The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-21


one else be admitted, as the building
would not be safe.
"a do not feel responsible for the
stampede, nor do | think Hicks Is re-
sponsible, because this stampede oc-
Cured at the door during our affray.
~ am no stranger In Birmingham,
and fear no harm. | could give bond,
but my friends advise me to stay In
prison for my own safety.
at is reported that | have been
eluding the officers, but such is not
the case. was on the streets the
greater part of yesterday.
"The survivors of the dead have my
heartfelt sympathy, and there is not
a living soul who regrets the occur
renee more than | do"
HICKS NOT FOUND.
Hicks, with whom it is asserted Ballou
had his fight, could not be found yester-
day, though the police department kept
a watchout for him. He has not been
seen since the panic began and 1t is be-
lieved that he has fed from the city.
Coroner Paris made an investigation OF
the affair, taking the testimony Of the
Rev. j. L. Burrel of New Orleans and
the Rev. ]. B. Gibson of Morrow. La.
Both ttstified as to the details as follows;
Il WAS about ten pews from the ros-
trum at Shiloh church on September 10
at 8 p. m. About five minutes after Book
er T. Washington finished his address a
woman sitting on the rostrum made q
cry on account of a dispute between two
men. 1t sounded like she said "Firel"
The congregation rose and rushed for the
door. 1 went out the back way and came
around to the front door and saw a mass
Of people piled up on one another. many
of them dead"
Death certificates were issued yesterday
by Coroner Paris in all cases where the
request was made. In almost each in
stance of the removal or a oody this was
done, but it is likely he will be called
upon to issue many others today
RoosEVELTs MESSAGE.
One of the most interesting of all mes
sages received relative to the affair was
from President Theodore Roosevelt. 1t
was addressed to Booker T. Washington
and is as follows:
Cincinnati, o., September 20.
Mr.. Booker T. Washington:
I am shocked and Mortified by the dsas-
ter at Birmingham and desire to express
my great grief at the sad loss OF life.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
The following reply was sent:
President Theodore Roosevelt, St Nichols
Hotel, Cincinnati, o.:
Our people are most grateful to you for
your words of sympathy in the matter
of the terrible calamity which has be-
fallen so many of our race. Everything
possible is being done by both white and
colored citizens 10 help. Birmingham city
have been most thoughtful and
generous. The crowd at the meeting was
very large but was perfectly orderly.
The disaster grew out of one OF those in
cidents which 1t was almost impossible
to foresee.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON.
During the day many hundreds of mes
sages OF sympathy were sent to Baptists
attending the convention. Many hum
dreds of messages were also received
making inquiry relative to knsmen or
kinswomen. In every case a reply was
sent as speedily as the information could
be secured. At the church a branch
office was opened by one of the telegraph
companies and an operator was kept
busy receiving and sending. At the main
office of the other company many mes
sages were also received and transmitted.
LOW SHOES SAVED HIM.
Among the white persons in the church
when the panic was started was Lee j.
Marx, a well known attorney. He was
Just leaving the door of the building
when the congestion began to make itself
felt and narrowly escaped with his life.
That he did so he attributes to the fact
that he wore low quartered shoes and
summer clothing. He was pinioned for
short time In the bunch, many Of which
never escaped. but by slipping from his
eI,0 ha rnananad n
get from under the crowd. When he
finally reached home his clothing was
very much disarranged and his hat. cane
and shoes missing entirely.
In talking of the experience yesterday
he said
when Professor Washington complet-
ed his address I started to leave the
As / neared the door | heard a
crash behind. Almost at the same time
persons began pushing out. many trying
to get over me, 1t seemed. l heard the
cries of Flight" and Fire" as the con-
gestion began and 1 passed the landing.
Almost within second was thrown
down. felt myself being pinioned to the
ground, but managed to slip out of my
shoes and in that manner succeeded In
escaping with slight bruises, but with
out my hat or cane and with clothing
badly rumpled. AS l reached the sidewalk
the crush became so great that the crowd
was stopped and the congestion begun In
earnest
above the cries of anything else could
be heard those of the men and women
who were being smothered to death. I
cannot attempt to describe the scene as 1
then witnessed 1t. Men and women with
swinging arms would try to scramble out
by fighting, but would suddenly drop
helpless, and 1 judge lifeless, becoming
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