The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-13
FIRE DESTROYS TENT
PROHIBITIONIsTs NOW HAVE NC
 MEETING PLACE.
Alderman william Hays Resigns Seat In Pensacola City Council On Account Of Continued
 HI Health.

EeubACot6, FId.s sept. lS.--A0PNNiNt.- I.--The large tent which has been used by the Escambia Prohibition League as a meeting place during the present campaign, and which has been very useful on occasions when prohibition addresses were delivered, was burned this morning. The burning of the tent caused much excitement and in- terest in the city for a short whiie' but an Investigation by the police re- suited in finding that the fent had accidentally been set fire by three small boys, who had been playing at the place sduring the forenoon
 Large gas lights were used to light the tent, which were turned of and on by means of small suspended chains. The boys secured a chair and began playing with one of the lights. with the result that 1t flared up suddenly igniting the canvass. Immediately the boys fled and for two or more hours there was great interest manifested oy those watching the investigation by the police.
 John Mostacas, the Greek youth, who shot and killed Joe Taylor. coiored. fif- teen years of age, Monday afternoon, was this morning exonerated by q coroner's jury. The latter examined number of witnesse to the shooting, and came to the conclusion that the weapon which the Greek boy pointed at the negro was discharged acctden- tally. and a verdict to such effect was returned. The boy was immediately released from custody, where he had been held without bond.
 Alderman William Hays, who had served for nearly twelve years as al- derman from Precinct No. 15, this morning tendeEed his resignation to the City Council. His reason for leaving the service of the city, after SO long a period, is failing health. He has just returned home after several months af health resorts, and In his resignation stated that he feared he could not at tend to his duties and for this reason resigned. He was the oldest alderman in point of service in the city, and during his three terms acted as chair man of the bar and sanitary committee for many years, rendering excellent service to the city His successor will be chosen within the next two weeks.
 Judge W B. Shepard, recently ap- pointed by the President to i'll the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Charles Swayne, United States district judge, reached the city this morning from Virginia. where he had been spending the summer He VIII call a
  ter portion of next month or the first of November, but will be disqualified to preside. owing to the fact that as district attorney he prosecuted mum Der of the cases. The judge Tor the first time made it known upon his ar rival that he did not learn of his ap- pointment until two days after 1t had been made. He then learned of II while seated in a smoking car on train. At that time a drummer read ing a paper remarked that the Pres ident had named a fellow to take Judge Swayne's place. MT. Sheppard asked to see the paper and when he read the article, saw that he had been ap- pointed.
 A license tax of sl.o00, a restricted district three blocks in width by five blocks in length. all doors and screens removed from the front, closing at D. rn.. and not opening until a. m'. re- moving all tables and chairs and hav- ing separate bars for white ana col ored patrons, are some of the restrlc- tions of an amended ordinance Just introduced in the city council, govern ing the sale of liquors in this city. This ordinance will be passed at the next meeting of the council, as there is no opposition to |. and even in the event the county votes to license the lioour trafic, The saloons inside the city limits will be compelled to close tbair doors at o'clock at night and carry out other restrictions contained in the ordinance.
 Edward E DeGrattery, an artillery ,,av oF t0ort Rarrancas, attached to the 18th Company of Coast Artillery, com mitted suicide at an early hour this morning by taking a large quantity of strychnine. The deed was commit fad in house of i'll repute and was caused by one of the women connected with the place. The man had been in the city during the entire day and night. and had been at the house for several hours during the early por- lion of the night. Early this morning he took strychnine. but evidently soon regretted the rash act. and his last words before becoming unconscious were: send for a doctor--I have talk en strychnine."