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Beavers Says Curtailed Liquor Sale Is Cause—Many Pretty Celebrations Held. Man Just From Saloon Catmi Tragedy at Miners' Xmaa Tree Celebration, anything to sell? The SUNDAY AMERICAN Can Do It for Too CIRCULATION OVER 100,000 The Atlanta Georgian Read for Profit—GEORGIAN WANT ADS-Use for Results VOL. XII. NO. 125. ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1913. Copyright, 1006, By The Georgian Ce 2 CENTS. p ^° HOME EDITION ATLANTA OBSERVES QUIETEST CHRISTMAS C&3 C&3 C&3 C&J C§b 0?<3 C&) - C&3 C&) C&) C&3 HUNT MANIAC WHO STARTED FIRE FATAL TO 83 STOCKING FUND MAKES NEARLY 1000 CHILDREN HAPPY SOUR EASES Some of the baskets which were distributed to the poor of Atlanta through the generosity of givers to the Empty Stocking Fund. Hundreds of homes were made happy in this way. In addition to the baskets of “goodies” and clothing, each poor mother was given a $2 bill to spend as she liked. It means added joy to hundreds of homes. Santa Claus made The Georgian office his headquarters, where good cheer in the form of food, warm clothing and toys for the poor kiddies was dispensed. So far as Santa knows there were no needy youngsters overlooked. Atlanta Thursday celebrated the sanest Christmas in her his tory, marked by the absence of much of the drunkenness and carousals of former years. From the time Police Court closed Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock until 10 o’clock Thurs day morning, only 83 cases had been docketed at police head quarters, and none of those ar rested were charged with serious crimes. As many of these as possible were turned out on copies of charges in order that they might spend Christmas with their fam ilies and friends, and to-day there are hardly half a hundred men and women locked up in the city jail. The record of only 83 arrests dur ing the celebration of Christmas Eve and the early hours of Christmas morning is regarded by Chief Bea vers as an Indication that the people of Atlanta are heeding the pleas for a safe and sane Christmas. Chief Beavers Pleased. "In former years" said Chief Bea vers Christmas morning, "we had all the way from 100 to 250 arrests dur ing the celebration of Christmas Eve, and as a rule there were serious crimes listed among them. This year has been the quietest the department has ever known. There have been fewer arrests and fewer reports of trouble.” Grady Hospital officials said Thurs- ■ ay morning that that institution had passed the quietest night in its his tory. not an accident being reported during the 24 hours. This in itself is considered remarkable, as there are usually scores of accidents reported from premature explosions of fire works, and many of these have re sulted in permanent injury. Locker Clubs Closed. The police declared they did not look for any trouble at all Christmas Day. This is due somewhat to the tain and the disagreeable weather, but for the most part it is due to the losing of the majority of the locker lubs and the saloons, and the evident ^sire of the people to observe the ’\v and celebrate Christmas sanely *»nd properly. Through the charitable associations ;, nd the big hearts of the more fortu nate people of Atlanta, joy and hap piness have been brought into prac- ally every Atlanta home, and every fireside will be the scene of some sort Christmas celebration. Hundreds of persons have been •'•eered with warm clothing and sub- ■ antial food, and many little ones *oke Christmas morning to find that Cuita Claus had visited their homes the first time in their lives. The Associated Charities, finely or- - iRized for carrying relief to the poor a nd the unfortunate, cared for scores "* families, providing the Christmas dinner and gifts for the parents and the children. Fund Great Help. The Georgian’s Empty Stocking • md provided shoes and clothing and s for thousands of men, women and children, hundreds of baskets ' ' ng sent out Tuesday and Wednes- Many generous men and wom- 1 'ared for entire families, provid- - in many instances a Christmas * ■ to go with the donations of food • 1 '1 clothing and toys. Chick Evans Here And Playing Coif Rain or Shine Charles Evans, Jr., usually known as "Chick.*’ reached Atlanta and the home of his host, George Adair, at 9 o’clock Christmas Eve, and before it had got through raining Christmas morning, Chick and Mr. Adair were on their way to the links of the At lanta Athletic Club at East Lake. That’s the kind of a golfer Chick Is—likewise George Adair. Rain or shine—the game’s the thing. The first match was arranged as a foursome affair for Mr. Evans, Mr. Adair, WHl Rowan and Stewart Maiden, the ciub professional. The announced intention of the quartet was to play rounds in the morning and afternoon—to play all day, in fact. While a guest of Mr. Adair, Mr, Evans will play regularly on the pres ent East Lake course and will go over carefully with Mr. Adair and Mr. Maiden the extensive alterations and improvements that will he incorpo rated in the famous East Lake links in time for the summer play of 1914, and the excellent acquaintance exist ing between Mr. Evans and the clas sic European courses doubtless will produce many valuable suggestions for the big work. Mr. Evans also will play over the other Atlanta courses while here. Blease's Pardon List Has Reached 904 COLUMBIA, S. C., Dec 23.—The num- | ber of*pardons and paroles granted by | Governor Cole L. Blease since he as- I sumed. office three years ago. reached I 904 when he issued two Christmas pa- I roles and a pardon. A white man serving a sentence for manslaughter was among the trio re leased. Held in $1,000 Bond For Express Thefts Following close on the arrest and con fession of James Thomas Turner, mes senger for the Southern Express Com pany. a second man has been taken into custody and other arrests are expected In connection with the systematic theft of express articles from the Southern Express Company during the past year. The second man arrested was D. J. Alexander, a resident in Mills street, a railway employee. Alexander was taken before United States Commissioner Walter II. Col quitt and held under a bond of $1,000. He denied any knowledge of the rob beries. Plan Power Plant On Witllacoochee VALDOSTA, Dec. 25.—A proposition to develop the water power on the Wil- lacoochee River near this city, which has been discussed for several years, bids fair now to be pushed to a success ful end. Preliminary surveys of the stream, beginning at a point three miles north west of Valdosta, are now being made by A. B. Langford, a well-known civil engineer, for parties in South Carolina, who are interested in the develop ment. Col. Sam W. Wilkes Gets Rail Promotion Colonel Ram W. Wilkes Thursday was considering his promotion to division .freight agent of the Georgia Railroad his (best Christmas gift. He has been the railroad’s commercial agent for several years and has been connected with It for 30 Christmases, having been its first car accountant and its first soliciting agent Colonel Wilkes will have his head quarters at No. 36 Central avenue and his assistants will be L. B. Slaughter and T. A. Yeargtm Judge Orders Hotel Not to Sell Liquor AUGUSTA, Dec. 25.—Judge Henry C. Hammond in deciding the Albion Hotel case, the first against local near beer saloons in which petitions to abate as nuisances have been asked, held that he had no right to forfeit the license of the Albion, but he did issue a tempo rary restraining order for the hotel company to sell no liquor. The case will be decided by a jury at the next session of the Superior Court. Probationers Don't Turn Out for Xmas Dinners Like in 1912 37 Are Pardoned By Alabama Governor MONTGOMERY, Dec. 25.—Thirty-sev en Alabama State convicts were given heir liberty by Governor O'Neal to-day. Seventeen of the number were convicted f g murder either in the first or second degree and three were serving life sen tences. Two of the prisoners freed were con victed in Mobile, four in Montgomery, our in Birmingham and others in dif- erent sections of the State $30,000 Given Three Carolina Institutions SPARTANBURG. S. C., Dec 25.— Mrs. A. E. Judd, whose husband was president of the first bank in Spartan burg, has announced a Christmas gift of $30,000 to be divided equally among the Y. M. C. A., Converse College and the Textile Industrial Institute. The Y. M. C. A. and the Textile In stitute are erecting buildings now and Mrs. Judd's gift makes certain the ad dition of a science hall to Converse. THE WEATHER. Forecast for Atlanta and Georgia — Rain Thursday; colder Thursday night; fair and much colder Friday. Maybe this old world is growing worse, but you can’t prove anything like that by S. J. Coogler, probation officer. Here's why: Last Christmas Mr. Coogler spread a Christmas dinner at the Christian Help ers' League of which he is superintend ent. He invited all of his probationers who weren’t doing well enough to have their own Christmas dinners. Seventy-two came to Mr. Coogler’s dinner. Same business this year. Mr. Coog ler Invited all his probationers. Four teen accepted—and Mr. Coogler had more than that many Invitations from other probationers to dine with them, In their own homes, as a guest to be hon ored by men whom he had helped to put on their feet. Col. Perry and Bride In Atlanta for Xmas Colonel and Mrs. •Jesse G. Perry, i newlyweds, slipped so quietly into town > Wednesday night that they avoided all j rice and old shoes. Thursday they were j at Hotel Ansley barricaded against any j undue demonstration by their friends. Colonel Perry, private secretary to Governor Slaton, and Miss Harriet Ma son, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. J Mason and a prominent Georgia society i girl, were wed at 4 o’clock Wednesday afternoon at the home of the bride's parents, at Ijavonia. Ga. The Rev. M. K. Peabody, of Iva, S. C., performed the ceremony. Only relatives and a few close friends were present. Officer Shoots Man Who Pointed Pistol In a desperate battle with Edward Rachel, a negro, who terrorized Hol- cmob’s alley early Christmas morning. Policeman O. R. Jones narowly escaped death. The negro turned his weapon on the officer when Jones told him he was under arest. and snapped It twice on empty cartrdlges before Jones could draw his revolver Jones fired at the negro the bullet striking him in the fleshy part of the thigh. Rachel was taken to Grady Hos pital. where his wound was dressed. after which he waa locked up In the city jail. ; Old Santa’s Reputation Fully Sus tained by the Good Fellows of Atlanta. To be sure, when the sun rose Christmas morning. Atlanta didn’t see It. Moreover, there was a heavy, thick, wide and excessively damp rain falling. Would you call it “Merry Christ mas?” Absolutely, YES! Tell you why, so you can add the reasons to a dozen other (and maybe better) ones of your own. Here’s w’hy a certain bunch of At lantans were able to crawl out of be 1, and scrape the slumber-clouds out of their eyes, and struggle into their duds to the mellow thunder of the rain on the tin roof—and still grin while catching a street car, and say "Merry Christmas!” Even after getting to work. How They Found Santa. All day long, the day before Christ, mas, a line of women passed In and out of The Georgian office. They went in a bit uncertainly, as if nop knowing Just where to go, or what to say. They r came out carrying heavy, well-filled baskets. And there was no uncertainty in their manner then and they seemed to know Just where to go. As to what to say— Oh, well that’s Santa Claus' secret, you know. Just between go«jd friends. Several hundred of them, going in uncertainly, coming out with heavy baskets. Maybe there were shining eyes, too—but that’s all in the family. Now, then, you people who made this thing possible, take a look over the layout and then forget to wonder how a Christmas can be so happy when it rains bucketsful and the sun doesn't open up—and a good many fellows have to get up early and go to work, too. Baskets to make Christmas happy for nearly a thousand youngsters went out in the long line that left The Georgian office the day before Christ mas. And there was a $2 bill for the Comes to Visit His Fiancee; Find She Is Bride of Another Continued on Page 2, Column 5. " On Christmas Eve a young man who lives in Marietta came to At lanta bent on celebrating with his fiancee, Miss OzfeUe Wheeler, of No. 8 Williams street, on whose finger he had but a few days before placed a diamond ring. He was to meet Miss Wheeler at 5 o'clock on Walton street. Five o’clock came and Miss Wheeler came not. He telephoned to her home, and was told that his fiancee could not speak to him. “You tell her it’s So-and-So,” said the young man. And then L. R. Jeter came to the telephone. "You can not,” he told the young man, "speak to my wife!” For Mr. Jeter and Miss Wheeler were married by Justice of the Peace Edgar H. Orr at noon Wednesday— with the other young man’s diamond ring sparkling on her finger. They left their boarding house at 7:30 o’clock, presumably to go to their work, the young woman to the West ern Union offices, where she is a ste nographer, and Mr. Jeter to the of fices of the General Accident Insur ance Company. And Christmas morning both went to work again. Senators to Aid Fight On Roger Sullivan SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Dec. 25.—As a result of the organization of the Wilson-Bryan League here. Senators John W. Kern, of Indiana, and Robert L. Owen, of Oklahoma, win be brought to Illinois to open the fight planned against Roger C. Sullivan, candidate for nomination for United States Senator, by his foes in the Democratic party. The two Senators will be invited to speak at a banquet to be given In Springfield probably on Washington’s Birthday', CALUMET, MICH., Dec. 24— Police, private detectives and citizens of Calumet to-day were united in their efforts to find the man who cried fire in the Italian hall where last niffht 83 persons gathered about a giant Christmaa tree were killed in a panic. The authorities feared the man would be lynched. The dead were members of striking copper min ers’ families. It was understood that the man who caused the panic was not in sympathy with the mine strike. The real horror of the disaster did not dawn upon the people of Calu met until to-day when the city awoke to the most cheerless Christmas in Its history. There was little observ ance of the day. Residents of all parts of the city Joined In the general mourning for the scores of dead. The sorrow of friends of the dead was Increased to-day by the remem brance that the panic waa unneces sary. There was no fire in or near the building in which the celebrants were gathered. Several hundred miners, their wives and children, were gathered about the big Christmaa tree. The happy lit tle folk were pressing eagerly toward the stage In the front of the hall where Mrs. Annie Clemens, president of the Women's Auxiliary of the mners* organization, was superin tending the distribution of presents. Christmas Joy reigned. It was the happiest time In the lives of many of the little ones. They had welted weeks for this event. Babies Trampled by Men. Suddenly a door opened. A man thrust in "his head- Trumpeting through his hands he uttered a wild cry: "Fire!” Instantly the hafl was a scene of wildest confusion. Mothers were torn from their babies and saw them trampled to death under the feet of panic-stricken men. The cry of Are was taken up by a hundred throats. Mrs. Henry Isola was holding her little boy and girl by the hand. The boy was jerked away from her. He escaped from the building. The moth er and daughter were crushed to death by the frenzied mob. Christian Klarich and his two little daughters were trampled to. death. Mrs. Kla rich escaped unhurt. There were scores of such incidents. The panic waa over in less than a minute. Rescurers rushed Into the building. They found bodies piled to the top of the only regular exit, a narrow stairway at the rear of the hall. When order was restored there were counted the bodies of 37 little girls, 18 little boys, 15 men and 13 women. Every undertaking establishment was filled with bodies this morning and bodies were given to the authori ties, who arranged the dead in as or derly a manner as possible to make identification easier. All through the night surviving members of families that were nearly wiped out went from place to place seeking their dead. Friends sought the bodies of those they had loved. Sorrowing children who lost both their parents were led from one im provised morgue to another in an effort to find parents, brothers and sisters. The Coroner’s assistants, checking over the bodies, found that 54 fami lies had suffered a k»ss of one or more members. When the cry of fire was raised