The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-22
MAN MAY BE WANTED
 FOR MANY MURDERS
NEGRO ARRESTED BY DEFECTIVE PATTON MIGHT BE THE ONE WHO HAS COMMITTED FOUR OR FIVE MURDERS.

Seeking information that would pre- clude the possibility of arrest for vi2- lating a city ordinance, William Ellis, alias Hurt" deliberately walked into trap that was set for him yesterday and he is today a prisoner who may De want ed in four cities for as many murders His capture is considered one of the most important made by the police de- partment in long time. Ii was effected by Detective Patton, who was approach ed by the negro and asked certain ques- tions about the legality of an order he had to employ laborers for a firm of con- tractors which has just arrived in Bir- mingham to execute work for railroad.
 The detective looked at the order and recognized the name Ellis at glance as that of 8 man wanted in Somerset, Ky, for a murder committed less than fifteen days ago Not wishing to make a mistake, Patton told the negro that he could get him all the laborers he wanted and to meet him at the union depot at s o'clock yesterday morning. In the meantime the detective looked up the records and found that man answering Ellis description was not only wanted in Somerset but in Greenville, Miss, Calera. Ala, and Rockmart, Ga., for murders said to have been committed in those places.
 At the appointed time yesterday Patton was on hand at the passenger station 1t was not long until the negro put in his appearance. Thinking he was being led to some place where lie could get labor CTS by the hundred, Ellis accompanied the detective to the office of the chief Of police. 1t then dawned upon him that he had been trapped.
 When searched d number of pawn tickets were. found on him. They showed that he had pawned a pistol and gold watch Wednesday. Both were recovered and are now in the hands of the police.
 Chief Wicr wired k. 0. Hughes, chief of police of Somerset, that man an- swering Ellis description had been ar rested here and an officer is expected to arrive today The negro in custody is a red mulatto about 30 years of age and almost six feet tall. He weighs about 165 pounds and limps slightly in one leg.
 The murder of a negro in Somerset Saturday. September 9, was laid at the door of a negro named Will Ellis, who escaped. Chief Wier received q letter from Chief Hughes Sunday and de- scription of the man was given the po- lice and detectives the next day. TWO days later the man was under arrest.
 The Calera murder was committed in l9Ge A negro named Ellis is said to have killed another without the slightest provo cation. A man named Ellis is wanted in Greenville for the murder of Tom Black negro, at camp on the Southern rail way In addition to killing man at Rockmart, man named Ellis is said to have shot another.
 The police say Ellis has been pointed out by another negro as the man who foully murdered a man on the Mississippi river. If he is the man wanted in the other place it is possible that he is a quintette murderer. It was thought for a time yesterday that Ellis answered the description of a negro wanted in Opelika for burglary and grand larceny. The sheriff of Lee county was here in search of the man and took look at Ellis He was not the person, but the shern found the negro he was looking for on the street gang.