The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-25
Chief Austin Puts Both War
 dens Under Arrest
LATER ON BOND IS MADE
The Trouble Arose Over Some Mis-. understanding About 65 Gents Which a Negro Claimed He
 Left at City Jail.

As the result of a personal difficulty yesterday afternoon about 1:3o o'clock be- tween Warden Mack Rittenberry and his brother, Alex Rittenberry, on one side and Policeman Culpepper on the other Chief of Police Austin took charge of the jail and put the warden and his brother behind the bars.
 Later they both made bond. Policeman Culpepper was arrested and made bond on a charge of assault with a weapon. He was not put in jail with the others by the chief who states as his reason that the polceman's head was in such a con- dition that he needed medical attention and that according to his understanding of the affair the officer was not guilty.
 Trouble Over 65 Gents.
 The trouble arose over 65 cents which a negro prisoner stated he left in the wardens office when he was arrested some time ago by Policeman Culpepper. No trace of the money can be found at the city jail, and as the prisoners money and valuables are very carefully taken care of Warden Rlttenberry said that there must have been some mistake about the money being sent to the Jail when the negro was arrested.
 This matter has been up several times in the last few days and yesterday Po- liceman Culpepper made an engagement with the negro to meet him at the war dens office and try to settle it. The negro was in the office when the police man went in. Warden Rittenberry, his brother who is assisting him on account of his weak eyes, and his father were at table eating There was some dis cusslon about the money between the po liceman and warden. which lead to blows. The left eye of the policeman was closed by blow and his face was bruised in several places He attempted to draw his pistol and commanded the Rittenberry brothers to stand back, but afterwards the pistol was taken from him by Alex Rlttenberry while Mack Rittenberry and Culpepper were scufhing. The pistol was placed in a drawer and was not used.
 Statements of Participants.
 The following statements from those who participated were made:
 Mack Rittenberry says
 After Culpepper and myself had talked about the matter a minute and he had stated that he left the money on the table but did not know with whom, I asked him if he did not remember a similar occasion when he said he left money in the wardens office and it afetr- ward proved that he was mistaken. He replied that if I said that I was a liar. Alex and myself jumped to our feet. and Culp. 9per threw his hand to his hip pocket and commanded us not to advance We did not, and I explained that I did not mean he had taken the money l thought the matt had dropped and then asked him to apologize. He said something whic-. I took to mean that he would see me later, andl started for the door I got there first and placed my back aganst it and told him he was not going to leave until l understood his feelings in the matter. that 1t was only just to myself to know, He jerked out his pistol and Alex obed 1t, and closed with him. I do not know hoy many thimes I struck him or where. Alex an. myself held hir' until he stopped.
 Demanded Keys.
 ''As soon as Culpepper stopped fighting Martin Eagan and Ed Jordan came in, and one of mem called Chief Austin. When he came Culpepper said he wanted to see the chief privately, but I refused and said we would talk this over among ourselves Chief Austin then demanded the keys and I refused to give them to him and told Alex not to do so. The chief then went to the drawer and took the key out, and force7''- Alex and myself in jail. I did not ask. for bond because he did not give me time. I re- fused to go unless I vas forced to do so, and demanded that Culpepper be arrested. l Austn refused and told me would have | to get a warrant.
 Alex Rittenberry confirmed the story of his brother and added that he only | took the pistol to keep his brother from | getting killed, as he was blind and un- able to see we'll I. J. Rittcnberry. father of the boys, confirms their statement.
 culpepper's Statement.
 Policeman Culpepper was seen later and said he had gotten the worst of the fight. He believes he was hit with an instru- ment of some kind and not with fists as the Rittenberries state. He said;
 "I made an engagement with the negro to see about his money, and met him there in the office. As I walked in Mack Rit-