The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-14
NEGROES FIRED ON
 FOR DIGGING HOLES
PROPERTY OWNER NEAR MARION JUNCTION CLAIMS THAT RAIL ROAD COMPANY HAS NOT THE RIGHT OF WAY.

Selma, September B. = Special = The Meridian train on the Southern this morning brought to Selma two negroes Allen Gray and Tom Jones-employes of the Postal Telegraph company. The en- tire left side of each negro from the back of the ear to his heel was peppered with small shot and both were bleeding from the breaking of the flesh by the little leaden pellets.
 It seems that the Postal Telegraph company has contract with the South ern railway for the right to build it's telegraph lines along the right of way of the road. and for some weeks past gang, under the direction of Foreman E. A. Roberts. has been at work erecting poles and stringing wires from this city west toward Marion Junction. At liar rels, one mile this side of the junction and about thirteen miles from the city, the telegraph company's work was stopped by w. B. Moore, who owns the property through which the Southern runs for about a mile. MT. Moore claims that the Southern has no deed for a right of way through his property and yesterday Foreman Roberts came to the through right of possession. The road claims fifty feet on each side of the track. and it was upon this fifty feet that 1t was proposed to erect the telegraph poles.
 MT. Moore warned the construction gang not to trespass on his property and yesterday Foreman Roberts came to the city, and after consultation with the roads attorneys went back today and went to work.
 The two negroes were digging the holes for the posts when MT. Moore came out and shot them with the load of bird shot.
 According to the negroes story. MT. Moore told them to get up on the railroad track, and then shot them. MT. Moore has not been to the city, but 1t is sup posed that he ordered the men to desist their work. and upon their failure to do so, emptied both barrels of his guh at them.
 The two negroes boarded the rrain at Harrels, that passed shortly after the shooting, and came to the city, where the railroads surgeon plucked the shot from their skin. They are not seriously hurt although suffering considerable pain.
 R. D. l.. Mel, president Of the Selma Fall Festival association. is in receipt of the following communication in regard to the festival that is to take place the week of November 10-15:
 MT. R. E. Mel, President Fall Festival
 Associations
 Dear Slr-In our judgment, if properly conducted, as We believe it will be, such an enterprise ss is proposed will be of vast benefit to the business interest of Selma, ard we wish the association much success. Respectfully,
 w. E. Atkins, President; D. s. Starr, First Vice President; D. Lamae, second Vice President; Enos R. Stewart, Secre- tary; c. M Howard, Treasurer; B. J.. Scbuster, D. F. Ullrnan, Board of Direc- tors Seln a Chamber of Commerce"
 The endorsement of the fall festival by the new commercial organization of the city assures its success and thousands of visitors are expected here during the week of November 10.
 Sheriff Rives of Pike county and a United States marshal have been in Sell ma for the past two uays seeking for some of the goods of the firm of Meyer | ovitch Bros of Ozark, the members of the firm being in jail charged with crim- inal proceedings under the bankrupt law. A brother-in-law of Meyerovitch is in business in Selma, but it Is not thought any of the goods were found.