The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-18
1TO RESUME WORK | ON NEW RAILROAD Halbrooks Gets Contract
 for Bridge Work
 SHIPS MUSHROOM
Judge Speake to Open New Term of Court at Cullman-Mark- land Sells Furniture
 Business

Cullman, February 17.-(Special. )-After an idleness of almost year, the Cullman Coal and Coke company is said to be ready to resume work on the new rail- K road line running from Cull1nan to Brem- en, where the company owns large body of valuable coal lands. The con- tract for the erection of all the trestles along the line has teen..let to Grover C. Halbrooks. and he has been notified to begin work on the bridges and trestles. The new railroad is already 80 per cent completed and when the work is resumed In earnest it will take only short time to complete the line
 It is unofficiall5- reported that the sum of $305,000 has been raised in Holland to finish the work. Much of the work such as building of depots and other buildings at Cullman, Julana and Bremen, has al- ready been done.
 The company's coal lands are said to be among the finest in the state Several openings have been made at Juliana and the coal is as fine as any in the state. The mines when opened will be equipped in the most modern way; electricity will be used to light up the mines and for drilling and hauling the coal to the sur face. The resumption of the work on theSnew read is being looked forward to with q degree of interest by the Cullman people, At will bring new cash trade into the town and the final completion of the road will ultimately be a means of bring ing diversified manufacturing establish tt- develop the bi-products of coal, such as coal tar and its prouucts, to make fire brick and sewer pipe. The coal seams are said to be overlaid with fine quality ot fire clay, which Is very scarce and valuable.
 Prepare for Sidewalks
 w. A. McCalla of Decatur, who was awarded the contract for the engineering in placing the town on the grade prior to the work of building sidewalks, has ar rived in Cullman with his force of men and has begun the work.
 It will probably require month to com plete the survey, after which he will make an estimate of the cost of laying the walks.
 The walks will be laid in all the prin- ciple portions of the town and extended to such other sections as the property owners desire. Those who own property but are not financially able to meet the payment at once have as long as 10 years to meet their assessments.
 The storm sewerage system will be added little later or as early as the city becomes financially able to install them.
 Mushroom Industry
 Another, delicacy- has been recently added to the list of those obtainable in Cullman. this being that of the mush- room. The first shipment of these has been made by express this week to Bir- iningham. The mushroom culture has been started as business venture by Theodore Mauter who lives short dis tance from, Cullman, and has an ideal place for their growth. If the venture proves successful, the capacity of his beds will be enlarged and he will enter into the culture of this delicacy on larger scale. There is possibility that Gull man may eventually become as far famed for her production of mushrooms as she is HOW for her delicious strawberries.
 fAaf
 George Markland, who has for the past several years been engaged in the furnl- tuIe and wallpaper business, on Second avenue. has sold his business to T. J. Newman
 MT. Newman has been the owner of the Culiman Steam laundry for several years but recently sold his interests in that business to c. W. Brown and has entered into the furniture business. The already large stock of furniture will be increased MT. Markland has not yet decided what he will engage in, but thinks that he will again go into some line of business here Monday. February 2. has been set as the day for re-convening the special term of the circuit court here by Judge Dan Speake. This will be the last two weeks Nf tba al orr1o If !, ra- called to be held here in the month of December.
 Representative Griffith has secured a favorable report from the judiciary ccn- mittee on his bill to detach Cullman county from the Eighth judicial circuit and to transfer all cases from the dock cts of the circuit court to that of the [ullman county law and equity court Both his bills have been reported favor ably by the committee and it is very like ly that they will pass both houses with out much opposition. Mr. Griffith has alsu secured a favorable report on a bill 10 abolish the county court here.
 The pretty home of MT. and Mrs. George 5ledsoe was the scene of most elabor- ate valentine party given in honor of Mrs Bledsoe's charming sister, Miss Erla McEntire. Mrs. Bledsoe received her guests in a handsome toilet of silk and. lace. which was becoming to her rate beauty. One of the chief features of the evening was the fulfilling of the request of the hostess. that each guest should bring an original valentine. The prize for having the best original valentine was awarded to MT. Beauford Thompson Most delicious refreshments were served.
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 "Ad" Men Open Own Agency Charles H. Touzalin is now arrang- ing to celebrate his twenty fifth anni-