The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-15
PATROLMAN GRIFFIN SHOT
 BY POLICE CAPTAIN TAYLQ:*

as if in an effort to draw pis' N
 Captain Taylor quickly dre,. own revolver and fred"
 It was seen on examination Of Grimm wound that the revolver was so close to his body when discharged that his cloth- ing was burned and the skin blackened by the smoke.
 Captain Taylor entered a case against himself on the police docket of assault to murder.
 Captain Reports to Chief.
 At il o'clock Captain Taylor, accom- panied by his attorney. went to the resi- dence of Chief Gerald, and reported the shooting.
 Police Chief Gerald had retired when Captain Taylor and his lawyer called at his residence at the corner of Jackson and Washington Streets. Chief Gerald wss of course, greatly surprised at the rerert of the Police Captain. He told Captain Taylcr that 1t was not necessary to discuss the difilculty which he had had with Patrolman Griffin. Under the cir cumstances, the connection of both men with the police department, the Police Chief said that Police Captain Taylor should surrender himself to Sheriff w. R.. Waller of Montgomery County. Chief Gerald then communicated with Sherih Waller by telephone and, with Captain Taylor and his lawyer, went to police headquarters, where Chief Gerald trans ferred the command of the police depart ment temporarily to Desk Sergeant John Thomas. Then Chief Gerald and Police Captain Taylor were driven to the resi- dence of Sheriff Waller on Mildred Street. where Captain Taylor surrendered to the Sheriff. He will be detained in custody of the Sheriff pending the result of the wounds received by Patrolman Grifhn.
 Chief Gerald Does Not Talk.
 At his residence, at midnight last night. Chief Gerald said it would be manifestly imprope- for him to discuss the efficiency versy.
 'I have not had a chance yet to make any sort of investigation into the shoot ing" said Chief Gerald, "and until have done so I must decline to give any inter- view to the newspapers
 Captain Tayior's attorney said that pre- liminary examination would be waived. and if possible. have the grand jury which is now in session. investigate the shooting. today.
 It iS believed that the arrest of Louis Simpson at McDpnalds Theatre the night of February 1st by Patrolman Griffin. was the indirect cause of the shooting. It will be recalled that Simpson was ar rested for disorderly conduct during a performance. He resisted and several policemen were called to the assistance of Griffin. Simpson. it is said. fought vic- iously. and in his struggles kicked Pa trolman Crossland in the mouth, break ing tooth. Patrolman Griffin protested when an attempt was made to strike the prisoner, saying he had made the arrest and would protect the man. Simpson was later released in the Recorders Court | For the part that he played in the matter. Patrolman Griffin was adversely criticised and twitted by other policemen. Hard feeling grew out of this. ard Pa- I tfolfnan Grimm authorized a statement published by The Advertiser, explaining his course in the arrest. He said at the time that he had been twitted to such an extent that he feared trouble would fol- | low. He further stated that on account Of his strong religious convictions he was unpopular with certain officers. Patrol man Grihn's remark to CaptainI Taylor that he had stood this as long as he in- tended to, Is believed to have had refer ence to his treatment by fellow officers. although no bad feeling Is known to have existed between him and Captain Tay- Tor.
 Both men are regarded by the public as excellent officers, and each has a clear record.
 With an intermission of four years. Captain Taylor has been connected with the police department in this city since 1886. He entered the service in that year during the great food when a number or supernumeraries were added to the force. From supernumerary he has fill- ed every position in the department up to Captain. Upon the resignation of Cap tain John Martin last spring he was ap- pointed to the position of Captain and reappointed last October.
 Captain Taylor Is very popular in Mont gomery. He has been rather noted for his devotion to his duty. He is connect ed with a number of the most prominent families in this city.
 Patrolman Griffin has been on the po- lice force two years. He has a strong re- ligious inclination. It has been, perhap ps. his most marked characteristic. He has made faithful officer but his religious turn Of mind, in connection with his re- cent actions In the Simpson case, has, to a certain extent estranged him from his fellow officers. He is a deep student of the Bible, and has more than once ex- pressed desire to enter the ministry. He has wife and three children, two of them being grown. He lives at the cor ner of Martha and Dickinson Streets.
 Although the shooting occurred in the heart of the city. little excitement was created either at the scene of the shooting or at police headquarters.
 Murder of Suggs Recalled.
 It Is considered a remarkable coinci- dence in police circles that Police Officer Suggs was shot and killed just six years ago last night. This shooting occurred February 14th. Officer Suggs was Killed by negro called Cat fish Bob." at the corner of McDououRh and Bainbridge Streets at about 12 o'clock. The negro was arrested at Cowles' Station. on the Western Railroad the following day.
 While companies of the State militia and policemen were awaiting the arrival of the train bearing the prisoner. at the Union Station. fake telegram was sent to the conductor asking that he stop at the old Georgia and Alabama crossing, as the officers would be there with a car rfage to convey the negro to the jail as it was feared he would be lynched if taken from the train at the depot. When the train arrived at the crossing and stop ped, instead of officers of the law wait ing to convey the prisoner to the county jail, there was q mob of several hundred persons, who took the negro in charge and hanged him to the limb of tree. filling his body with bullets