The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-25
MILITARY GOSSIP AND
 OTHER CAPITAL NEWS
BY HERvEY w. LAIRD.

a splendid impression. in camp they were orderly and while visiting in the city they behaved like gentlemen. Alabama may well be proud of the First Alabama infantry.
 The time has come in Alabama when military men regard 1t an honor to be ordered out for duty in protecting jails from attacks of mobs or otherwise aiding or the upholding of the dignity of the law. No longer do the officers and men look upon such service as ignoble and beneath them, but on the other hand, they regard an assignment as an evidence of confidence in their love of law and order One of the captains of the First regiment here last week said that he was sorry his company was away from home when the call came for help at Linden. Jet us know when you need us," he remarked to the governors private secretary, J. Kirk Jackson. We will go and you will be proud of our record, too.'
 But you could not have reached Lin- den in long way by train. replied MT. Jackson.
 "we would have gone through the country in wagons" was the answer "and it wouldn't have taken very long, either.'
 This illustrates the spirit of the day among the men of the National Guard, and shows a healthy sentiment as well for keeping the peace.
 Among the officers at the cavalry camp this week is Maj. V. B. Atkins of Selma, who responded with his men so promptly last week on the call to go to Linden. He Is not much to talk, but one learns that he was prepared to do effective work if trouble had developed in the quiet little Marengo county capital Shortly after leaving Selma Major Atkins had his men to gather around him and he made them a talk. They were told that the trip meant business and that very likely they would be called upon to shoot down some white men before morning. If any of you do not expect to obey my orders, let them step out now, so I may know that I can depend on all who line up." Not a man dropped out. .'I expect you to do your duty tonight" the major then said, and the conference was over. Just be- fore reaching Linden twenty rounds of ball cartridge were issued to each man. Ilty dllSIltu lIOHl lllc CodCn dIQ WeTd drawn up near the depot. As the butts of their guns dropped to the ground on an ''order'' couple of loafers were heard to say that that bunch means business" Pretty soon two horsemen rode out from a bunch of trees and disappeared in the direction of the creek out of town. No more was heard of a mob that night. 'I am thoroughly satisfied that some negro would have been lynched that night If We had not gone there." said Major At kins Saturday.
 Capt. A. c. Sexton. a member of the staff of Brigadier General l.. V Clark is being showered with honors these days, the latest being the position of auJutant and chief of staff of Commander George W. Duncan. of the Alabama division, Sons of Confederate veterans Captain Sexton came to Alabama in 1894, and became chief clerk to Secretary of State Robert P. McDavid in 1900, serving six years in privs,e pursuits before coming to the capital. He Is regarded as one of the most ef\ lent men of the capital force and has thousands of friends all over the state.
 A peculiar condition has arisen as a result of the new honor for Captain Sex ton and the further prospect that he will be a candidate for secretary of state next year.. He becomes. by virtue of his appointment. the ranking officer of the staff of which Frank Julian of Tus- cumbia or General William W. Brandon of Tuscaloosa, both prospective aspr- ants for secretary of state are mem bers. Captain Sexton is a Virginian of a prominent family. His wife is prom inent Chicago literary woman. widely known in intellectual circles of the west ern metropolis.
 While the editors of the whole state paid tribute to Major w w. Screws last week, in celebration of his forty years of service. the thing that delights the soul of the veteran editor most Is the hand some loving cup from his co-workers and the expressions of love from the men who have served for and with him from time to time. The cup Is on exhibition in the show window of the LeBron Jew elry company. and almost every man who passes stops for a look at it's en- graved surface and word of love for the man thus honored Major Screws is growing mellow with age, expanding In love for the whole people, and particular affection for those he knows best A short while ago he was presented with one of the most valuable watches in the state, by his associate in the conduct of the paper. Mir Frank F. Glass paid him high compliment in the assertion that never had man more considerate and