The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
BESSEMER NEWS

Bessemer, December 22.-(Special.-A large force of men were at work all day Saturday repairing the damage done to the telephone system in the city as the result of the windstorm Friday night. In one section on Eighth ave- nue 12 consecutive poles were blown down, and the street could not be used for traffic. This caused considerable confusion as it is the main thoroughfare leading out of the city toward Birming- ham over the northern route. On Third avenue in the business section tele- phone pole was seen leaning against a building, and in other parts of the city damages were done by the wind that swept over southern Jefferson Friday night. As a result many telephones are being reported out of order, but are be- ing rapidly repaired.
 The Epworth league of the First Meth odst church presented a special Christi mas programme at their meeting Sum- day evening at 6:3O o'clock. The princi- pal talk of the evening was by Prof. l.. l.. Vann and his subject was Peace on Earth Mrs. E. l.. Huey presented the subject, "The Christmas Red Cross Roll Call, to the league. solo by Miss Marion Neal was another feature of the meeting.
 The Rev. l.. F. Stansell preached a forceful sermon at the First Methodist church Sunday morning, using as his text, Unto You King Is Born" It was a typical Christmas sermon, the minister reminding his large congrega- tion of the special significance and the peculiar joy of the present Yuletide. Pre- ceeding the sermon all departments of the Sunday school gathered in the audi torium and presented the gifts for the orphanage, which amounted to about s100 and various individual gifts.
 Saturday afternoon Deputies w. C.. Steel, J. c. Smithson, Albert Thomas Williams and Curran participated in a raid on alleged illicit distillers and cap tured a 200-gallon still, 50-gallon con- denser, furnace and other apparatus that goes to equip plant of this kind.
 The still was in an underground room. in remote part of the county, and the entrance was so cleverly concealed that it took the officers about half an hour to find the trap door through which they finally gained entrance. Brush and leaves covered the top of the ground, which had become blackened by smoke from the furnace, the chimney being all most flush with the ground, which led to the discovery, the officers happening to note the blackened leaves and brush.
 A white man and negro were arrested on the charge of violating the prohibit ton law, and about 200 gallons of beer and few gallons of liquor was de- stroyed.
 Monday will be the last day of the Red Cross Christmas roll call in Bessemer and it is planned to make whirlwind finish in the downtown district, having a number of canvassers soliciting mem berships. More publicity will be given the drive by speeches being made from automobiles, and it is thought that the greatest number will be enrolled of any day of the drive.
 Bessemer Lodge No 45S, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. will hold their regular meeting at the hall on Nineteenth street Monday evening. A large attend ance is urged.
 Members of the Muskoda club are pre- pairing for dance Christmas night. A number of young people from Bessemef will attend.