The age-herald., 1901-10-07
FROM ASHVILLE
 SOLDIERS COME
Birmingham Military Guard
 Brought Back to Town
HAD A PLEASANT TIME
There Was Much Flirting and General Enjoyment During the Four Days. A Quaint village-sherlff
 North Makes Statement.

lected from the Jefferson Volunteers and the Birmingham Rifles. under command of Col E. l.. Higdon and on duty at the trial of James L. North, sheriff of St. Clair county, returned to the city from Ashville yesterday morning at 1 o'clock. Before leaving Ashville Acting Sergeant Major John D. Latham. upon instructions from Col. Higdon, wired the Metropolitan cafe as follows:
 Prepare food for twenty soldiers. Ar rive on A. G. s."
 On arrival in Birmingham the guard was marched to the cafe where a good meal was served The soldiers were then marched to the armory and dismissed, after being on duty for the state of Ala bama four days and three nights.
 At noon Saturday It was apparent that the trial would end during the afternoon. The soldiers had expected to remain over until today and majority of them had received invitations to dine out yester- day with friends, and when the news came that they were to return home their faces became sad, but no objections were heard. A photograph of the militia, together with Sheriff North and Coroner Miller, was taken in the courtyard after the trial.
 At 6.3O supper was served and after wards the detail was formed and Colonel Higdon addressed few remarks to the citizens, in behalf of the soldiers, thank ing them for the kindness shown during their stay. His remarks were literally applauded
 At o'clock, Just after dark. the four mile march to Whitney Station was be- gun. The soldiers left town singing and as they marched down the street the cit izens shouted to them
 Come again, boys, but don't bring your guns." Don't forget us, boys;" shouting the kind feeling that was at all times entertaining towards the Guard. Whitney was reached at o'clock and the train, which was due to arrive at o'clock, was nearly three hours late. A camp fire was made, and some of the soldiers laid down on the station platform and were soon asleep. Others gathered | around the camp fire and listened to Col onel Higdon tell of his many experiences with the National Guard.
 By a unanimous vote it was declared that the four days stay in Ashville was the most pleasant duty the soldiers had ever been called on to perform.
 The Village of AshviIIe. l Saturday afternoon Hotel Keeper Nun nally, at whose house the soldiers had passed the evenings, came over to Colonel Higdon and announced that little visi- l tor had arrived at his home during the afternoon, and that 1t had been named Jack Higdon Nunnally.
 | Ashville is a beautiful little village of perhaps several hundred of the proudest | citizens in the world. They love their | town, their state and their people. They are amongst the most hospitable people | to be found in Alabama, and whenever stranger enters their gates he is sure to | find a welcome Ashville has no indus ! tries, save probably saw mill and cotton ginneries. Some years ago railroad was operated between Ashville and Whitney, l but this has long since been abandoned. The citizens years ago formed company and an electric light plant was erected,
 
 was later sold and moved away.
 At this season of the year-cotton time business is on the increase. Ashville is a good cotton market The town is con nected to the outside world by means of telegraph and telephone lines. 1 It is a hard matter to decide whether | the citizens of Ashville and St. Clair county wanted the military to attend the trial or not. They refuse to say. The | officials and some of the attorneys did and the military went upon orders of Governor Jelks. After they reached the | quaint little village, and during the en- | tire stay the people of Ashville made them feel like they were at home, numer- ous courtesies being extended them. The soldiers will never forget Ashville
 During the previous trip to the hanging | of Jim Brown a great many of the mill tary had met the young girls of Ashville. l On arriving in town last Wednesday morning those who were excused from 1 duty went about seeking to renew their acquaintanoes among the girls. Those who had not been introduced /h the 1 former trip were soon chatting with the girls, who had congregated near the hotel. The old saying is that "the pret- tiest girls in the world reside in Ashville. [" and indeed this Is in part true, and a great liking for blue uniforms and brass buttons was shown.
 On Friday evening an informal enter tainment was given the soldiers at the Nunnally hotel. A large number of young ladies were present and a pleasant time was had.
 North's Statement.
 Sheriff North was seeh after the trial and asked concerning the verdict. He said that he felt assured at all times that