The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-12

a nne 12-foot vein Of coal near Iau- derdale. IS miles north of this city, has aroused considerable of sensation and some talk is being heard of pros pectfve boom in the little city of Lau- derdaie, which is only about three miles from the point of discovery. number of Meridian people own property in the immediate vicinity of the coal streak and 1t would not be at all surprising if they didn't precipitate something in the shape of a boom. There is but lit- tie doubt in the minds of those who have seen the samples of the coal but that it Is of a superior quality. An ex- pert from Birmingham has been sent for and if he pronounees the coal to be what 1t is generally thought to be there is sure to be lively times about the city of Lauderdale. With coal so near and parties from Tennessee securing options on thousands of acres of land just south of the coal vein for the purpose of bor- ing for oil and the announcement that the Mississippi River Western railroad from this city to Natchez is now pos itive assurance, Meridian people have good reason to sit up and take notice It is stated from reliable sources that the people who are so steadily securing op- tions on the lands north and east of Meridian for the purpose of sinking oil wells have been aware for some time of the coal discovery just announced by the man that owns the property and have worked quietly and consistently with the view of corraling all the ground pos sible before the thing became generally known.
 Confederate Home Prospers.
 J, K. Mosby, superintendent of the Mississippi Confederate Veterans Home at Beauvoir, the old home of President Davis of the Confederacy, was in the city yesterday and made the announce ment that the home was in a flourish ing condition He declared that all of the old heroes were contented and never a complaint is heard from them as to their treatment or the manner in which the home is conducted.
 Young Couple Welded
 Claude Stafford of this city and Miss Katie Rhodes of Selma were married in this city last afternoon at 1 o'clock at tho Southside Methodist parsonage. the Rev. I. L, Peebles, the pastor, officiat- ing. Miss Rhodes came to the city on the afternoon train from Selma, accompanied by her mother, MT Stafford met the couple at the Union passenger station and they immediately were driven to the par sonage, where the ceremony was per formed. The bride and groom will make this city their home. Mrs. Rhodes will spend a few days with the newly married couple after which she will return to her home in Selma.
 Military Inspection.
 Capt J. B. Mcfarland of Jackson last night conducted an official inspection of the Meridian military company, prepara tory to the inspection to be made shortly by government military inspector. Cap tain Mcfarland found the company in fine condition, and said that it was his opinion that they would have no trouble in easily passing favorably the scrutiny of the government official
 A. M. Byrd's Address.
 Much interest is being aroused in the address to be delivered in this city Satur- day by Hon. A. M. Byrd, who announces that he will give his views on the pro- posed tariff reduction on Canadian lum- Der This city and section Is much inter ested in the lumber proposition and an expression on the part of their congress sional representative is awaited with no little eagerness.
 Fire Departments Work.
 The Meridian fire department Is making a splendid record under the administra- ton of young Captain James Powell who has been in charge of the department since the lamentable death of Chief c. c. Massey. Powell Is a. young men who se- cured his training under Chiefs Zelher and Massey, both of whom died in service. Last night by his excellent skill he pre- ve rted what otherwise would have been a disastrous confiagration almost in the heart of the business district. The home of IT. Goldstein caught fire and was burn ing f1erc 1y on the arrival of the depart nent. Captain Powell. instead of demol- ishing the place with axe and damaging the contents with water, held his streams in readiness while he headed detail of hremen and entered with Babcock extin- guishers, and succeeded in putting the fire out without the use of a drop Of water, the result being only slight damage
 Silver Service Award.
 Considerable interest was manifested in Meridian this afternoon when telegram reached here that the contract for the battleshp Mississippi silver service had been awarded to Meyer & Schamber, local firm of jewellers.