The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-31
REPORT MADE ON
 SPE|GNER MILLS Negroes Meet an Awful Death at Montgomery COVERED UP BY EARTH CAVE State Fair Association at Capital De- cides to Erect Several New
 Buildings for Next
 Year.
COVERED UP BY EARTH CAVE


 successful operation of the cotton mills l owned by the state at Speigner, has | been subject of discussion among busi- ness men of the state for some months, and report just made of the work done | there by State Examiner of Public Ac- counts German, is of more than usual in- terest. In this report it is shown that | since the mill started in January, 1905, to September 30, 1906, the mill used 32O1 bales of cotton, for which was paid $152,- 790.35. The earnings for that time, net, were $25,29456.
 These excerpts from the report of the | examiner show the conditions at the mill and not only what has been done, but what the plant may do.
 | "fhe state owns the cotton mill located at Speigner, and commenced to operate it January l, 1905. It Is estimated that the mill and machinery are worth $SO,0O0 It contains 33o0 spindes, all of which are in service; Is operated by conyiets 53 whites and 73 colored being employed Most of these are women and children, the few men there being unable to per- form much physical labor
 '"rhe capacity of the mill is six bales of cotton a day, but since September l. 1906, it has been running day and night, increasing to twelve bales a day. Addi- tional labor is needed. Stripes, ducks and osanburgs are made. On an average one pound of cotton makes two yards of goods. A ready sale is found for most of tho products of the mill.
 During it's operation by the state 320l bales of cotton, weighing 1,5S5,625 pounds, have been purchased, for which $152. 790 55 was paid. According to the books of the convict department the total receipts of the mill from January 1, 1905, to Septem- Der 30 1906, were $214, 925.05; disburse- ments, S1S9, $50 49 profit of $25 ,294 56 paid into the state treasury. The receipts were for goods sold, and $152, O.35 of dis bursements for cotton, the balance be- ing for labor, repairs and other expenses.
 In addition to the $25.29i5 56 profit, there were on hand September 90, after de- ducting all unpaid claims, $34,5S2.63 stock and solvent accounts making the real total profits $59,SS7O9 during the twenty one months operation of the mill.
 The report shows in tables of assets the following: Accounts, $52,276.24; stock, S9735; taltal. S62,0l124. Liabilities, ac- counts, $S94.15 freight, $500; convict hire, $94O; profit, $59,S77.O9.
 Negroes Meet Horrible Death.
 Three negro workmen met horrible
 
 fourth barely escaped with his life, in big ditch near the city. They were cov- cred by a cave-in of earth, upon which a flood of water rushed in from a broken water main. The dead are John Warren, Thomas Smith, Caesar Jones; injured, Joe Dorsey
 The negroes were in the employ of Black X Laird, contractors excavating for a sewer. They had cut along with n 1it rhinpr machine 11nti tbaV a upon a water main recently laid by the city. The dirt about this had not been packed securely and when it was uct down the wall on the left tumbled in with out warning. With this fall the water main came down and broke.
 The fall of dirt covered up the four negroes, md at once 1t was flooded Dor sey was not buried deep and was pulled out unconscious, but soon recovered enough to be moved and will recover. The other negroes were far under the dirt and when taken out had been dead several minutes.
 The negroes at work on the job and not hurt could hardly be induced to re- turn and help big out their comrades. Some of them ran off and never did re- turn. Women came about in great num- bers and cried and moaned as negroes will in grief either for loss of members of their own family or of others, and the scene was one of widest confusion for some time.
 Minor Appointments. Governor Jelks has made the following minor appointments:
 Justice of the peace. ]. A. Galloway, Beat 16, St. Clair county w. s. Blood worth, Beat 5. Tallapoosa county; P. B. Traweek, Northport.
 Notary public and justices of the peace, s. r. Margart Batesville; J. s. Allen, Beat g. Chambers county, w. D. Thomas. Short Creek; w. J. Reynolds, Newton; w. H. Mahon, Beat ', Bibb county.
 otaries public, J. B. Green, Sylacauga; c. W. smith, Bryant; W. l.. Chenault Russellvlle; P. J. Laughlin Selma; W. T. Owen. Anniston; S. A. Lynee, De- catur; s. b. York, Athens.
 The Troy Banking and Trust company has been organized at Troy, the county seat of Pike county, It is promoted by