The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-24
BULLET DROPPED A BURGLAR.
FIRED BY DEFECTIVE GARRITY
AS THE RoBBER HURLED \ CLUB.


Joe Hamilton shot While Climbing
Into a window of Fawcett fiji Co.'s
store-HiS Wound Likely to Prove
FatnI-AnOther Negro With Hamil-
ton But Decentralization Taken
to the Georgia InfirmRry - He Is
Supposed to he the Leader of a
Gang of Burglars.
While clinging to high platform upon
which he had climbed TO enter the store
of Alex r. Fawcett Co, at
Bay and jefferson streets, about 10
O'Clock last night, Joe Hamilton, a negro
aged q years, was shot by Detective ],
J. Clarity. crouched in the darkness be-
low and at whom the negro threw some
heavy object when ordered to come down
When wounded he surrendered and asked
the officer not TO shoot again
The negro was caught at one of series
of burglaries he has been committing at
Fawcetts store. Others are supposed to
have been implicated, one Of whom was
with him in the attempt TO break into the
place last night, but managed 80 escape
after one of the two shots was fired by the
officer.
1t was known that the store was being
robbed, as the firm has been missing
trucks, three having been taken during
the last few weeks. Nothing of value
could be missed, however, though -four and
other things could have been taken. a few
sacks at a time, without being noticed.
Since the things were apparently being
aol- Co. Il
10 place the matter with the detectives
and let them work 1t out.
Chief McDermott arranged for Detective
Clarity to watch the store. There are a
number Of places where the officer could
post himself. but desiring to get near
where 1t was thought an entrance would
be attempted, he hid in an alley way lead
ing from the Bay to River street On the
west side of the store is a platform or
stairway leading to a door, and also passes
the windows. It has not been used for
some time, however, and for this reason
was closed with strips. Beneath
the platform the officer lay, waiting for
developments. Shortly before the shoot
ing Hamilton and another negro appeared
and scaling the edge of the structure by
holding to the strips. both managed to
get to the window at which they intend
ed to enter
Detective Clarity remained quiet while
this was going on, intending to wait I'M
til the men were possibly Gagged before
he made his presence known to them.
Hamilton had one foot extended over the
window sill when the officer called from
his dark corner for them TO 80 no far
Their. They could not see him, and he
only got bare glimpse OF them on ac-
count of white shirts they wore. No
e~fxra 1,,k
Spouse to il, one of the negroes hurled
something in the direction from which
the officers voice came. This was con-
eidered provocation enough, and aiming
his revolver toward the men Clarity fired
two shots in quick succession.
The response to the shots were Hamil-
tons voice. saying he would come down If
spared. The other negro scooted, how
ever, and got away. Hamilton came
down slowly, but was watched by the Of
ficer, as he feared the negro might be
''possuming," and when safely on the
ground, would attempt to escape. When
he reached the ground he was groaning
and said he was shot. He was led TO the
store front on Bay street, where he fell
to the ground, saying he was too weak
to stand longer An ambulance was call
ed and the negro was taken to the Office
of Dr. r. @. Norton, at OEiethorpe avenue
and Jefferson street, where tho bullet in
his left side probed for and his
wounds were ligated. lie was then sent
TO the Georgia Infrmsry in a critical con-
dition. Dr. Norton stated he thought the
wound would prove fatal.
Chief McDermott is satisfied Hamilton
and his companions are part Of a gang
of burglars who have been systematically
operating along the north side of the Bay
some time. Not long ago an attempt was
made by thieves to enter the grain and
reed store OF T. J. Davis. but the effort
failed Hamilton and his pal evidently
watched the policeman on the Bay street
decision and made no attempt to enter
Fawcetts until he was out OF the way.
1t is believed the burSlaries heretofore
have been by going in at the window where
Hamilton was shot, loading a truck at
one of the lower doors and then rolling
the stuff away on it,
The catch was a good one for Detective
Clarity, who has been doing police duty
all along, except when specially detailed
TO detective work by Chief McDermott
Since he has shown ability In carving
out alone the instructions given him, he
will doubtless be considered when addi-
lions are made 10 the detective force.