The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-26
MONTGOMERY CAR LINES IN TROUBLE Major Winters Appointed Re- ceivcr for Traction Co. l W. JOHNSON C0NFESSES Entered POstofflce at Thorsby for the Purpose of Robbery-Investiea-
 tion Is Made of Fire in
 Anniston.
L W. JOHNSON C0NFESSES

Montgomery, February 25.-(Specia1.)- Maj B. E. Winter, general manager of the Montgomery Traction company. was this morning apointed receiver of the or garization by Ton. Thomas G. Jones, judge of the United States court. His bond was fixed at S15,0o0, which he will make at once. The application for re- ceiver was made by the North American Trust company of New York, through Horace Stringfellow local attorney. It is alleged that the company has defaulted on interest on bonds, and that by reason of this and the contract held, the com plainants have right to foreelose on a mortgage held on all the properties.
 The bill of the Trust company was filed with the United States court clerk yesterday, afternoon, and the receiver was named by Judge Jones this morning. In the complaint it is alleged that the de-endant company has defaulted on $31S,- coo of bonds, and that according to the Mortgage held the holders of the bonds have a right to foreclose when there Is a failure to meet interest charges. It is al- legged that the interest due in April of last year. s7950, was not paid, and that de- fault was again made in October. It is further asserted that notice was given the Tractfo;. company of intention to take advantage of the contract the 17th of this month.
 The properties of the Traction company include three lines of street cars and a park at Pickett Springs. They are very valuable and are held. at a high price.
 When asked about the receivership, Major Winter said: q have nothing to say just now. The attorney for the com plainant will be able to give you all the details of the transactions"
 Caught In Act.
 John w. Johnson confesses that he en- tered the postoffce at Thorsby last night for the purpose of robbery. He was dis covered inside the building by Postmaster J. Biee with a dark lantern and a large bunch of keys. He was brought to Mont gomery today and tried before Commis- sioner Elnore on a warrant sworn out by Postoffce Inspector M. w. MeCrea, who has taken possession of a number of small saws and several big punches of keys of the skeleton variety. John son was married two weeks ago to Miss Wright a young woman of Thorsby, who came down with him this morning.
 Late last night Postmaster Bice was aroused by some one trying to get into the postoffce He went on watch. and. according to a story told by him this morning. saw Johnson inside. He had entered back window and worked his way to the front of the building and was trying to get into the safe. He had a dark lantern with which he was trying to give himself light. MT. Bice also had a dark lantern, and while Johnson was before the safe, but before he had made any attempt to get in, threw the light on him, and then. with the aid of Town Marshal J. L. Robinson, made the arrest The prisoner was turned over to Deputy United States Marshal Good game and brought here on the early train today.
 Johnson is about 25 years of age and gave Danville. Ky. as the place of his birth He came to Thorsby about five months ago from Kansas City, he said and has been at work in one of the saw mills here. He was not regarded as suspicious character and only two weeks ago married one of the young women residing in the town. His bunch of keys are regarded by Inspector McCrea as rather poor collection for the size but there are enough of them to make up for deficiencies in make. The fact is, one might take those he hau and open most any kind of a house door, and with several blanks he might soon get into safes and strong boxes.
 Johnson was held by Commissioner IIl- more for preliminary trial The penalty for his offense is S1000 fine and one to five years in the penitentiary, one or both.
 Fire Investigation.
 Sheriff M W. Woodruff of Calhoun county has reported on the investigation of a fire in Anniston, ordered by Deputy Insurance Commissioner Harry Shorter last week The burned stock was known as that of the Anniston Dry Goods com pany owned by Pizitz & Zift. There is
 fa.s eff NIaa4- hut J,rymen Arch Henderson, W. L. McCaa and w A. Davis made no charge for their services. The finding of the jury was not made public, and MT. Shorter had noth- ing to give out. The stock burned was