The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-30
About Prominent People Here
 and Elsewhere
MISS GRAHAM ENTERTAlNS
Tea for Miss Wllson-Pretty Birminn- ham Drivers--Auto Course Beinu Constructed In Savannah-Pic-
 ture of a Popular Matron.
By MYRTLE MILES.
 (Telephones: Bell 116o. PeopIes

AhSro are so many autom0 DlleS In Bir- mingham that good roads are becoming
 not only pleasure but a necessity. While our city hardly has cause for
 either the name or fame of having the best roads in the south, at least many places have worse. Improvements have been made In this as in many. other re- spects of late years and one finds, in driving, an occasional torn-up road, just as we used to notice so many ragged and rocky streets along the car tracks. An interesting drive that many are talk ing to while away the long summer aft ! ernoons Is along the road to Oxmoor. This has been improved recently and, in fact, workmen are even now busy making 1t wide at intervals along it's l course. The Oxmoor road leads to some valuable lands that are being sold in residence lots by the Highland Land and Improvement company and a number of i Birmingham people are much interested on this account. Later, If the Board of Revenue so decides, another road, the St. Charles, will make a shorter journey to the locality, but at present the Ok moor road and It's branches afford the entire route. This is really an attrac- tive drive and adds to ones store of n- formation about the beauties of our city outside the popular boulevards and the usual beaten track.
 All the way the road Is smooth and safe for an automobile. It is true one occasionally meets a somewhat timid horse which may carry out a sudden whim to bolt in any direction, dragging his willing vehicle and its unwilling oc- cupants behind him. On one occasion this week man driving a steed of cer- tain age and apparent dignity was met l by party in an automobile as he re- turned from his daily task of selling l the products of his farm in town. With
 seeming calm the horse approached the
 auto which itself moved with modest
 speed. No thought of danger came to
 any one, but quick as a flash, the horse
 rose straight up, then turned and rapid 1 ly backed down the embankment among
 trees stubble and underbrush. Immedi-
 ately- the occupants of the machine jump
 ed out and ran to the assistance of the
 farmer, who was still backing with all
 possible haste, and having the greatest | difficulty in keeping his seat Things
 reached climax upon the wagon in its
 downward course colliding with tree.
 The chauffeur sped noiselessly past with 1 the auto and the situation was saved.
 The farmer explained the behavior of his
 usually apathetic beast as fright, not at
 the automobile which he no longer mo- ti.o h,-a, pair of shiny goggles only partly con-
 cealing a coal black countenance had been the cause of the disturbance. But
 with the exception of an isolated case like this, where a horse may be close observer and flniky as to the dress of the people he passes, there Is nothing to mar the pleasure of drive in the neigh borhood of the projected St. Charles road
 The surrounding hlls,- covered with trees, greet the eye in one direction. The road with it's gentle slopes, winds about among grass-grown spaces, passing an occasional farm house with adjacent fields in cultivation. Below lies a peace full valley. Many are predicting that this will, in years to come, be the pop ular residence section of the city. The level spaces and in other places, gradual incline of the lots will make the property admirable for building purposes. num- Der of Birmingham people have purchased lots and some even have vague plans for bungalows to be their own homes when the road is completed. The com
 pany already plans attractive features
 which are gratifying alike to the pros- pective purchasers and the owner. A spot has been chosen and set apart for the erection of little club house in the near future. This is not far from the pie turesque little cottage which has been bought by MT. Steve Smith and will probably be occupied by him this fall. Several of his bachelor friends will join him and 1t Is said that there is no jollier home in town than theirs will be. The club house will probably be constructed of the native rock and logs from the near forests and will afford a cozy stop
 ping place for those who motor or drive
 out over the new road.
 The subject of roads recalls the auto mobile course which is being prepared in Savannah, Ga, for the international speed contest, to take place there Novem- Der 26. The course, a specially construct ed boulevard, is in the suburbs of Sa- vannah, and it is believed will be the fastest in the world, as the contest for the $5000 automobile cup, offered by the Automobile club of America, promises to
 be the most notable ever held in any country. The course Is practically level, and presents IS right angle turns and several winding turns All the sharp turns are to be banked like a track to | permit of the highest speed. There are
 several long straightaway stretches the 1 longest being 20,9OO feet, passing through
 White Bluff road. In preparation of the ! course s400o0 is being expended by the : state, the county, and the city of Sa-
 vannah. The races will, no doubt. be at i tended by number of Birmingham peo- ; pie.
 Miss Katie Hay has returned to Hunts
 vile after visit to Misses Katie and Ellie Bliss.
 Block 7s1 organized recently an inn
 provement society, with the following of. | ficers:
 l President-Mrs. Richard Johnston | Vice President-Mrs. Agnes Hankinson
 Secretary and Treasurer-Mrs. John C.
 Pugh.