The age-herald., 1902-02-06
MERCHANT SHOT
 BY YOUNG FRIEND
Rufus Powell Accidentally
 Shoots W. 3. Folds.
LITTLE HOPE OF RECOVERY
Men Were Joking, When Young Par nell, Who Held Pistol, Accidentally Pulled Trigger, Fatally Wound
 ing His Friend-Prominent.

Ensley. February -(SpeciaD-About noon today Rufus Powell, son of R. J. Powell, fatally wounded w. B. Folds by shooting him with a 3S-calibre, Smith X Wesson, hammerless pistol; the bullet taking effect in his throat and ranging through his body to a point below the left shoulder blade The attending physician Dr. Cunningham, late this afternoon ex- pressed but little hope of his recovery As a result of the wound MT. Folds is par alyzed.
 The shooting occurred at Mr Folds place of business on Avenue F and Sev- enteenth street and seems to have been the result of an accident as both par ties have for the past three years been good friends. It appears that Mir. Folds, with number of other young men were teasing young Powell about a difficulty he had formerly had with d MT. Bennett (poiceman). Finally. Powell produced pistol, saying There is what l will give Bennett and Folds jokingly, asked him if he would really shoot Bennett. Powell replied "Yes, and you too" At the same time pointing his pistol at Folds, who said you are not game unless you pull the trigger" This utterance had not been completed when the pistol was fired with the results already stated.
 MT. Folds is a member of the firm of Tolbert X Folds, grocers, young man of estimable character and liked by all who knew him. Young Powell is a student in the Birmingham Medical College. He is a young man of steady habits and has many friends in the city who sin cerely regret the sad occurrence.
 An investigation will be made as to the cause of the shooting. Young Powell was arrested charged with an assault with intent to murder but en account of the fact that the occurrence ems to have been purely an accident h. was released on hand Those who were present are positive that from what was said just before and at the time of the shooting that there was no thought on the part Of young Powell to do MT Folds any harm whatever.
 Mir. NJ. C. Haskell a switchman in the Steel Plant yards was seriously injured today about o'clock by being struck by an engine. Fortunately the engineer was able to check the engine before going any further which prevented, what might have been a fatal accident. The ambulance was immo diately summoned and he was taken to the Cunningham Hospital where his injuries were dress ed and it was found his limbs were mashed but not enough for amputation. At this writing he is resting well.
 Miss Maybelle Randall left today for Gadsden to spend a few days with rea- tives.
 Mr George A. Collins for a long time
 connected with the Tennessee Coal, Iron md RailJoad Company resigned his posi- lon yesto rday and will leave next Friday 'or Nova Scotia Sidney. Cape Briton to accept a position as foreman melter in the open hearth furnaces MT. Collins has been in Ensley for some months and will be greatly missed by his mum er ous friends. This is the second valued employe of the Tennessee Coal Iron Company. who resigned to accept posi- tions in Nova Scotia.
 Miss Bernie Keith is entertaining a number of friends tonight at her home.