The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-01-05
Police Capture 5 Negroes
Each of Whom is Charged
Win Highvay Robbery
Several OF the Negroes Are Identified Having Taken Part
Some of the Recent Ho|dupS and BurgIaries and Police
Think They Have Made Important Capture.

process of ordering the negroes to throw
up their hands and not to make any re-
sistance.
All the policemen had instructions to
shoot to kill if there was the least at
tempt to break out or the least show of
fight. The negroes were caught un-
awares, and were so surprised that they
made absolutely no resistance. The house
has several rooms. and the five negro
In the various rooms.
Crowds Gather.
The negroes were put in the patrol
wagon and driven to the city jail, where
large crowds gathered at different times
during the day to get a look at them IL
possible. Everyone who had been held up
or who could Identify burglar was noti-
fled and a number went to the JAIL
Among these was Chief of Police Camp of
Ensley and several of his officers. They
recognized one of the negroes as the one
who had been sent to Coalburg two years
ago for breaking into and burglarizing a
store in Ensley
Soon after the negroes were captured
Mr.. Messer came In and identified three.
He said that Abe Williams was the ne
gro who came into the store first and
asked to be shown some handlSerchiefs.
lie pointed to the fact that the negro's
coat was lined with silk, which was a
portion of the description he had given
the police. He said VIII Hudson was the
negro who pointed the pistol In his face
and commanded him to throw up his
hands, while VIII Jones he identified as
ser picked the three negroes without any
hesitation. and is confident that they are
the same ones who robbed him.
Others Identified.
Later in the day the Greek fruit dealer
identified the three smaller negroes as
the ones which had held up him and his
brother and robbed them of some money.
He picked out Hudson, Bryant and
Jones as certainties. w. c. Wood had
little trouble in identifying Bryant as the
man who held the shotgun Saturday
night while the other four negroes went
through his pockets. He was unable to
identify any of the other negroes as he
did not see Them Following closely on
this identification came that of the old
negro from Kinds store, who was certain
that Williams and Hudson were two of
the three who went into the store Sat
urday night and one of whom shot Mr..
Kinds in the neck and back of the head
with load of shot Mr.. Kinds will come
to the Jail today or tomorrow and
identify the negroes If possible. He
thought it best not to come out yesterday
on account of the condition of his neck
fearing to catch cold.
Making the Capture.
The clue on the location and actions of
the negroes was given Lieutenant John
son Saturday night and he at once notI-
fled the chief and detectives of the mat
ter. All stayed In the office during the
night waiting for the negroes to come in
from their nights work. About clock
the posse left the office and, picking up
several men, they quickly but quietly
surrounded the house and captured the
negroes.
The person who told Lieutenant John
son of the negroes said their habits were
to stay out all night sld sleep in the
day time. Also that they had guns and
quantity of stolen goods in their pos
session.
The police believe that they have the
worst members of the gang and that a
large percentage of the highway robber-
les and burglary cases will cease.
Their trial will be held before Judge
Feagn as soon as all the evidence in the
cases can be collected.