The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-18
WANT THE CHARGES
 ALL DISMISSED
Grand Jury Petitions in Favor
 of Judge Randolph
BIG FIRE IN MONTGOMERY
Lumber Plant of the Alabama Rift Flooring Company is Burned, Entailing Loss of About
 $75,ooo.

Montgomery, July n.-(Special)-rhe Montgomery county grand jury has re- turned an indictment against W. C.. Sanford, who shot and killed James Achors of Birmingham a few weeks ago, charging murder in the first degree.
 Fifteen members of the jury petitioned Judge W. H. Thomas of the circuit court to dismiss all cases against former Pro bate Judge F. c. Randolph. The jury also urges the construction of new jail.
 The petition requesting dismissal of all charges of embezzlement against former Probate Judge Randolph was signed by the following: A. B. Garland, foreman; w. A Brown, Robert Halls, A. B. Dil- lard, Charles Chisholm, J. T. Boyd, G. L. Downing, M A. Watts, Charles S. Smith, N. B. Holt, F. G. Hammond, c. D. Sands, Walter Boyd, E. E. Simpson ana Warren c. Brown.
 O. A Clapp, W. M. Teague, Jr, and E. w. Gay refused to sign 1t. The text of the petition follows:
 We, the following members of the grand jury, in view of the fact that we are reliably informed that all of his in- debtedness to the state of Alabama, the county of Montgomery, and his official indebtedness to his bondsnen, have been fully paid with all accrued interest; of the cruel and unheard-of punishment to which he has been subjected during the past eight years, and not unmindful of the invaluable services rendered by him at the imminent peril of his life during the long and dreadful years of reconstruc- ton, not only to Montgomery, but to the state of Alabama, hereby recommend to the honorable presiding judge and the so- licitor of this court that the indictments against F. c. Randolph be dismissed
 We are strengthened in making this recommendation by the firm conviction that no public good can be subserved by prosecuting the said causes and that the only result possible will be to heap hu- initiation upon a gallant Confederate sold- fer and to further increase the heavy bur dens of sufferings and affiictions with which he is now surcharged.
 Judge Thomas did not say what action he would take in the premise.
 Went to South America.
 Judge Randolph left Montgomery in 1895, short in his office as probate judge. He went to South America and was sentenced to life servitude for killing a man. After securing pardon he returned to Montgorhery,~ having repaid all his shortages out of fortune inherited from a rich uncle in Philadelphia. Big Lumber Fire.
 Fire destroyed the plant of the Ala bama Rift Flooring company, two miles out, at an early hour this morning. The loss Is estimated at S75000. It is thought the blaze was of incendiary origin as the watchman saw man run away from one of the dry kilns just before the fire broke out.
 The plant consisted of large planning mill. two dry kilns, large shed dust house and boiler room. The whole cover ed four acres of space The fire was be- yond control as it was too far out to get water pressure. The insurance was only partial.
 The mill was located as a result of efforts of the Commercial and Industrial association about a year ago. Pennsyl- Sania men owned the stock. J. w. Ho- garth of Scranton, Pa, being president. Thomas Palmer, formerly of New York, is resident manager. It is understood the plant will be rebuilt. though no declara- tion along that line has been made.
 Only Partial Insurance.
 The total insurance was s54, 4,s50, s39. GOO on the plant, $14.750 on the stock, placed as follows: Aetna, s10,000; London and Lancashire, s10250; Sun of London, 5000; Palatine, s5000; Pennsylvania, $31 0O0; Phoenix of London. 5000; Hanover S3OOO National. $2500; Hartford, $500; West Chestire. $500; Philadelphia Underwriters, $500c.
 The fire began in the shed. The watch man ran there and at once saw a blaze in blaming mill 200 feet away. Almost at 'once the flames broke out in the dry kiln 150 feet further No doubt fire was in- cendiary as watchman saw man run out just before blaze broke out.