Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-24
HELM
End of an Important Train Wreeking
Trlal-The Defendant Acquitted
Other News.

Hefin. March 22.-tSpecial Correspond
ence.) MIR. and Mrs. Weaver entertained
a number of their friends at their pretty
home in South Hefin Thursday evening,
Mrs Weaver is quite a pleasant host
ess Music. flowers, pretty girls and hand
some young men. all weiFs toward max
ing the affair a success.
The Baptist church organized choir
last week. There has lately been sweet
toned organ placed in the church. They
have a f1ourishiDg Sunday school.
The Southern Methodist Episcopal
church has a fine Sunday school, anu
are organizing a choir.
We have had much rain of late, but
have escaped winds. We have had very
severe electric storm, but no damages
done.
The farmers are badly distressed over
the continuous wet weather.
There is q gradual improvement going
on over all parts of our town. There VIII
be several houses painted this spring.
and some building dene. There is q
movement, or at least talk OF one, OF
building a town hall.
Miss Ada Morris, home girl, Is doing
fine work in the primary department. or
our school Miss Morris takes school
journals and keeps apace with the pre-
gressive school work. Then, naturally,
sh is one of those fortunate beings
who keep in touch with child-life. She
understands their little hopes fears and
disappointmenrs and the while com
mands their strictest obedience. Yet she
has their confidence.
Miss Hattie Perryman has a class in
music.
The Polend trial came to a close Satur-
day. after consuming the larger part
Of the week. Polend is free, after
nine months Imprisonment and big cost
to the county. II will be remem bered
that a freight train, consisting of sew
enteen cars, was wrecked on the South
ern railway, one mile wesi, of Helm, on
the 2Sth of June last, Thirteen cars were
smashed and their contents scattered
broken and piled about In every direction.
costing the road many thousand dollars.
Several n groes were killed and died from
injuries received at the wreck; two were
buried beneath coal cars; then two were
buried in Helm. having friends and rel
stives here. The evidence was very
strong against Polend. In the prelim-
mary evidence was given that Polend
swore that he would do the fearful crime
to get even with freight conductor who
refused to let him ride on his own terms.
Polend was drinking. Several parties
had persuaded him to go home and be-
have. Parker, man who was with him,
swore in the preliminary that Polend did
the work. Mr. Polend was born and
raised near here. His home is in the
vicinity of Iron City.
Nat Holland, a negro. was buried at
Hefiin last Thursday. He was killed by
a freight car running over him while at
work on the Central road. His ia Their,
Wash Holland. has sued the Central
for $4,000, stating that Nat was his only
means of support. Nat leaves wife,
and has several bro, hers and sisters.
The old man. Wash Holland. married
young woman last week, ard boasts of
his ability to support family. The rail-
roads are mammoth affairs, but they GER
tainly have an uphill business contendng
with the thriftless, reckless public. who
seem to think the whole outfit is Utopia
on Wheels