Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1888-12-13
A BLOODY FIGHT AROUND THE
JAIL AT BIRMINGHAM.

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 8, 2 A. MA
special from Birmingham, Ala, to the
Republic says: At 1915 q. NJ, a mob
attacked the Jail in which Halves is
confined, for the purpose Of lynch;ug the
murderer. When the mob made rush
the gatlio; gun was turned loose, BY
order Of Sheriff Smith, and fifteen men
fell, among them Postmaster Throck-
morton and spectator named Charles
Bailey. Many will die. The city is
wild beyond expression, and Halves will
be lynched, it is said, before morning.
DiRM1NoHAM, Dec. s.-The crime for
which the mob endeavored to take the
life Of Henry HAYES to night was the
supposed murderer of his wife and
twenty. year-old daughter. The body Of
tho daughter was found about week
ago, in pond, with her throat cut and
weights attached to her limbs. Sus-
piciou at first attached to a negro who
had been seen in the vicinity, but he
proved his innocence. Later it was
discovered that the wife Of Halves was
also missing, and a search failed to reveal
her whereabouts. A few days ago it
was said Halves was aoout to leave the
country with another woman, with whom
he had been suspected of being on
intimate terms, aud he was arrested and
placed in Jail. From this time sus.
piciou was directed to Halves, and threats
Of lynching him on the slightest proof Of
bis guilt have been made. The finding
Of the body Of his wife to day inflamcd
the public mind, and the attack Of the
mob on the Jail was the result.
Although there is nothing but circum.
stantial evidence against him, it all points
strongly to bis guilt. 1t is said tonight
that another child Of his has disappeared.
It is feared it has been murdered like
the wife and Oldest daughter.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Dec. "a spec.
ial to the American from Birmingham,
Ala, says: A. ll:30 P. M. mob made
an attack on tho JAIL. As they ap.
preached the alley way leading to the
Jail, the officers inside called on them to
halt, when they did not do, and the oa-
GERS fred With Winchesters and pistols.
The firing was terrific for fifteen minutes
on both sides. None of the officers were
injured but over twenty Of the mob were
killed and wounded. Among the
wounded is NJ. B. Throckmorton, post
Of Birmingham, who was endeavorins to
persuade the mob to dispense. Adolph
Shieb, Of the louisville and Nashville
railroad, was also fatally wounded in the
neck. The patrol wagon carted off the
dead and wounded to the hospital. Ow.
ing to the lateness of the hour, is is not
possible to obtain the names of all the
killed and wounded.
The firing was begun by the police,
but equally as many shots were fred BY
the mob. Over 500 rounds were fired.
The zouaves and guard are now in DOS
session of all the streets leading to the Jail.
Inside the Jail the bullets fred by the
mob whistled around those confined there
and your correspondent was on the inside
and bullets whis,led within an inch of
his head. Sheriff Smith gave the order
to FIRE. No fu.her attack is anticipated.
A desultory fire was kept up for half au
hour. lie was Indifferent throughout
the riot.
ST. Louis, Dec. "a Republic
special from Birmingham, Ala, dated
2:l5 A. M says: The scene here since
the shooting down Of innocent citizens
cannot be pictured. The citizens are
utterly dumbfounded at the terrible out
come Of the affair, and Sheriff Smith is
strongly censured for his hasty action.
1t has just been reported that the post
master is dead. aud the people say they
are in favor Of law, but c,nnot see their
best citizens shot down 10 this way with.
out protecting them. There are fully
$4,000 people congregated on the streets
and further trouble is probable.
The prisoner, Halves, was just seen in
Jail. He said: eyes, l know what the
shooting meant. The crowd wanted nv
life, and they can have it, HAYES Is
outwardly unconcerned.
Halves still asserts bis innocence of the
crime Of which he is charged. Two
military companies are now guarding the
Jail.
At 8 A. NJ. Halves was growing ner.
vous, aud to reporter said: "Let them
kill me if they will. l have nothing
now to live for, but l swear am limo.
cent, and l must, however, thank the
officers for protecting me as they did"
"What did you think while the shoot.
Jog was going on?" be was asked.
"That / was as willing to die that way