The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-08
COAL DEAL MEANS MUCH FOR WALKER Extensive Mineral Lands to be
 Worked LUMBER ROAD TO BE BUILT Two Men Are Arrested In Connection With Killing of George Benson at Nauvoo-New Steam
 Laundry.
LUMBER ROAD TO BE BUILT

Jasper July 7.-(Special)-The sale of the mineral lands of the Gulf Coal and Coke company to the Central of Georgia railroad, as announced in the press dis patches from Mobile yesterday, has far reaching significance in Walker county, as 1t in all probability means that one Of the largest mining camps in Alabama Will be opened on the 17,000 acres of land lying mostly in Walker county. It is generally believed that the Pratt Consolidated Coal and Coke company, which is already large factor in the development of the coal business in the county, will develop this property. This company has acquired thousands of acres of surface lands in the lower portion of the county within the past twelve months and it is believed thai this was done with the object in view ot ultimately being placed in position to de velop the coal lands lying round about.
 It is known that the Pratt Consolidated has been prospecting in the territory or this property for some time, ana the construction of a railroad through ths section will in all probability be taken up in the near future Nearly all the land formerly owned by the Gulf Coal and Coke company lies in Walker county, and should this property be developed as il is believed is being contemplated, to the al. ready large mining interests in Walker county would be added others that would
 materially increase the county's wealth
 Lumber Road to Be Built. It is now thought that the construction of the Alabama Central railroad. which Is to be built from Jasper to the pine lt.- ,,,i1a af bn will be begun within short time. meeting of the City Council was held last night for the purpose of discussing Il franchise for the road to enter the town along it's streets and alleys, and it was agreed that the franchise be granted. A corps of engineers has been here several days locating the line. Within short time the construction will doubtless begin and the erection of the large lumber man. | ufacturing plant will shortly follow. The lumber mill will be one of the largest in the country and will give employment to two or three hundred men.
 Killed While Crossing Creek. Tom Russell and Bill McCullar have been arrested in connection with the kill ing of George Menson, near Nauvoo on last Monday. Benson was shot and killed by unknown parties on Monday morning | at 7:30 o'clock while he was crossing a creek on a foot log. The killing was ons of the most sensational which has hap pened in that neighborhood for several years, and recalls the foul murder of Pierce Heron, who was killed in that vicinity two or three years ago. Benson was shot from ambush, however, and the circumstances surrounding the killing are such as to show that the party who per- petrated the deed acted with premedita- ton, as a passage had been carefully pre- pared that the victim might be seen while | crossing the creek
 New Steam Laundry.
 | Jasper is to have new steam laundry In the near future. c. w. Cooper of Montgomery was in the city yesterday and was in conference with J. D. Me Donald. A merchant of Jasper, who ex- nects to establish laundry and take charge of it as soon as all the details can | he arranged |. The need of a laundry in | Jasper has loag been evident and this move has been Received with great pleas ure by all of the towns citizens.
 Will Get Fourth Trial.
 Henry Walker. the negro who is in the county jail here charged with the foulest murder in the history of the county, that of Mrs J. c. Dickinson. at her home in Cordova about two years ago, has been granted new trial by the supreme court of Alabama This is the third trial for the negro and it is not generally be- lieved that conviction in the case will ever be upheld by the supreme court There are number of prominent citizens of the county who do not believe that Walker is guilty He has been convicted by three juries, in the first two cases the decision being reversed and in the third a new trial being granted.
 Bankhead In Jasper.
 ConEressman John H. Bankhead and