The age-herald., 1901-04-01
Edward Morris and J. H bres- singham Fatally Hut ONE OF THE NEGROES KILLED Shooting Occurred at a Depot
 in Mobile THE MEN FOUGHT DESPERATELY Negroes Had Killed Guard and Fled from Turpentine Camp at Mon- roevilIe, Ala.-Hand to Hand
 Fight With Detectives.
THE MEN FOUGHT DESPERATELY

Mobile, March s1.-(special )--Chief of Detectives Edward Morris and Policeman John H. Bressingham were probably fatally hurt today while attempting to arrest two negroes named Davis and Kill patrick, who had escaped from a turpen- tine camp at Monroeville, Ala, some days ago after killing or badly injuring guard named Jones' The negroes were seen at the depot of the Mobile, Jackson and Kansas City Railroad and the police were notified. Chief Soost detailed De- tective Morris and Officer John H. Bress- ingham and Officer Edward J. McGrath to don citizens clothes, investigate the rumor, and arrest the suspicious charac- ters.
 A little later the officers named arrived | at the depot and found the two negroes | sitting on the platform eating crackers. Going up within few feet of the negroes the officer commanded them to throw up their hands. At the instant the words
 were spoken both negroes jumped to the |
 At that tine the negro Davis had his
 hand in the bosom of his shirt, and with
 out word of warning drew murderous
 revolver. which he had concealed, and
 began firing point blank at the officers
 It was fight to the death between him
 and Detective Morris, for that officer in- | simultaneously clutched the negro with one hand, while the other flashed a pistol quick as lightning stroke. and grap- bling together the men emptied their re- volvers into eeach others quivering flesh. Negro Sank to Ground. | Eventually the negro Davis sank to | the ground with the officer on top of him, although not until he had received seven wounds, three of which were mortal The men were so close together and | the pistol duel so rapid that 1t was near | ly a matter of impossibility for Officers McGrath and Bressingham to get in a | shot, although the latter officer received a wound in the abdomen at almost the | first fire.
 The second negro did not take any part | III tH6 SiOOtluS, Dul tOoh tO hio bcciS anu l for a time succeeded in making his es- cape.
 AS soon as possible after the desperate encounter the central police station was notified and the patrol wagon and city ambulance immediately repaired to the scene as fast as horse flesh could carry them, together with Chief Soost and a squad of officers.
 Dr. Goode was also notified and arrived a few minutes later to administer 70 the wounded men.
 At this time it was not known what part Fitzpatrick had taken in the tragedy. It was known that the negro had taken southerly course, and in less than half an hour Chief Sergeants Hart and Bar rett, Detective Lahan, Clerk Natale and Officers Boltz. Murray, Lacey, McGrath and Gilroy, assisted by Capt. Thomas Chamberlain of the Salvage corps and several deputies from the sheriffs office, were engaged in the man hunt. Other Negro Caught. About an hour later the negro Fitzpatrick was captured at the crossing of Govern ment street and Fulton road by Officers
 
 resistence when the officers came upon him and was unarmed. He was immedi- ately brought to the city and locked up in the police station.
 It is believed these negroes are the men who killed Marshal Richardson at Gulf port. Miss. some months ago.
 Fitzpatrick. however, denies this. The negro admitted at the station that he and Davis had killed Guard Jones at Monroeville. and escaped. taking Jones Winchester rife with them.
 They later held up the guard. Cox. who had followed them. and took Cox's pistol.
 This pistol did the murderous work to- day, but the rife was not used by the negroes. Morris was shot four times. once in the intestines.
 Bressingham was shot in the left lung. Both rested easily at midnight.