The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-06
SELMA
B. A. Bates Indicted by Grand Jury of
 U. 6. Court


 Selma, November 5.-(Special)-A grand jury in United States court here today brought in two indictments against B. $. Bates of Selma. one charging the use iof United States mail for the purpose of defrauding an insurance company the other for perjury. Bates is out on bond District Attorney Alex Pitts told an Age-Herald representative Friday after noon that the charge of perjury was the result of Bates testifying in court that the loss of limb by the discharge of a shotgun was an accident.
 l. The Bates case has created probably more interest in Selma than any case in history, and hundreds of Selmians be-
 lieve the man totally innocent of the charges preferred by the government. The government charges that Bates carried an
 accident policy with Detroit company, and used the mails for tho purpose of getting Charles Patrick of Montgomery | to board certain train on a certain day and accidentally shoot away Bates foot. Patrick failed to keep the engage
 ment, the government claims. but after ward Bates, in an automobile on a hunt ! ing trip, lost his left arm through the discharge of a shotgun.
 Bates was Sarrested by federal officers | and given a preliminary hearing before United States Commissioner W. K. Camp | bell, who held him to the grand jury under bond of $5000. w. A. Burgess | alleged to have had something to do with l the case, was also arrested, but was not | held by Commissioner Campbell The grand jury, it is said, brought in an l l;,fx ] he conspired with another to violate a federal statute. Burgess at noon had not been arrested.
 /! The grand jury returned four indict- 1 ments out of nine cases examined The
 nature of the fourth indictment would
 not be divulged by Attorney Pitts. Judge | Toulmin and court attaches left on the noon train for Mobile.
 Selma turned out en masse in the aft ernoon and at night for Gentry Brothers l Dog and Pony shows. and the business l section presented a deserted appearance after the passing of the parade at noon 1 Robinson Brothers advertising car ar rived in the city Friday morning and that aggregation is due here of the 18th, 1 giving Selmians more circus than they ] have had in several years. Sheesley' s Carnival company opens Monday night for one-week stop under the auspices of Camp Jones No. 317, United Confed- | crate Veterans.
 ] The veterans of Selma are putting on popularity contest and are meeting with much success in their efforts to raise funds for the camp and to arouse interest ] in it's workings. In the contest Miss l Annie Rochmill leads, while Alma springle and Alice Clapp are tied for l second place.
 1 Dr. w. B. Hall and his flying squadron
 from Lowndes county is still working on the task of securing funds with which
 to finish the seven-mile stretch of road
 on the Selma Montgomery pike. 1 Plans are well under way for remodel 1 ing and improving the building in Ala i bama street for the Selma Masons' Home. I The building was recently purchased l by the Masons and will be made into one of the handsomest homes in the state. I Robbins Hardware company. who oc- cupied the store before it's sale, have ! moved to a place in Broad street. 1 George Holzberg of St. Louis was in l Selma Friday morning. leaving in the 1 afternoon for Birmingham. MT. Holz- 1 berg has been making an inspection of ! land throughout the black belt with view to locating.