The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-15
THREW THE SWITCH
NEGRO ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTING
 TO WRECK ENGINE.
Alexander Williams Is Held in Selma on a Serious Chafge-Ofhers News of the Central
 City
Advertiser Bureau.

AQVerLiSer Bufeaus Selma. Feb. 14. Alexander Williams, a negro, was ar- rested at an early hour this morning and the charge of attempting to wreck a train was lodged against him. The negro was tried in police court this morning and was bound over to await the action of the next grand jury in the sum of $500.
 The negro could not make the bond and will remain in the county jail until the next grand jury meets.
 In his attempt to wreck a train. it is alleged that the negro was evidently 1 trying to avenge wrongs done him by some member of a night yard crew in the yards of the Southern Railway in the northern part of the city,. In his attempt to do this he is said to have thrown switches with the view of de- railing the engine and probably injur- ing the engineer or fireman. Williams would probably have been successful but for Night Yardmaster Wolff.
 About 1 o'clock this morning MT. Wolff saw a strange negro in the yards and he stopped and watched him for a few moments. Thinking that no one saw him. Williams threw three switches and was fixing to throw a. fourth one when Mr. Wolff grabbed him and called members of the yard crew These responded and the negro was held and police headquarters was tele- phoned to send an officer for him. The negro made no denial or the attempt to wreck the switch engine.
 The switch engine which the me- gro attempted to wreck was in charge of Engineer Estes. It is thought that williams had fancied grievance against the engineer and that last night he tried to get even with him.
 Post office Business.
 rA- ceived at the Selma post office today and by the hundreds they have been mailed out of the city for the past few days. These many hundred packages passing through the office caused the employees to get busy and reminded those connected with the office of the Christmas rush.
 Took French Leave.
 Mattie Hayward. a negro woman prisoner of the city, made her escape from the city hall yesterday and the authorities are looking for the woman. Mattie Hayward was sentenced to for ty days a few mornings ago on the charge of having been guilty of carry ing a concealed weapon. She was given some clothes belonging to the prisoners to wash and since then has not been seen as she mysteriously dlS- appeared from the city hall.
 Many Announcements.
 During the past few days there nave been many announcements of aspirants for the different city offices.
 The indications are that the city primaries will prove uninteresting ana that but little interest will be cre- ated by the election. This is because few of the candidates will have oppo- sition for the positions which they are seeking and unless there is some oppo- sition. no interest will be taken in the | election.
 Among the recent announcements are | those of B. F. Toler for City Clerk, Captain John Shannahan for Street Su- | perintendent, c. K. Cothran for Market | Clerk, Robert c. Young for City At | torney. Each of thees candidates Is filling the office to which he Is asking | to be reelected.
 Tomorrow afternoon at o'clock there will be a meeting of tho City l Democratic Executive Committee and at which meeting the date for the hold ing of the coming primaries will he held. A plan to provide for the elec ton of the numerous city officials 1t IS thought will also be devised.
 MF. Deans in seIma.
 United States Marshal c. B. Deans of Mobile. arrived in Selma tonight Mir. Deans comes to Selma upon d rath- | CT singular errand for the govern ment. his mission being to make draw ings and take measurements of the dif' 1 ferent departments in the county cour house which weer occupied by the gov ernment at different times, while th' | United States Court was in Eesstor here. MT. Deans will also serve a number of processes here tomorrow ! which he brought with him