The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-06
SEVERE STORM IS REPORTEDAT SELMA Many Houses Are Blown Down
 By the Wind HEAVY RAIN AND HAIL It Is Feared Much Damage Is Done South of the Alabama River-A
 Negro Shot From
 Ambush.
HEAVY RAIN AND HAIL

Selma, April 5.-(special )-Today from 11;3O to 1;30 there appared two distinct hailstorms in this vicinity and there is reason to believe that in the section of country on the south side of the river the wind has done considerable damage.
 The first rain and hail fell about Il 50 o'clock. The hailstones were for the most part small in size and the storm lasted but short while. On the south side of the Alabama river from Selma there hung a dense cloud, and the reports received later of the damage done was not a surprise. The cloud was rather light in color, but was ominous in appearance and it is feared that when full reports are in that serious damage will be heard Of.
 Percy Dawson started for his home near Ninter in his automobile Just before the storm began, and reached a point about three miles from the city when the fury broke forth. He found trees and tele- graph poles strewn along the public road, absolutely barring his way and had to re- turn to the city. A little negro house Just beyond the Tipton place was found to have been blown completely away, but the old woman who lived in the place saw the storm approaching and ran out into the open field. where she escaped with only a drenching from the rain and slight beating from the hail. Word reached MT. Dawson before he returned to the city that several other houses in that section had been blown down, but that so far as learned no lives had been lost.
 About 1:15 o'clock another heavy rain and hail shower fell in the city. In the hue tl. A. .I..ts were as large as bantam eggs. but the proverbial hen egg size for hailstones are reported to have been found and carried into the stores by reliable persons.
 There was quite an electrical storm in the wake of the last shower. and the timid ones were greatly alarmed. An ef- fort was made to secure telephone service to Polk, Soapstone and other places on the south side, but the storm had evidently torn down the wires.
 Arm Filled With Buckshot.
 Belle Rudo. a negro man. came to Sel- ma this morning to secure medical as- sistance for hls arm, which was badly lacerated from a load of buckshot. Seen by a newspaper representative this morn ing, Rudo stated that he was shot last night while going to his home near Lown- desboro by James Holly. Both negroes live on Ed McCurdy's place, near Lown- utSDOlO, III LOWllutS COuDly. to Rudo's story, he has been paying at tention until lately to James Holly's sis ter. but within the past few weeks has been going with Holly's woman. About a week ago Holly stopped him and for bade him paying attention to his girl, but he didn't pay any attention to the mat ter.
 Last night as he was going home he saw a form step from behind tree, and as he called out to know who 1t was he was answered by shot from the darkness which filled his arm with buckshot.
 The negros arm is in bad condition. but 1t Is not thought he will necessarily lose 1t. Asked if his assaiant had been arrested, Rudo said: "No sir; hands are too scarce to spare him from the field at this time.'
 Festival Week In Selma.
 Beginning Monday night at 7 o'clock the Selma Spring Festival will throw open its doors Selma has had fall festivals and a general fair held in the fall. but never before has it had an entertainment of this kind in the spring.
 The railroads have granted excursion rates for the entire week, tickets being on sale from all stations within a radius of one hundred miles of Selma, Sunday good until midnight of Sunday, April IA. This will bring quite a crowd of people to Oelilld dS lIt tSllNdl dSSOClallOn Has advertised the fact to considerable ex- tent, as widely as possible, in fact as the time between the announcement os the rate and the opening of the festival would permit. The merchants will there fore be greatly benefited as many will come to Selma who had not thought of doing so.
 The Parker Amusement company will furnish the attractions and out al the aip de yhoro thn hoe trrf,, tered is a scene of hustle, getting ready for the event. Some twenty or thirty performers for the various shows and for the Sunflower Bellies, "the big show" of the company, have arrived. "The Sunfower Bellies" will be a big vaudeville show under canvass. There will be two or three sister teams shown and many sketches given that will please all The Parker Zoo will also give several exhibitions daily and the two baby Hons, Selma" and Dallas" will be on exhibition and the ladies and child ren will be given an opportunity of pet ting the soon to be ferocious beasts.
 Tenedered Dainty Luncheon. Mrs. Edward Graham was the charm ing hostess this morning In honor of the attendants at the Cleveland Hooker we'd ling, which takes place next Tuesday. Those gathered around the beautifully ap- DOlDltu ldDlt DtSlutS lHH DF1udl party were Miss Harwell, Miss Gregory of Marion, Miss Ioise Smith, Miss Alexina Woods. Miss Alexina Hooker, Mrs. R. D. Walker md Mrs J. G. Wilkins. Mrs. Graham is an ideal hostess and a most enjoyable affair was the luncheon II every way.
 Local and Personal. Frank Graham, cotton buyer, former y located in Selma is on a visit to this .ity. Mir Graham is located in New or leans at this time.
 Ali Muckle of Canton, Miss. is a visl- or to Selma. MT. Mucke is a well known cotton buyer who spent several seasons in this city.
 Quite a number of couples of young people anticipate spending tomorrow at he Stephenson place, at q picnic, the weather permitting.
 The friends of Mrs Simon Gay will re- sret to learn that she is seriously i'll at Ter home on Selma street. Coleman q confined fo hfc