The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-04
Shortest and Tallest
 Carriers Are in Houston

Dothan. Houston county. Alabama, boasts of having the 'baby rural let ter carrier" of the United States
 That's not all. The same section of the state boasts that it has the tall est rural letter carrier in the United States Willie c. Hardy ("Baby Will lie") of Dothan has the aforementioned ed distinction while c. O. Aired of the same section has the latter distinction, measuring feet ' inches in his socks.
 Baby Willie" is in Birmingham att tending the annual state convention or the rural letter carriers and Willie is having the time of his life. Now, if Willie had bigger time than he has been having since he struck the Magic City. he'll have to add little to his 5 feet 2-inch altitude, and his less than 130-pound form will have to ex- pand. because he says he will have to grow bigger before he can absorb any more of the good times he is having in Birmingham.
 In spite of ''Willie's" small stature he is a jolly good fellow and the pct" of the bunch. No one over1ooks "Wil- lie," not even at the dinner given the R. L. c. by the Chamber of Commerce at the Hillman hotel last evening. Postmaster W. B. Everett soon fell in line and called on "Baby Willie" for a speech. Willie had just finished his fifth course and was half through with his cream and cake when this dis aster befell him. but he was game and climbed up in his chair in order to be seen. He responded by saying: "You caught me in the middle of a bad fix (meaning he was too busy to fool with talking) but I'll bet no one present is having better time than I. If he is I want to hear from him." Then he went back to his cream
 Spring chicken on toast was noth- ing new to the rural letter carriers at the dinner last night Many of them ate very little of this dish and when asked why they ate so sparingly they responded: Yes, we are Methodists, but we have yards full of chickens at home and would rather eat things that we don't have at home" So the chick en was slighted for other dishes more rare to the ruddyfaced rural men.
 "There is quite distinction between the rural letter carriers that I see be- fore me and the ones I used to see before their salaries were increased from $500 to s1200 year." said Al Jen- kins. who was on hand. When they were on such meager pay they came to the conventions in overalls and check ed shirts. but now every man is as well SIoouleu dS lHe DuSlneSS man or the city"
 Many other distinctions were in evi = dence among the letter carriers one being the oldest man in the Alabama service. This man is T. o. Spraggins. who was the first letter carrier On Route l. out of Alexander City. The route was established 15 years ago. and he has been on the job every day since that time
 Who the champion heavyweight of the letter carriers is will have to be left to the scales. There are about six of these heavyweights who lock like brothers Gin the matter of size), so it's up to them to fight this matter out without interference.
 Gee whilikins," said F. B. Shipper of Georgiana. Butler county, who prob ably is the oldest member of the as- sociation. but ain't us boys having 2 time. It makes me feel like I was 16 again. and don't you fool yourself, son. n.y. by letting these other boys make you believe they have anything on 'old daddy when it comes to having a good time. I'm right there with the goods. But laying all jokes aside. Birmingham is doing mans part by us. We have never been more royalty treated any where I'm for Birmingham"