The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-04-29
LOOSE DIRT CAVES
ON NEGRO WORKMAN
Barely Alive When Rescued
at Selma
TRIES TO COMMIT SUICIDE
Isaac Sharpe Throws Himself In Front
of Moving Engine, Which Is
Stopped In Time to
Save Him.
TRIES TO COMMIT SUICIDE

Selma, April 2S-(Special Dan Parks
city prisoner, at work on the chain
gang, came near meeting his death yes
| terday afternoon from the banks OF a
trench in which he was at work caving
in on him. The city is engaged in laying a
big sewer pipe along Lauderdale street
in the vicinity of the new court house
1t was decided to put In another drain
pipe at the intersection of Alabama and
Lauderdale street, and the loose earth that
had been thrown into the ditch had to be
removed and hole cut in the pipe.
Dan Parks and Wash Holmes were at
work cutting the pipe and Wash had
just come out of the ditch when he turned
around and saw that the earth had caTed
in. burying his companion about two feet
under the soil Help was called and the
work of rescuing the negro commenced.
The men with the shovels had to proceed
sloowly for fear of dealing a serious blow
to the victim. and all the while muffled
cries of Help" Help were heard COM
ing from beneath the earth. Finally an
arm was uncovered, and then the negroes
head and body. Blood was pouring from
the negro's eyes, ears, nose and mouth.
and had he remained possibly another
minute in his perilous position he must
have died. He was given medical assist
ance and is reported as doing well today.
The remainder of the sentence of ninety
days due the city by the negro far as
saut and battery was RENTED by the
authorities.
Tried to Commit Suicide.
Yesterday evening Isaac Sharpe, a negro
employee of the Southern railway, created
considerable excitement in the vicinity
of the shops of that system by throwing
himself In front of an engine backing
into the shop gate. The engine was
stopped and the negro made to get up,
when he seized stick and warned any
body that touched him that he would
brain them He then threw himself again
across the track and motioned the en-
gineer to move ahead over him. Of
ficers finally arrested the negro and this
morning he was given ninety days on the
street. the mayor admonishing him that
after working with Street Superintendent
Shannahan he would probably give up all
idea of committing suicide.
Amlcabe Agreement Reached.
Mayor Atkins and Councilman J. G.
Norris returned this morning from At
lanta where they went to confer with
the executive committee of the South
eastern Tariff association, regarding the
establishment of a paid fire department
in Selma and changing the rating of
Selma from third to second class There
was the usual argument pro and con
between the committee and the citys au-
thorities, but finally everything was
agreed and on Tuesday of next week
man will reach the city from the Tariff
association to re-rate the city and tell
the authorities just exactly what the
difference between the old and the new
rating will save the insured.
The new ratin1 is based upon the estab-
lishment of a paid fire department with
the apparatus and paid men as decided
upon. The department will consist of
chief and twenty eight fully paid men,
fourteen of which will be fully paid the
others being reserves to be paid for
their services when called upon. me
present apparatus of the city is deemed
sufficient only a separate pair OF horses
will have to be purchased and maintain
ed for the steam engine.
Local and Personal.
Today has been the spring holiday for
the public schools of the city and several
picnies have been given by the various
grades.
Mr. R. E. L. McDermott of Washing
ton D. c. is visitor to Selma today.
Mrs w. L, Galbraith of New York, who
has been on a visit to her old home left
this morning.
Miss Octavia Levort Nelson entertain
ed the young Ladies' Card club this after
noon.
DR.. l.. Dawson Furniss after pleasant
visit to Selma, his old home, left this
afternoon for New York, where he Is
engaged in the practice of his profess
sion.
Mrs. w. IT, Gatchell of Washington is
on a visit to her old home.