The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-14
CHILD Is DROWNED
 IN AN 0LD WELL Horrible Death of Three Year
 Old Robert Davis CLUB MEMBERS UNEASY Under Ruling of Judge William H. Thomas of Montgomery Clubs
 May Have To Close at g
 O'Clock.
CLUB MEMBERS UNEASY

Montgomery, February 13.-(SpeciaI)- Robert, the 3-year-old son of MT. and Mrs. J. A. Davis, at West End, met g. horrible death by drowning in an old well this morning. The well had not been in use for many years, and had been cov- cred with earth, but in a very insecure way. The little fellow, who was out at play, went on the boards and they broke, precipitating his body into the water, where it remained an hour before recov- cred.
 There was nothing to show that a well was in existence, according to the mem bers of the family. They say that the little fellow went off the back porch, where he had been at play with his sister, and nothing was seen of him for nearly an hour. Becoming uneasy, his parents began a search and found a hole in the ground at place supposed to be good earth. Investigation showed that it was the thin covering of an old well not be- fore that time known to exist. Crap bling hooks were let down and the body pulled up.
 There is the greatest indignation about the discovery of the we'll left in such in secure way, and without anything to show that it existed, and the city officers will be called upon to find out who is to blame. It is regarded as remarkable that no one ever stepped on the thin covering before, as it was right out in the open, but not in a frequented place.
 Club Members Uneasy.
 Social club members are quaking in their boots for fear the early closing sa- where liquors are sold, served or stored after o'clock. Judge William H. Thom- as of the city court has held that no place where such goods are kept or stored can be kept open after the time stated without violation of the law, and 1t is very likely that 1t will fall to the lot of the clubs of Montgomery to either close up, cut out the sale or dispensing of liquors or secure the defeat of the act in the courts.
 It is hardly possible that any of the liquor cases before the supreme court will reach decision before spring, as the court will be in recess after the disposition of a number of small matters until April. This will postpone final decision on the local option and the early closing acts, both of which are being attacked, until that time. There are also number of other cases in which the liquor laws are involved that will have to wait until the coming of the spring. The local option cases pending include attack not only on that feature, but the general prohibition bill as well.
 Met 'Em With Axes.
 When the members of the state high school board arrived at Geneva Tuesday night they were met by a large delega- tion of citizens with murderous looking axes on their shoulders, and at first 1t was doubtful whether or not it was best to leave the train. However, 1t was soon discovered that no harm was meant; that the party was the local Woodman lodge turned out in force, the axes being merely the lodge insigna, brought out to honor the visitors. Later on there was banquet at which the following re- sponded to toasts, G. F. Ellsberry being toastmaster: "State and Her Politics." Governor B. B. Conner; Future of Ala bama," Gen. w. w. Brandon; Public Ed ucation," H. c. Gunnels'' w. R. Chap man. Mayor; w. w. Benson, city school superintendent; the Rev w. S. Street and c. D. Carmichael were also speak CTS.
 Dispensary Law Good.
 The supreme court has held that the dispensary law at Florala is good, and re- fused to order the Probate Judge to issue license to certain men who sought the authority to sell.