The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-19
Since His Increased Fine for Carrying Concealed Weapons Went Into Effect Killings Have Almost Ceased.
More Murders and Killings Take Place in May Than Any Other Time-Ihe Coroner's Banner Month.
- HE number of murders, or kill

lngS III Blrmlngnam duIlHS
 year probably runs higher than in any other city of it's size in the world. The only record kept is that of Coroner Paris, who is called to in- vestigate every death which has any mystery surrounding 1t or Is not from natural cause. All of these killings should not rightfully be accredited to citizens of Birmingham, as it is well known that this district is used by the state as a dumping ground for its criminals.
 The number of these unusual deaths settles the salary of the coroner for the month, and naturally he watches them with interest. He is also re- quired by law to keep an accurate record of the deaths by unnatural causes.
 The various months are kept in the coroner's records as good or bad accord ing to the number of these deaths. If there are a large number 1t is good month for him, financially, but a hard one physically as every murder or un- natural death causes him many hours of hard and diligent work.
 A Poor Month.
 The present month is the poorest in the year for him, so say the records. The first eighteen days of this month will verify that statement, for there has been but one death in Jefferson county with peculiar circumstances, such as would call for a coroner's investigation. That one did not require much work, and he was through with 1t In half an hour.
 May is the ''banner'' month. Ever since MrA Paris has been coroner he has reaped a harvest of deaths in May, and he there fore sleeps and eats little during that period of thirty days. It Is all work and no play with him during the last spring month, and It might be said that he ex- formally sleeps in his clothes, for there is seldom a night during May that he can call his own and retire at a reasonable hour and sleep late the following morn- ing.
 Last May as an example, there were twenty-five deaths which needed the at lcHllOI anu lIlNtSllBdllOn OL lilt CptOHcIs Incidentally he made a large amount of money that month and lived easily for some time afterwards. June July and August had enough deaths to keep him busy, but the work was trying, nearly all of the unusual deaths requiring con siderable investigation.
 Christmas Days.
 The winter months, as rule are less liable to have deaths requiring his atten- ton than the summer months. December, on account of Christmas and It's hiarity. Is full of work during the last few days, and the first of January generally gives the coroner apprehension of work to come
 Why one month should be better than another Is a question the coroner studies a great deal. He sees no explanation of 1t. The coroner attributes a portion of the present lack of deaths to the fact that Judge Feagin is fighting concealed weapons. He says as a grim joke, that the judge is running his business and that If he was not law abiding citizen and a believer in the majesty of the law he would get out an injunction against him prohibiting him from fining the pis- tol toter so heavily.
 It is fact that this month there has not been a serious shooting scrape and they are the kinds of deaths which gem orally cause work for the coroner. There are also fewer, almost none, arrested with pistols in their pocket. If Judge Feagin's crusade to educate the people not to carry guns continues at the pres ent rate the coroners business will be al- most entirely destroyed and his office will not be worth half the amount 1t is at present.