The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-23
PLANT
 WILL BE REBUILT
An Important Announcement
 Comes from AnniSton
NEGRO POLITICIAN DIES
w. J. Stevens, Barber, Was at One Time a Power In the Republican Party of the State-Mrs.
 Wm. Smith Is Dead.

Anniston, March 22.-tSpecial. Ut was announced Monday that the plant of the central Foundry company, which was re- gently destroyed by fire, would be re- built at once, this announcement having been made by General Manager and Vice President Schmidt, who is in the city.
 The plant has heretofore employed about 25O workmen on monthly pay roll of about s4O0O When it is rebuilt it will be slightly enlarged and more men will likely be employed large force of workmen have already been put to work in clearing away the debris.
 In making the announcement that the plant would rebuild Mir Schmidt pays a high tribute to Resident Manager E. P. Cooper and his force of employees whom he gives credit for giving the plant here the best record of any similar plant in the country He also expresses thanks to the Southern and Louisville and Nash vile railroads who co-operated with Man ager Cooper in making the arrangements to rebuild here. it having been the de- sire of some of the directors of the company that the local plant be re- moved to Holt, Ala, where a new found ry is being built.
 ". J. Stevens, better known as Bill Stevens, the barber and erstwhile negro politician, is dead. He died peacefully at his home in this city at 715 o'clock Sunday night. after an illness covering several months with a complication of diseases.
 Funeral arrangements have not been concluded, pending the coming of his daughters, two of whom reside in Gin cnnati and one in Washington. The daughters have been notified of the death and will come as soon as they can. The remains will probably not be buried be- fore Wednesday or Thursday. Bill Ste- vens in days gone by, was prominent figure in both local and national politics. He was possessed of more than ordinary intelligence and had to be reckoned with in all political matters of his (the re- publican) party. He once represented Dallas county in the state legislature and was often a delegate to the national conventions of his party. He was a bar
 
 years of his life devoted his energies to that business taking little stock in politics. He at one time had acquired considerable money and established banking institution in the city, but for lack of proper management this under taking fell through. It was not Bills line of business. He was a strong be- liever in education and kept his children In school dnnp his n rnalifV them for the duties of life and he had req son to be pround of his efforts In that direction, as they readily outranked many others
 Mayor Kilby this morning announced his decision in the matter of Jeheles Brothers, charged with doing wholesale a retailing license, holding them sub ject to a wholesale license. The matter will probably be appealed.
 Douglass Mitchell, a one-eyed negro, with a very bad reputation, was fined $100 and sentenced to six months on the street this morning by Mayor Kilby for selling liquor John and Dave Brooks swore to buying two pints of whisky from the negro last Saturday, for which they paid $1.50. John Brooks did the buying 1t is said while Dave looked on.
 George N. Hoffman and James E. Bodnic, capitalist and stockholders in the Planters Manufacturing company. came to the city this morning from Philadel- phia. They went at once to the plant, situated at Oxford to look over the af- fairs of the company.
 J. S. Sproull who went to Rome Sat urday to deliver an automobile, which his company had sold returned to An niston today. MT. Sproull says the re- cent rains have left the country roads in horrible condition and the streams are said to be still very high.
 News was received here today of the death of Mrs William Smith. sister of Mrs w. B. Lamgin Mrs. Smith has made her home In New York for some thme, but she was in Denver when the end came The remains will be inferred at Augusta, Ga., and will pass through this city tomorrow.
 The Kinsey-Taylor murder trial involv ing the killing of old pedlar at Fruit hurst, was begun today in the circuit court at Heflin, and a number of per sons concerned passed through Annis- ton yesterday afternoon en route to lief lin to attend the trial. special jury has been drawn for the trial.