The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-28
DALLAS MAY BE IN PROHIBITION LINE Lawrence and Crumpton to Preach at Selma THE -TOMBIGBEE HORROR w. T. Atkins Tells of the Drowning of White Boy and Fourteen
 Negroes at Lock
 No. 1.
THE TOMBIGBEE HORROR


 Selma, September 27.-(Special)-Is Dal- las county to be the next place to be visited by the prohibition bug?' It would seem so for the announcement is made today that the Rev. Brooks Law I'ence, state superintendent of the anti saloon league and the Rev. W. B. Crump- ton, president of the organization are to come to Selma on Sunday, October 13. They are scheduled to preach smultan- eously in the Baptist and Methodist churches In the morning and at night big rally is expected to be held in the Broad street Presbyterian church.
 It is learned that these workers against the saloons have been trying to get to Selma since last June but have not before met with sufficient encouragement There coming soon is looked upon as the open- ing gun for a prohibition fight in staid old Dallas. There is prohibition in this county outside of the city of Selma and in the city the saloons have been con- ducted upon a plane higher than most cities. Some years ago an Il o'clock closing law was adopted and the selling
 
 the saloons themselves determining not to keep open on Sunday. No saloons are permitted outside of the fire limits and the men who own the places are as a d'ule of the very best citizens of Selma. "A fight in this city will, therefore, take considerable work to be successful and it is not thought that an election held before January 1 would be successful in driving out the saloons.
 F That the contest would ultimately reach Selma none have doubted and the wise whisky men have been shaping their bus mess with the end in view that they would likely have to close up, but they hope to be permitted to run another year at least
 Tombigbee River Horror.
 ". T. Atkins returned to Selma this morning at l o'clock from visit to clark county. He left CoffeeVille Wednes- day night arriving at Jackson yesterday and leaving there last night He took the steamer Bethea ar Coffeeville and yesterday morning passed through the locks that are being built by the gov ernment at McGrew's shoals about twelve miles above Jackson. About an hour or so after he had passed the place oc- cured the oapsizing of a boat and the drowning of fifteen persons, one of which was white boy, Leslie Verneuile by name.
 The bodies of four of the victims were recovered and carried to Jackson last night and search is being made today for the rest. The current is exceedingly swift at the point where the accident occurred and the boat which is ued by the government em- ployes in crossing the river on their work was caught and turned turtle, throwing it's occupants seventeen in number, into the river Two of the men managed to catch to the tim bers of the lock that is completed and were rescued, the others went to wa tery graves.
 MT. Atkins talked with an eye wit ness to the horror and the latetr says he hopes never again to see such a sight. The seventeen men were laugh ing and joking with each other and it is thought that they all rushed to side of the flat bottom craft just the swift current struck it.. The boat half whirled around and then turned bottom side up.The current car ried the men swiftly down stream and they were drowned before help could reach them.
 Buncoed Out of Five.
 The "bunco" game is played in Sell ma among the negroes to a finish. The
  Tn the court this morning another case came up. The victim was Prince Jones. whose home is in Uniontown. Prince was in Selma on the 4th of July for the purpose of doing some trading. He happened to drop into a Selma barroom and there he met one Henry Brooks, a character well known in police circles. He was introduced to Brooks by the bartender and here the trouble started
 Brooks proposed to take his friend out to his home where he was to spend the time while in the city. This suit ed the visiting negro and the invita- ttor was accepted. The two took glass of beer and then stopped at a shoe shine stand. Jones of course was to pay all expenses and when the shoes of Brooks had been polished the countryman took the chair and handed his newfound friend five dol lar bill to have changed. After visit ing a drug store Brooks disappeared with the five dollars. The town was searched for Brooks but he was not to be found and the matter was re- ported to police headquarters when warrant was made for his arrest
 Brooks has been successfully eVad-- ing the officers until last night when he was picked up and put in Jall. Ihls morning the case was called ana Jones appeared against him, positively iden- tifying him the man WnoHi Hc met and gave the money to. The may or assessed fine of $25.
 Local and Personal.
 In the circuit court today the case or William Jones. charged with the mur- der of his wife, on~the Bat Smith place. has occupied all the morning and is still In progress. The evidence against the negro is all circumstantial, the woman having been missed and not having shown up since. The case against Price Smith will come up soon the Jones case goes to the jury
 Major and Mrs. V. B. Atkins returned this morning from Tate Springs. Mayor Atkins was greatly benefited by his stay at the resort and declares he feels better than he has in many years.
 Mfr and Mrs. R. Howard Holmes reach- ed the city today. They were married in Russelville, Tenn, Tuesday and the heartiest good wishes extended to them for their future happiness.
 Miss Kathleen Witherspoon has been awarded first grade certificate to teach school and has accepted charge of the school at Felix in Perry county. She graduated with high honors from the Selma Military institute last year and is an exceedingly bright young woman. She is only IS years of age. and it Is sell dom that se-young a teacher is able to secure a first grade certificate. Her suc- cess reflects credit not only upon herself