The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-09
FIRST NEW COTTON IS SOLD IN SELMA Bale Brings Price of Sixteen
 and Half Cents MYSTERIOUS SURVEYORS Corps In and Around Selma Has Caused Much Speculation.
 Other News of Selma
 and Vicinity.
MYSTERIOUS SURVEYORS

Selma. August S.-(Special)-The first bale of cotton for Selma, the Queen City of the black belt, was sold today in front of W. E. Callen's cotton exchange at auc- ton and brought 161s cents, 11a cents high CT than any of the other bales received in the state have brought
 The cotton was raised by B. F. Allen at Newberne and shipped to c. W. Hoop CT S Co. 1t classed strict middltng ana weighed 519 pounds. It was put up at auc- tion at the noon hour, and the bidding commenced at 10 cents. It quickly went up until the bale was knocked down to the Fisk Cotton company, represented by R. H. Overton, the price bid being l61a cents per pound. The first bale last year arrived very much later and was raised by A A. Simms at Eleanor, this county. The arrival of the first bale always marks an epoch in Selma and despite the clouds cast over everything by the saf- iron spectre of yellow fever there has sprung up new life commercially speak ing among the merchants.
 Besides the bale mentioned about J. A.. Wilkinson of Autauga county brought bale of seed cotton to the city last night in wagon with the anticipation of hav- ing it baled today, which was done, the cotton being consigned to N. Waller & Co
 Surveyors Are Mysterious.
 Selmians are up against a deep-seated mystery in the appearance of the corps of engineers in this city who have been surveying between Bessemer and Selma. Today the engineers ran lines down Water street and to points on the river. Just what they are driving at has not been ascertained, but there Is room for deep speculation, and people have in- dulged in the fascinating amusement to their hearts content
 Niqht Filled With Music.
 Selma Is not quite so fortunate as many other towns of the state, or perhaps it is really more fortunate than some of them, in possessing a brass band. Therefore the announcement made by the street railway people that the famous Second Regiment band of Meridian had been engaged for Friday night to give a concert at Elkdale park has been received with more than ordinary interest.
 In addition to the band concert a skat- ing tournament will take place. and programme has been arranged which will afford Semians much amusement.
 Local and Personal.
 Dr. w. w. Harper, who has been quite sick for the past week, is pronounced as having a well developed case of typhoid fever He is reported somewhat im- proved this afternoon.
 Mrs. Edward Graham entertained at cards last evening in honor of Miss Bethea of Faunsdale, her charming guest. and Miss Sedwick of Baltimore, the guest of Mrc Daniel Partridoa Jr,
 MT. and Mrs. J. Clay will leave tomor- row for Crescent. Ky and French Lick Springs, Ind.
 Mrs. King Sparks and children of New Orleans, who refugeed In Rome, Ga., for the past two weeks, are visiting relatives in this city.
 MT. Allen Beighthaupt, part of whose skull was removed yesterday in the last hope of saving his life. Is not expected at this hour to live through the night. MT. Breghthaupt was struck by bursting emory wheel on July 1s part of the hard substance imbedding itself in his skull and adhering to the surface of the brain.