
are all dead as the result of a suicide
pact.
Bernstein had been out of work and
roomed with the Feinebergls. All
were despondent and it is believed
that they resolved to die together.
$20,000 VERDICT
AGAINST RAILROAD
Daily News Special.
Brookhaven, Miss., Lee. 15.—After
being locked up since Saturday night
the Jury In the case of Mrs. Z. Daniel
aiainst the Illinois Central Railroad
Compjany yesterday returned a ver
dict for the plaintiff for $20,000. Mr.
Daniel was killed by a passenger train
at Bogue Chltto on the night of July
4, last.. On account of hls death, suit
was brought for $50,000.
It takes a lot of piety to stand up
against prosperity.
ton.
chestra.
Hontague.
"Cotton-Eyed Joe," Dr. J. D. Donald.
"Hop Light Ladies," Mr. T. S. Cot
"Mississippi Sawyer," Mr. D. B.
Holmes.
"Jordan's Reel," Mr. H. C. Greer.
"Haste to the Wedding,' Mr. M. 1*.
Pickett.
"Soldiers' Joy," Mr. W. E. King.
"The Lost Child," Mr. John R.
Tally.
PART II.
Vocal Solo, Emily Massengale.
Selection, Philathea-Barraca Or
chestra.
Vocal Solo, Katherine Donald.
Selection, Philathea-Barrac Or
chestra.
Vocal Solo, Mrs. B. D. Moore.
Reading, Mrs. Stokes V. Robertson.
"Bugle Horn,' Mixed Quartette.
Announcement of decision by
judges.
Awarding of prize.
Selection, Philathea-Barraca Or
FARMER SHOT
Was Returning From Farmers
Union Meeting When Some
One Fired On Him.
Jaily News Special.
Wanyesboro, Miss., Dec. 15.—Satur
day night about 9 o'clock as Henry
Walker, who had been attending a
meeting of the Farmers' Union at
Woodward sehoolhouse, three miles
northwest of Waynesboro, was return
ing home, some unknown person shot
him, Inflicting a painful, though not
dangerous wound in the back of his
head. Mr. Walker was alone and had
a lantern at the time. He had no
idea who shot him. He is the pro
prietor of a grist mill and cotton gin.
Drs. Rush and Slaughter were sent
for and after examining the wounds
pronounced them not dangerous. The
dogs at the county farm were sent
for immediately, but nothing has been
heard from the scene.
TRIBUTE TO A WORTHY MAN.
Before closing its session in New
Orleans, the Farmers' Union of Amer
ica adopted a beautiful tribute to the
memory of Mr. J. K. P. Shows, the
prominent Forrest county citizen who
was killed in the wreck on the New
Orleans and Northeastern while In
route to the farmers' union meeting In
New Orleans a few weeks ago. The
deceased was one of the best citizens
of the county and the tribute paid
hls memory was altogether appro
priate and fitting.
DR. BIRDSONG
GETS LIFE TERM
-a
1ST STAND
HEAVY LOSS
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Supreme Court Renders Impor
tant Decision in Cotton
Shipment Litigation.
[CARRIER RESPONSIBLE
IN MATTER OF WEIGHTS
Numerous Other Important Decisions
Handed Down By the Court Late
Yesterday Afternoon.—Several Rail,
road Suits Affirmed.
Jaekcon, Miss., Dec. 15.—According
to a decision handed down by the su
preme court yesterday afternoon, rai
roads are responsible for shortage in
weights on cotton shipments,
case in point was that of the Y. & M.
The
V. Railroad Company vs. G. V. Bent
& Co. A Greenwood firm shipped a |
carload of cotton, which was paid for |
on the evidence contained in a bill j
vhen the shipment ar
of lading, but
rived it was found to be 20,000 pounds I
short. Suit was brought for recovery |
of $897 and judgment was secured j
against the railroad. The decision
is upheld.
Other decisions rendered were as
follows:
By Whitfield, C. J., Monday:
R. J. Spier vs. Missouri State Life
Insurance Company, circuit Oktibbeha,
motion sustained.
Mrs. Beulah Haley vs. A. T. Stovall
et al., chancery Monroe; motion sus
tained.
Lawrence Lumber Company et al.
vs. A. J. Lyon & Co., chancery New
ton, two cases, reversed.
Chris Carso vs. City of Clarksdale,
circuit Coahoma, reversed.
B. J. Hubbard vs. Caroline Hemp
bill et al., chancery Grenada, re
versed.
R. E. Neal et al. vs. National Drill
Company, circuit Talahatchie, af
firmed
H. P. Reid vs. Y. & M. V. R. R., cir- j
cuit Coahoma, reversed.
Dr. S. O'Kelley vs. Y. & M. V. R. R,,
circuit Washington, reversed,
By Mayes, J.:
Y. & M. V. R. R. vs. G. W. Bent &
Co., circuit Hinds, affirmed.
Mrs. C. L. Dickerson et al. vs. Mrs.
F. H. Leslie, chancery Bolivar, af
firmed.
B. L. Smith vs. Mrs. Lucy A. Moun- j c
ger et al., chancery Clay, affirmed.
N. O. &. N. E. R. R. vs. Jennie
Mayes, circuit Lauderdale, affirmed.
Wirt Adams, revenue agent vs. H.
T. Saunders et al., circuit Oktibeha,
suggestion of error overruled.
Bank of Booneville vs. Louisiana
Bank & Trust Company, circuit Pren
tiss, motion overruled.
M. J. & K. C. R. R. vs. Robbins Cot
ton Company, circuit Union, motion
overruled.
By Fletcher, J.:
A. A. Beasley vs. Mrs. Sophia A. Cot
trell, chancery Clay, sustained and
appeal dismissed.
M. E. Saunders vs. George W. Steph
enson, executor, circuit Marshall, ap
peal dismissed.
J. S. McPhail vs. J. A. Blaun, circuit
Leake, appeal dismissed.
Postal Telegraph Company vs. J. M.
Howard et al., circuit Holmes, af
firmed.
Lewis Nash vs. Y. &. M. V. R. R„
circuit Warren, affirmed.
Mrs. Elizabeth Robertson et al. vs.
John G. Robertson et al., chancery
Holmes, affirmed.
D. M. Matthews et al. vs. N. O. & N.
E. R. R., circuit Lauderdale, reversed.
to
ACTORS WED.
New York, Dec. 15.—It was an
nounced last night at the Knicker
bocker theatre that Fritz! Scheff and
John Fox, Jr., were married Sunday.
-a
Compromise Reached By Attor
neys Just Before the Noon
Hour at Hazlehursl
MURDERER EXPRESSES
THE KEENEST BEGRET
Woud Willingly Give His Life if He
Could Restore Dr. Pitts to His Fam
ily—Quickest Trial in History of
the State.
Daily News Special.
Hazlehurst, Miss., Dec. 15.—An
agreement was reached at 11:30
o'clock this morning between the at
torneys of Dr. T. B. Birdsong and
the family of Dr. A. B. Pitts, permit
ting Birdsong to plead guilty to murd
er and take a life sentence in the
state penitentiary.
The attorneys for Birdsong signed
an agreement that they would never
ask for a pardon or lend their ini
iiuence to secure one.
The combination by which the case
is settled seems to meet the approval
of all ami Birdsong will commence his
sentence in the penitentiary in a few
days.
Before passing sentence Judge Pot
ter asked Dr, Birdsong if he had any
which he replied:
| *^Ing t0 sa - v ' t0
| " There is very little that I can say,
j exce l*f that I regret the death of Dr.
^tts more than I can tell, and I
would gladly give my life if I could
I
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bring him back."
This was the quickest trial in the
history of Mississippi criminal juris
prudence. Dr. Pitts was killed at
3:30 p. m. on last Thursday afternoon.
The grand jury was recalled and an
indictment returned Saturday morn
ing. Monday the attorneys for Dr.
Birdsong filed a motion for change of
venue and examined witnesses until
last night.
The entire morning today was spent
in conference by the attorneys in try
ing to reach an agreement, and it is
said that the proposition which was
finally accepted came from Birdsong's
attorneys, who realized that their
client would probably be hanged if
the case was allowed to go to a jury,
SELECTING
JURY TO TRY
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Seventh Man yUallties To i3SS
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rate 01 1. J. Plains in
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lwW I OfK.
Hearst News Service.
New York, Dec. 15.—The work of
selecting the Hains jury proceeded to
day, Alexander Jardin, a plumber, be
ing selected as No. 7.
Mrs. William E. Annis, wife of the
murdered man, dressed in heavy
mourning, appeared in the court
early. She will testify during the
day for the prosecution, but the hour
will not be announced until after the
other five jurymen are selected.
Elmer White, of Brooklyn, an at
torney who was excluded from the
prosecution yesterday, was allowed
to reinter the case today, having been
regularly appointed assistant district
attorney by Prosecutor Darrlng.
The prisoner, Thornton J. Hains,
seems to be the least Interested of the
spectators. He eyes each juryman
closely, but beyond this seems to be
little concerned with the proceedings.
room
SENATE TO ADJOURN.
Washington, D. C., Dec. 15.—The
senate today passed a resolution prev
iously passed by the house providing
for an adjournment for the holidays
from December 19 to January 4.