Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-31
BLOODSHED AT BROOESIDE Deputy Sheriff Wood Killed in a
 Pitched Battle.
ANOTHER DEPUTY WOUNDED.
The Trouble Was Preciptated By Turoalent Negroes Who Had Made Murderous
 Threats-Great Excitement.

Brookside, July 30-(Special)- Sheriff Arthur T. Wood was shot and in- stantly killed here tonight by several negroes whom he and two other deputies, J. T. Baxter and Ennis Harris had noti- fled to leave the houses then occupied by themselves.
 From the best information to be had it seems that three negroes named Jenk- ins. Jim Bridges, Wade Brockton and several other negroes had made threats against various officials and deputies here, and it was for this they had been ordered off the property. My informa- tin is that this morning G. o. Harris, boss driver, and Will Jenkins, colored driver had a quarrel About o'clock this evening the quarrel was renewed between them and Jenkins went off and got gun and started towards Harris. Superintendent Culverhouse made him go back, Ind later Harris and Jenkins came together and the latter was horse whipped by Harris This aroused the negro and his friends, and they made threats against officers and deputies.
 Deputy Sheriffs Wood and Baxter and Harris then went to order them away. AS they approached the negro quarters they were confronted by Jenkins and Bridges Brockton and others, who called
 
 fire upon them, some with Winchesters and others with pistols. Before the fir ing ceased at least 800 shots had been ex- changed between the deputies and ne- groes. The negroes barricaded them selves in a deep ditch and as fast as they could fire they would drop to the ground, thus concealing themselves from the officers. The three brave officers emptied their guns. C. Harris had gone back for ammunition and endorsements, bun one piercing his heart and the other en- tering his forehead just between his eyes and coming out at the back of his head. After falling to the ground Wood rose up on his elbows and told Baxter. who re- mained by his side, to go for help, and he then sank back and was dead.
 Baxter had received wound in his right leg the ball entering just above his ankle. producing only flesh wound BaX- ter started Into the Jenkins house, when the women yelled to him that no men were there, at the same time firing upon him. By this time the negroes had Bax- ter almost surrounded and in another minute any assistance for him would have been out of the question: However, he managed to pass between their line and sought refuge at the station.
 The negroes fled immediately after the shooting, going in various directions, but two of them, Albert Jenkins and George Hill, have since been arrested, and are in the custody of the officers. Indignation at the outrageous affair was at high pitch, and but for the pleading of officers Jenkins would have been strung up. A dozen or more enraged men took him to nearby tree and with a rope around his neck were in the act of swinging him up when the officers interposed. He was taken back to where Hill was confined and these two have since been watched with all the vigilence of the faithful offi- cials.
 Both Hill and Jenkins deny any connec- 'tion with the shooting, but Baxter and others have identified both as partici- pants. Baxter says Hill was the last man that shot at him.
 Tonight excitement over the affair is intense, and further trouble is not un- expected. All sorts of rumors are afloat, some of which are to the effect that a large squad of negroes have been seen heavily armed, and that squads of from two to half dozen negroes have been seen at various places near here.
 A score or more brave deputies under Sheriff Morrow, who came out tonight, are on watch and it is improbable that any further trouble will occur.
 As soon as the fight was over Sheriff Morrow was telephoned to come and bring a good force of deputies He left Birmingham at 10:45 on the Southern train, with Deputies B. A. Thompson. M. T. Stratford, John Howell, Henry Cole,
 
 bins. F. W. Smith, Albert Stratford, George Roebuck, Andy Long, Ed Town send and three newspaper reporters
 When we arrivedshere everything was quiet and is quiet now q a. m.), though the negroes are now believed by some to De organizing.
 Mrs. Wood. wife of the dead deputy, was prostrated at the news of his death, and is now in critical condition.
 The officer was on the Birmingham police force several years, sheriff of Tal- ladega county two terms and a braver officer never lived.
 Four negroes are reported killed, but this is not confirmed Their bodies have not been found. w. d. B.
 Later Details--2 a. m.
 Ten or twelve negroes have been ar rested who were implicated in the shoot ing. and the deputies are after more
 Bob Smith, negro, was found at cabin here shot through the leg and is not able to be moved. He is not in a condition to be moved.
 All is quiet at this hour e o'clock) and no further trouble is expected.