The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-06
THE NEWS OF MOBILE
Advertiser Bureau,
 NEnAAl~ NP~a.

Advertiser Bureau,
 Mobile, Feb. s.
 Captain James Thompson, one of the oldest stevedores in Mobile. and known in this and Baldwin counties for over sixty years as an upright and honor able man. passed away at o'clock this morning. after long illness. Cap tain Thompson was a native of Wood burne. Norfolkshire. Eng, eighty-five years of age and had been resident of Mobile for about sExty-five years. For many long years he was engaged in stevedoring, having. during the days just before and after the war loaded thousands of bales of cotton on sail- ing vessels in the lower bay from lighters. He was one of the pioneers in the Iightering of freight from heavy draught vessels in lower Mobile Bay and his successors profited by his ex- peridnce. Of late because of his old age he had retired from active service, though enjoying good health and being a man of vigor and energy until his recent illness. He is survived by two sons, Messrs. James and Joseph Thomp- son, and two daughters, Mrs. Phillip N. Schock and Mrs. William o'Neal. He also leaves three great grandchildren and ten grandchildren who have the sympathy of large circle of acQuain- tances in this and Baldwin counties.
 Captain Thompson was one of the oldest members of Mobile lodge No. 40, F. and A. M., Mobile chapter. No. 2I. R. A. M.. Mobile Commandery, K. T., No 3. and Q member of Volunteer Hook and Ladder Company No. i, of the old fire department.
 B. H. Davis. one of the corps of en- gineers of the National Board of Un- derwriters. who have been engaged In Investigating Mobiles fire protection for some time. yesteday met and had a conversation with Councilman Max Michael of the general council rel ative to his building ordinance which was introduced in the council several months since and which was finally received and filed, being virtually shelYed through this action. Mr. Davis went over the ordinance carefully and compared 1t with the one the National Board of Underwriters had prepared and which they were desirous of hay ing adopted by all the municipalities of the United States.
 After making a careful comparison Mir. Davis stated to MT. Michael that his ordinance, with but few Ichanges, was almost similar to that of the un- derwriters. Mr. Davis. after the ex. animation, stated to MT. Michael that he was surprised his ordinance had not been adopted.
 Road Overseer Frank N. stanton, of the third district. came up to the city this morning for Coden. He stated to The Advertiser that he mad put down fifty thousand barrels of shells on the belt road from Coden to Bayou la Batre and around the circle and would, as soon as weather conditions permitted, begin shelling. after grading the con- meeting link between this road and the proposed new road to the city along the bay bront. Mir. stanton, like many others in the lower end of the coun- ty, warmly advocates the new road, saying 1t Is his judgment 1t will prove a blessing to those people now living near the proposed route and will be strong incentive for other people to buy lands and settle in that section of south Mobile county.
 The river steamer Kettle QuIll ar- rived down thls morning from Selma with sixty bales of cotton, a large amount of cotton seed sand big pas- senger list. The trip Aown was with out special event.
 It was expected that the corps of engineers of the National Board of Un- derwriters, who have been the past two weeks Investigating conditions in Mobile, would complete their work yesterday, but weather conditions were against them and it is understood they will not complete their task before the middle of the week. A thorough investigation of conditions in the city have been made and it is learned, from reliable source. that strong recom- mendations will be made that the fire department be increased. both in fire fighting apparatus and the force of men. It is also learned that attention will be called to the accumulation of empty cases. excelsior and other in- fIda.ab4e materials in the rear of busl- ness houses. which are considered a menanee. It was stated by one of the corps that every department will be thoroughly gone over by the respect i've members of the corps in their re- ports and much attention will be called to the fact that Mobile expends less than any other city its size in fire de- pertinent.
 The police today rAided a crap game in a small office building on the Pal metto street wharf, capturing twenty one of the twenty-four participants. all of whom are young white men and prominently connected. Three made their escape during the raid. but or ders have been Issued for their arrest Shortly before noon complaint was lodged at Central Police Station by the watchmAn at the wharves that e num- Der of young men were engaged in gaming. In command of Sergeant Farmer a squad of police were sent to the scene in the patrol wagon. Upon arrival the building was surrounded, all the participants being captured save three. As many as capacity per- mitted were placed in the patrol wagon and taken to the police station. where they were charged with gaming. The remaining members of the party were walked to the station. The young men will be given a hearing in the record CTS court tomorrow morning.
 William Page. said to be a resident of Bay Minette, Ala. and in the employ of Brannan. Cooper & Co, at WIImer, seventeen miles above Mobile, on the M. J and K. C. Railroad. was shot through the heart by one. Taggert, near that place. at 5s45 o'clock this