The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-31
THOUGHT HE WAS STALLS.
Eddie Harris Killed for Policeman
YeTe'S Murderer.

Policeman James Mcguire Attempted
to Arrest Him Near the Montgomery
Cross Roads-Earris Drew a Pistol
and Was KiIled-The Police on His
Trail for Weeks - He Resembled
smalls closely and Acted Very sus-
piciously.
Eddie Davis alias Eddie Harris, was
shot and killed by Policeman James
Mcclure in front Of Craie's store on the
Bee road. near the Montgomery cross
roads. about eight miles south of the city
yesterday afternoon.
The man killed was supposed to be Abe
Smalls, the murderer of Policeman Neve,
and may yet prove to be Smals. All the
evidence now goes TO show, however, that
the dead man was Harris or Davis.
He bears very close resemblance to
Smalls and was evidently a desperate
character. He had been acting in a very
suspicious manner and the police had
been on his track for several weeks,
having received positive Information, as
they thought that he was Smalls He
was very wary, and yesterdy was the
first time he had been come at by an OIL
Ger. The result was fatal to him.
SAW THE FUGITIVE N THE ROAD.
Policeman Mcclure had been lying in
wait for the fugitive since Sunday night.
He came upon him yesterday afternoon
by the roadside. talking with a woman.
Mcclure levclled his Winchester and
called upon him TO throw up his hands
Instead Of doing So. ne drew pistol and
darted for q tree, at the same time point
ing the pistol towards Mcclure, who was
about fifteen yar,s away. Mcclure
fired, the ball striking Harris
in the right side. The latter fell and
died in about two minutes without speak
ing. The pistol Few from his hands as
he fell. The woman, who had started to
leave before Mcguire appeared. ran back
at the sound Of the shot ana started to
pick up her lovers pistol. Mcclure
turned his Winchester upon her, how
ever, and stopped her.
SURE he had KILLED sMALLs.
A small crowd of negroes, gathered at
tracted by the shooting but refused
to lend the officer any assistance, and
he was compelled to leave the body and
go of in search of a wagon with which to
bring it to town. Mcclure was firmly
satisfied, at the time, that he had killed
Smalis.
Mcclure made his way to the convict
camp, about mile away, where he got
d " tl1Ou anu CdlIt On 10 ttNu. ne re-
ported the killing at the police barracks
and afterwards to Coroner Dixon, with
whom he returned to the scene.
On the way back his Winchester rifle,
which he had laid in the bottom of the
wagon was lost. 1t is supposed to have
been jolted out Of the wagon. Fortu-
nately Mcclure had his pistol with him
The negroes had been making threats of
violence against him and it was well for
him that he was armed
THE REPORT OF THE KILLING
The news that .Smalls had been killed
spread rapidly throughout the city and
was received with general expressions of
satisfaction. When a little later the re-
port was circulated that it was doubtful
if the man killed was Smalls there was
general anxiety to learn the truth of the
matter and constant stream of callers
seeking information poured into the po-
lice barracks up to late hour last night.
A MORNING NEWS reporter was at the
barracks when Policeman Mcclure ar
rived, and learned from him the full story
OF she killing and the circumstances lead
ing up to it. The police were mott
fed nearly month ago that Abe
Smalls was in hiding in the
swamps near the Montgomery cross
roads. Several efforts were made TO To-
cate him, and parties of police We're sent
out to search the neighborhood AT night
resulted IN nothing, however.
sMALLs' HIDING PLACE.
Among the houses raided on one occa-
sion was that OF Ben Harris, who claims
to be the father of the dead man. on the
Waters road. The police was almost GER
tain on this occasion that Smalls was in
the house, and were disappointed when
they failed TO find him.
The negroes in the neighborhOod hay
hEn al ~
tc adopt other tactics. A young man who
IS familiar with the neigh5orhoOd voun-
teered his services and when out with the
aYoWed intention of bringing In Smalls
or dying in the attempt. He hid in the
nelghborhood of Craig store for several
days AMI saw the man who was believed
TO be SmallS twice, at a distance The man
carried q Winchester rifle On each occa-
sion and moved in cautious and sus-
plc1ous manner. The negroes in the neigh
borhood became aware Of the gentleman's
presence, and he decided that it was use
less TO continue his search.
CERTAIN sMALLs WAS THERE.
Detective Hanley was convinced more
than ever that the man in hiding near the
Montgomery crossroads was Smalls. and
had Mounted Officer Mcclure detailed to
make the arrest. Mcclure was one of
The party that captured March Walker
In Bryan county, and has a reputation as
q brave and cool young officer
Mcclure left the city in a buggy with a
friend Sunday night at 10 o'clock in a
pouring rain 1t was after midnight
when they reached thir destination. Nc
Guire was left in a secure hiding place
and his friend returned to the city.
Mcclure did not see his man until Tues
day morning when he saw him coming
up the road through the woods to CraiR's
store. The negro proceeded very slowly
and cautiously. He did not come up to
the store, but stopped behind a tree some
distance away, where he waited for some
time He then turned of into the woods
again, and about five minutes later a rife
shot was heard. This is supposed to have
been signal, as the woman, Sarah
Thompson, who was known 10 be Harris
or Smalls mistress left the house and
went in the direction taken by harris.
KEPT ON THE WATCH.
Mcguire remained at his post. out did
not see Harris again until yesterday
morning, when he saw him coming up the
road as before. He was holder this time,
though he did not have his rife with him.
lie came up to Craig's house and stood
leaning over the picket fence for some
time. The Thompson woman came out
and she and Harris talked together