The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-29
SNOW FURNISHES
 SOME REAL SPORT Young America Keeps Things : LiveIyin Birmingham SLEIGHS ON THE STREETS Ground Was Covered to Depth of s1 Inches on Level, Which Is the
 Heaviest Fall of Snow
 Since 1886.
SLEIGHS ON THE STREETS

Birmingham was showed under yester- day and for the first time since 1886 the feecy mantle covered the earth to depth of s.1 inches. Very few snows in the weather history of Alabama have equalled that of yesterday and but one so far as the records show has exceeded it in depth. In 1886 there was a general snowfall throughout tho south and in Birmingham 1t measured fl inches This was the heav- one of yesterday holds second honors, but is tsill inches below the record.
 heavy cloud overhung the city all day and snow fell intermittently until nearly dark when it turned into fine mist and the temperature grew warmer, Early last night this mist had melted much of the snow and the streets were filled with slush.
 w. A. Mitchell, observer for the weather bureau, said last night that he expected heavy drop in temperature and that the snow would probably freeze before morn ing. He gave out the official depth of the snow as S.1 inches. the same as shown by measurement on the streets.
 For the first time in years the people of Birmingham were allowed to enjoy the sight of sleighs and hear the merry jim gle of sleigh bells as the odd looking ve- hicles were driven through the streets Scores of horse owners had the wheels removed from their vehicles and rested the axles on quickly constructed runners made from rough lumber These im- provised sleighs were a trifie unsightly but they answered the purpose and the merrymakers were just as happy as if they were riding in the handsomest sleighs ever driven through the streets of northern city.
 Snow Balls Flying.
 Long before daylight the small boy was in evidence and for several hours snow balls were flying thick and fast. The newspaper carriers and the newsboys opened hostilities in front of the Age Herald office and a battle royal ragged for more than an hour. The two armies then joined forces and unluclxy was the citizen who ventured down town during the ear ly hours.
 Between and o'clock pedestrians were scarce and while the boys lay in wait for their prey they fought among themselves. Policemen fared no better than the ordinary individual and their helmets furnished excellent targets for the snow ball twirlers. As porters and clerks came down to open the stores they encountered volley after voley from the youths and good naturedly joined in the fun. Nobody was spared and by 8 o'clock the streets were alive with boys all bent on wallowing somebody in the snow.
 Police rules were suspended and no ar rests were made. If a man kicked he was simply laughed at and driven to cover. Everybody took the affair good naturedly and there were many sighs when Street Commissioner McCartin or dered the streets cleared of snow so as to accommodate traffic. In the early after noon all the downtown streets were pass able and the sidewalks had been swept clean. In the residence sections the boys kept the fun going all day and behind every tree and post on Nineteenth and Twentieth streets and Fourth and Fifth avenues was youth with plenty of ann munition.
 Accident to a Boy.
 The most unfortunate accident of the day was that suffered by a small news boy near the Age-Herald office. In at- tacking a negro cab driven with snow balls the boy fell and was run over by the vehicle His injuries are not Serious, however, and he will be well enough to 
 crowd of men and boys pursued the cab man for three blocks but he whipped up his horses and escaped the wrath of the mob, which felt incensed over the injury of the little newsboy.
 All dignitares looked alike to the small boy and he was no respecter of persons. A gang bounced upon Mayor Drennen as he appeared at Twentieth street and Fourth avenue and his honor had to take it. A well-aimed snow ball struck his new derby and 1t was knocked twenty or thirty feet As he stopped to pick 1t up the boys fell upon him and the mayor was forced to beat a hasty retreat.
 The Judge.
 Judge Feagin fared little better. As he alighted from his buggy near the en- trance to the city jail the members of the Newsboys' club, of which the judge is founder received him with a volley of snow balls and he was compelled to "holler calf rope'
 On account of the indictment weather keeping the older citizens indoors and the festivities of the younger generation, business was almost at standstill yes- terday forenoon, and with the exception of heavy trade in leggins and rubber shoes, there was little done. Even the banks felt the effects of the snow and prominent official of one of these institu- tions said last night that he believed 50 per cent of the regular bank customers had taken a day off and would wait until today to attend to business.