The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-20
HODGE IS SHOT AND
ROBBED BY NEGROES
Collector for Huey Furni-
ture Co. Is Held Up
COUNCIL HAS MEETING
Only Brief Session Held on Account
of Masonic Conference-Three
Sessions of Conference Held.
Drills are Interesting
COUNCIL HAS MEETING

Bessemer, August 19.-(speeial)-c. L.
Hodge. collector for the E. l.. Huey
Furniture company, was shot and pain
fully wounded this morning about 10
o'clock and robbed by two unidentified
negroes near Hammack,s Hill, between
Bessemer and Virginia mines.
Mr. Hodge was driving along when he
met two negroes. One OF them asked
for match while the other walked on
about 10 feet. The man then asked Mr..
Hodge who he worked for and Mr. Hodge
told him he collected for the Huey Furni-
ture company. The negro then made as
if he was going to strike a match and
pulling out a gun told Mr.. Hodge to give
him all the money he had.
lie held the gun right at Mr. Hodges
abdomen. but the collector pushed the
gun aside and told the negro lie didn't
have any money. At that point the ne
gro fired, the bullet taking effect in the
left side, making only a flesh wound.
Two other shots were fired at Mr..
Hodge, but went wild. Mr.. Hodge jumped
cut of the buggy and as he did so the
man grabbed him and threw him down,
rohbing him. The other negro who was
hciding the horse said Shoot him again,
Jim," according to the story of the
wounded man.
Several men who heard the shots hur-
ried to the scene and found Mr. Hodge
lying on the ground. DR.. C. A. Harris
hurriedly answered the call and Mr..
Hodge was brought to the Elizabeth Dun
can Memorial hospital where his wound
10 of a
his home on Nineteenth street.
Mr.. Hodge does not know just how
much money he had in his pockets, but
it was about 500. Mr.. Hodge is doing
nicely and no danger is anticipated from
his wound unless complications set in.
A posse left Bessemer Immediately in
automobiles to search for the highway
men. Mr.. Huey stated today he offered
a reward of $50 for the arrest of the
guilty parties.
The Bessemer city council met in regu-
lar session tonight in the council chamber,
being called to order at o'clock p. m.
by President Pro Tenn e. l.. Huey, in
the absence OF the president, George Ross,
who is out of the city. The minutes were
read by the city clerk and treasurer.
James b. Houston, after which the meet
ing adjourned as there were several menu
bers, who wanted to attend the Masonic
conference, which is in session here 9th
ers wanted to go down TO Yolande and
join the posse which is looking for the
negroes who held up, shot and robbed
&. l.. Hodge this morning near Virginia
mines.
The fourteenth semi-annual Masonic
conference OF jefferson county convened
this morning at 10 o'clock in the Bessemer
Masonic temple on Twentieth street be-
tween Second and Third avenues.
The meeting was opened by the officers
of the conference, the Invocation being
pronounced by the Rev. W. NJ. Crawford.
The Rev. George Stoves, pastor of the
First Methodist church of this city, de-
livered the address of welcome, while the
response was made by Judge William h.
Fort The roll of the lodges was called
by the secretary, after which lecture
was given by w. j. Whitaker.
At 1880 the conference convened for
dinner, which was served on Third ave
nue in q vacant store by the members
of the Eastern Star, Mrs. Sutton, Mrs.
Garlic, Mrs. Patton and Miss Neal in
charge.
At 1:3Q the conference was again called
to order. An interesting feature of the
af. .ernoon was the drill in the three les
sens as follows: Roy E. Osborn e. A.
c. Lesson, Harris No. 457; E. e. Mathews,
NJ. M. Lesson, Birmingham No. 1871
General instructions ON balloting, min
utes and order of business was given by
District Lecturer f. A. Hewitt.
The conference recessed at $50 o'clock
for supper and at 7S0 o'clock reconvened.
At o'clock the eXemplification of the
entered apprentice degree was given by
the officers, after which the entered ap-
prentice lecture. ''Esoteric," was given by
j. M. Pearson of Alexander City, chair
man OF the committee on work.
All interesting address, Concerning
Us" was delivered by M. NJ. Ulman.
George Pegram gave an excellent address
on "Letter-Perfect Masonry" The con-
ference then adjourned until tomorrow
morning at o'clock
The special committee OF which Mrs
Ellis Brown is chairman met in the base
ment of the Methodist church for the pur-