The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-27
SEABOARD'S FRANCHISE
WILL SHORTLY BE SIGNED BY
 MAYOR DRENNEN.
Birmingham News Issues an Anni- versary Number of 100 Pages. Carpenter Drowned in the
 Little Warrior.

Birmingham, May 26.-(speciaD-The contracts for, the rights of way in the city. limits by the adoption of an ordi- Birmlngham. and Atlantic Air Line Rail- way, which is part of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, are now being prepared by attorneys for the railroad and when signed by Mayor Drennen. Vice Presi- dent and General Manager J. M. Barr has gone to Portsmouth Wa. but he VIII re- turn to this district by the end of next week by which time he expects the sur veying corps between Pell City the ter minal of the East and West Railroad to have made some progress dn their work. Before leaving here 1t was stated that the Seaboard wanted to buy the Birmingham Belt Railroad outright but that the price asked for the property was too high. It Is possible that the Seaboard will ac- quire during the present week an inter est ip the Belt property which would give 1t more prestige than whaDit now has Tn franchises. The statement Is further made that before the end of the year the work Line will have, approached completion.
 Anniversary Ediaon of The News.
 The Birmingham News today issued it's anniversary editi0n~turning out 100 pages under a colored cover. The work was all addition being made to it's regular force, that being c. Catlett in the advertising department. The edition gives history of Birmingham with a complete resume of tional. commercial and industrial growth and progress, together with much dnfor- nation about the great Birmingham dis trict. In speaking of the marvellous pro- Eress made by Birmingham and the dis trict the opening of a two-page article says: Birmingham and the Birmingham district are rapidly measuring up to the fondest hopes of their most enthusiastic friends and stand today the most mar velons showing of substantial growth the South has within it's bounds. It has ceas- ed to be a possibility or even a probabil- ity-it takes its place in the line of march a permanent and progressive cer- tainty" A large number of copies of the big paper were sent throughout the State and the country.
 owenton. College Commencement.
 The commencement exercises of the North Alabama Conference College at Owenton, near here, are now on. This morning freshmen declamations occurred and Dr. R. M. Cunningham delivered an address. Tonight the literary societies held a debate. The college has had a most successful term. ,, .--
 The commencement exercises of the Bir- mingham Seminary also occur this week the graduation exercises taking place Wednesday evening. Miss Norah Mae Hawkins, daughter of Dr. R. N. Hawkins. will deliver. the valedictorian address This institute also has had most excei- lent session being one Of the largest re- male schools in the city.
 Petition of Zell.
 Mayor Drennen has requested the Ju- dietary Committee ti take action on the oetition of Robert Zell and associates who ssk for Franchises for the erection and op ation of water works in this city. Zell and associates desire to bore artestan wells. and furnish wholesome water to the
 IatAf mitteeT has made report a special ses- sion of the City Council will be called for the purpose of adopting the ordinance granting the franchises asked for or turn . ing them down. Zen and assoclates ue- clare their earnestness in the premises.
 Drowned in Little Warrior.
 A special from Bessemer tells Of the