The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-17
LARGE PROPERTY
 DEAL IN MERIDIAN Mobile Men Buy Valuable Piece
 of Real Estate DIFFICULT WORK IS DONE Cast Iron Is Welded for First Time in the South. By Goldsmith Process.
 Weather Observer Will
 Soon Leave Meridian.
DIFFICULT WORK IS DONE

Meridian, August 16.-(special.) IA deal has about been consummated in this city whereby the Southern Bank building at the corner of Twenty-third avenue and Fourth street becomes the property of Dr. J. E. Marshall and Dr. w. W. San ders of Mobile. The purchase price is said to be $3o,OOO. The actual transfer has not been made. but both Alabama gentlemen have given 1t out that the transfer will be made in the next few days. This is one of the most valuable pieces of property in the business center. It is now a two-story brick, but is to be converted into one of the handsomest business houses in the city by the new owners at no distant date When seen DTS. Sanders and Marshall said they had purchased the building merely as a matter of investment, each saying he had an abundance of faith in the future of Meridian, and it is said that they will &C., quire still more. They say Meridian is one of the best towns in the south. and that the chances for doubling the popula- tion in the next 10 years is good.
 
 known to mechanical science has been performsd in this city at the New Or leans and Northeastern shops by J. T. Maury, assisted by W. E. Dobbs and J. H. Mulholland. A least iron base to the wheel press, 511x5S was welded by the Goldsmith Thermit process. This process was invented by MT. Goldsmith, one of Germany's most noted chemists, about six years ago, and was only recently in f,ol s,,fn ,ie ,tfxr I,ic r.yoc 4I,o first time piece of cast iron has been welded in the south, and it has only been tried a few times in the United States. The frames were welded on the engines, saving a great deal of time and expense. Under the old method the engine would have to be dismantled and the frame car ried to the blacksmith shop. MT. Dobbs was instructed in the work and will do all future work in this line under the new method.
 l.. A. Denson, for the past 10 years ob- server at the local weather bureau, left today for Washington, where he goes for a consultation with weather department officials before taking up his new duties as section director with headquarters at Raleigh, N. C., to which position he was promoted. MT. Denson is succeeded as observer at the local station by Frank J Portland, Ore. Assistant Merchant, under MT. Denson, is also succeeded by E. E. Tanning of New Orleans. MT. Merchant was recalled to the central office at Washington.
 J. A. Gibson and Prof. A. l.. Summers have returned after a trip through Ma rion and Pike counties. They report that where the crops along the large streams were not destroyed by the floods in May are better than usual. They say that corn will yield from 20 to 40 bushels per acre and cotton from a half to a bale per acre. The crops around this imme- diate section are greatly improved since the recent beneficial rains. The crops, however, are from two to three weeks late.
 Former Mayor J. H. Rivers and son. Ollie, have entered the insurance busi- nes, purchasing the Saunders agency of the American Life and Accident company. Ollie Rivers resigned a position on the Meridian police force, which he has held for the past two years, to enter the in surance business with his father.
 Hundreds of Merdianites have gone to eastern cities, taking advantage of the reduced rates over the Mobile and Ohio and the Alabama Great Southern roads, to spend their vacations in sightseeing in Chicago, Washington, New York and other cities
 The hearing of evidence in the trial Of J. C. Walton, charged with the murder of Will T. O'Flinn, was concluded this afternoon. The testimony introduced to- day was In rebuttal and was refutation of the alcohol insanity plea. The argu- ment was opened by District Attorney Currie for the state. S. A. Witherspoon, ST., and s. A. Witherspoon, Jr., will fol- low for the defense, and w. N. Etheridge, Sr., for the state, will close. The case will be given to the jury about noon to- morrow.
 Travelling Sergeant Marshall of the peni- tentiary arrived in the city this morning and left this afternoon with Il prisoners for the state farm, convicted at this term of court.
 Brick work was begun today on the S15O,000 roundhouse Of the New Orleans and Northeastern shops. The concrete foundation cost s3O000. The roundhouse will accommodate A locomotives when completed.
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