The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-12
ENSLEY MERCHANTS
 PREPARE FOR TRADE
IN SPITE OF SUSPENSION OF THE STEEL PLANT THE STEEL CITY CONTINUES TO PROSPER AND CONFIDENCE IS RESTORED.

Ensley, December 11.-(Special.) .)-The merchants of Ensley are preparing for big holiday trade. They are receiving large shipments of Christmas goods every day and are decorating their windows handsomely.
 With the exception of the steel plant all the industries in and around Ensley are running on full time. The Empire Plant company has found it necessary to run on double time in oruer to i'll it's contracts The Semet-Solvay plant is also running on full time. The furnaces of the Tennessee Coal, Iron ana Railway company are making better records than during any period this year. Work on the new furnace and the repairing that is being made on No. is progressing rapidly The Barrett Manufacturing com pany one of Ensley's new industries, will be in operation in few days. The build ing has been completed and the machinery is being placed as fast as it arrives. The product of this plant will be paper roof ing. It will give employment to between 150 and 200 men.
 The repairing that is being done at the steel plant is drawing near to completion. The new mixing machine that is being in- stalled will greatly facilitate the work, as 1t is estimated that it will almost double the capacity of the plant with the same amount of expense now used in operation. This machine will be ready for use by January l. Everything points to a re- sumption of work at the plant by the first of the month. The improvements and re- pairing are being pushed In order to be completed by the first.
 While Ensley has felt the suspension of work at the steel plant, yet the Steel City has such firm basis that not a single business firm has been compelled to go out of business. When the plant first closed down the city for a while doubted it's confidence to continue in the same way, but afterathe first shock the people discovered that Ensley had other industries and now confidence has been fully restored.
 Fair Continues.
 St Anthony's church fair continues with considerable interest. The several con tests are all growing warmer as the time draws near for them to be decided. Tomorrow night the several prizes will be awarded.
 At the Ensley Churches.
 At the First Baptist church the Rev. Dr. H. w. Provence will preach at both the morning and evening service Sunday.
 The Rev. J. W. Orr, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. will occupy his pull pit at the morning and evening services Sunday.
 At St Anthony's church Sunday the Rev Father Kennedy will conduct the services.
 Charles H. Gerst Dead.
 Charles II. Gerst died this morning at the home of his mother, Mrs. M A. Gerst, on Avenue c and Twentieth street. after an illness of two days.
 The deceased was unmarried and 30 years of age He was born in Mobile and was reared in this district, having lived fourteen years at Bessemer.
 He leaves a widowed mother, Mrs. M. A. Gerst sister, Mrs. James A. Kirk of Pratt City and brother George Gerst of Atlanta, Ga, and several smaller brothers.
 The funeral will take place tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock from the home of his mother. Intermert will be at Oak land cemetery.