The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-15
Was Struck by Lightning in
 Tuesday Nights Storm
DWELLING ALSO BURNS
Police of Decatur Are Puzzled Over Discovery of Many Evidences of Organized Burglary-Amusinq
 Baseball Game.

[ damage in this portion of the state, swept over the Decaturs and surrounding coun- try late yesterday afternoon The electri- cal storm was accompanied by high wind and heavy downpour of rain.
 The cupalo of the eoored Methodist church, in the western portion of the city was struck by lightning and the building together with the organ and furnishings was a total loss. The loss on the church building i.le furnishings will be fully 5000 with no insurance what ever.
 The church parsonage. situated nearby. caught fire from the flames of the church and was also a total loss A small residence also cau>-t fire and was badly damaged. The loss on the parsonage and residence will be about 5000, with no insurance.
 During the storm many telephones of both the telephone companies were burned out and the service badly damaged The telegraph company also suffered some losses by the electrical storm.
 good many shade trees were damaged by the wind. Thus far no causalities have been reported.
 Dwelling Burns.
 During the night dwelling on Alabama and Waeer streets, owned by Nelson Campbell. was totally destroyed by fire. together with all the household goods barn belonging to MT. Campbell was also badly damaged. The loss will be about $900, with no insurance
 
 occupants of the house escapted in their night clothes, barely saving their lives For a time 1t seemed that those who oc- cupied the house would sutfocate with the smoke and heat of the flames, as they were shut off from all exits, but they finely managed to make their escape. It is supposed that the fire originated from kerosene lamp which yas left burn ing during the night
 The fire company responded to the call, but it seems that they were unable to save the building or at least failed to do so
 The owner of the property Nelson Campbell, formely lived in Nashville, Tenn, where he is well known.
 Police Are Puzzled.
 What to do with trunk full of women 8 and childrens shoes, which had been stolen and which were recovered by the police officers of Decatur a few nights | ago, is question that is giving the po- lice department of Decatur no small amount of concern.
 The shoes were found In a negro house of the city and as yet no owner of the shoes has been found. Nearly every shoe dealer in the Decaturs has examined them. but no one has been able to identify the shoes as their own.
 During the past day or two several rail road detectives have been here and ex- amined the shoes and have been trying to find the owner, but up to this time they have failed.
 It is believed that the shoes were stolen out of a car in the railroad yards here along with a lot of other stolen stuff which the police have recovered during the past few days.
 Almost every day new evidence is found by the police, in the shape of solen property, to prove beyond doubt that d band of organized negro thieves have been operating here for some time past Several negroes have been arrested and 1t Is now believed that the band is broken up, but at the same time it is | believed that there are many other stolen goods which have not as yet been located and it is also believed that there are still more negroes, who have not been ar | reseted that are implicated in the many thefts that have been committed. Baseball Game. One of the most amusing games of base ball that has ever been witnessed here was tho one played In New Decatur yesterday Df hafx t,f,, the prominent business men of New De- catur One nine was composed of the west side of Second avenue and the other nine of the business men of the east side of second avenue.
 The score was: West Side, 19; East Side, 10.
 Mayor Samuel Blackwell, of New Decatur. Pitched the first ball and the umpire de- clard 1t strike and Mayor Blackwell was then and there declared an expert ball player worthy of the name. Many of the uniforms worn by the players were unique in their makeup and caused many amusing remarks. Many of the players hadn't had d ball in their hands for fourteen years, but in spite of this fact they played exceedingly well. "Sox" Sorber, formerly with the Birm- ingham nine of the Southern league pitched for the West Siders and his work | In the box and at the stick had much to do with his side saving the day. Six" proved himself to be a grandstand twirler and won the admiration of the ladies by his graceful twirls from the | bax.
 Several hundred people witnessed the game.
 A comical parade up Second avenue be- fore the game was much enjoyed by | the large crowd along the streets and the occasion reminded one of circus day | in d country town. "Sox" Sorber, dressed as a country ruben. mounted on a wes- tern burro with his feet dragging the street. led the procession. Cutting Affray. serious cutting affray toof place in l New Decatur late yesterday. Just what caused the trouble no one seems to know, neither is it known definitely who started the affray.
 Louis Christensen was badly cut and stabbed about the neck, in the back and nFl1 91nn N0