The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-25
HILL OFFERS GOOD
BONUS To SCHOOLS
Wants to Encourage Education
in Rural Districts
TRIAL ON AT EVERGREEN
Counsel for Thompson Makes No De-
Nal of Murder Charge, But Claims
the Defendant Was
Insane.
TRIAL ON AT EVERGREEN

Montgomery, January A.--(Special)-
State Superintendent Of Education I. w.
Hill has received from the Peabody fund
the sum OK 1900 to be used as he sees
fit In the advancement of the rural schools
of the state He has decided to invest
II In helping ten communities TO erect
good school houses. To this end ne mas
given out the following interview. which
he hopes will be taken up and given
publicity in the state press:
"One of the crying needs of Alabama
is better school houses in the rural dis
triets. In order to encourage the build
ing of the same l will give to the first
ten communities not more than one in a
county, a bonus OF 500 each if they will
build school houses to cost 500 or more
from plans furnished by me- The money
will be paid as soon as the county super
intendent reports that the building is
complete
1.-THE house must be built on a location
selected by the county board of education
and. together with the lot, must be decided
fee simple to the county board of educa-
ton and Its successors. All applications
for this bonus must come through the
county superintendent
1T am enabled to make this offer
through the generosity of the Peabody
board"
This Will be great help to Alabama
schools, not only for the small amount of
direct help 1t will give, but in calling
attention to the fact that no part of the
state fund can be used to provide school
houses which are badly needed in almost
every rural section.
Evergreen Trial Proceeds.
1,
Journal sends his paper the following on
the Thompson trial today:
THE attorneys of Jack Thompson, who
Is on trial for the murder of his wife
and ]. B. Cooper, her father, today
resumed their part of the trial as the
state having closed yesterday.
THE only contention of the defense is
that Thompson was insane and that
several members of his family had also
been adjudged insane. There is no de-
NAL on the part OF the defense of the
horrible murders but the attorneys claim
that he was insane at the time and there
fore not responsible for the act.
'Thompson's appearance after his leap
- liberty - Of the court room window
showed that he was -! injured as much
as was al first thought but ne appeared
to be In much pain.
yesterday the jury was selected, an -
whom are farmers. The defense tried to
have the case postponed on the ground
that public sentiment was SO much
against the defendant that he could not
get a fair and impartial trial. but the
court did not agree with the argument.
THE Witnesses examined by the state
showed that the murder was a horrible
affair Several witnesses told of the
screams of the children and the dying
statement of Mr.. Cooper, who was an
ex-Confederate soldier and who was well
liked by the people Of this county. This
statement was submitted as evidence. 1t
read as follows:
Jack shot me without cause, except
that 7 demonstrated with him for be-
ing SO furious about the house. I told
him that he must stop being so abusive
and raising trouble around the house
or he would have to leave. He said he
would leave but he picked up gun and
shot Belle. | turned 10 run. but he shot
me-"
Seeks Pardon for Pace.
The journal prints the following from
Washington
Congressman Wiley has presented to
the President and Attorney General the
application Of John w. Pace for a par
don.
Pace was convicted IN five cases Of the
offense of peonage In the federal court at
Montgomery. Judge Jones suspended his
sentence in order that the defendant
might have an opportunity to apply for
executive clemency. His petition is backed
by the endorsements and recommenda-
lions of many prominent citizens of Ala
bama.
The matter is still pending in the de-
partment Of Justice. Colonel Wiley Is very
earnest and energetic in his efforts to
bring relief to this feeble and decrept
old man.