The age-herald., 1901-02-03
PASSENGER AGENT ]. C. LUSK ARRIVES 'Rube" Ellis Successor is at His
 New Post BIG MARDI GRAS BUSINESS The Illinois Central Will Build Double Track-Special Rates Announced-
 Rumblings of the Rails
 Personal Mention.
BIG MARDI GRAS BUSINESS

John c. Lusk the Alabama Great South ern's new travelling passenger agent in this city, arrived from Selma Friday night and assumed his new duties yesterday morning. The first business that MT. Lusk had to look after was travel to New Or leans and Mobile during the Mardi Gras season, the middle of this month. The Southern and Alabama Great Southern have ordered four extra sleeping cars to ac- commodate their patrons on this occasion two to be run between Birmingham and Mobile and two between Birmingham and New Orleans. A number of reservations have already been made to both places and the indications are that an unusually large number of persons will go to Mobile and New Orleans for the Mardi Gras carnival. The transfer of John C. Lusk from Selma to Birmingham made vacant the position of travelling passenger agent of the South ern railway at the former place. The va cancy has been filled by the appointment of A. B. Freeman, city ticket agent of the Southern at Rome Ga, to be travelling pas senger agent at Selma. MT. Lusk is no stranger in Birmingham, he having made several visits here while stationed at Selma. He was cordially greeted on his arrival here by the other passenger agents in the city.
 Links and Pins.
 Walter L. Smith, of the contracting firm or C. D. Smith & Co.,, is in the city, He arrived from Memphis yesterday afternoon and reports that work on the thirty-mile line Of the Illinois Central for the con- struction of which his firm has the con- tract Is progressing satisfactorily.
 During the present year the Illinois will build an additional track from Jackson, Miss, to New Orleans and from Cham paigne, H., 100 miles south The company recently sold $6,000,000 of bonds, the pro- ceeds from which are to be used in the construction of this double track. The con- tract for this work will be let some time in the spring.
 Two passenger trains have been put on the Southern Railway between Atlanta and Charlotte, known as Nos 8 and 34 These trains make connection with Nos. 37 and 38 between Birmingham and Atlanta, thus enabling persons travelling on second clas tickets from Birmingham and other points west of Atlanta, leaving on No. 37, due to leave Birmingham at o'clock Tn the morning, and go through to the East without lying over in Atlanta. Cullman will have a Mardi Gras carnival on Tuesday, February 19 and for this occa- sion the Louisville and Nashville Railroad has granted special low rates The peo- pie of Cullman are making arrangements for an unusually brilliant display on this occasion and they expect to have a large attendance from oher towns and cities in Alabama and Tennessee.
 Special Rates. Special rates have been announced by the Southern Passenger Association for the following events:
 To Charleston, s. C., February 12-14, on account of the Woodmen of the World con vention.
 To New Orleans February 24-30 on ac- count of the General Missionary Confer ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South
 To Chicago, February 26-2S, on account of the meeting of the Department of Super intendence of the National Education Asso- citation.
 To Old Point Comfort, Va, February H. 16 on account of the Brick Manufacturers Association.
 To New Orleans, Mobile and Pensacola February 14-19, on account of Mardi Gras. Personal. J. R. McGregor, travelling passenger agent of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Day. ton Railroad, with headquarters in Nash Vile, was in the city yesterday. Mr Me Gregor was formerly travelling passenger agent of the Alabama Great Southern in this city, and has many friends here.
 General Freight Agent c. B. Compton of the Louisville and Nashville was in the city yesterday.
 Travelling Passenger Agent c. F. Jack