The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-02-02
EDMUND BELL CASE
MAY Be REOPENED
Rumor SAYS Federal Grand
Jury is Busy
Mr.. EGAN TELLS A STORY
Candidates for Municipal Offices In
Selma Arc Becoming More NJ.
merous-other News of
Selma and Vicinity.
Mr.. EGAN TELLS A STORY


rumor abroad in Selma today which
has caused not a little comment 1t is 10
the effect that the United States grand
jury in session In Montgomery recently
has taken up the matter CT the lynehing
of Edmund Bell on the southsde last
fall. 1t will be recalled that three white
men and several negroes were arrested
charged with the responsibility of Bells
death and that the grand jury then en-
paneled failed TO find true bills against
any of the parties. The grand jury en-
paneled last week, it is said took up the
case again but again failed 10 find any
true bills, and now comes the rumor that
the United States court has taken cog
nizance CT the case and that two Of Uncle
Sans deputies have recently paid a
visit to the neighborhood looking up evil
dence in the case. How true these ru-
mors are cannot be learned, but the very
fact that they are afloat are not received
with the greatest and kindest considera-
ton of this people who believe themselves
perfectly able TO take care of the en-
torcement of the laws in this section.
Candidates Fockng to Announce.
The municipal election is opening in
earnest in Selma. The election itself does
not come off until the first Monday in
May, but it is usually the custom to hold
the primary in either February or March,
and candidates for the several municipal
offices are cropping out every day Those
who have made formal announcement are
Il. f. Toler for city clerk Walton e. Cal
len for tax collector, IL. l. Shelley fer
treasurer, Robert Young and B. j. Gayle
for city attorney, J. NJ. Rhodes and w. |.
Smoke for sanitary inspector, Robert
Prefer for cemetery keeper. There will
hardly be opposition for mayor chief and
captain of police and city tax assessor.
A Good Railroad Joke.
Superintendent Egan of the Southern
railway with headquarters in Selma, has
returned from a meeting held in Biz
mingham some days ago, which was at
tended by all superintendent, claim
agents legal counsel and special agents
of the western district The purpose of
the meeting was to exchange opinions on
the matter of claims, damages, ETC. and
was called by the legal department of the
great system. Superintendent Egan tells
a good story as a result of the meeting
1t SCENE that all the learned counsel of
the several divisions represented had ex-
pressed themselves and had been fol-
lowed by the claim agents superintend-
hts. etc. when finally an expression was
asked from some of the local counsel
present. Some of these gave one or an
ether view about the matter az settling
claims, etc. until finally a local attorney
from somewhere in the backwoodb district
crosse and had his say lie declared that
he believed that 1t was to the Best inter
est of the railroad to settle an claims
promptly and said he: Il believe that
stock claims especially should be settled
quickly and If possible out Of court
There are several reasons which / will
onumeratc for this belief. but first / will
tell you of my experience. We had run
over and killed mule in our locality and
the owner wanted $l25 We desded to go
to court The trial progressed beautifully,
the mule was on the right of way, had no
business there the engineer had rung
the bell, blown the whistle and opened the
case won. The fireman was put on the
stand to substantiate the engineers
story l asked him to tell exactly what
the engineer said and did when the mule
was seen Turning to me the fireman,
who was a negro said Boss do you want
me to tell zactly what the engineer said
and did, Tell the jury exactly what he
said and did l replied.
Well, boss. when the engineer seed
the mule he pulled open the throttle ana
said to me, Just watch me knock dat
dam mule over the telegraph wire
The local counsel was proceeding to
give other reasons for settling stock
claims, but the meeting decided that the
others were not necessary.