The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-13
CHAPLIN IS GREETED
BY A SMALL CROWD
Former Prohibition Candidate
Speaks at Admission
COCHRANE NOT GUILTY
Unique Case Is Brought to ClOse-New
Railway Route Projected-Hob-
son City Policeman Con-
yicted of Murder
COCHRANE NOT GUILTY

|
unique situation was presented here to-
night when a man who aspired to rule
over 8O,0OO,OO and in the event of his
election might have addressed 5000, spoke
to less than a score, and only 16 persons
at one time. The man was Eugene w.
Chaplin, former presidential candidate, his
subject being Government by Political
Parties A terrific electric and rain
storm prevented his having a larger
crowd.
Mr.. Chaplin was very epigrammatic in
his expression. Neither the democratic nor
republican parties has made a page in
history in 40 years, he said or since the
| fifteenth amendment was adopted, the
greatest crime ever committed in the his
tory of politics" No man can be better
than his party, he said, and no party
| can be better than the meanest man in
his party, whose vote is required to carry
an election.
He referred to the trust and liquor in
fuences as the balance of power. The
only hope for successful. clean govern
ment, he said, is new party of clean
men. He referred to Governors Hoke
Smith, Glenn, Harris, Hanley and other
governors. He created merriment by re-
ferring to Governor Conner of Alabama.
| And I understand he Is on his way TO
private citizenship"
Dr. E. C. Anderson has been made
chairman of the prohibitionists in this dis
trict with c. C. O'Bryant secretary. A
convention will be called soon and an op-
ponent put in the field against Fred l.
Blackmon, the democratic nominee.
Cochran Cleared of Charge
At about 1920 o'clock tonight the jury
in the case of Lawson Cochran. charged
with the murder of James A. Timms, his
father-in-law, on May 5, 1909, rendered a
verdict declaring the defendant not guilty.
This case was one of the most peculiar
ever tried in the city court, by reason
of the fact that the wife and daugh-
ter of the deceased were used as the
chief witnesses by the defense; the state
apparently falling in the attempt to ex-
plain this uniqu feature on the ground
of domestic infelicity, as the wife. nus
band and daughter seemed to be on very
good terms. However, the state argued
that law of nature had been violated,
i IL this was true, as the wife of the de-
ceased testified that she had never re-
ferred to the killing to any person ex-
cept in the grand jury nom since her
| husband was shot down.
Timms and Cochran were partners in
farming at the time of the fatality and
it seems that there had been frequent
MISUNDERSTANDING between them. Mrs
Timms and her daughter, now Rosa Step
son. having married since last May tes-
titled that at the breakfast table on the
morning of May S. Timms threatened tc
kill Cochran on their next quarrel. That
morning when Cochran came to the home
of Timms to get his mule the two men
met as they started to the field Both
were armed. it seems, and on seeing
Cochran it is said that Timms uttered an
oath and, after a few words, he raised
his gun to fire, according to the testi-
mony of the defendant and Rosa Stepson
Tho cap of the shotgun snapped, 1t is
said, and before the gun could be cooked
again Cochran knocked up the barrel OF
the gun and shot Timms with derrin-
ger the discharge taking effect in the
/. left breast.
n T. Ray, a witness for the state, ties.
tilted that Cochran had threatened to kill
his father-in-law and Esquire B. F. Jones
testified against the defendant in regard
to the Typographical situation at the
place of the killing.
Immediately after the killing Cochran
walked to the city and surrendered. He
was allowed bond at the preliminary
hearing and has been out for most OF
the time since. All of the principals
were formerly Annistonians and consid
cradle interest was manifested In the
hea ring, outside of the human interest
features of the case on trial.
New Railway Route Projected
The announcement from New York thai
Newman Erb has purchased the con-
, trolling interest in the Chattanooga
Southern railway was received here with
interest, as it is considered that this will
probably be a step toward the operation
| of that short line by the Louisville ant
Nashville, who have been regarded as
, wanting it for some time, and this wonld
mean better railway advantages for An
niston.
The present through line of the Louis
Vile and Nashville passes within 40 miles
Of Chattanooga. BY building short line
from that city to Etowah Junction, the
Louisville and Nashville would have g
through line from Cincinnati via the
Chattanooga Southern by way of Annis
ton and Gadsden to Mobile. Pensacola and
New Orleans, this reducing the distance
over their present route by more thar
, 100 miles,
This would mean a great saving to the
Louisville and Nashville, cutting the time
{ down three hours over the present route
via Birmingham 1t would likewise bene'
, NJ cadsden, Talladega and Sylacauga
giving them the advantage of through
sleepers south. A member of the Annis
Il comrf, ~ce has brought thu
, project before an official of the Louis
! Vile and Nashville and it's advantage:
! were readily recognized.
a ~ Negro Policeman Convicted
1 Clark Heard, former chief of police o
| <xsA- A. clx mas foxx