Evening journal., 1904-09-09
NEGRO IS SHOT
FROM AMBUSH
Joseph Polk Murdered by
Lany Maddox at His
Home Near Bridgeville
POSSE SEARCHING FOR HIM
Special to The Evening Journal

Special to The Evening Journal.
Bridgevi.ie, Sept 9.-Joseph Polk, color
ed. was murdered at his home about
one mile from town about o'clock last
night. "Lany' Maddox. coored, is sad
TO have committed the crime. but ne cam
not be found Polk was shot from am
bush. No one, IL seems saw the shooting.
Polk did not live long enough to give any
account of il. Maddox had been attentive
to Polk's daughter ana Polk told him
several times, IL is said, not to go with
her. However, he persisted. in his atten-
ton.
Shot at Lover.
Last night about o'clock Maddox start
ed to accompany Polks daughter Bertha
home anu when nearing the home Polk
met them and there was a war Of words
and Polk, it is said, shot twice at Maddox.
who ran away leaving the girl with her
father. who accompanied her home.
Shot From Ambush.
The shooting occurred about twenty
minutes later Polk was then out side of
his hcme. There was "a report of a gun
from behind hedge fence JUST across the
road. Polk rushed into the house bleeding
from the many shot wounds and. fell dead
on the fioo- at the feet Of his wife and
severai sma children. The wife ran "a
/ the house of a neighbor Oscar Green,
when she met Green who had been at
tracted by the shot While in conversa-
ton as what was best TO do, Maddox
walked up and asked what Is the mat
ter?" The wife replied;
you know what is the matter and don'i
ask any questions" Then Maddox iefi
and wa ked in the direction OF Bridge
vile. he did not nave a gun then. Ths
negro came TO town and later went to the
home of George Ruos. where he has beer
working but Ruos was not at home.
A lew days ago Maddox borrowed Ruos
gun for the purpose. Maddox said, Of gun
have disappeared.
Posse After Murderer.
Constable Parvis with Lee Short, vii
liam Stuart, Fred Wiley and a few 9th
ers hunted several hours last night 10
Maddox but he could not be found.
It was a daring hunt but they were de
terminec If possible to locate the negro
He was supposed to be hiding some Aler
about the Ruos farm and with the gu
= and box OF shells, but the constable an
the others fearless Of danger searche
barns, stables and nearly every pace. a
night. The night was very dark an
Maddox could easily have shot them IL d
b was IN the neighborhood and desired
p Detective on Scene.
Detective Francis arrived early mi
morning and at once started out 10 fin
the murderer. Sheriff Steele is aiso her
and both are doing everything possible Il
ferret out the murderer and make an ar
rest. 1t is believed he has made his wa.
to the swamps.
Came From Maryland.
Maddox has been living here for owe
a year, coming from Maryland. and 4
said to have a bad reputation. Polk wa
an industrious man and has worked 70
several yeras with Layton and Owens
There is great indignation over the shoot
ing. The murdered man leaves wife AM
eleven children. the oldest Bertha. abou
is, to whom Maddox has been attentive
Poik's body and head were Utterly fin
ed with shot and IL is thought he mus
have been about ten or fifteen feet fror
the gun when it was fired.