The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-24
BIRMINGHAM MAN IS BADLY INJURED Billy Sparrow Picked Up by a
 Irain Crew MANY CUTS ABOUT HEAD
Elaborate Preparations Are Being Made In Madison for the Observ- ance of Decoration Day By the
 Confederate Organizations.

Meridian, Miss, April 23.-(Special.)- J. Conductor Billy" Sparrow was brought into the city this afternoon on No. on the Alabama Great Southern in a danger ous condition. The conductor was picked up by the train crew at Kewanee in an unconscious condition. Immediately upon the arrival of the train bearing MT. Spar row he was placed on a cot and hurriedly conveyed to the office of Dr. harrison the company surgeon, for medical treatment. Dr. Harrison, assisted by Dr. Hoston, made a hasty but thorough examination of the wounds, which are deep cuts In the forehead and on the side oL the face. After the examination was concluded the physicians announced that the skull had not been fractured, but that concussion of the brain had set In and that MT. Spar row was in bad condition.
 One of the physicians stated that the conductor might survive, but the chances were against him. The details of the manner in which MT. Sparrow was in jured could not be exactly ascertained. It Is known that he was picked up at Ke- vance. and No. 8, the train on which he was brought to the city, met the tram or which MT. Sparrow was conductor at Parker, a distance of about thirty-five miles from where he was found. It Is presumed that MT Sparrow fell from the train, or missed his footing in at tempting to catch it. Conductor Spar row left Meridian this morning at Il o'clock in charge of freight No. 5. He is | married man and resides with his family in Birmingham.
 Preparations for Decoration Day.
 Preparations are being made for an im- pressive observance of Decoration day in this city next Tuesday April 26, and the event promises to be memorable in every respect. On former occasions Dec oration day has been observed by the dec oration of graves in Rose Hill cemetery only, but on this occasion all graves or the Confederate war heroes,s no matter in what cemetery they may be, will be decorated
 The arrangements are all in the hands of Winnie Davis chapter, United Daugh- ters of the Confederacy, and Walthall camp, United Confederate Veterans. Following Is the programme for the day: Memorial services at the city hall, at 4;SO p. m. o'clock; the doxologG; as sembly prayer. Dr. Waddell; Rixie," military band; oraton Hon. R. SA ray- TOT, 1ntrOuuceu Dy MT, w. A3. Odff IT, Bonnie Blue Flag" military band lg, "Cover Them Over" quartette; lof 'f- ferings carried out while assembl . mains seated.
 Line of march to cemeters: ConreA 2 der B. V. White, marshal hoon artd .2- der truck carrying floral offeriifgs; fire department; military band, military con1- panies. Meridian Male college cadets, Confederate organizations. citizens
 At the cemetery: Decoration of graves by veterans; ritual; song, Nearer. My God, to Thee; salute, military compa- nies; taps, military band. The military companies taking part will be company A, Walthall Guards commanded by Cap tain Homer Brett; company D, Meridian Rifles. commanded by Captain J. A. Bell, and battery I, Comeron Light Guards, commanded by Captain J. H. Stoltzfus. The Second regiment band will furnish music for tho occasion.
 Efforts will be made to have the bust. ness houses close on the afternoon of Me morial day.