The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-23
THRILLING ESCAPE
OF A HIGHWAYMAN
Relieved Officer Mcknight of
His Pistol and Horse.
STRATEGY WAS EMPLOYED
Brave Officer Made Desperate Effort
But Was Handicapped Occurred
Near Smithfield Where the
Negro Was Caught
STRATEGY WAS EMPLOYED

The most thrilling encounter ever expert
enced by an officer of the Birmingham po-
lice depar tment took place yesterday after
noon, when Mounted Officer Mcknight,
after a desperate struggle with negro
highwayman, was, at the point of his own
pistol forced to witness the escape of his
erstWhile prisoner, who rode away on the
officers horse.
Shortly before o'clock Warden Gourley
at the police station received a telephone
message to the effect that a negro man
had just been held up and robbed in broad
Daylight at Fourteenth street and First
avenue by three other negro men, asking
that help be sent Immediately to that
point.
Officers Mcknight and Nix responded to
the call and were soon on the scene Two
oil the robbers were corralled, officer Nix
taxing charge Of them and delivering them
up at police headquarters
line other negro, a large, heavy man,
weighing probably 1856 pounds broke away
and ran, Officer Mcknight quickly giving
chase. The negro went in the direction of
Smthfield, and it was in the woods out
near Smiths park that the officer came
upon him. The policeman Immediately or
oered tne negro to throw up his hands,
WhlGh he did, and thereupon ordered him to
pIG on the handouts which he had cast
down in front of him.
Officer Uismounted
Officer Mcknight then dismounted from
his horse and, throwing the bride rein
over his left arm, advanced boldly to the
negro footpad, meantime keeping The man
covered with his pistol.
The negro declared ne could not put the
nandcuffs on, and Mcknight put on one of
the ours, still having the bride on his arm
dhd was in the act of putting the other
Gun on the man, when the latter suddenly
snatched the weapon from the officers
nand and, Sprang upon him Mcknight is
MOI helVy man, and besides he was Sc
Verely handicapped by the bride on mis-
ieil arm. But, nevertheless, he grappled
WIeh his burly adversary one moment he
oeliS on Top and the next moment the ne
gro having the advantage. The two men
FoHed under the officers horse in their
struggle FOR supremacy and it is mir
s'vuious theut one of them was not kicked
by the animal
manly at an advantageous moment the
negro sprung up, and having the officers
pistol In his hand, he backed away from the
latter, covering him with the weapon the
Whie, ana, mounting the policemans horse
saHoped away. In an incredibly short
space of time the scene of the battle was
reached by other officers, Chief Austin
Odp'un Donaldson, Officers Cupepper and
falr coming up very early it is true but
100 iate TO render their brave comrade any
assistance, or to capture the negro with
Whom Officer Mcknight had so yaliantlv
struggled. These officers secured tha fo5n.
Try Tor miles around to apprehend the me-
gro, being augmented in their search by the
country people of the neighborhood but all
TO no purpose. Though the negro is now at
large, it is confidently felt by the officers
that his liberty will be short-ived.
Severely Bruised
officer Mcknight was severely bruised
about the body by the negro, and otherwise
internally hurt, though it is hoped not seri-
ously. After reaching the station he was
advised by his brother officers to go home
and go to bed for awhile, and this he did,
HE is one of the oldest men on the force
and one of the bravest, and it is common
saying around the station that when Nc
Knight goes after man. he has got to
come Had he not been seriously handicap
ped by his horses bride, there is no doubt
that Notwithstanding the disparity in the
size and weight of the men, the negro out
law would have spent last night at the
city prison.
The name of the desperate negro Is 'lIn-
known. The other two negroes gave their
names as Henry Mason and Will Jackson.
In his hurry to reach the scene of action,
Officer Culpepper, one of the party, lost his
horse blanket, which was found and re-
turned to the station by Officer Mcknight
Up to a late hour last night nothing had
been heard of the negro, although officers
were securing the suburbs and surrounding
county and messages had been sent to
every available point in the county
The horse on which the negro escaped Is
"Dixie," one of the department horses,
which has been in the service about two
years.