The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-26
MANY MADE HAPPY BY BESSEMER ELKS Christmas Tree for Little Folks
 a Great Success BIG SPREAD FOR THE POOR Salvation Army Feeds Large Number of People and Yet Has Food
 Enough to Give Away.
 to All.
BIG SPREAD FOR THE POOR

Bessemer, December 25.-(Special)- )- Many young hearts were made glad this afternoon by the Christmas tree given by the Elks of Bessemer at the city hall. The hall was crowded with children and none went away with empty hands.
 This is the second annual Christmas tree given by the Elks, and so successful have they been that it is the intention of the order to make 1t a permanent institu- tion. Notwithstanding it cost over $70o, in addition bright and shnny dimes were placed in the hands of each of the chl- dren by two of Bessemers little girls as they passed by in the procession to get their presents from Santa Claus
 w. E. sorrell acted in the capacity of Santa Claus. He was assisted by James K Cahill. H. C. Moore and E. B. decorated with cedar, holley and mistle- toe. It was heaped with toys of every description. All of these were given away and the tree was stripped of all it's pres ents.
 Salvation Army Dinner.
 The Salvation army gave an elaborate feast to the poor at the quarters this af- ternoon. Long tables were placed in the army's hall and then laden with eatables. including all kinds of meats, fowls cakes and pickles. The doors were thrown open and all were invited to come in. Large crowds accepted this invitation-still there was an abundance of food left The gen. erous people then procured baskets and sent out fifty of these loaded with the good things to all the needy families they could find in the city. Still last night they had large supply of food left.
 Negro Charged With Robbery.
 Henry Lewis held up Joe" a we'll known Italian character of this city to- night at o'clock on Twenty-second street and relieved him of his watch The negro was afterwards captured and is now in the city jail on a charge of highway rob bery.
 Joe" is a helper around one of the bars in town and was walking down Twenty second street last night, when Lewis ask ed him the time. Joe pulled his watch to comply with the negro's request, when Lewis without any warning leveled a pis- tol on him. so Joe says, and demanded that he hand over the watch. Joe prompt- ly complied. But as soon as he could he
 
 negro and soon succeeded in capturing him.
 No Police Court.
 As this was Christmas day there was no police court today. As result there will be an especially heavy docket at the morning court tomorrow Most of the offenders. however, are charged with be- ing drunk and disorderly.
 Funeral Saturday.
 The funeral of w. c. McCulley, who died last Thursday will take place Sat urday morning at Il o'clock from his late residence.
 Body Not Identified.
 Nearly every citizen of the Bessemer district has reviewed the remains of the dead mon who was found at Glenn Springs last Tuesday with a load of shot in his head, but no one has been found who has ever seen the man before. Cor oner Parrish will hold the body over un- til next Monday in hope that some one may be found who will idetfy it. Unless some one is found to claim the remains they will be buried by the county.
 It is the accepted theory that the man Is tramp, but the greatest mystery is why anyone should kill him. From all appearances he was doubtless without any money or anything else of value. Why anyone should take the life of such man is puzzling the coroner as well as everyone else.