The age-herald., 1900-04-27
ANOTHER VICTIM
 OF THE ASSASSIN Body of John H. Murphy Found on Outskirts of City. EVIDENCE OF A STRUGGLE Was well-to-Do Farmer from Pinson- Robbery Was the Motive of the
 Crime--The Coroner's
 Investigation.
EVIDENCE OF A STRUGGLE

The midnight assassin continues to stalk abroad upon the practically unpoliced streets of Birmingham.
 Earlv yesterday morning the body of John H. Murphy, a well-to-do farmer re- siding on Turkey creek, near Pinson, in the northern part of the county, was found at the corner of Fifth avenue and Thir- tieth street with his head crushed and evil dences of a terrible struggle having taken place between the victim and his mur- derer, whose motive was undoubtedly rob bery.
 The terrible discovery was made by negro boy who reported the matter to the police, and Mounted Officer J. r. MeDaniei was hastily sent to the scene.
 The unfortunate farmer was found lying face downward in a pool of blood.-He was neatly dressed, although his clothes were besmeared with his own blood, which fur nished additional evidence of the desperate struggle unto death When the body was turned over several ghastly wounds were found upon the face, evidently made by sharp instrument. Beneath the body was found a knife, which was identified as the dead mans property.
 Coroner Investigating
 Coroner Dallas was notified and the body was removed to the undertaking rooms of the Warner-Smiley company, where an in vestigation was begun.
 An examination of the body was made by Dr. Rittenberry, who stated that the wounds had been made by sharp instru- ment and from their depth it was evident that the blows had been delivered with terrible force and leverage, leading to the conclusion that a hatchet or cleaver had been employed in the -dastardly work.
 Little light was thrown upon the mys- tery up to the time of adjournment, ex- cept that three negroes, Carrie Seaborn, Lula Wright and Doc Amos. who saw Murphy between 8 and 9 o'clock Wednes- day night as he was leaving saloon at the corner of Second avenue and Twenty sixth street, were at the instance of the coroner held as material witnesses and locked up in the county jail
 A Terrible struggle
 A close examination of the place where the body was found revealed strong evil dence of a struggle For some distance around the exact spot where the body of the unfortunate man was found footprints ana DlooQ were III eVl- dence. One of the dead mans teeth was also found close by. The struggle could be traced for a distance of seventy-five yards at several points it being clearly evident that the fighting had been fierce. Near the place is pond or mire created by the recent rains and on the edge of the swamp it appears that the struggle termi- mated, although the body was found lying some distance further on, where it had evidently been dragged by the murderer.
 Murphy's Movements Murphy came to the city early Wednes- times during the day. He drove double team and stopped at several places during the morning, where he was accustomed to go when in the city. At o'clock in the afternoon he was seen at the Mecca saloon, and between and o'clock came out of the saloon at the cor nor of Second avenue and Twenty-seventh | street. this fact having been reported by I the negroes who are held as witnesses. It is believed that robbery was the mo- tive of the crime. and the police depart | ment is at work on the case The coroner's | investigation will be resumed this morn- l ing. Murphy was about 35 years of age and l leaves wife and six children. He was a splendid specimen of physical manhood, | son was implicated in the crime.