The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-17
RECORD OF COURTS

The grand jury is transacting much business daily, and there is a constant attendance of large numbers of persons summoned to testify before it. Yesterday two score or more witnesses who had been subpoenaed were in the corridors of the courthouse nearly all day. many of them being examined before the in- vestigating body adjourned for the day.
 Many county officers have already been called upon to submit their books and accounts for examination, justice of the peace being in the majority. None of the higher officers have yet been summoned to show the condition of their books and accounts.
 The court officials say there is no doubt the grand jury is doing an enor- nous amount of work as can be judge by the lengthy sessions at which there is nearly always the entire membership in attendance. A number of indictments ls2ve already been found, while in sev era1 instances no true bills were returned and the prisoners held have been dis charged.
 The board of revenue of Jefferson coun- ty was in session yesterday morning, and passed upon several matters of interest. At the conclusion of the meeting it was announced the board will meet again February l.
 w. II. Duke was appointed road tax receiver for Precinct 31 Several vacan- cies yet exist in the force of receivers, and these will be filled at the next meeting At that time it is expected the board will also appoint the "warners'' or assistants to the receivers in all the precincts. Secretary Morrow has for warded to the new receivers notice of their appointment.
 The board passed upon the account of Coroner Paris. allowing him $l72S0 of claim for $26O.
 number of residents of the county appeared before the board and stated that although they had paid for improve ments to roads in the district where they lived, no improvements had been made. The auditor. who was in attendance, an nounced that he had been informed that the receiver for that precinct had re- ported collecting sonic money, but owing to the loss of his stub book, he was unable to say who had paid or how much he had collected. The board instructed the auditor to demand settlement and accounting with the receiver in ques- tion.
 Will Turner on trial for the murder of another negro at Sayreton some time ago. was found guilty by the jury in the first division of the criminal court yes terday afternoon. The jury fixed the punishment at imprisonment for life.
 It was the first capital case taken up by the court this term, having been started Monday. Argument was complet- ed yesterday morning, the jury was charged and retired about noon, and shortly before 3 o'clock the verdict was brought in.
 John and James Raper are on trial in the criminal court on indictments charg- ing robbery. It is alleged that the men held up and robbed negro at Pratt City some time ago.
 A large number of witnesses have been summoned, and it is expected the case will consume all the time of the court today The following is the jury which will decide the guilt or innocence of the accused;
 J. E. Lacey, H. H. Parsons J. P No ian w. A. Goodwin, Emil c. Miller, Jesse Wright, w. T. Baggett. John Wentworth, J. A. Shoemaker and Tom Parsons.
 Articles of incorporation were filed in the probate court yesterday for the Min eral City Gazette Printing and Publish ing company, with capital of $5OOO, and with headquarters in Birmingham The incorporators are Jack Ansley, r. l. Monks and J. w. Bush, and the officers are Jack Ansley, president; F. l. Monks. editor and manager, and J. w. Bush vice president. The purpose of the new com pany is to do a printing and publishing business.
 There were several trials in the second division of the criminal court yesterday all of msdemeanor cases. Much time was consumed, and the majority of the cases on the docket for yesterday went over to later dates.
 The following capital cases are on the docket for today in the first division of the criminal court:
 John w. McWilliams, criminal assault;