The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-31
SHORTAGE
SHOCKS BESSEMER
City Clerk Houston Short
Approximately $4,000, Is
Statement Made

Oh the city OF BeSSemer Tor the past
nine years, is short in his accounts
with the city between $4,000 and $751;
600, according to information given
out this afternoon by Mayor l. A.
Lewis at special meeting of the city
council.
special meeting of the city coun-
Gil was called this afternoon at 2:3O
o'clock with Aldermen Crotwell, Dea-
son, Winters, Simmons, Milton, Ed
wards, Smithson and Huey present
The meeting was called to order by
President George Ross Mayor Lewis
stated that he had had several ap-
plications from men wishing the job
of auditing the citys books and he
had intended to decide to whom would
be given the job this afternoon. He
said he intended to discuss the matter
with Mr.. Houston this morning and on
going to his office was told that Mr..
Later in the day T. E. Primer, assist
ant tax collector, came to Mr.. Lewis
and told him that Mr. Houston had
come to him (Pinner) and asked him
to tell Mr.. Lewis that he was de-
faulter and had gone to Birmingham
to give himself up to the sheriff. Mr..
Lewis Immediately called a meeting of
the council and asked that a temper
airy clerk be appointed and that audi
tors be named at once to audit the
citys books and learn the exact amount
of the alleged shortage. A motion was
made by Alderman Winters and sec
opded by Alderman Huey that the mat
ter of appointing temporary clerk and
naming the auditors be referred to
the finance committee with power to
act.
The entire city was shocked to learn
of the shortage and little else has been
talked on the streets since the an
nouncement was made. Mr. Houston
has lived in Bessemer for many years
and was one of the best known and
most highly esteemed young men in
this city.
The finance committee will APPOINT a
clerk, in all probability, tomorrow.
Tilton Smiley, a young white man,
whose home is said to be near Pine
Level, has his right leg so badly mash ed
last night by an Alabama Great South
ern freight train that 1t was found
necessary to amputate the injured
member. From what could be learned
it appears that Smiley had come to
this district to secure work and being
unable to do so attempted to board
No. II westbound fast freight, falling
under the cars. He is reported to be
resting as well as could be expected
tonight.
Mai. Thomas T. Huey, chairman or
the committee to secure data on the
Valley creek survey by the govern
ment engineer, has received a letter
from Maj. G. X. Little, engineer in
charge, stating that he Is anxious to
have all data as to tonnage that will
probably move by water, total tonnage
of district in both raw and manufac-
tured products and everything that will
bear on canal should it be built by
the government.
A number of citizens of Bessemer
and vicinity have been named by the
national democratic committee as
finance committee for the coming cam
paign and a meeting has been held
already and work planned. The COM
mittee intends to send subscription
to assist in the campaign work in the
north and west during September and
October.
An old deed conveying a large acre
age in Jones valley and dated 1858 was
the object of much interest in the Of
flee of Clerk Herbert Ethridge Of the
probate court when same was filed
The deed was written out by hand, the
wording and arrangement being In the
old fashioned style. The deed was
filed for the first time since its execu-
ton.
Incorporation papers were filed with
the local probate office by Birmingham
parties and the style of the new firm
will be the Cut Rate Department
store, capitalized at $50Oo The firm
will conduct general merchandise
business. and the following are stock
holders: G. p Harper, Louis Schwartz
and A. S. Owen.
Much interest is being manifested in
the services which are being held at
the First Baptist church by the Rev.
Mr.. Leavell, who is an excellent
preacher, and large crowds are at
tending each service. Splendid music
is being rendered under the direction
of Charles Butler and the singing is
proving to be very interesting fea-
ture. Services are held every evening
at o'clock and the public Is invited
to attend.
Mrs. John M. Martin. president OF
Z
has called a meeting of that body for
Friday afternoon at o'clock at the
public library and all members ara
urged to be present as several matters
of Importance will come before that
body.
A home coming and barbecue will
be held at the historic Pleasant Hill
Methodist church, south, on Friday,
henof{f of the
missionary assessment of the church.
At 1890 o'clock there will be special
services held with the Rev. w. e.
Faust of Birmingham in charge. The
church is located at McCalla, four
miles from Bessemer, and delightful
day is promised to those who attend.
The semi annual convention of Black
Warrior district No. 16. Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, will be held
Thursday night, August 81, with Blue
Creek lodge No. 400 at Johns, and a
large number of representatives will
attend the convention which Is COM
posed of about 15 lodges.
PERSONALS
Miss Adele Schwabacher and Miss
Merriam Green will leave Friday for
Savannah. where they will sail for
New York
DR.. A. A. Persons is doing nicely
following an operation at the Eliza
beth Duncan hospital.
The many friends of Robert Will
lians will be pleased to learn that he
has been removed to his home from
the Elizabeth Duncan hospital, where
he was removed following an acct
dent at Sloss mines.
Sam Raine is at the Elizabeth Dun
can hospital, where he underwent an
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