The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-08
BESSEMER MAYOR
 CALLED UPON ID
 RESCUE NEGROES
Houses Flooded and Plants Put Out of Commission by the DOwnpOur-Other
 Bessemer News

Bessemer, July 7.-(Special.)-At an early hour this morning several houses on Arlington avenue and Twenty-fourth street were flooded with water from the constant downpour for the past AS hours in this city, and Mayor I. A. Lewis was called on for help to rescue F negroes from the houses. It appears that the water was on a level with the beds this morning when the negroes awoke, and a nearby neighbor, seeing the plight of the families, immediately called at the city hall for assistance.
 Mayor Lewis, with several firemen, went to the scene in a wagon, which was driven up to the windows and the negroes taken out and carried to safety IL was also necessary for several negroes to be res- cued on Eighth avenue.
 The Bessemer rolling mill of the Ten nessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company was put out of commission by the heavy rains, the entire plant being flooded by water this morning when the men re- ported for work, and business was sus- pended for the day. Work was immediate ly commenced to get the water out so that the bar and plate mill might work tonight.
 Heavy damage is reported to have been done all over this district, crops, roads and bridges being damaged, trees and fences being blown down. The bridge of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company near Jonesboro was washed away, and traffic tied up. West Lake is overflowing it's bank and some apprehension is felt that the dam will A iS at rlx tO Q break. The water is pouring over the dam.
 Valley creek is high, the water covering the bridge on Nineteenth street just be- low the local plant of the United States Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry company, and is flooding the land in that vicinity. No loss of life has been reported.
 The Bessemer Soil Pipe companys plant was put out of business today, but it is expected that the plant will resume Saturday morning.
 A large number of citizens and women of Jonesboro or the Fifth ward, gathered at the Jonesboro Methodist church last night and organized a welfare depac>- ment to take care of the work of the Fifth ward, while Tuesday, July Il, has been set aside an "clean up" day. The organization will be known as the Jones' boro Welfare society, and the following were elected as officers: G. M Daven- port, president; the Rev George w. Me Rae, vice president B. H. Tillman, secre- tary. A committee composed of B. H. Tillman, Miss Katie Ward, Mrs. A. w. Gray, Mrs. Lucy Armstrong, and the Rev. McRae were appointed to draw up the constitution and bylaws The society will hold it's next meeting Tuesday night at the church, and Charles Briggs and Tom Lovelace were appointed to select a permanent place for the meetings of the society.
 William Williams has returned from a visit to relatives in Pyriton, Ala. He was accompanied, by his cousin, Gay Steed, who will be his guest for several days
 The many friends of Read Wood will regret to learn that he is ill at his home on Nineteenth street.
 Mf. and Mrs Hugh Leopard have gone to Pensacola, Fla. where they will visit friends
 Lamar McFerrin of Selma is the guest of relatives in this city.
 Miss Lois Head has returned to her home in Vivian, after spending a week with Miss Lucy Belle and Miss India Belle Dandridge.
 Miss Edna Kyle has returned from Bir- mingham, where she was the guest of Miss Nellie Douglass for the past flow days.
 Miss Ruth Evans of Meridian is the attractive house guest of Mrs. Joe Little.