The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-12
L. [. BATES IS
 WORKING A GRAFT Leaves Worthless Checks As
 Loan Collateral WALDEN HEARS BEE BUZZ Petitioners Ask Him To Enter Race For Mayor of New Decatur-Bur-
 eIar Wants Only Food
 and Drink.
WALDEN HEARS BEE BUZZ

Decatur, August 11.-(Special.)- IA man who claimed to be a travelling representa- tive of a Birmingham cider and vinegar house registered a few days ago at the American hotel in Decatur as "L. c. Bates, Birmingham, Ala" and before leaving for parts unknown borrowed $15 in cash from the hotel and left as se- curity worthless check for the amount of s25.
 Bates first borrowed $5 from the clerk of the American hotel on the check and later borrow $10 from the hotel proprie- tor on the same check He said he had number of customers to see in the country, but that he would leave some of his baggage in the hotel and return in a few days. Unknown to the hotel people he got all of his baggage out of the hotel and left. When this was dis covered the s25 check was put in the bank here for collection and the Birming- ham bank has just returned the check marked worthless"
 In the meantime the American hotel people are very anxious to see MT. Bates. It is said here that Bates is wanted in Nashville and also in other cities on the charge of working various skin games" Since Bates has left here 1t is learned that Nashville detective has been in in his pocket.
 A petition signed by almost every cit
 zen of the Second ward of New De- catur, requesting Capt Dan Walden to l
 tur, has just been presented to him and it is said that petitions from other wards of New Decatur are to follow. At this time Captain Walden will not say whether he will become a candidate for the office or not.
 Some time during the night burglar entered the home of pr. F. L. Chenault, in New Decatur. The burglar went to the dining room and there ate a hearty meal He visited several rooms in the residence, but took only a little small change which he happened to find. He left behind him the silverware and also watch and other pieces of valuable jewelry which were lying around loose.
 During the past few nights number of houses in New Decatur have been en- tered, but on every occasion only food and little small change have been taken as valuable jewelry and silverware have been left unmolested in every case. Robert l.. Cross. for long time man. ager of the Western Union Telegraph office in Decatur, but who for some few months past has been employed here as an operator by the company. has just been transferred to Corinth, Miss, and is now holding down the office there.
 The semi-annual conference of the Ma son. ,aternity of the Eighth congress sior ,.,strict of Alabama convened in the Knights of Pythias hall in Decatur this morning at Il o'clock for three days session.
 At the opening session there were about 100 members present from all sections of the district. Others arrived on the va rious trains during the day and tonight there are not far from 200 visiting Ma sons in Decatur. Homes have been pro vided for all out-of-town delegates.
 It will be tomorrow morning before
 
 and by that time it is expected that fully 25O visiting Masons will be present On Thursday at 12:30 p. m., special street cars will take the Masons and their friends to Oakland park, where they will enjoy a barbecue dinner and after the afternoon session on that day the con vention will close
 Amidst a large assembly of ladies, chill dren citizens of the Decaturs and visit ing members of the Masonic fraternity from all sections of the Eighth congress sional district of Alabama the cornerstone of the new First Baptist church, which is being erected on the corner of La fayette and Oak streets, Decatur, was laid this afternoon.
 The services, although most solemn, were beautiful and impressive The scrip lures were read by the Rev. M. W. Cor don, pastor of the First Baptist church, and a prayer was offered up by the Rev. Jackson Gum of Trinity. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. F. C. David and by Prof H. c. Gilbert of Florence. Mrs. Zelia Jones, one of the most faithful members of this church, deposited a number of records within the cornerstone. The members of the Masonic conference. in session here, attended the cornerstone laying in a body and took part in the services. The address on behalf of the Masonic fraternity was delivered by Prof. Henry T. Lille of Trinity. The speech of Professor Lille was A mas terly effort and was highly appreciated. During the exercises a quartet sang a number of songs.
 This new church, which is being built at the corner of Oak and Lafayette streets by the members of the First BantIst church, will cost s2O,O0O and when com pleted will be one of the handsomest church buildings in the Decaturs.
 The opening of the second dav,s ses- sion of the Eighth Congressional Dis trict Teachers institute in Decatur tbts morning found Q few additions to thn number in attendance over that of vas- terday. However, the attendance is sti,, much smaller than 1t should be. The in stitute has now gotten down to business and much good work is being accon,- plished.
 R. Williams Funeral,
 Florence, August 11.-(Special )-rba r mains of R. Williams, who died vester-