The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
MPL|CAT|ONS IN CHAMBERS COUNTY Judge Jones Orders Peonage
 Witnesses Held TROUBLE WAS FEARED Much Interest Is Attached to the Exer- cIses Incident to Laying Corner
 Stone at Normal School
 fo. Negroes.
TROUBLE WAS FEARED

Montgomery, July Special )-The office of the United States District At torney Warren Reese has been notified of the arrest of two white men of Cham bers county, on the charge of holding two negroes in a state of poonage They will be tried tomorrow at Opelilxa by United States Commissioner T. D. Sam ford and later brought to Montgomery it is presumed. Assistant United States District Attorney Julius Sternfcld is at opelika to conduct the prosecutions. These are the men who were reported to be sending out word that they would not be taken, and were intimidating wit nesses according to report. They have been charged with aggravated peonage and at first warrant was given to Deputy Marshal Hiram Gibson to serve. They were reported to be troublesome, however, and Marshal l.. J. Bryan left here with a posse yesterday to effect their arrest They have been apprehend- eo by this posse.
 It would seem that some of the state au- thorlties were trying to make trouble, as two of the witnesses who are in the custody of the marshal are sought by local officers on charges of violating state laws. This Is regarded as an effort
 keep the men from being brought to Opelilxa and Judge Thomas G. Jones of the United States court has ordered that they be retained as long as needed by the government.
 Interest in Corner Stone Laying.
 Much interest was attached to exercises incident to the laying of the corner stone ot the new building of the State Normal school for negroes, in this city this after noon Though the school Is presided over by Prof W. B. Patterson, a white man, and controlled by white men as board ot trustees, the exercises were conducted entirely by negroes and very creditable too. The building Is called Tullibody hall, in honor of the town in which Professor Patterson the head of the school was born, and which is also, by the way, the h, me of the wife of the secretary of An drew Carnegie.
 The exercises were under the direction of the colored lodge of Masons, with speeches by Nathan Alexander receiver Of public moneys. and Charles Harris. chief mailing clerk of the Montgomery postoffice. There were all sorts of things to go in the stone and it was made a historic as well as interesting occasion.
 The building was burned several months ago at a loss of about s20.0O0, and this Is being erected by money from the insur- ance and contributions from friends.
 Farmers institute. Maj I H. Harris of Chambers county | Is in the city today to confer with the l state department of agriculture about some farmers institutes which ne Will hold later in the fall The dates VIII pc announced In a few days and 1t is thought that the institutes will be made the pest Of service to the farmers.
 pr. J. A B. Lovett, president or the Ninth District Agricultural school at Blountsville, will also do some Of the same 1 kind of work He was here Saturday to talk the matter over.
 Roth these gentlemen will have help and advice of the state authorites anu it is thought that they can do a grea. service at this time Major Harris has hoo great deal of experience and knows r,ucb about the "technique' that he Will he able to inpart to the men who tiil tn, soil.
 Tn his report on the officers of Macon county State Examiner J. T. Gorman says that property is assessed al apoul 6ftv ner cent of it's value. lie aiso say that Tax Commissioner B. c. Gibson N doino good work in raising the vaiu- ations that he is being fully supported h, tbe commissioner court and he thinks inc raises for the year will amount to so50. .O00 voro
 These are the officers whose books were axar,ined. M. B. Abercrombie. probate iudge. T. T. Conner. sheriff; w. O. Clouds' clerk of the circuit court J. 5. DraKe- Cord. tax collector; A. H. Rutherford' ex- suneritendent of education w. G. steven con sunerintendent of education' w. n. Smith tax assessor .
 R. B. Stewart has been appoihteo Jus- +,ca of the peace at Littleton
 Busy In Camp.
 The First regiment Alabama National cuard. ia in camp at Pickett Springs. having come in yesterday, last night ana today They will be there several days coI R R Dumont of Mobile Is in com ,nond The first dress parade will be held today. n,.
 The Second regiment, at Electric Park is considering the idea or some compe.i- tive drills with the members or the flrs,' which will likely come apout-
 The members of the state military hoard Inspector General R. F. Ligon. Adiutant General W. W. Brandon and o,artermaster General Barrie Holt VIII move their tent from Electric Park to Pickett Springs this afternoon.
 Rrie Gen. l.. V. Clark will review the Second regiment after dress parade this afternoon.