Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-07
 THE LATEST ALABAMA NEWS Highwaymen Stole $2OOO of
 Covington County Funds 5. FROM THE TAX COLLECTOR The Suprsme Court Met Yesterday and Hand- ed Down an Important DeciSon-First
 Division Docket Taken Up.

Montgomery, April 6.-(Special)- Collector Woodham of Covington county came to this city this morning and an- nounced to the governor that on Satur-s day last his brother, who is likewise his deputy, was robbed of $2000 of the coun- tvs money. The tax collector says that certain nonresident corporations that own property in Covington had sent him checks in payment of their state and county taxes, and he had deposited them in Josiah Morris & Co.'s bank in this city for collection. Subsequently he needed the county's part of the money in order to make a settlement with the county treasurer, and telegraphed to the bank to send $2000 by express to Searight, the nearest express office. The tax collector sent his brother to Searight on Saturday to collect the money and to bring 1t to Andalusa, the county site fifteen miles distant. The package was opened in the express office and the package of money was counted over by the deputy and by the agent. At the time there were sev- eral gentlemen present whom the deputy collector knew and three or four others whom he did not know. After giving thd express agent receipt for the money, the deputy started for home in Andalu- sia in a buggy with friend who was going to that place. After they had pro- gressed some distance, and as they came to a piece of dense woodland, three men with sacks over their heads emerged from behind some large trees, and, point ing three guns at the heads of the occu- pants, demanded that they hand over all of the money they had. Woodham and his friend argued the proposition for few moments, but, realizing that the men were in earnest and appreciating the fact that they were entirely at the mercy of the highwaymen, they graciouSly yielded up the 5000 of the states money and $65 or $70 of their own funds. The robbers then commanded them to drive on, which they did without any further debate Woodham and his companion drove to Andalusia and informed the sheriff of the facts. A party went without delay to the place at which the robbery was com mitted and found several of the paper bands that had held the $500 packages of money and also a purse in which the deputy's private funds were kept, but no other trace of the robbers was found, it being impossible to track them through the dense woods. go
 The state is not loser by the robbery. Its part of the funds deposited are still intact in the Morris bank. It is believed that the county will not hold MT. Wood ham liable for the loss, as the money was taken through no fault or shortcoming of his nor of his deputy. Prominent at torneys here do not believe that the courts of the state would hold him liable in the matter.
 Supreme Court in Session.
 The supreme court met today and took up the docket of the first division. There are several attorneys from the district already -here but most of them will ar rive tomorrow. The only decision rem dered today was the case of the state vs. Josephus lowers and John Edwards, from the circuit court of Fillmore county. This Is the sensational case in which the two ote oil to the house of a defenseless negro in Fillmore county last year about midnight, and, taking him into the woods, whipped him unmercifully and finally shot and killed him. -- These defendants were shown not to be the murderers. however. The decision of the lower court was af- firmed today, and the sentence of the defendants of ten years each was passed. Attorney-General Fitts prosecuted the case in all of the courts through which it has passed, and the conviction is quite victory for him, as 1t has been no easy task to secure testimony in the matter for the state. This is the first case since that of Vincent in which the attorney general has left the seat of government to prosecute a case for the state in an other county.
 Railway and Telegraph Assessment Board.
 There will be meeting here on Wednesday of the state board of railway and telegraph assessment, consisting Of the governor and his cabinet. A law passed by the last legislature makes 1t . necessary for those who desire to come before the board to be on hand when the board is ready for them, and it is gently intimated that the established policy of delaying and holding on for the conyen- fence of the officers of the various corpo- rations will be deviated from this year. year.
 Montgomery Brewery Sold.
 The property of the Montgomery Brew ing company was sold here today by the chancery court. The brewery proper brought $45,000 cash, and the personal property consisting of beer vehicles, live stock, etc., brought s8000 w. A. Gayle, as trustee for the stockholders, bought the property, and the business of the con- cern will be continued without interrup- tion. The plant cost originally $200.000.
 An Old Landmark Gone
 Hon. Augustus A. Smith, one of the pioneers of Montgomery. died here this morning in the 77th year of his age. De- ceased had been for fifteen years a con- firmed invalid, but for many years prior to that time he had conducted one of the most important wholesale grocery busi- nesses in the city. He leaves two daugh- ters Mrs. William Tatum and Mrs. John w. Ray. q
 A Negro and His Razor.
 Arthur Stinson, negro, mortally wounded his wife last night at their house in this city by cutting her about the head with a razor, and then made what is pros nounced by the attending physicians as a successful attempt to end his own life by,