The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-23
SELMA Is CLOSE
 AFTER VIOLATORS
Indictment of Prominent Men
 Causes Much Comment
NOT MANY VIOLATIONS
Bonnie Breen, Who Is Charged With Violation of Prohibition Law, Sells Out Business and Is Said
 to Have Skipped.
By R.. E.. L. NEIL.

By R. E. L. NEIL. Selma, January 22.-(Special.) )-The re- cent developments in the matter of the sale of near beer in Dallas county fol- l lowed by the indictment of some 12 or 15 dealers in the beverage, continues to fur nish the absorbing topic on street corners, l and practically everywhere that two or more persons congregate The indict- ment along with the near beer dealers of the members of one of the most prominent wholesale grocery firms of the city for l selling cider impregnated with about 10 per cent of alcohol of course added to the ] importance of the incident, and still fur 1 ther fuel was added by the fact that one of the members of the firm was president of the anti-saloon league. It is not con tended in any place that the latter or the members of the firm knew that the all legged cider contained so much alcohol but 1 the indictments are pointed out as being l indicative of feeling here in the matter Of the observance of the prohibition law ab- solutely.
 It can be stated with certainty that with the one possible exception, that of the
 
 his fruit stand, there has not been even an attempt at sale of vinous, spirituous or malt liquors in Selma since January l.. In the case of the young man referred to, Bennie Breen, a new turn has been given in his case by his skipping away from the city last night owing consider able money and forfeiting the cash bond placed in the hands of those who made his bail.
 Breen put up $500 to secure his bonds men and yesterday after selling out his business to Alex Blum left the city for parts unknown. The evidence against him upon which the indictment was found was practically conclusive, and his run ming away clinches the fact of his law lessness.
 Young Girl May Be Here.
 There has been a report current during last night and today that the young girl who was enticed away from Demopolis last Sunday by a former bartender of that city, was in Selma, and steps were taken by the police department to find her So far their efforts have been futile.
 Social and General.
 Mrs. J. w. Mabry's several hundred in- vitations were responded to on yesterday afternoon, when she entertained at tea in compliment to Mrs Arthur Morrison Pitts. On entering the wide hall Miss Mabry gave cordial greeting together with Miss Nellie Baker, Mrs. J. G. Con- verse and Mrs. Walter Duncan. In the front parlor Mrs. Mabry presented her guest of honor, Mrs. Pitts, who looked distinguished in a liberty satin gown of wisteria shade and carried an arm bou- quet of sweet peas.
 In the receiving line stood Mrs Clar- ence Agee, Catesby Jones, Daniel Part ridge, Jr., A. l.. Mcleod, A. W. Cawthon and Mrs Julien Parke. In the dining room where Mrs Daniel Partridge, Sr.. Mrs. E. w Gamble and Mrs. B. s. Melvin served tea and chocolate, there were also Mrs. Carlisle Melvin and Mrs W. l.. Thompson, Jr., with Misses Bennie John son, Carrie Wilkins, Mary Gait and Ma rion Melvin. In the hall Mrs. Roger c. Jones and Miss Mary Partridge cheered the guests into the punch room where Misses Jennie May and Helen Keeble, Mary Bibb and Saidee Cummings served, amid crimson decorations, this vivid color that has made the seasons entertainments so unusually attractive. The perfect day was all in keeping with the gentle cul- tured hostesses and brought together circle of friends who pronounced Mrs. Mabry's tea one of the most delightful of the many given recently in Selma.
 Mrs. Marshall Eskridge was hostess for the Bridge club this morning at her home on Alabama street.
 Last night after the theatre Mrs. Mamie Siegel entertained at a Dutch lunch with the following couples present: Miss Rosa lind Liepold, Mr Jerome Siegel, Miss Bob Sarbach with MT. Henry Schwartz, Miss Janette Liepold with MT. l. k. Rosenbaum and Miss Grace Livingston with MT Mon roe Hieneberg, Mrs. Siegel with Mir Max Rosenbaum. The table was in delft shades, linen china, etc. The place cards were tiny Dutch girls in blue and white dresses, and when these were pulled off the 'undressed kids, disclosed-good word cute personal hits which were read with much glee Everything "Dutchy" that was good to eat and drink was served and the visiting girls had such an unusually good time that two of them, probably more, decided they did not want to leave Selma at all So many clever entertain ments are being given in their honor that nobody could blame them for wanting to permanently reside here.
 At the meeting of the Comus club on yesterday afternoon there were many in vited guests to accept Mrs. Preston Ben netts hospitality.
 When the bridge contest was waged Miss Mary Calhoun's score brought her dainty dresser scarf for a prize Re- treatments were served and many were the pleasing things said of the charming hostess as well as her two beautiful little daughters who assisted in entertaining. The next meeting of this club will be with Miss Mary Gilman.