The age-herald., 1897-08-06
 SECOND EDITION. ~s---=--~--~~----------@- WEBB'S DEATH 4 MYSTERY
  Coroner's Jury Inclined to the. Murder Theory : ,. OFFICERS DROP THE CASE. Believing Death Was tecldentaI-Jury to Meet Again Mondsy-Statement From Re- ;
 ts gents of the White Shield.
OFFICERS DROP THE CASE

in th- hot water vat at Sl0ss furnace, remains as deep as evsr.
 The coroner's jury met again yester- day morning at Miller & Co.'S undertake ing establishment on Third avenue. Only one witness was heard. Dr. Gillsspis made the following statement: N
 My name is J. S. Gillespie, am prac- ticing physician and also county physis elan. I held an autopsy on MT. J. A Webb on Aug. 4, 1897. I found on exter- nal examination some marks about the neck:sa upsrficial bruis- upon the fore head over the right eye. On opening the chest I found the right lung free. On opening the lungs I found water in them, and also found in the plural cav ity on the lift side considerable water, probably coming from the injury to the lungs in making the post mortem. | found no external injuries sufficient to produce death. It Is my opinion that the man was not dead when he fell over or was thrown in the pool of water If hs had been dead he would not have in-. haled water in his lungs I do not think the bruise on the forehead sufficient to cause inconsistencies.
 The jury was not satisfied with this evidence that death was accidental. and insisted on a thorough investigation. They are said to incline to the theory of foul play.
 After Dr. Gillespie's statement was heard the inquest was adjourned until Monday morning, at 10 o'clock.
 Contrary Evidence
 When Webb's lungs were taken out | "Wednesday morning the statement was made that there was no water found in them.
 MT. Will Leslie, the embalmer at Miller x Co.'S establishment, stated that he was present during the autopsy, and that no water was found.
 According to Dr. Gillespie's statement yesterday, there was water found in the lungs.
 Notwithstanding this testimony, it is said that Coroner Burllhalter and the jury believe murder was committed The impression is gaining ground that death was not due to foul play however, but that Webb fell into the vat nd was scald- ed to death
 The actions of Webb on the fatal night as traced by an Age-Herald reporter have been verified by the officers woi king on the case. It is believed that Webb fell l into the vat while sitting on the edge of the wall.
 The remains of the unfortunate man were shipped to Atlanta yesterday morn- ing for interment. = THEY'RE STILL UNDAUNTED. = On account of the prominence given the -Regerlts of the White Shield by the oc- lcurrence, 1t was deemed advisable to is- sue a statement which is as follows: < White shields Statement
 2 Tn the several articles appearing in ~the daily press relative to the death of MT. J. A. Webb by the prominence given ito his membership in Washington Con clave No. 1, Regents of the White Shield, and the suggestion that his death was possibly due to his membership in that organization, We think an injustice has unintentionally be-n done to the cob ored citizens of Birmingham as we'll as the order universal.
 , The facts are that MT. Webb had only belonged to the order two months, held no office position in it, took no active part in it's delibsrations, and was in no sense, a prominent or conspicuous mem ber Right here we wish to state that the requirements of membership in the Regents of the White Shield call for as high an order of sober. industrious and moral character as that of any other secret society; although, if the press statements of his last nights conduct are true, we are mistaken in our judg- smsnt, and can only draw th= mantle of charity over his human weakness, let ting his faults be buried with his body, while keeping his virtues forever en- shrined in our hearts,
 Our duty to the dead and our o5liga- tions to the living have all been faith- fully discharged, ard reed no other men, tion here; but the intima'fon of his death being directly caused by ensmies of hne order induces the declaration of the be- lief that ,uhis presumption is untrue and ] unjus. to Ghe great majority of negroes, ] for the rason that the Regents of the ! White Shield is emphatically a lawful, 1 pali yic order, devoted 70 the protec ion ! of iLs members and their families, md to [ ths irculcait4on and practice of broad and r liberal philanthropy. every member being I as firmly bOuEd to ald in pro ,ecting the ; negro. in his proper riGfis, as to ss.st ir z defending our own. and the only thing upon winch the idea could be based is that ths order is uncompromsngly i pledged to upheld and maintlbn the su- 2 premacy of the Caucasian race. Yet in . this reSpec- we are hardly moro pro- rounced in our views than ihe able edi- torials in i.bs Age-Herald and Birming- ham News of yesterday. Again, if such deed had been committed, for the req son assigned, 1t seems altogether pfollJa- ble that soilss more prominent member officer or leading spirit of ehe order would have been the victim And yet |. is an essta blshed faot that the most prom inent Regents and whit citizens, who hold to 'the supremacy of their race ss and rhighest in lhe respect and esteem of col 2 ored ns-sh and women.
 Howevsr should the result of the thor , opgh investigation now taking place. show that We are mistaken in this sur mise, and that he was murdered on ac- count of his principles, or foully dealt with for any other cause. we will dc everything legally within our power t,, bring about the arrest. conviction and i .iSlmeft of the TafJ,pt tf,-S if t,,n