The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-26
DR. A. A. PERSONS DIES IN BESSEMER Superintendent of Schools Succumbs Yesterday WAS WIDELY KNOWN Was a Professor in the State Uni versity for Number of Years
 and Leader in Education
 al Field

Bessemer, February 25.-(Special) Dr. A. A. Persons, superintendent of the Bessemer city schools, died this morning at 4:45 o'clock at a local hos pital following an operation yester- day morning.
 Dr. Persons was 50 years of age and has been superintendent of the Bes- semer schools for nearly nine years. He has been in failing health for sew eral months, but he was thought to be very much improved yesterday when he was operated on. However, he grad ually grew worse until the end came this morning.
 He was born in Enon, Ala, in 1866 and was educated at the Alabama Polytechnic institute at Auburn and the University of Alabama, and at dit ferent times during his life he was consulting chemist for the Mobile and Ohio railroad, professor Of natural science of Alabama Normal college, professor of chemistry of Florida Az ricultural college and consulting chem ist for the F. c. and P railroad. He was the author of a number of scien- tific publications and at one time was agricultural editor of the Florida Git izen at Jacksonville, Fla.
 pr. Persons was one of the best known men in the state and during his term al superintendent of the Bes- semer schools he raised the curriculum of the high school and added several new branches in the way of Ian guages, manual training, domestic science and business departments. It was through his. efforts that the city secured an annual donation from the county by receiving all the high school 4I,. town, Dolomite, Virginia Mines, Me Calla and other places.
 He was married in Troy, Ala, Sep ] tember 27, 1893, to Miss Mabel Knox. % and is survived by his widow and Mthree sons, Archie. Stafford and John Knox Persons.
 The funeral was held this afternoon at 1:15 o'clock from the First Meth odist church. the Rev. Ira F. Hawkins, the pastor, being assisted by the Rev. M K. Thornton, pastor of the First Baptist church. and the Rev. L F. Swallow. pastor of the First Presby- terian church. People from every walk of life gathered at the church to pay their last respects.
 The remains were shipped to Auburn this afternoon, where interment will be made. The following acted as pail bearers Active. Dr. R. P McTyiere, w. H. Lewis. Prof W. l. Pittman, J. k. E. Prof c. B. Glenn.
 Honorary. John W. Brooks E. A. Dudley, M. J. Brooks. A. c. Mitchell, J O. Chancey. A. L. Burkes F. Coi- Her, F. G., Cruthirds Gordon Sparkes, Charles R. Kuchins T, J. Fitzpatrick, T. T. Huey, R. W. Waldrop, Dr. J. E. Blaydes. Dr. P. P. Lacey, Dr. J. c. Curry, Dr. G. R. Lewis, W. c. Ter ry, G. G. Neal, Mayor B. c. Jones, A. J. McCampbell. J. F. Cannon, Will liam H. H. Judson. Lee Moody, Will -s Golson, Tom Benton. Joe Thompson, Cum Teacher, Charles A. Brown, Ben G. Perry and E. L. Huey
 The following telegram was received by Mayor B. c. Jones yesterday:
 New Remington, Pa.
 There is a strike on in Pennsylvania in the Alleghany and Kishminetas val leys, 10000 coal miners being out. We are here now and stranded; serious trou- ble. Advise all men not to ship.
 70. C. WOODS"
 Much speculation has been caused in Bessemer by the message, as hundreds of negroes have been sent there within the past few months. Inquiry has failed to identify the sender, and he is not thought to be from Bessemer
 The mayor was called upon in the tele- gram to take such steps as would pre- vent the shipment of negroes by making the alleged fact public The city author ities can do nothing in the matter, ac- cording to Mayor Jones'
 An itemfzed account of expenditures and receipts for the city of Bessemer up to February made public in a state ment issued by Mayor B. c. Jones shows balance on hand in the sinking and general fund of approximately $25, 900. The statement shows receipts of $70.000 of which 5000 was borrowed and dis