The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-26
CONNECTS GIVEN \ ROYAL CHRISTMAS Prisoners at Pratt City lender ed an Elaborate Feast THEY ARE WELL PLEASED Speak In Highest Terms of the Treat meat Received By Them
 at Officers
 hands.

Pratt City, December 25.-(special.)- The hearts of 710 convicts at the state prisons were made happy today by the generosity of the authorities. The con victs at No. ? and at Flat Top were given an elaborate Christmas feast by the prison officials. The menu consisted of barbecued beef, mutton and pork, loaf bread, cakes and various kinds of fruits.
 The convicts were given a day of rest in addition to the sumptuous repast number of the convicts were made glad by presents and remembrances received from friends who have not deserted them, on the outside.
 The majority of the prisoners, of whom a number are serving life sentences, seem to feel truly glad in the celebration of the day of days. Notwithstanding some of them are hopeless cases, yet they all are optimistic and every one hopes some day to walk out of the prison walls a free man. Few are found who will admit that they have no hopes of being released some day.
 This marks the first Christmas since the state has taken charge of its conVlcts and a visit to the prison today would lm- press upon anyone that the state made no mistake in assuming the control Of the convicts. The health of the prisoners is excellent Their looks are bright and they are all loud in their praise of the treatment and attention they receive at the hands of the state officials.
 Ordinarily the fare of the convicts is good Notwithstanding, it is necessary to prepare the food on a large scale. The coffee is dripped from large bags sus- pended from the ceiling into huge vat. From there it is conveyed to the dining room by means of a pipe. The meats are cooked in vats and the bread is baked in ovens that resemble brick kilns. The premises of the prison are kept as neat as a pin.
 The city officials gave the prisoners in the city jail a Christmas dinner today.
 Shooting Causes Excitement.
 Considerable excitement was caused last night by free for all fight in the forty-room building situated in the negro quarters near the coke oven. As a re- suit Emmett McKinly, a negro, Is in critical condition from the effects of a wound received from a shot gun in the hands of an unknown negro who made his escape. The negro previous to this had been cut by Mckinley and other ne- gros in general melee.
 The negroes, it appears, had been drink ing considerable Christmas "booze." They became engaged in brawl which resulted in the unknown negro being se- verely slashed by razors in the hands of the local negroes. He broke loose from the negroes and returned in a short time with shot gun. He opened fire on the crowd. The load took effect in the face of Mckinly, peppering his face with shot. He then made good his escape. All eff forts to capture him have proved futile
 With the Pratt City Churches.
 Christmas was celebrated at St. Cath crimes today by appropriate services A Christmas tree was rendered the chil- dren of the Sunday school by the ladies' auxiliary.
 The regular services will be conducted at St. Catherine's Sunday by the Rev. Father Galland
 AS IS his yearly custom. the Hon. Frs kline Ramsey donated appropriate Christ mas gifts to all the Pratt City Sunday schools. Ever since Mir Ramsey ceased to reside in Pratt City he has every Christmas remembered the Sunday schools or his former home by making the hearts Of the children glad with Christmas gifts
 At the First Baptist church tonight there was special Christmas service, at which children of the Sunday school were given a Christmas tree Several in- terestlng talks were made by the officers Of the church. The Rev. J. A. Hendricks. pastor of the church, will preach Sunday morning on "The Early Years of Christ" At the evening service his subject will be Doing Everything in the Name of Christ" The Sunday afternoon Bible class will complete its study of the life of PauP' Sunday.
 The Rev. w. E. Foust, the pastor of the First Methodist church. will fill both of his appointments Sunday
 At the First Presbyterian church. the Rev. w. W. Wolf. the pastor will occupy the pulpit at the morning and evening ser vices Sunday.