The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-21
LATE RETURNS GIVE IA. LEWIS MAJORITY
 IN CITY ELECT|ON

At o'clock this morning the results
 Of the city democratic primary election,
 held yesterday in Bessemer, were in doubt
 but indications point to the reelection
 of Mayor I. 4. Lewis, with Dr. R. F.
 McTyeire close second, and Percy Ben-
 ton third. In the contest for president of the city council, the incumbent, George Ross, was in the lead, although in some
 of the boxes Dave Powell was running neck and neck.
 For chief of police, Tom Benton had | the edge on R. J. McCabe at the above | hour, but it was conceded that up to that time it was nip and tuck between the two candidates.
 It will take the complete returns to de- termine the election of the miner officials, although l.. P. Craig seems to be leading for sanitary inspector.
 The election has been one of the most
 hotly contested ever held in Bessemer,
 with the interest centered on the race for mayor, president of the city council
 and chief of police. The interest was intensified by the recent probe of the grand jury concerning the police depart
 ment of the city and the election is expected to vindicate or condemn some of the officials assailed.
 A feature of the election is the fact that every official of the city from mayor to dog catcher had to go before the people for indorsement. This
 brought out the further fact that nearly 10 per cent of the voting population of the city of Bessemer were candidates for office at this election.
 Late returns are to the effect that the count will not he cOmDleted before o'clock this morning.
 Bessemer, March 20.-(suecial.) 1.-The Elks County Pumpkin Fair and street carnival was formally opened this even ing at oclock on Third avenue, between Eighteenth and Nineteenth streets and on Eighteenth street between Second and Third avenues when the local order of Elks attended the fair in body to view the attraction and give it their officia! stamp of approval. The entire city has taken on new life and Is decorated for the occasion in bunting and flags. Twen- ty-one cars, containing the Greater Shee- |, ley shows, arrived in Bessemer last night over the Louisville and Nashville railroad from Montgomery, and within few min utes after arriving the 397 people con nected with the shows swamped the hotels, restaurants and rooning houses in this city, applying for rooms and board. The merchants are planning to
 make this week gala occasion and the proceeds of the fair will go to the Elks fund for the poor.
 The Ninth grade Literary society of the Bessemer High school held it's regular meeting this afternoon at the school building, at which time the following pro- gramme was rendered. Story, Miss Katie Nolan; current events, Clifton Clodus. A q ,x.4N Fro ftA subject of same was: Resolved, That the Government Should Own Their Own | Railroads The affirmative was repre- | sented by Charlie Adams and Miss Ella Holman, while the negative was defended by Akin Warnick and Miss Minnie Jack son. After some consideration the de- cision was returned in favor of the af firmative. A trip through San Francisco was splendidly rendered by Miss Alice VandeVoort
 The R. A. Mickle Literary society of the Bessemer high school held an inter
 esting meeting this afternoon with Miss fAaary Dabbe, presiding, in the absence of [ the president Joe Houston The members responded to roll call with current events, after which the biography of Felton Col Her was read by Miss Mary Word A splendid reading was given by J. Gordon Sparkes, after which parliamentary rules were discussed by Prof. W. I. Pittman. A violin duet was rendered by Miss Lo- raine Buck and Miss Marguerite Phillips. Miss Elise Robinson and Miss Ruby
 Ragsdale, two brides-elect, were the
 inspiration of a delightful rosette
 shower this afternoon when Mrs. M. c. Ragsdale, Jr., entertained in their honor at her home on Clarendon ave-
 nue. The reception rooms presented a spring-like appearance with their decorations of ferns and potted plants.
 while huge vases held pink roses, thus carrying out the color motif of pink and white. The guests were received at
 the door by Mrs. Earl Calvin of De- catur, while Mrs. Ragsdale, wearing pink georgette crepe over blue tarfeta,
 received the guests in the parlor. She
 was assisted by Miss Elise Robinson
 in lovely frock of apricot faille. The
 tea table was presided over by Mrs.
 w. E. Odum and Mrs. M. c. Ragsdale, Sr., and were assisted by Miss Bessie Lovett Miss Sadie Sturdivant, Miss
 Ruth Winters and Mrs. J. H. Blue, all wearing pretty afternoon toilettes.
 Among those enjoying this hospitality
 were: Miss Robinson. Miss Ragsdale, Mrs. Ralph Burke. Mrs. G. Wilson, Miss
 Miss Lucy Huey, Miss Jessie Huey, Miss Mary. Reynolds, Miss Bessie Lo- vett. Miss Sadie Sturdivant, Miss Ruth Winters, Miss Ida Winters. Miss Laura
 Winters Mrs. Ed Hixon, Mrs. Jack Clay, Mrs. Mack Clay, Miss Grace Jud-
 son, Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Peyton Mims, Miss Ethel Ragsdale, Mrs. James Don- aldson, Mrs. c. T. Briggs, Mrs. Oscar Moore. Mrs. w. Wright. Mrs. Odum, Mrs. S. E. Bailey Mrs. David Trotter, Miss Rachael Ragsdale, Mrs. Cecil Cowan Mrs. Mack Batson, Mrs. Elvee Falkner, Mrs. B. w. McNeil, Mrs. Nat Banks, Mrs. Hugh McEniry Mrs. w. B. Gresham, Miss Louise Dugen. Mrs. s. E. Grount and Miss Beryl Pinner.
 Heath Bradley
 Demopolis, March 2O.-(Special)-A 6