The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-26

that the first four names in the order of appointment are stlH living and citizens of Birmingham, and the last four have gone to their long reward. The first board elected the first Tuesday in De- eember. 1872 by vote of the people was composed of the following citizens: May or. Col. James R. Powell; aldermen, Messrs. James 0'Connor B. F. Roden, W II. Morris, John A. Milner, David Montgomery. Christian F. Enslen M H. Jordan. M D. and Frank P. O'Brien. Of this board every member save one, MT. M. H. Jordan, Is still living and still citizens of Birmingham. The first public hall, for the holding of conventions and other public gatherings was erected in October 1s7l at Majors Grove" on the south side and was called "The Crystal Palace" It was a large frame building about 60x120. Here all dances were given, and parties who came from the surround ing country and prospeetors from all over the south, held their meetings here. The first place for the presentation of dra- matic amusement was in the second story of the building on Second avenue between Twentieh and Twenty first streets, then known as "sublett Hall,' now coupled and owned by MT. W. S. Brown. The building was erected by Major T. s. Tate for Major J. c, Sublett of Yazoo City, Miss, from whom the writer leased the second story and converted it into a theatre. The first dramatic performance presented to the citizens of the city was given on the night of October IA, 1872. The bill for the evening was East Lynne" and "Everybody's Wife" the company producing it the "Gilbert Fam fly. well known travelling organization. the ifffla pf Clfhiptf hall actors and actresses have appeared, who have since then become celebrated on both sides of the water. "Furbish's Fifth Avenue Combination" the finest dra- matte aggregation in America. held forth on that little stage. Such actors as Edwin Thorne, Sol Smith Russell Frank Mayo, William Crane, Stuart Robson, Frank Bangs Louis Aldrieh, Clara Mor- rls, Helen Blythe, Agnes Booth and many other celebrities, have entertained the pioneers of this city in her earlier days.
 The first blaming mill was erected by Major Thomas Tate in October, 1871, on the lot upon which stands the manufac- turing establishment of MT. w. F. Brew CT, corner of First avenue and Fifteenth street The first foundry and machine shop was erected by MT Hamilton Beggs, early in December, 1871, and was located on the corner opposite Tate's blaming
 
 the city from the north end was run in' by MT. Frank Bissett in March, 1872 MT. Bissett is still in the employ of the Louisville and Nashville as a locomotive engineer. The first train scheduled to run through from Montgomery, early in July, 1872 was manned by MT. w. K. Doe) Rosser, engineer MT. John A. Mill ner, pilot, and Mir. Jack Mitchell conduc- tor. MT. John A Milner was one of the constructing engineers, and was sent out as pilot to instruct the engineer as to grades and curves. On reaching a point near Cunningham station, in crossing a cattle guard the tender of the engine was derailed and every car on the train was thrown from the track A Mir, McLemore and his two brothers-in-law-the Smith brothers, from Calera, were instantly killed. A great many passengers were wounded. Senator Edmund W. Pettus among the number. The great Irish leader, Hon. Charles Stewart Parnell was severely wounded, was brought to the Relay House where he remained about six weeks MT. Parnell was at tended by Dr. James B. Buckie. MT. Parnell had been visiting his brother John, who was the owner of a large fruit