The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-12
BRUTAL ASSAULT
UPON A SMALL BOY
Dan Webster Kicks Gooden
Until Unconscious
HAS NOT BEEN CAPTURED
1t Is Said That the Mayor and Board
of Aldermen of Northport viii
Abolish the Dis
pensary.

Tuscaloosa, February 11.-(Speciai }
News has reached here of a very brutal
assault on small boy up at Cottondale
Saturday night II seems that Shelton
Gooden, a hoy about ten years of age,
had some time previously tied up dog
which belonged to a man by the name
OF Dan Webster
Saturday night while Webster was in
a barber shop at Cottondale, and was
somewhat under the influence of liquor
the shelton boy came in. Webster asked
him what his name was. and upon hear
ing It slapped the boy over and knocked
his head against the side of the door
with such force as to render him un-
conscious
He then kicked and stamped upon him
considerably, according to reports. and
left the boy to all appearances dead.
Webster then made his escape, leaving
that vicinity and when last heard from
had Just boarded a train here bound for
Columbus. Miss.
Sheriff Latham has gone over to Co
lumbus in pursuit of him. News from
the assaulted boy today is that he arrived
at such condition that he could speak
yesterday, and hopes are now entertained
for his recovery from the effects of his
treatment at Webster's hands. The af-
fair very much shocked the citizens Of
the community, and earnest efforts will
be made to bring the assailant to justice
Whisky Question.
Just at present the ordinarily quiet
village of Northport, just acrosss the
river from here, is somewhat excited over
the whisky question. Sometimes ago the
good people of the town voted in dis
pensary and that has been we'll patron
lied institution over there for about IA
year. N
1t seems now, however that quite an
opposition has arisen to the business, and
an anti-diSpensary mayor and aldermen
ticket has been slated to succeed the
present council of the town. But, accord
ing to rumor, the latter are not to be
branded as champions of the whisky bust
ness, they claiming all the while that the
matter was the choice of the people. and
they propose to abolish the dspcnsary
at this weeks meeting of the board, with
out awaiting the possible election of "a
new board to accomplish this measure.
The matter Is the subject OF much
interesting discussion over the river, the
lines being rather rigidly drawn.
The Rev. 3. e. WATSON, pastor OF the
Methodist church here, made Il speech
to a meeting OF the Northport citizens
Saturday in the interest of the anti
whisky movement. The Rev. Mr.. Was
son is very prominent member and offi
Ger OF the state Anti-Saloon league.
Lille Robinson in Jail.
Lille Robinson was brought down here
from Abernant Saturday evening and
lodged in the county Jail. being charged
with stabbing John Homes to death. The
affair in which the killing occurred hap
pened at the Abernant mines in the upper
end OF this county, last Wednesday night.
Tho freight dummy came near doing
some damage by jumping the track here
Saturday about noon The engine was
backing out OF spur track that runs
between two business houses, with the
car in front. Just as It arrived at Max
well Bros store house. the trucks of
the car jumped the track, and it crashed
into the awning in front of the above
named store. tearing the support from
under It. The awning itself remained
intact, however and no other damage
was done.
Quite a delightful reception was given
Saturday night by the faculty of tho
Alabama Central Female college to the
young lady students Of the college. An
immense throng of invited guests was
present, most of these being college boys.
All enjoyed most delightful time, and
the girls we're given some rousing cheers
by the University boys as they departed