The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-22
HOLIDAY TRADE IS
 B|G AT BESSEMER Years Business Record Good
 in All Lines OLD MAIDS CONVENTION Programme to Be Presented at IL brary Hall Tonight By the
 Club Promises to Be
 We'll Patronized.

Bessemer. December 21.-(Special)-Th merchants of Bessemer are having the largest holiday trade in the history of the city, and though the weather has been very disagreeable for the past ten days until today, 1t Is hardly noticeable in the shopping districts.
 The great prosperity of the district dur ing the past year has had a tendency to open the hearts and purses of the people and the holiday spirit Is very prominent among all classes.
 Bessemers future Is very promising, and the people seem to be alive to the great developments that are being made and that are promised by nearly all the large manufacturing plants of the district. Never before have the people had such abiding confidence in the industrial pros perity of the section. and all classes are fairly intoxicated with the satisfaction that comes with active operations and prosperous times. All the manufacturing plants and mines of the Bessemer district have made good records during the present year, and many extensions and Improvements are prom ised during the coming twelve months.
 It is expected that the reorganization of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company in conjunction with the Re- public Iron and Steel company will make many Improvements in this section. and 1t Is believed by many that some new plants will be located and put in opera ton In this district within the next few months.
 It is certain that capitalists represent ino lor ipd interests have hapO looking over the advantages of this sec ton with a view of locating new indus tries, and 1t is understood that some of them are seriously considering plans to locate new plants at once. Several small concerns are also looking over the field with view to locating.
 The year 1908 promises much for Bes- semer In every line of business and in- dustrial development.
 Old Maids Convention.
 The entertainment to be given at Library hall tomorrow night under the auspices of the Beavers of Bessemer, for the benefit of their Christmas charity fund, promises to be one of the most interesting of the kind ever given in this city
 number of young ladies and gentlemen of the city will take part In the affair, and large audience Is expected to attend. Following Is the programme In full:
 "A Call Meeting of the Spinsters"- Josephina Jane Greene, president......
 .......................M Miss Carrie Cockrell Rovilla Abagail, secretary. Miss Ella Sapp Cynthia Priscilla Jones. treasurer......
 .......................M Miss Mary Robinson Portia Olivia Bennett. Miss Eunice Kelly Jerusha Matilda Spriggins. .............
 ......................... Miss Pearl Burgin Nerissa Axme Quick Bodkin.. ............
 ....................... Miss Grace Judson Sophrona Aramantha Long. .............
 .......................... Miss Lillie Hard Mercy Desire Man. Miss Lillian Rogers Dorothy Rush Sharp. Miss Mamie Godfrey Sweesy Hugglns Sharp. Miss Laura Jones Ophelia Arvilla Pitkns..... Miss Henley Betsey Bobbit Pitkins. Miss Lucy Reynolds Jessica Juliett Pitkins. ns.................
 ....................Mi Miss Alberta Cockrell Cleopatra Belle Brown. Miss Nellie Ozley Intermission.
 "rhe Reverie of a Bachelor"-
 Scene-The Bachelors Den.
 Time-The night before he marries. The Bachelor-Mr. T. M. Jones'
 His Dream:
 His Sweetheart-Niss Frances Kelly. Music, Annie Laurie.'
 His Summer Girl-Miss Mamie Brad shaw.
 Tn the Good old Summer Time"
  ''The Sleigh Ride"
 His Country Girl-Miss Ethel Adams .She Was Bred In Old Kentucky" His Red Cross Nurse-Miss Kate Bruns My Country Iris of Thee"
 His Society Girl--Mss May Adams.
 After the Ball.
 His Cowboy Girl-Miss Gladys Huffman 'Trocha."
 His Southern Girl-Miss Carmelite Pitcher
 Dixie"
 The Widow Who Did Him-Miss Mary Robinson.
 How'd You Like to Spoon With Me?" The Bride-Guess Who?
 Mendelssohn's Wedding March.
 Tableaux
 Notes and Personals.
 It is stated that on account of the new ordinance passed by the city council re- quiring all coal dealers to weigh all coal sold by weight to be driven over city scales and weighed by city weigher has caused an advance In the price of coal 50 cents on the ton, and 1t is understood that there Is considerable dissatisfaction both with the dealers and the consumers. It Is possible that the city council will take the matter up and amend the ordi- nance in some way at the next regular meeting of the council.
 Miss Sudie Crook is home from Monte- vallo, where she Is attending school to spend the holidays with her parents MT. and Mrs. H. w. Crook.
 Dr. A B. Phillips of Dora, Ala, and Miss Maggie Perry of Bessemer were mar ried tonight at the residence of the bride s parents on Berkeley avenue. The Rev. D. B. Taylor, pastor of the Christian