The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-15
W. R PEACOCK IS
 NAMED PRESIDENT
Heads New Water Commission
 at Selma
FIRST MEETING IS HELD
John Spear a Negro Prisoner, Makes AttemFt to Break Jail-city officer5 Report Much
 Progress.

Selma, May 14.-(Special )-This morning at 10 o'clock in the office of the mayor in the city building the water commits sion of Selma held its first meeting, Com- missioners Peacock, Thalheimer and La mar being present, as was Secretary Wor- rel and Mayor Atkins. The first business transacted after the meeting was called to order was the election of a president and W. R. Peacock was unanimously chosen. The term of office Is for two years and until his successor is elected and qualified.
 MT. M. l.. Worrel was elected superin- tendent and manager, to serve until the end of the present quarter June 30.
 There was an informal discussion as to the conduct of the affairs of the wa ter company and all steps taken neces- sary herewith. The water company Is no' completely in the hand of the wa ter commission and It's success Is con- fidently predicted.
 Tried to Break JalI.
 John Spear, a negro, was arrested yes terday afternoon on the charge of disor- derly conduct, and locked up In the city prison, on the third floor above the fire department headquarters. During the night Turnkey Ahern was notified by two ol the other prisoners one of which was a white man. that Spear was attempting to break out of the lock up.
 Investigation disclosed that the negro hal removed three of the bricks in the eastern end of the prison and that his purpose was to tear his blanket into strips and let himself down to safety.
 In mayors court this morning the ad- ditonal charge of attempting to escape from prison was lodged against the ne- gro and he was fined BIO for being dis orderly and s25 for trying to get away from the lock up.
 Local and Personal.
 The auction sale of the building on the corner of Lauderdale and Water streets owned by M. Leva, took place at noon today and MT. Aaron Maas was the high est bidder, his bid being $6E00.
 Maj. T. H. Hopkins of Anniston is in the city, the guest for a few days of his daughter, Mrs J. T. Chapman. He will then visit Mississippi and other points, before returning to his home.
 Capt. b. W. Booker of E,:.sore was a visitor to the city today, en route to Marion, where he goes to attend the graduating exercises of the Judson his granddaughter being among the grad uates.
 Maj. W. W. Screws, the editor of tho Montgomery Advertiser, and one of the best loved men in the state, was in a1s tA acIa where he Is a delegate to the diocesan council.
 Cy Shivers, a r gro, was fined s10 in mayors court for assault and battery an was in addition fined si5 for being vagrant.
 Selma's Progress Shown.
 From the following figures of the reports of the city officers for the past two years something of Selmas im- portance and progress may be gleaned: Treasurer Shelley reported a balance on hand April 30, 1905, of $349.o1 and to- tai receipts from all sources during the two years of $1S9,043. He report ed having disbursed $1S6,37S.03, leav- ing a balance of s3.013.gS.
 Market Clerk Cothran reported hav- ing received In the two years S9,232 40, of which s2SS was for electric lights furnished the butchers. The receipts for 1907 over 1906 show an increase of s113s.5o.
 Chief of Police Walters reported to- tai number of persons arrested during the two years 2913, of which 537 were white males, 152 white females 1872 blac black males and 612 black fe- males. The following shows the com parison for the two years: