The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-09-18
THE ALTMAN WAR.
A BaiIiff Shot to Death.
Troops Police Baxter.
Seven Arrests.
(Bv the Associated Press.)

Valdosta, Ca, Sept. 16.-NeWs
reached here early this morning OF
another chapter in the sensational oc-
currences that have marked the his
tory of the little town of Baxter dur
ing the past few days.
Last night Bailiff r. 7. Thirst made
an effort to arrest the AltmanS Tor
the murder of Jack Duncan and James
Riley on the train last Sunday night.
but he met with such a warm recep-
ton that he went to his house and
gave up the attempted arrest. Later
a crowd gathered at his house and
when he came out he was fired upon.
He returned the fire and killed one of
the men, said to be a white man
named John Bowling.
Then Thirst, his gun being empty,
ran under the house to escape the
crowd that was after him; but he was
pulled out and shot to death, his body
being riddled with bullets.
Reports from Baxter stated that
more trouble was imminent. Citizens
asked that the military be sent there
to protect them and some have left
the place rather than be mixed up in
the bloody riot which seems immi-
rent.
A message was sent here this morn
ing asking if a military company could
be sent there, but the local officers
were at Camilla; and besides that, the
trouble happened in Florida, beyond
the reach of the Georgia authorities.
1t is said that the dispute over the
State line is one of the reasons the
Altmans give as to why they did not
want Thrift to arrest them. They have
said all along that they would not sub
NIT to arrest by any but authorized
officers. They claim that their crime
was committed in Georgia. in a strip
OF territory formed by bend in the
St. Mary's River, and they will not be
arrested by Florida officials though
they live in Florida.
1t was understood this afternoon
that appeal has been made to Gov
ernor Jennings for military protection
or aid in arresting the Altmans and
the Governor promised that the mill
tary would be sent there.
Baxter is policed tonight by two
companies of Florida militia follow
ing the killing of four men resultin"
from the feud between the Altmans
and Duncans. Shortly before dark
Sheriff Herndon and his posse brought
in seven prisoners alleged to be impli
Gated in the killing of Jackson Dur
can, the negro, and Rufus Thrift.
The men arrested are: Barlow
Crews, Berry Crews, Riley Roden
Caney Roden, Bird Johnson, John Ed
dy, Jesse Sapp and Homer Eddy.
Some were arrested in Florida and
others in Georgia. These men were
stretched out on the floor of a shanty
resting under the guard of Live Oak
Rifles. the Wilson battery of artillery
and the sheriff's posse There are
eleven others of the gang. Men who
were sent to see them have just re-
turned, and report that they have
agreed to surrender themselves and
will come i'm voluntarily tomorrow
morning and give themselves UP. If
they do not violate their pledge this
will place all of the gang in the GUS
tody of the officers, with the exception
Of Jesse Altman, who is still at large,
and his whereabouts are unknown
He was seen in Baxter today but dis
appeared shortly before the sheriff ar
rived from McClenny. 1t is thought
he too will surrender when ne finds
that the others have taken that course.
Some Legal Knots.
Jacksonville, Fla, Sept. 16.-Some
days ago the Governors office was
asked for assistance to effect the ar
rest of the Altmans. William Duncan
on Wednesday reported that the Ait
mans were still congregated with their
friends, and that they were threaten
ing further trouble He said that
Sheriff Herndon, of Baker county, re-
fused to act. This letter was endorsed
by the Consolidated Naval Stores Com
pany, of which Duncan is a member.
and a further demand was made on
the Governors office for troops. Sher-
if Herndon has refused to act because.
he says the killing of Jackson Dun
can and of a negro on the train last
Sunday night occurred in Georgia, and
that the Altmans live in that State. 1t
is stated, however, that he attempted
last night to arrest them, but was
driven from the place.
The sheriff of Charlton county, Ga,
where it is claimed the killing oc-
Cured, has made no effort to get mix
ed up in the affair. Governor Jen-
nings is out of the State, in the West,
but Cromwell Gibbons, Speaker of the
House of Representatives, who under
the law is acting Governor, has de-
clared himself ready to act when SO
requested by the Secretary of State.
The feud between the Altmans and
Duncans is of long standing. The Dun
cans are turpentine operators. The
Altmans are merchants and also have
many strong supporters in Baker
county.
ME PASSA SOMA "QUEER.'