The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-13
H|GDON'S FRIENDS BUSY IN BESSEMER Organized a Club at Meeting
 Last Night CHALLENGE FOR DEBATE Vulcan Passed Through Bessemer On Way to State Fair-Evanuelists Bring Interesting Meeting
 to a Close.

Bessemer October 12-(Special )-One hundred and fifty men, called together on short notice, met in the old Odd Fcl- lows hall tonight and spent three hours of enthusiastic speaking and discussion P. G. Bowman and A. l.. Oberdorfer of Birmingham were present and addressed the meeting, explaining the situation at some length and outlining their position. The meeting then resolved itself Into the "Higdon Democratic Club of Besse- mer,' and proceeded to the election of chairman. w. J. Smith, who voted the opposition ticket in the last two primaries, was elected chairman, with a rousing unanimous vote and pr. w. G. Hurd was appointed secretary.
 A mass meeting was called for next Wednesday night, when every one who desires will be given a chance to set off his fireworks.
 At that time a resolution will be en- tered challenging Judge Stiles to send down his two best speakers week after next to meet two men which the club will furnish for an open debate The Higdon club promises to get out d good crowd and ''lf we don't convert them be-
  tel bill for month";
 The Stiles-Higdon contest is the greatest topic Of discussion in Bessemer. Interest is at a fever heat but the partisan spirit has run so high that opponents gen orally avoid each other and afterward explode before their friends. The prophef Is as much in evidence as ever before: many pointing to the "conversions' to the Higdon ticket as a convincing argu- ment' and others claiming that Ilie- don's stand will lose him many friends. Business is suffering to some extent and there is a general expression of regret that the matter Is drawn out over such a length of time.
 Vulcan Moved.
 Vulcan, the slxty-ton giant. passed through Bessemer today He came in via the Louisville and Nashville railroad from Red Mountain, was sidetracked to the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company's line and carried Into the State Fair.
 The body was divided into three lots; the legs rode in the rear flat ear, the hips and chest occupied the second and on the third repSsed the time worn head of the old traveller together with his arms and the great hammer. As he passed down Nineteenth street many people viewed the iron features with interest and passed jokes at his expense One nan said that Vulcan stopped on Second avenue and thanked the board of trade for their courtesies during his dark hours, saying that he was sorry he could not get down and remain permanently in Bessemer. Vulcan will be great attrac- tion at the State Fair, there are many people who have never seen him and are eager to see the great iron master which has travelled so much In the interest of his state.
 A suitable pedestal is being erected near the main entrance of the fair grounds where he will be stationed with his face toward the paddock.
 Local Items.
 The argument in the suit of Clinton Curl against the Woodward Iron com lany is all in, and the jury will prob- ably render verdict tomorrow This will close the civil court docket.
 The union meeting. which has been con ducted for the past two weeks by the Rev. E. E. Hendriclx and the Rev. A l.. Carter closed tonight after one of the most successful series of services in the history of Bessemer. Popular interest in- creased with each day until it was inn possible to accommodate the large crowds
 
 conversions, and the religious life of the ci.y received an impetus which the pas tors say, will have a lasting effect
 Peter F. Dcrr, popular carpenter of Bessemer, lied this morning at the home of g. Gamble on Twenty-fourth street MT. Dcrr had been i'll for three weeks but was thought to be improved, when he was taken with pneumonia and died early this morning. He was a man of good character. and was highly respected. He was in his fortieth year. having lived in Bessemer for the past fourteen years. The funeral services which will be con- ducted by the Odd Fellows of Brighton. will take place tomorrow at 10 a. m.
 Mrs. W. H. Ham and little daughter, Miss Dorothy, have returned from three weeks visit to Kentucky
 Mrs. George H. Stevenson, who has Teen quite sick at the hospital in Bir- mingham, has returned to her home, and is entirely recovered.
 Burglars are still busy, as petty thefts are reported every day. Yesterday two houses were entered but nothing of value was taken.