Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-24
MAJ. RAOF0RD OF PANAMA Will Most Likely Be Shot For
 Murder. IS HE JUDGE RANDOLPH :? Description of the Two Men Tally-The United States Consul-6eneral at Panama Writes About It.

Montgomery. Nov. 23.-(Special)-Sev- eral months ago the Journal printed a story about Judge Randolph, who 1t will be remembered disappeared last spring, after the announcement of his defalca- ton in the probate office for a large amount. had committed murder in South America, and was in prison. The story was doubted by many of Judge Randolph's friends here, and the editor of the Journal wrote to the United States consul at Panama asking for informa- tfon. The consul replied as follows:
 Consolate-General of the United States.
 Panama. Nov. z, 1895. Montgomery Journal, Montgomery, Ala
 Sir: In answer to yours of October 19, last. will say that you are correctly in formed, and that one Charles Radford killed one Charles SimmondS at Cali, in the department of Cauca, Republic of Columbia. His trial is now taking place. l do not know whether this Radford is your Judge Randolph l understand that his family lives in Montgomery.
 The description you give in your letter describes Major Radford, whom I saw here last March or April It is possible that Radford will be shot for his crime. He writes that he killed Simmonds in self defense, but this is doubted by all who know Simmonds here. Yours res pectfuly. VICTOR VILQUAIN,
 Consul General. Panama. Columbia, s: A, Nov z. 1895. Montgomery Journal, Montgomery:
 Your letter of October 19 making in- quiry about one Major Radford, who is charged at Cali, in the department of Cauca, with the murder of Charles Sim monds. German merchant of that place. to hand.
 It is a fact that Major Radford killed Simmonds, the killing taking place about the date named In the account which was published in your paper from the New York Herald.
 As to the identity of Major Radford with the absconding Judge Randolph am not able to say, but the prisoner reached this place some time last spring from the United States of North Amer ica and spent some time here before go- ing to Cali, where he made some invest ments and proposed to locate.
 While here Major Radford claimed to be a native of Virginia and made many friends among the citizens of the United States living here. His personal appear ance tallies with the description you give of Judge Randolph, whom you say left your city some time in Feb ruary or March last.
 Since the killing of Simmonds Radford has said that his home was in the city of Montgomery. Ala, and that he left his family in that city when he came to Colombia; and he has made an effort to obtain lawyer from Montgomery to
 
 This effort was fruitless, as no lawyer from the United States has yet arrived to defend him, and the trial Is now in progress at the place at which the kill ing occurred.
 Major Radford who Is apparently a lawyer, alleges self-defense as his de- fense on the trial, but the friends of Simmonds in this city do not think that this defense Is g. good one. and the evi- dence so far goes to show that Simmonds was quiet and inoffensive man, and was so old that he could have hardly provoked a quarrel which might have produced deadly. conflict.
 The penalty for murder In this country is death by shooting. and should the court find Judge Radford guilty. 1t Is most probable that that will be his fate, and 1t Is generally believed at this point that the court will find the prisoner guilty.
 Northern Alabama Railroad.
 Articles of incorporation of the North ern Alabama railway have been filed with the secretary of state. Among the incorporators are Robert F. Todd, Louis James Phelps of New York city: William D. Frishmuth of Pennsylvania. and R. T. Simpson and George F. Jones of Flor ence. Ala. Permission is given for the road to be run from Parish in Walker county. to Sheffield, through the counties of Walker, Winston, Marion, Colbert and Franklin. This means simply the reor- ganization of the old Birmingham, Shef- field and Tennessee River railroad by the bondholders. who recently purchased it at foreclosure sale.
 Counterfeiter Convicted.
 Several months ago southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia were flooded with ''aueer" coin. especially in the neighbor- hood of Columbus They were In 5 cent and 50 cent denominations. Captain For syth of the secret service. with head quarters in Atlanta. was detailed to look into the matter He investigated and arrested one Nicholas Ringer of Phenix City, Ala Some rnoulds of good capacity were found-in lis possession, the impres- sions from which corresponded with the spurious coin afoat. Ringer was convict ed of the crime today in the United States court.