The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-19
ID SINK WELLS FOR GAS AT HUN TSV|LLE New Concern Seeks Leases on
 Lands SMALL P0X PREVALENT
Old Compulsory Vaccination Ordinance Is Revived-J. Walter Vinson Dead in Texas-s. A. Tom
 ason Is Bankrupt.

Huntsville, February 1S.-(Special. )-H. L. Miller, representing the Norfolk oil company of Casey, H., is in Huntsville for the purpose of securing oil and gas leases on as much land in this section of the state as possible.
 MT. Miller states that if his company k can secure as much as 42,000 acres, Walter Hennig, general manager, will come here and have 15 or 20 wells to a depth of from 15Oo to 5000 feet drilled at once. The company desires a wide territory, so that if one section proves dry there may be much left in which to sink the test wells Miller is a successful and experienced oil man and was the developer of the famous Crawford county, Illinois. gas and oil fields in 1905.
 There is a decided activity in oil and gas matters here The New YorlS-Ala- bama oil company, which has several gas wells, and which is furnishing the city with natural gas, has let a contract to H. B. Conover for the drilling of a well to a depth of from 26OO to 5000 feet. The officers of the company believe that large quantities of gas or oil will be found at greater depth than any well has yet been sunk in this section. and will make a thorough test.
 Because of the reported prevalence of smallpox in neighboring towns, the City Council has revived the compulsory vac- cination ordinance and has directed City Physician Patton to see to it that all per- sons not exempt are vaccinated. The old ordinance that forbids the entrance to the city of persons who have been ex- posed to the disease within period of 30 days has been amended to require per sons to be thoroughly disinfected This was done for the benefit of Judge Daniel w. speake. who was called to Decatur to attend daughter stricken with smallpox, and who desires to come back and attend to business in the circuit court. News has been received here of the death of J. Walter Vinson in Texas. MT. Vinson was formerly a bookeeper at the Dallas mills, and was for time presi- dent of the Epworth league of the First Methodist church. He was afflicted with consumption, and left here few months ago, going to Texas in the hope of im- proving his health. The body will be shipped to Limestone county.
 Mrs. Martha Jane Heating, aged 57 years. died Sunday at her home in the Monrovia precinct She was the wife of a prominent citizen of this county. who, with three children survives her The Rev. J. w. Hilliard, for many years pas- tor of the Mt. Zion Baptist church, is a brother and he conducted the funeral ser vices.
 Work has begun on paving the streets around the public square, The Graves Matthews Brick and Paving company of Birmingham has the job, and 1t will cost $21 .000 Sixty or 70 men will be given em- ployment and the work will be finished by May l.
 s. A. Tomason. a merchant of Gunters- vile, filed a voluntary petition in bank ruptcy in the United States court yes- terday afternoon. His liabilities are $150o and assets s325, consisting of a stock of goods, which is claimed as exempt.