Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-02
And a Widow and Eight Children
 Are Mourners.
PRATT CITY TRAGEDY
Paddle Wallace Killed in a Bar room-Will Blount and John
 Mckay Held for Ills Death.

There was no urder committed last night at Pratt City about 6 o'clock, and the vic- tim was the father of eight children, while the murderer is young man of 2S, and only married six months ago.
 From what could be learned from the few people that were in the place at the time the following story was learned:
 Paddle Wallace was a miner, and worked regularly at the mines. Going home at night through the city, he usually stopped in at MT. Oram's saloon and took glass of beer. Last night he was going home as usual and stopped in the saloon to get his beer. When he went in Will Blount and John Mckay were there and seemed to be drinking. Wallace went up to the bar and called for his beer, and at that time Mckay called him and they both stepped aside and several words were passed between them the nature of which the bartender did not know, but remembered hearing Me- Kay say, "D-n you, will just kill you; then take care of your family.' They separated then, and both walked to opposite ends of the counter. Blount was standing nearest to Wallace and said something to Wallace about buy ing him 8 glass of beer. Several words were passed between the two, both seem- ing to be angry, but the bartender said he paid no attention to what they said, but picked up the money Wallace laid on the counter and turned to make the change. When he did so he heard pistol fire. He turned just as Wallace fell with groan to the floor. He saw no revolver, nor did he see who fired the shot, but as the man fell Blount turned, walked to the rear Of the saloon, sat down, filled and lighted his pipe and deliberately arose and walked out without even looking at the dead man. Mckay remained in the barroom, and neither did he pay any attention to the murdered man.
 Soon a crowd gathered, and City Mar shal Phillips was sent for, he being at that time in the other part of the city. He came immediately, and after hearing the story as related above put Mckay under arrest. He stoutly protested his innocence, and even said he didn' knowWho fired the shot. MT. Phillips at once swore out warrant for Blount's arrest and started out for his home, one mile and half distant. He got there and found Bount seated at the fire with his young wife and his brother. MT. Phillips read the warrant and hand cuffed his man, Blount's wife all the time saying, "Oh, Billie, knew something was wrong when you came home. What made you do it?'' The prisoner all the time kept silent and was sullen, ot once denying the charge, but said, "All right, Frank, 1 will go with you.3
 He was taken to the scene of the crime, but showed no emotion when viewing the remains. He and Mckay were then taken to the city Dall ana kept untll the Lraln came in at o'clock.
 While at the city hall an AGE-HERALD reporter asked Blount what he knew about the crime, and tben for the first time he spoke about it. He said ''I don't know anything about it. l didn't know he was shot until was arrested. l don't know anything about it. am not guilty and can prove it,
 Mckay protests stoutly his innocence, but refused to say if he saw the shot fired or not. He is small man, 2S years old, and is lately from Scotland.
 The affair has caused great deal of talk and threats of lynching were heard on all sides, and but for the cool way Mir. Phil lips goes about things and his haste in get ting them away they would most likely have been lynched.
 The murdered man has been living at Pratt City for years and was known by all to be quiet, easy going, hard working man, and is very small of stature. He was about 40 years old and leaves a wife and 13 years of age.
 Blount is also a miner and was lately married in Pratt City. Since that time he has been getting on periodical sprees, so 1t is said, in company with his friend, Mo- Kay, but both have always been thought well of, as their only fault seemed to be their drinking.
 The two men were brought to the city last night and lodged safely in jail. The remains of Wallace were carried to his home, where the inquest will be held this morning and evidence in the case taken.
 MT. Phillips has the names of several eye witnesses whom he will arrest today. They had left when he went in the saloon last