The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-20
JIM. wEBB'S STORY
SAYS RATIoLHAN WALTON
 FIRED FIRST SHOT.
Declares That If He Had Known 1t Was . Policeman He Would Have surrendsred
 at Once.

Webb. the negro who shot and killed Of- fcer W. T. Walton last night in tho western part of the city while resisting arrest, and who was discovered under a house next to the one ;n which the tra- gedy occurred, today gave cut a state. ment from his cell in the county jail He has severe bullet wound in his left arm, inflicted by the officer before being killed. The following statement was made by the negro this morning to a reporter:
 Prior to the appearance of the officer. I was in the room with a negro named George. 1 don't know his other name. We got to fussfng about woman, and he made some threatening remarks. say ing, among other things. that he had as good a gun as I carried. After this he went off and had been gone some little time when heard somebody come to the door and ask for Jim Webb and then knock on the door. thought that 1t was George and would not open the door. The man called out again to open the door. and I cracked 1t open to peep out. In the meantime. I had gotten my re. volver, and held 1t tn my left hand. When l cracked the door open somebody on the outside fired a shot at me, and the bullet hit me in the arm. I took my revolver from my left hand and fired back. did not know 1t was an oflcer. If I had known 1t I would not have shot. thought it was George come back to kill me-"
 The negro appears to be rather intelli- gent He says that his story is the truth and he expects to impress 1t on the jury which will try him.
 The killing has aroused much indigna- ton about the city. It has been talked n hnttf all nt sions locking to an assault on the jaii however. and the law will take its course.
 fund h: . been sterted for the family of the deceased. The funeral of the dead man will take place tomorrow afternoon from the home on Avenue B; interment in Oak Hill cemetery.
 Webb will be given a trial at once He says that he may be hanged, but that his story is the true one.
 Mayor Drennen's Message.
 Mayop W. M. Drennen tonight present. ed his 'anr, Il message to the Council In the report it Is shown that the income from all sources during the year 1901 was $4il,36s. as against $34S.3ls for 1900, being an increase of $9s.0,0. There was an in- crease Of $l22.3 .366 in the departmental ex- penses. but 1t Is accounted for in the purchase Of school lots lot for ire de- pertinent hall and erection of new fire hall, improvements about cemetery, street sweeper and sprinkler. rent of temporary headquarters for city. while new city hall was being constructed The strictest economy was practiced by the adminis- tratfon. The assessed valuation of prop erty in the city limits for the year 1901 was $17ss5.ee0. while the valuation for 1903 was $i642o,S1e. This increase will yield a revenue to the city at the present rate of per cent of Sl274S. The priyi- lege taxes also show a marked Increase in the year 1901 over those of 19Oo-s145. 5s6 having been collected from this course during 19ol as against $i34.932 during lsoo The message takes up different mat ters, including education. sanitation, fire department, police. city prison, engineer ing, streets and lights. The message in It's conclusion says:
 Among the more important matters that I wish to call to your attention is the expenditure of $314. 433 for permanent street improvements; the construction of three new school buildings at a cost of sS4,403. and 9 new. city hall, (which is q modern and imposing structure and a credit to the architect. tho contractor the administration and the city of Bir- mingham, costing $2oo.0O making a grand total for permanent Improvements of
 
 to know that with this large expenditure for public works. few complaints have been made. showing that a great majority Of the people approved of our actions. And as further guarantee that you have not over-ridden the wishes of those who's slected you to the important posi- ttons you hold as their representatives, the demand for street improvements dur ing the coming year promise to be greater than ever before. Nothing has heretofore>I demonstrated so fully that Birmingham Is destined to become a great city. as the high and firm value which centrally To- cated real estate has. attained. and the splendid class of buildings which have recently and are now being erected  The message made a fine showing as a whole. The street improvement in par. ticular was very large during the past year.