The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-07
CRIME IN BIRMINGHAM, ALA.
The Laws Delays Furnish Cause for
the Attempt to Lynch Halves

The crime OF which Dick Halves is ac-
cused separate and alone from other
crimes would not have provoked the ad.
vance on the jail on that fatal Saturday
night which met with such a bloody re-
pulse. Many bloody crimes have recently
been committed in this city and section,
and the rude gallows in the Jail yard has
been used only once since it was erected
in December, 1887, and il was built for
the second legal execution in the county.
A series Of tenibly brutal and revolving
crimes began in this section in May, 1887,
and for one OF the principals in that affair
the gallows in the Jail yard was erected.
That crime was the murder at Pratt mines
Of an old negro convict named Cash Nose
ley. He mas murdered down in the dark
recesses OF the mino by three fellow con-
victs, George Williams, Nathan Collins
and John Wilson. They all confessed the
crime, and admitted they killed Moseley
for n small sum OF money which he had
earned by working extra time. They were
all tried and condemned 20 death. Nathan
Collins died in prison before the day OF
execution. George Williams was hanged
last December, aud John Wilson is still in
Jail awaiting the result Of an appeal to the
Supreme Court.
While few OF the perpetrators OF foul
crimes in this community have been
promptly punished there have been many
trials which were travcsty on justice and
naturally aroused feeling Of distrust in
juries which could only be checked by a
storm OF lead, as was done on that fatal
Saturday night when the crowd. advanc-
ing on the jail, were fired ON by Sheriff
smith and his deputies.
Last January the city was shocked by
the cowardly and brutal murder OF John
Leslie. popular young lumber merchant.
For three or four years before his death
Leslie had been living with young woman
known rs Sallie Boyd, and Il was nj her
house that he was murdered. He was lying
ON the floor In front Of the fire, and some
one sicalthily approached, entered the
room and shot him twice through the
head. Sallie Boyd and her nephew, u
wild young man named Ben Smith. were
arrested, charged with the crime. Smith
soon broke down aud confessed the crime.
lie said Sallic Boyd had planned the
murder and gave him the pistol with
which the deed was committed Last
August Sallie BOYD was tried on a
charge Of murder. Ben smith went
on the witness stand, and told the same
story rs he did at his frs, confession. The
corroboaling testimony was OF the strong.
est character, but the fair prisoner shed n
few tears at proper intervals, her lawyers
used her beauty for all IL was worth In
their argument and the Jury. after being
out about thirty minutes, brought IN yer.
diet OF not guilty. Zen Smith, the self
confessed murderer, has never had trial.
Joe Bycrs. colored, has been prisoner
In the county Jail for nearly two years on a
charge Of murder. JOe's vile had wan.
dcrcd from the straight and narrow path
Of virtue and ceased TO love, honorand obey
him. One morning he found her on a
train bound for Atlanta, and by her side
was John Boyd, cclorcd Lothario. Byers
advanced toward the couple with an open
knife, and Boyd ran into the baggage car.
Byers pursued, and oycriaking him
plunged the knife TO his heart, killing him
instantly. The baggage master aud flag.
man were the only witnesses Of the crime.
aud IL Is doubtful IL either one Of them
could be found today. 10 Joe stands an OK.
cellcnt chance Of going Tree.
A year ago last summer John Rickles, a
mining agent, was walking along the main
street OF Irondale, little town six miles
from this city. Suddenly John T. Max
well stepped from store with a double
barrel shotgun. lie fired the contents OF
both barrels into Reckless back and then,
10 make sure OF his deadly work, walked
up Ia the fallen man, placed pistol 10 his
tomple and shot his brains out After a
brief confinement In jail Maxwell was TO.
leased ON a bond OF $1,000, and soon after
was appointed a deputy sheriff. which po-
sition lac held Tor several months lie was
never tried Tor killing Reckless
Some three years ago Carter Jones, an
engineer ON the Louisville 4 Nashville
Railroad, shot and killed q negro for some
slight provocation. His bond WIS fixed nj
5000, and Carter Is still running an en-.
ginc on the same road Tho absence of
Important witnesses or other reasons cause
his trial 10 be- continued from term 10 term
OF court.
In cell at the county jail, separate and
apart from other prisoners, II Mahaloy
liurkley, n mulatto woman. II Il two
years or more since Mahalcy, with good
sharp razor, carved for herself the proud
title Of Queen Of Bnyzard's ROost. "
Through many hard fought and bloody
conflicts she maintained her right 90 the
title, and no dance In the RoOst was a
complete success, unless some ono was
carried away bleeding from q wound
made by Mahalcy with her little razor.
one night. about year ago, the police
heard n shot at Mahalcy's cabin and when
they arrived they found n dead negro, a
smoking pistol under the bed aud tho
Queen Of the Roost" fleeing away In the
darkness. Waiting the result OF an an.
peal 10 the Supreme Court aud n motion
Tor change Of venue Is the present status
OF Mahaloys case.
Dozens Of cases OF less alrocious crimes
could be cited whore there has been great
delay In the trial OF the accused. Only a
few DAYS before the discovery Of iho
lIawes murder mystery John Williams, A
young man about town, was acquitted, on
the plea Of inA.aity Of one Of the most
brutal and oowardly murders ever com.
mittcd In the city.
II Ii not 10 10 wondered at tina, the
public had little or no confidence In tho
majesty of the law. Some ilendish crime
like the HAYES murders was all that was
needed 10 bring about an outbreak OF
popular indignation.
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Shang Noe, a Chinese giant, eight ieel
IA a IA