The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-10
BABY SMOTHERED
At MOTHERS SIDE
Pulled Pillow Over Its Head
During Night
SELMA NEGRO FOUND DEAD
Prominent citizen of Marion junction
Engaged In an ARRAY In Which
M. F. Smith Is Slightly

Selma. August Especial ARTHUR the
2-months-old son of Mr.. and Mrs Arthur
Ney Fesperman, was smothered to death
during the early hours of this morning
while 1t lay beside its mother at the home
of Mrs Alwilda Turner on Green street,
in this city.
Mrs. Fesperman, who was married a lit
| tie over year ago and lives in Atlanta.
reached Selma a few days ago to pay
visit to her aunt. Mrs Turner, with
whom she had made her home during
her girlhood The little son was the idol of
her heart and was an exceedingly attrac-
tive child for one so. young. Last night
In order 10 protect the little one from the
mosquitoes netting was stretched from
a pillow placed at the head of the bed. In
some manner the child pulled the pillow
over and it fell across his face, shut
ting off the air and causing death by
smothering.
About o'clock this morning, Mrs Tur-
ner, as has been her custom, went into
the room TO get the child, it usually being
awake at that hour, and lying growing
and cooling in the bed. The pillow was
discovered and with a cry OF alarm the
mother. who was sleeping ignorant of the
fate of her baby, was awakened and she
grabbed up her son. He gave a few
gasps and then breathed no more.
Mr.. Fesperman was notified at his home
in Atlanta and reached the city tonight
The funeral will occur tomorrow morn
ing
Negro Found Dead
In his room in the eastern portion of
the city Lift Bennett negro, was found
this morning lying on the floor near the
| fireplace his face down. Investigation
showed that he was dead There was con-
siderable excitement over the matter at
first and the coroner was summoned 1t
was, however, ascertained that the negro
was sufferer from asthma, and it was
evident that his death had come from an
acute attack of this malady. The city au-
thorities took charge of the remains and
notified the relatives, who live in Marion
Prominent Citizen Cut.
Last night at Berlin. this county, &C.
4 CURED the death of Mrs. M. A. Hunter
4 one of the oldest citizens of Dallas
+ county. She had been Ill for a long
time and her death was not entirely I'M
! expected. She was the mother of Mrs J.
! c. Tubbs and of Mr.. Jim Hunter The
+ funeral took place this afternoon at the
family burying ground and was largely
attended.
Death of Aged Woman.
Information reached the city today of an
i ARRAY between two prominent citizens of
Marion Junction. this county, which oc-
CURED last night and which resulted in
/ one of the combatants, Mr.. M f. Smith,
/ receiving cut on the NECK. one on the
arm and another In the abdomen, from a
knife in the hands of Mr. e. r. Gilmer.
None of the wounds are serious and the
| statement Is made that Mr.. Gilmer did
not wilfnlly inflict the wounds, but that
in the scuffle Mr.. Smith was cut The
! trouble arose over a suit in detinue
brought by Mr.. Gilmer against a negro
on whose oond Mr.. Smith was surety. Mr..
Smith alleges that he had heard Mr. GIL
mer had remarked that in the case which
was tried Tuesday he (Smith) had not told
/ the whole truth. Mr.. Smith called on Mr..
| Gilmer and words were followed by blows
with the result as indicated above.
Local and General.
c. c. Grayson. member of the City
| Council from the First ward, leaves TO-
morrow for French Lick Springs He will
be accompanied by his son Wilmer.
The Rev. ]. T. Mangum of Tallassee
is a visitor to the city today.
| Mrs. Charles Anderson passed through
| Selma today en- route to her home In
Montgomery from visit to her parents in
! Greensboro.
Mrs J. w. Marshall returned this after
noon from visit of two months TO her
old home In indianapolis.
Inman Il Co, the well-known cotton
! firm. will open a cotton buying office in
! Selma this season, the same to be under
| the management of Mr.. Wynn who comes
| mere from Augusta.