davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
CRIME IS DENIED
 BY MOBILE YOUTH
Will Face Judge Tomorrow In Mysterious Killing
 Case

MOBILE, Ala, Dec. 6.-(By Asso- ciated Press)-Louis 8. I.ayfield. 17-year-old shipyard worker, held at police headquarters for the murder of Melvin Brantley, aged 1s. sits in his cell and hour after hour denies the capital charge against him. When he is called before the recorder Fri day morning. December IA, through his attorney he will enter a plea of not guilty Whether he will endeavor to prove an alibi will probably de- pend on the showing that the state will make.
 A bullet pierced cap that state at torneys have identified as being worn by the Brantley boy on the day that he left the factory where he was employed, after receiving a pay en- velope containing s1S.50, was taken from the river marsh today by De- tective Gift Adams. The cap was picked up 5 feet from where the body was found Tuesday afternoon by a posse of searchers. headed by his brother. Palmer Brantley, of Gar land, Ala. Near the cap were several .92-csliber rifle cartridges and sew eral that had been exploded.
 The blood-stained cap and the bull lets have been filed away along with a .22-caliber rifle that was taken from the home of the Layfield boy at 524 South Dearborn street and will be used as evidence in the case.
 The state, if the case goes to trial next Friday, will introduce as one of it's main witnesses William Todd, watchman at the Lerio Cup com pany. where Brantley was employed who, it is said. will swear that Lay field was waiting on the outside of this place Saturday afternoon, No- ven1ber 24. the day before the boy disappeared.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
MARION MASON HONORED
Rev. ClemmOns Elected Grand Chnp-
 lain Of The Grand Chapter

MARION. Ala. Dec 6.-(special.) --i The members Of the Masonic fra ; ternity representing the Masonic bodies meeting in Montgomery this week were very fortunate in the dis tribution of the honors
 William Henry Stewart. the high, priest of Marion chapter No. 12. Roy al Arch Masona, was a member of select class upon whom the order of high priesthood was conferred Monday night. lie was also made member of the standing commit tee on chartered chapters
 Sidney Sanders of Greensboro. an other representative of Marion chap ter No. 12. was placed on the stan ing committee on appeals and griev- ances.
 Rev. William B. Clemmons. pastor of the Marion Presbyterian church, was elected grand chaplain of tn. grand chapter of Royal Arch Ma sons of Alabama on Tuesday morn ins. At the assembly of the grand council of Royal and Select Masons, held on Tuesday afternoon. Mir. Clenl- mons was elected grand chaplain of that body also and appointed chair man of the standing committee on necrology. MT. Clemmons is the first member of Marion chapter No. 12 to be elected to a grand office since the late Francis II. Bates was elect ed grand high priest in 1905.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
WOMAN ON TRIAL.
Mrs. Drath Charged With Staying
 Man At Bay Minette

BNN MI NlSl I F.. Ala, Dec. G. Especial Leased Wire. its case after day of legal battle, the state rested tonight in the case of Mrs. F.. K. Drath. charged with the murder of W. H. Ray. on October :. No defense testimony was heard during the day. The jury was locked up for the night at 9:15 D. m. and the case will be taken up first thing in the morning. About 20 witnesses for the state were introduced by County Solicitor L. s. Riggs. assisted by Assistant Attorney II. NJ. Hale and Attorney 1T. D. Moore, who are con ducting the prosecution.
 Ray, a man of S0 was shot and killed one Sunday on the streets of Bay Minette, deserted at the time of the killing. Sheriff Stewart of Bald win county caused the arrest of Mrs. Drath, a resident of Fairhope. after he had sifted the evidence in his possession.
 Mrs Drath, a woman of consider able wealth. is 24 years older than her alleged victim. Love is believed to have played it's part in the assas- sination.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
R|GHT OF WAY FOR' RAIL ROAD SOUGHT.
Tag Line Begins Condemna- tion Proceedings Through
 Gadsden Property
G.ADSDEN BUREAU l TIFF ACE.~ HERAL5 ! Gansden. Ala. Dec. f

The Tennessee, Alabama $ Geor- gia railroad Thursday started con demnation proceedings to secure right way across the city for it's extension to Margaret. in St. Clair county, where it will connect with other roads into Birmingham. Papers seeking to condemn a narrow strip through 20 lots on the north side of town were filed in the county court and Judge .Gilliland has SC; December 22 as the date for hear ing the case. It is understood that the railroad is prepared to make bond and to proceed with the con struction of its road beds and tracks through the property. It is said here that President c. tE. James has stated that he wants to begin work cn the extension at the earliest pos sihle moment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
HOG SALE HELD

The first hog sale of the season for Pike county was held Wednesday. The Farmers Cooperative Hog Sale association had charge of the sale. Two carloads of fine hogs were handled despite the rain. Several out-of-town buyers were present and several bids were received by wire The highest bid was made by the firm of Faulkner & Barnes of Do- than, to whom the hogs were sold The shipment was sent to William son & Dennis at Jacksonville Fla. The price paid was IA per pound oasis for tops or a quarter off the Montgomery market on sale day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
SELMA CITIZEN DIES
New Junior High school RapidIy
 Ncars COmpletion

SELMA. Ala. Dec. 6.-CS Especial Leased Wire. )-One of Selmas oldest and best known citizens, Louis Gerst- man, aged 13 years, died about mid night Wednesday night. after short illness. Mir. Gerstman had lived in Selma since a boy and his earlier years were spent in building up sev- eral enterprises in Selma which was closely connected. Funeral services were conducted at Live Oak cefne- tery this afternoon at o'clock by Rabbi simon Cohen of Temple Mish Kan Israel. Palbearers were: NJ. Hozenber, J. C. Adler, Morris Bloch, Fl. C. Elkan, Leo Leva and C. J. Schuster
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
.GE RMANS COMING
 BACK. SAYS BISHOP
Bishop Beauchamp Condemns MiIitaristic Policy Of France
 Toward German Empire
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALD

Against the adversities that beset them In the post-bellum period, the Germans are showing the stalwart qualities of their race and resisting the temptation to embark on a na- tional career of revolution and chaos, declared Bishop W. B. Beauchamp of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, in an interview here Thurs day The bishop. whose headquar- ters are in Brussels, Belgium. is one of the representatives of Southern Methodism in Europe, and returned to this country only two weeks ago.
 He was in Montgomery for 8 meet ing in the interest of the missions board of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, attended by the pre- siding elders of the Alabama confer ence and Methodist lay leaders.
 France, Bishop Beauchamp thought was bent on not only destroying Ger man military prestige, but also was determined to inflict permanent eco- homie injuries on her former foe. The bishop recalled a letter written some time ago by former President Wilson to substantiate hts views that France was militaristic in her post-bellum policy.
 The bishop talked of another Flu ropean topic that has concerned American Methodism. This was the presence of Bishop Blake, repre- sentative of the Northern Methodist church, at convention held last spring in Moscow of the living church" of Russia under the auspices of the Soviet government.
 Bishop Beauchamp explained Bishop Blakes presence at this meeting by saying that Bishop Blake went in an unofficial capacity but had to pre- sent his official credentials to obtain admission to the gathering.
 The sponsoring of the living church" in Russia. Bishop Beauehamp thought. was a scheme on the part of the atheistic Soviet government 10 break up the Orthodox Greek church of Russia. The Soviet government fears the Russian peasantry, he said and this peasantry is still loyal to the old Greek church. Hence, the Soviet chiefs plan to destroy this church by favoring rival organiza- tion, composed for the most part of members of the clergy who had prac tically no hopes of preferment under thp pzariSti0
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
COX KEEPS SILENT ON M'ADOO ISSUE
Has Nothing To Say Relative To
 RumOr. He States

TUSKEGEE, Ala, Dec. 6.-Former Governor James M. Cox of Ohio and democratic presidential candidate in 1920, told the Associated Press to- night. that he had nothing to say" when asked of the report current in the cast that he was favorably dis posed to William G. McAdoo for the democratic nomination, next year and would do nothing to control Ohios votes to the party convention.
 T know nothing of it and I haven't anything to say concerning it." WAS the substance of MT. Cox's statement Former Governor Cox is here on an annual hunt with friends.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
FARMER DEAD;2 IN COTTsbORO JAIL
MangIed Body Is Found On RaiIroad-Foul Play
 { Is Feared

ScoTTsBORO, Ala, Dec. 6.--tspe- eial.)-John Meshorn and Grant Mat 1hews, the latter negro, were ar- rested Thursday and placed in Jail at this place in connection with the death of Joe Stevens of Andeson, Tenn. The body of Stevens was found on a railroad track near Ste- venson Wednesday night It was supposed at first that he had bssn killed by a passing freight.
 Grant Matthews, who runs a small store in Stevenson, and John Mo shorn were said to have been, in an argument with Stevens early in the evening Wednesday. It is under stood that developments in the as- fair point to the fact that Stevens was murdered and his body placed on the railroad track to leave the im- precision that he was killed by g
 The arrest of Meshorn and Mat thews was made by Deputy Tom wal lis of Stevenson.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
ACQUITTED oF SHOOTING

Jess Banister was acquitted of the shooting of Chief of Police c. :.
 O'Bryant of Alabama Git by jury in the circuit court Thursday. Ban ister was indicted for assault with intent tC murder. He testified on the stand that he was having q friendly game of cards at his home and that when the officer pol1ed his head into a window he took him for burglar and fired at him. The evidence is said to have shown that burglary had been attempted a few nights before the shooting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
LONG HEADS BOARD
TENNESSEE VALLEY BUREAU |
 THE AGE-HERALD ; MouItop Nlu noo q |

The Lawrence County Board ct Education met in regular session Fri day; one Of the members. J. NJ. Hous- ton of Town Creek, was prevented from attending due to his being in Birmingham hospital for an apera- tion, while business kept away the other valley member. R. k. Coburr of Courtland. Much matter of g rou- tine nature was transacted along with the selection of president and vice president for the ensuing year A. L. Long was again made presi dent of the board and k. c. Burch, again vice president.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
NORMAL SCHOOL ENDS

The fall term of the State Norma, school came to a close Thursday aft ernoon. The enrolment was almost zoo students which is larger than the last years Attendance. Gradua- tion exercises were held Thursday morning and six seniors received diplomas. The winter term will be- gin Monday and many new students are expected to enroll,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
ITO CHoOsE noUTE

At the suggestion of the county commissioners the Kiwanis club has asked it's highway committee to in spect both the Cox gap and the Shelf field gap route between Gadsden and Boaz and to pass upon them at its next meeting. The commissioners are fighting the adoption by the state highway commission of the Cox gap as the official one for the state high way between Guntersville and Gads-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
wEATmERwAx BACK

Leonard Weatherwax. assistant cashier of the Citizens bank. Moulton. returned Saturday, from Hot Springs. Ark, where he has been for the past two months and longer. While there he underwent an operation and re- turns greatly improved to enter upon his duties
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
CHRISTMAS GIFT!

What is probably the first Christ mas present of the 1928 season. com ing to the states forces on Goat Hill. was box of fruit grom the citru, belt of Alabama received Thursday Y at the office of the state child wei fare department and sent as a gift to all the members of the depart ment's staff. The box was filled with satsuma oranges and kumq,ta :, and was the donation of Miss Eliza beth Fonde of Mobile, member Of the child welfare commission.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
FLOATING DEBT INCREASED

The floating indebtedness of Gads- den was increased by $10,000 to $15,-
 900 during the first year of the pres ent administration, but it is said the money was spent for unexpected and extraordinary purposes. A lot of 1t went toward the purchase of a new motor fire engine and other equip ment, the building of bridge not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
STEEL PLANT EXPANDS

Six new baling tie machines have been received by the Gulf States Steel company here and are to be installed at once. They are said to be the most modern of their kind and to be capable of considerably in creasing the output of the ,baling wire department
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
COMMISSIONS ISSUED

The following commissioners were issued Thursday by Secretary of State S. II. Blan: Frank P. Wait, constable, Precinct 5, Towncreek, Lawrence county; W. II. Lewis. Jr., notary public, Cottonwood, Houston county; 2, w. Segrest, notary public Coffee Springs, Geneva county; E. E. Smith, notary public, Jasper Walker county; J. s. Ward, sheriff Centreville, Bibb county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
HEADS FARM BUREAU
Two Carloads Of Hoss Are Sold A
 Big Troy Snie

TROY. Ala. Dec. G.--(Special Leased Wire)-B. H. I.ightfoot of Brundldge was elected president of the Pike county farm bureau unan- imously at the regular monthly meeting. The presidency of the bureau was made vacant by the resignation of Brooks ConneH of Brundidge, who was elected at the regular annual election of officers last summer. MT. Connell has served a second term as president, but owing to the fact that he is dis posing of his farm interests he asked to be relieved of his position with the farm bureau,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
HANDLED n2 CASES

Mrs. Florence Adams, probation officer of the Etowah county juve- nile court, handled 52 cases during the month of November, according to her report just filed. She also looked after 13 neglected and de- pendent children and 33 delinquent ones.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
HEAR GLEE CIUR

The Civitan club, at it's weekly meeting today were entertained by the Alabama Glee club. which gave several selections that were greatly enjoyed. Prof. Paul Munno gave a very interesting talk on the junior high school
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
FUNDS FOR FARM SCHOOL

The Jefferson county board of edu cation has appropriated sS5,000 to be used in conjunction with other funds in construction of the secondary az rieultural school authorized to be built in Jefferson county by the re- cent legislature, according to Repre- sentative R. E. Smith of Jefferson, who was visitor to the capital to- day. Representative Smith is at tending the meetings of the grand lodge here as representative of Mt Pinson lodge, Jefferson county. He called on 8 number of friends at the capitol Thursdav.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
NO BASKETBALL TEAM

Etowah County High school will not have a varsity basketball team this season because there is no room for an indoor court. The various grades will have terms which will practice and play each other out-of- doors when the weather permits.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
poKEYs CELEBRATE

Dokeys to the number of 300 pa radsd through the streets of Annis- ton about l o'clock Thursday after noon. enjoyed . barbecue feast at tha old high school auditorium on Wilma avenue and later initiated 75 candi- dates into the mysteries of the order of Pythianism. The Aladdin temple band occupied B place in the line of march, a majority of the officers and members Of Birmingham arriving at 12:30 o'clock. The Gadsden drum and bugle corps and the Boy Scout band of Anniston took part in the parade which proceeded the barbecue. The visiting Rotarians from Birmingham were lead by Imperial Prince B. ". c. Yarbrough. and returned to their homo station Thursday evening, after an enjoyable stay as the guest of the Dokey club of Anniston. The Gads- den votaries returned home by auto mobile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
REPAIRS FURNACE

The Alabama company is said to be preparing to merely patch it's fur mace here and not to completely re- line it because of the demand for iron. Four stoves twill be refined and rebuilt and material is being rushed here for that purpose. l-.A /.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07

Two important road projects were practically completed last month, it of the state highway department
 One of these was the finishing of the sraveled surfacing on the road in Dale county extending from New ton through Midland City to the Henry county line. being part of the Bee Line highway, The other was federal aid project No. l, and was the completion of surfacing on the road from Union Springs to Bruce vile. Graveling has begun on the uceville-Downing road.
 On these completed projects, some dressing remains to be done before the projects formally accepted by the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
0oRp,s FORD CArsEs TRoUBI.B

c. A. Lindsey has filed suit against w. F. Ford for $500 damages. al leging that his automobile was wrecked when MT. Ford's Ford crashed into it in east Gadsden last September.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
NEW SCHOOL GOES UP

Selma's new junior high school on Washington street is nearing com pletion and will be one of the most modern and up- -to-date junior high school buildings in the state
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07

EmpIoyeS or the state department of education were busy Thursday preparing shipment of supplies to be used in the coming examinations of teachers to be held December 17 to 19 in the various counties of Ala hama
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
INSPECTs HIGHWAY

c. N. Mitcham of the state high way department left Thursday on an inspection of the construction work on the kellerton, Goodwater and Ashland road in Coosa county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
PAYS FOR TRICK

Members of the Anniston police force and about 25 other officials and citizens of Anniston were guests at turkey supper served at the Biny Pruitt on Tenth street on We'd nesday evening. The party being eiven by MT. Pruitt on payment of a trick he played recently when he carried away Il o'possums, which the city officials had assembled for l feast before Thanksgiving.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
NOTICE

All members of Birmingham Lodge :5s. A. F. and A. M., are requested to meet at the Masonic Temple nt 12 o'clock Friday noon to attend the funeral of their deceased brother, Gu! Thomas Walker.
 M. E. REEVES. w. NJ. II. V. FISCHER, Secretary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
NEGRO HIT BY TRAIN
Baptist Church Organized At Crons-
 Vi1le, Ala.

COLLINSvILLE. Ala, Dec. G. Special. )--An unknown negro was found by q section foreman on his way to Collinsville Wednesday morn ing laying on the tracks of the A. G. $. railroad only short Distance above here. No one around this town knew him, but a receipt was found in his pocket which showed his name to be John Cephus and his hone at Memphis. It is stated that he had fallen from a fast freight on his way through hero and was cut up very seriously about the face and head. He was carried to the McWnorters hospital of this place.
 BAPTIST CHURCH ORGANIZES
 A great number of Baptist church members met at Crossville last Sun day to organize & church for that community. Many of the pastors Of the surrounding churches were pres ent and Rev. w. w. Harris acted as moderator with 40 charter members to start the church and seven joining the service, making a total of 4 members to start the Crossville Bap- list church. The following officers were elected: J. k. Bethune, clerk | J. M. Carns, Sunday school superin- tendent; V. E. Cagle, B. '. r. C. president, and the following deacons, D. A. Pledger, Dr. J. T. Gains, C. D. King, J. M. Carns. W. Harris
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
vIsITs SICK sIsTEn

Miss Maggie Young, art teacher in the County High school, left last Sat turday for Birmingham, called there bs the illness of her sister, Mrs. l. E Bradley of West End.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
nAY1s CASE POSTPONED

The trial of John Davis, Greek merchant. indicted for murder in connection with the killing of ne- gro one year ago, was postponed in circuit court Thursday because of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
ATTEND FUNERAL HERE

Mrs. J. H. Bryant and son, R. E. Bryant, were called Thursday to Bir- mingham to attend the funeral of their daughter and sister. Mrs. W. W. F'itzgibbons. who died at her home there Wednesday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
GET JOBS WITH SOUTHERN

Nearly all the foremen of the old Gadsden car shops, which were de- stroyed by fire last October, left Thursday for Avondale, where they will be employed in the Southern shops.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
BIG STILL SMASHED

OPELTKA, Ala, Dec. s.-(SpecIal Leased Wire.)-A monster distilling outfit was found and destroyed near shotwell, in Lee county, Wednesday ficers J. K. Young and Deputy Sheriff Allgood. The still was of 5000 gallon capacity, one of the largest ever found in Lee county. Over 5000 gal Ions of mash was poured. out. The still wal warm and ready for oper- ation when the officers appeared. No arrests were made. The officers state that theNS1issed capturing the men who weA Yin charge only few minutes on account of being delayed by heavy rain which fell at that time. A part of the outfit, consist ing of a copper worm, an aX a pick, bucket and oil can, utensils used by town.
 SENT TO REFORM SCHOOL
 At a session of the juvenile court os Lee county held Thursday morn ing by Judge G. P. Butler. four ne- If; Hugh Edwards. aged IA; Fred Branford, aged 12, and Alfonso Ross, aged IS. were committed to the re- form school at Mount Meigs. These boys all plead guilty to series of hurglaries committed last week, in which they entered Phillips company hardware store three nights in suc- cession and took three pistols. a watch and a small amount of money.
 OPELIKA MAN HONORED
 The friends of James M. Frazier are proud of his promotion to the i'm portant office of grand royal arch captain of the state organization. This action was taken at the meet ing of the Royal Arch Grand Chapter of Masons at Montgomery this week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07

Q--How will we know that the money is being wisely spent? A Every contributor will be kept in- formed of the work each agency IS doing and how much money the wor.. is costing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07

ia the budget and the construction of a number of streets, it is claimed. It is said that the 1924 budget will debt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
PIXE COINTIAN PAROLEn
DOGS HEAD RECEIVED
TWO ROADS COMPLETED

A dogs head was received Thurs day at the state Pasteur institute, sent in by H. s. Taylor of Wetumpka a.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07

absent state witnesses, Will Walker, charged with killing oscar farrar last January went on trial last Thursday afternoon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07
DIES OF APPENDICITIS

Garrett NJ Heath, 21, prominent young man of Glencoe, died Wednes- day night, the victim of appendi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07

Spain and Poland have officially ac eepted the French Olympic commit tees invitation for their participatsen in the olympics.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07

citis. The funeral and burial took place Thursday at Oak Grove. The deceased was a member of one of the best known families of the county.