davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
Jury AGAIN NDECTS
COFFMAN FOR MURDER
RlDlCULE VAN HORNS
BRIBERY STATEMENTS

Duncan's cell was filed through but this
would not have allowed him his liberty.
because the entire tier of cells was sup
posed to be locked also by a series of
sliding bars, which were worked by.
lever in the outside corridor. This lever
vas found intact In describing this de-
tail of the escape the Age-Herald of jan
uary 81 said:
IAN the cells on the left side of the Jail
and also on the right are locked stimuli
taneously by means of lever or brake
which is worked from the corridor In adj
dition to this lever which locks all the
cells at once each cell door is fitted with
a paddock. In making their escape Sun
day night this lever was unlocked and
opened, thus allowing each individual cell
door to be unlocked. This lever must
have been unlocked by some one who had
access to the corridor. All the prisoners
were locked up except two TRUSTEES, Lon
ME Stewart and Andy Sumner, who had
the run of the corridors.
This lever being opened by some one
the lock on Duncan's door was filed
through. The other three men were in
a cell together and 1t is not known wheth-
er their lock was filed or broken as 1t was
never found"
In another part of the account of the
escape the following appears:
Here are other inexplicable facts In
the case
Duncan and the other conspirators
must have received inside aid. Who fur
nished 1t?
They must have received money, files,
saws, etc. Who furnished them?
They must have been aided by some
one within the jail walls, or else how
were the cells unlocked? Who did it?'
Sheriff Burgin may have worked these
questions out to his own satisfaction, but
he has never taken the public into his
confidence.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
NEGRO GIVES WHITE MAN
PAINFUL WOUND
Will Harris Cuts A. L. Nallan On the
Forearm When Caught
Trying to Steal.

A. L. Nailan, who lives at 2220 Third
avenue, was cut in the right forearm
last night by VIII Harris, alias Houston,
a negro, whom he had caught stealing eggs
from his stand on Fourth avenue near
Twentieth street. The knife severed two
arteries and one of the largest veins In
the arm Dr. Yates, who attended Nailan
says the wound Is serious and may neces-
citate amputation.
When Nailan caught Harris the negro
turned and cut him across the arm. He
then ran down the street towards Nine
teenth. A number of people Joined in
the race, including several firemen.
The negro was caught on the steps to
Judge Feagin's court room in the new
city hall building by Firemen Lane and
Charlie Mann. The latter was the first
to catch the negro, who raised knife
to stab the fireman. Mr.. Lane knocked
him down with his fist A charge OF
assault with intent to murder was placed
against the negro by Chief Austin and
Policeman Jordan.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
A BURNING BLACKSMITH
Changed Fooc and Put Out the Fire

Even sturdy blacksmiths sometimes dis
cover that. notwithstanding their daily
exercise and resulting good health. II
their food 10 not well selected trouble Will
follow, but In some cases a change OF
food to the right sort will quickly relieve
the sufferer, for generally such active
m en- have fine constitutions and can. with
a little change Of diet, easily rid them
selves Of the disease.
/. e. Overdorf. Villas Penn, black
smith, says, Two months ago got down
so bad with stomach troubles that l had
to quit my business. About ten o'clock
each morning I was attacked by bum
ing pains in the stomach, so bad was
unable to work.
Our groceryman insited upon my chang
ing breakfasts and using Grape-Nuts
Breakfast Food instead Of the ordinary
breakfast OF meat. potatoes, etc. So tried
and at once began to mend. The new
food agreed with my stomach perfectly
and the pains all ceased. l kept getting
better and better every day and now l
am able to follow my business better than
before in years. I am a thousand times
obliged to the makers of Grape-Nuts for
the great benefits the food has given"
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23

feet high and the length OF the slide 100
will be utilized to transport passengers
on their hair-raising journey. Work on
the piling for the theatre in the lake will
begin today. the machinery for the driv-
ing having been installed yesterday. The
theatre will seat 1000 people. with room at
the refreshment tables and in the aisles
for an additional thousand. The stage will
be the exact size of that of the Jefferson.
and 500 incandescent lights will be in
stalled from the new city current wire
now being constructed from woodlawn.
Manager Pickens yesterday received
from Manager Ottman of West End
Park, New Orleans. the contracts for the
acts to be presented the opening week.
They include Edgar Atchison Ely, the
headliner. and Johnny World and Mil
dred Hastings. Charles Smith, Jr, the
high tenor now with Governor Bob Tay-
lor, has been secured for the entire sea-
son of fourteen weeks TO render ballads
In connection with the illustrated slides,
which will be changed twice weekly. The
biograph, the most perfect of the moving
picture machines, has been contracted for.
together with the celebrated moving pict-
ures recently taken Of Pope Leo. Prof.
Fred Grambs and an orchestra OF ten
members will furnish music. The chutes
and other attractions will open May 10,
while The formal opening of the theatre
takes place June 2.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
Motion Made BY Defense 10
Quash Action Of Pre-
ViOus Jury
SOLICITOR DECIDED
TO TAKE NO CHANCES
Witnesses Again Summoned and New
Indictment Return ed-SoIlcitor
Ferguson Makes Answer to
Allegations of Defense.

r. D. Coffman, the Brookside justice of
the peace, was indicted for the second
time yesterday for murder in the first de-
gree, the indictment charging that he
killed the Rev. J. w. Bradford. pastor Of
the Methodist church at that place.
Coffman was indicted by the last grand
jury for this alleged crime and his trial
was set for yesterday. The case was dis
placed by the Will Morgan case and 1t
was continued until o'clock. At Il
O'Clock the grand jury filed into the court
stantially following the charges in the
first one. When the defendants attor-
neys returned at o'clock they were sur
prised at finding a second Indictment, and
the Morgan case being still on trial, the
Coffman case was postponed until Mon
day, June 2.
Several days ago Coffman's attorneys
filed motion to quash the first indict-
ment on the ground that Solicitor Charles
grand jury. unduly influenced that body
in urging them to bring in an indictment
charging murder in the first degree. So
licitor Ferguson denies this, and yester-
day filed his answer to the motion. So
licitor II. p Hefin, not wishing to take
any chances in having the indictment
quashed, simply had the states witnesses
to go before the present grand jury, and
a second Indictment was returned.
Solicitor Ferguson In his answer states
that he explained to the grand jury that
If they indicted for murder In the second
degree when there Was evidence showing
the crime to have probably been murder
in the first degree 1t would be unfair to
the state, inasmuch as the petit jury
could not convict a man of a greater
crime than he was charged. Thus, IL he
was on trial for murder in the second de-
gree he could not be convicted of murder
in the first, while IL he was on trial
charged with murder In the first degree
the petit jury could, If they had doubts
of the crime being of this magnitude
convict of murder In a lesser degree. He
also called the grand jury's attention &c
the fact that II they indicted for less
degree than the solicitor thought the
evidence would justify he could pol pros
the case. have a new warrant issued and
secure another indictment at the hands
of a subsequent grand jury.
Coffman was in court yesterday looking
we'll He was accompanied by his wife
and his father and mother. He is confined
in the county Jail. having been denied bail
on hearing for this purpose several
months ago.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
SUES LIQUOR
DEALERS FOR $1,000
TOM MEANS CLAIMS HE WAS
SOLD A BOTTLE OF WINE
WHICH WAS olsoNoUs-HAs
NEVER RECOVERED.

Tom Means has filed a suit in the City
Court in which he sets out the alleged
Ill effects of drink which he took from
a bottle of wine sold him by William
Wise & Co.
He asks for $500 damages and in his
petition he says the defendant on Decem-
Der 10, 1901. negligently sold to him as
a half pint of harmless wine deleterious
or poisonous liquor He alleges that he
accepted the said liquor as Harmless wine
which he had asked for, and drank a
small quantity thereof and was imme-
diately seized with violent and terrible
pains in his stomach and became sick
and was rendered unable to walk and
was assisted to his home where he suffer-
ed great agonies throughout the night
and for a number of days and nights
thereafter. He says that his health be-
came shattered and since taking the stuff
he has never been able to perform his
customary work.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
SKATING RINK TO
BE A FEATURE
WEBSTER AMUSEMENT SYNDI-
CATE PREPARING MANY At
FRACTIONS FOR EAST LAKE
THIS SUMMER.

The Webster Amusement Syndlca tie,
lessees of East Lake Park for the coming
season, announced yesterday that with
the opening of the park May Is. In addi-
ton to the chutes, aquatic theatre and
midway with its merry-go-round, minia-
ture railway, pony track and features
usually accompanying up-to-date park
arrangements, a finely-equipped roller
skating rink would be installed. This an
nouncement will come as a pleasant sur.
prise to the thousands of skating de.
voices ir the city.
The present pavilion will be trans
formed into a modern rink building ant
the stage will be removed in order thai
the largest amount Of floor space be OBJ
tained. This will give a skating surface
of $50 feet long by 80 feet wide. The floor
will be replaced In uneven spots by new
hardwood lengths and the entire surface
will be pIaned and otherwise treated so
as to produce an ideal track for the
skaters.
Work on the chutes has progressed rap
idly and the heavy timbers are all in
place now. The entrance tower will be IS
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
MAYOR DRENNEN BACK
AND TALKS ABOUT WATER

pure. 1t was not settled by either the
city claiming the water was polluted or
by the Water Works Company claiming
1t was not, but by third person en-
ployed by the sanitary commission.
THE council did its duty I think in de-
handing that the city shall have pure
water. The resolution may be little
drastic, and the agitation Of the question
may call to the mind of the public the
fact that our water is not pure, but the
best way to remedy all this is for the
Water Works Company TO put in fill
tration plant and furnish US pure water
1 believe they will do this without unnec-
essary delay"
The resolution referred to by Mayor
Drennen left the matter to the Mayor,
city engineer and city attorney in case
the Water Works Company did not an
swer within thirty days as 10 what they
would do This time has not expired, but
so far no answer has been received from
the company. 1t will probably make one
before the time limit ends, for otherwise
the city attorney is authorized to file
suit and take such proceedings as are
necessary to carry out the resolution.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
LIBRARY QUARTERSN
CITYHALL TOO SMALL
sHERIFF's OFFICE OFFICIALS ARE
MUCH INoENsED-FRIENDs OF
DEPUTY BALL DECLARE HIM TO
BE a MAN OF HIGHEST HONOR.

JEFF VanHorn's statement that Frank
Duncan told him jail official was
bribed in connection with the famous jail
delivery OF January 20 threw the sheriff s
office into rage. Sheriff and deputies as
well were much incensed that VanHorn's
statement should have reached the pub
lie. They discussed little else, and all de-
clared that there was no truth in the
charge.
They ridiculed the allegation which Van
Horn claims Duncan made to the effect
that Night Warden Ball received $1,000.
All spoke very highly of the warden,
and many lifelong friends of the official
expressed the conviction that he was a
man Of high honor and unfailing integ-
rity.
Former Sheriff O'Brien said that War
den Ball had served under him four
years. and that he believed implicitly in
Mr.. Balls honesty
Others in discussing the Van Horn
statement argued that Duncan could not
have paid a thousand dollars to any one
because he did not have any money; that
is, any considerable amount. He was al
ways resorting to schemes to raise money
which were never successful. A majority
of persons agreed that Van Horn made
his statement through pique as Warden
Ball claims.
In reviewing the jail delivery yesterday
morning it was made to appear that the
locks on the two cells which Duncan and
the other men occupied were found In
tact the following morning. The lock to
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.

The following deeds have been placed
on record:
e. M. Tutwiler and wife to w. s. Nc
Council, ct al, 4-1S-o2 $500; lots and
In subdivision &C." block 1O7, Birming-
ham.
B. F. Pool and wife to Investment Real
Estate Company of Alabama, $1,000. $27Oo;
part lots 4 and 5. block 4. Pelar addition
to Birmingham.
H. Franklin and wife to Joe Franklin.
s-23-O1. s225s. 70; part block 4. Phelan ad-
ditfon to Birmingham.
Investment Real Estate Company to II.
E. Pool, 11-2l-o1. s4675; lots q, 70 and %,
block 1. North Birmingham.
B. r. Pool and wife to r. X. Jones, ,
21-02, $500; lot o. block n. Avondale.
A. F. Pool to B. F. Pool 3-1s-o2. 1850;
lot Q. block 81. Avondale.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
COAL OPERATORS TAKE
UP WAGE QUESTION
Conference Held Yesterday for Pur-
pose of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Be-
IIeve Old Scale viii Be Renewed.

A conference of coal operators was held
noon. While the proceedings were not
made public 1t is known that the question
of miners wages for the next wage
scale year was discussed and steps taken
for organization with view to concerted
action In June when the miners and
operators will meet In joint conference
to consider the new scale.
The meeting was not largely attended
but the Tennessee, the Sloss-S Sheffield,
the Corona and other big companies were
represented. A subcommittee was ap-
pointed to consider details of organiza-
ton and call a full conference within
the next few weeks.
Asked IL the United Mine Workers in
this district would demand higher wages,
an official OF one Of the companies who
attended the conference replied that he
had not heard they would but as they
generally made a demand when the old
scale ran out they would probably do SO
this year.
II think, however. that the scale now
In effect will be signed for the next
year." said this official representing the
operators. II say this with good deal
of confidence, because the northern min
ers have already signed the old scale. 1 do
not look for any bitches. Our miners are
now getting the maximum of IS cents a
ton. and the maximum is likely to con-
tinue for the next twelve months"
The operators have never been thor
oughly organized like the United Mine
Workers. They have usually waited until
near the time for the joint conference
and then got together hurriedly. Now
they are organizing we'll in advance. They
say this will be more satisfactory to all
parties concerned.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
AFTER FURNITURE FACTORY.
Mr.. Morris Sends Good News Back to
the Commercial Club.

Secretary J. B. Gibson of the Com
mercial Club has received a letter from
Mr.. w. H. Morris, who Is now in Penn
sylvania in the interest of the club, stat
ing he has practically secured a furni-
ture factory for the Birmingham district.
He also states that several gentlemen
connected with the car and wagon fac
tory which has been spoken of before
will be in the city in short time to be-
GIN active operations on the plant.
Mr.. Morris has interested men in sew
eral other lines of business in the dis
trict. He is trying to secure a tannery
and shoe factory, and plant for the
manufacturing Of bridge materials.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
LADIES! $500 REWARD 4! '!. s. 81 s.:
pressed I Di JACKSON T. Co., sic issDsssssss, csssss
COUNCIL TO MEET.
Several Matters of Unfinished SIsi-
ness VIII Be Taken Up.

There will be an adjourned meeting Of
the City Council tonight. Mayor Dren-
men having returned will preside. No
committees have met recently and 1t is
probable that most Of the business will
be routine
The question Of the correctness of GER
tain assessments will come up, also Pc
tition from the Birmingham Belt Railway
Company to make a certain connection
between two ends of their track, to which
there is objection.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
WOODLAND VOTES TO
RAISE IT'S TAX RATE
One per Cent Will Be Added for I'M
provement Bonds and Other
Expenditures.

The city Of Woodlawn will raise its tax
rate 1 per cent. At the election held for
the purpose Of deciding this question yes
terday vote giving 1856 for increase and
Sc against an increase was cast. The
vote was light, many citizens remaining
away from the polls.
The election was held at the city hall,
with Mr.. J. B. Burris, Mr.. J. L. Johnson
and Mr.. Joseph Hood as judges. Mr.. j. B.
Chamberlain and Mr.. John s. Kennedy
acted as clerks. The increase is made on
account of improvement bonds and other
necessary expenditures.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
PICNIC AND BALL.
Firen,en to Give Entertainment fol-
Benefit of Widows and Orphans.

The first picnic and ball Of the summer
season will be given by the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Firemen at Avondale
Park Wednesday, April %. and Wednes-
day night. The AFFAIR will be for the
benefit of the widows and orphans of the
association.
A number Of prizes will be offered, IN
GLIDING presents for the best walters
the prettiest persons. the usliest ner
and the latest man. T,sssts are now be.
ing sold by the firsmen and their friends
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
To Try Captain Neumann.

Pensacola. Fla. April PA general
courtmartial convened at the Pensacola
navy yard this m orning to try Captain
Bertram s. Neuman of the marine corps
on charges which have been pending for
over year OF withholding money due to
contractors and with failure to pay his
personal debts. Col. p. C. Hope U. g. M.
c. from Boston is President and Captain
Henry Leonard from Charleston is Judge
advocate
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
SITE FOR COLLEGE.
New Medical Institution to AdIoin the
HIllman Hospital.

The Birmingham Medical College will
begin work soon on the new building to
be located next to the Hillman Hospital
The board Of managers Of the latter have
sold lot on the south side Of Avenue
F to the college, the cash consideration
being $25oO, but the main consideration
being that they shall erect thereon the
college for the training of medical stu.
dents. The latter will have the advan-
tages Of the hospital.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23

the public. and there is no charge for
using any of the books, so long as they
are not Withdrawn from the room.
In order that school children In the
lower grades may have the advantage
of such ltorary literature as is suited to
them, DR.. Phillips selected about 600
books - little classics and distributd
them to the principal schools. Good re-
suits have come from this plan. Children
are directed in their reading by the
teachers and by correlating wholesome
literature with their studies the mind
is broadened and taste for letters is de-
veloped.
The books in the various schools have
been much worn this year and this fact,
as DR.. Phillips observes, affords ample
proof that The children are making good
use of the library The board of edu-
cation would be glad to buy several hum
bred new books for the juveniles, to say
nothing of it's desire to buy new refer
ence books for the big library. but 1t has
no money, and unless books are donated
Their will be no increase. The meagre
funds that the board handles are applied
to subscriptions for periodicals. of which
the reading room Is kept fully supplied.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23

New Vice Observation-Disclosures
Union, Local No. S27. has elected
Mrs. s. Daley vice president, to sue
coed Miss Nellie Garvin, who has
moved to Chattanooga. Miss Cecilia
Herbert was elected guardian In Miss
Mabelle Chisolm's place.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
Thousands of new patrons have taken
Hoods Sarsaparilla this season. You
should try It,
PROPOSALS..
PROPOSALS..

Contractors are invited to submit pro-
posals for Open Air Theatre at East Lake.
Plans and specifications can be seen at
office Of Ford. Bacon s. Davis, 21O4 First
avenue. Birmingham, Ala, next Wednes-
day morning.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23

Summer Uniforms.-The contracts
for the summer suits of the policemen
will be let today. A number Of bids
have already been received.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23

When you want hauling
done phone Motion Transfer
Company. Phones 221-of-
fee 1855 10th Street, North.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23

Mics WnkIer to Lecture.-Miss M.
L. WiEkler will deliver. an address on
"The Sins of the Nations Against
Israel at Elks' Hall Thursday night
at s o'clock. Miss Winkler has made
special study of the subject. Nc
admission will be charged.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23

Marriage Lioense.-A marriage IL
cense was issued yesterday to Mr..
Oscar Grady Gartman and Miss Daisy
Aubrey.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
lAn TEN w..rana WIND R FAT.

Highest temperature. 81; lowest temper
allure, SO; averaged temperature. TO.
BEN n. JACOBS.
Station Agent. u. q. Weather Bureau.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23

Petitions In Bankruptey.-Petitions
in bankruptcy were filed yesterday by
r. J. Beasley and Reeves Barnett.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
SAYS COUNCIL. DID ITS DUTY IN
DEMANDING THAT THE WATER
COMPANY PUT IN A FILTRATION
PLANT.

Mayor w. NJ. Drennen returned TO the
city yesterday from Orlando, Fla, where
he has been on visit to his brother,
William Drennen, who is quite i'll. The
Mayor returned to attend a meeting OF
the City Council tonight.
The Mayor was absent at the last meet
ing Of the council when the resolution
was passed demanding that the Birming-
ham Water Works Company start work
on a filtration plant within thirty days
Mayor Drennen was asked what he
thought of this and said
THE question as to whether the water
furnished the city under its contract
with the Birmingham Water Works Com
pany Is pure, is no longer open. The re-
port of Mr.. Gray. the special engineer
conclusively shows that the water is not
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
THE WEATHER.

Birmingham, Ala, April %. 1907.
Local observations during the "a hours
ending Z p. M. Central time:
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23

Of to State convention.-Two large
delegations to the State Sunday
School Convention being held In Troy
left Birmingham yesterday, one early
in the morning and the other In the
afternoon at 4 o'clock. Fifty or more
Sunday school workers composed the
two parties.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
Foreeas. for Alabama.

Washington. April 22.-Fair Wednesday
and Thursday; cooler Thursday In north
ern portion; fresh south winds.