The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-17
.CHAS, LANE SHOT
BY JAS. A. NORRIS
Both Men Members of Bir-
mingham Fire Department
NORRIS Is IN COUNTY JAIL
Question Of MISUNDERSTANDING
Mullins statement-Lane's
Condition Is Very
Grave.

James A. Norris fireman at No.
station, on the Northside. shot and prob
ably fatally wounded Charles NJ Lane,
captain of the company, yeste lay after
noon at o'clock.
Lane was shot twice with a double
barrel shotgun, one load taking effect in
the bowels No. squirrel shot was used.
Immediately after the shooting Norris
gave himself up to Deputy Sheriff STRAIT
ford, who happened to be passing the
station at the time He is in the county
jail. A warrant was sworn out by George
courson charging him with murder.
Lane was carried to the Hiflman hos
pital, and upon examination 1t was found
that his condition was extremely grave,
and there seems to be little chance for
his recovery. 1t was found that his in
testines had been punetured in several
places by the shots.
Cause of Shooting. .
The shooting is said to be the result
of Norris suspension from service for ten
days on a charge of INSTRUMENTATION. 1t
is stated that Captain Lane ordered Nor
ris to polish the stove in the fire house
Yesterday morning and that Norris re-
piled that it was not his turn to do the
work and refused to obey The disobed-
fence was reported to Chief Mullin, who
ordered Norris suspended for ten days.
Norris appealed to the chief, insisting
that he be reinstated. The chief refused
the request, and a short time after Norris
appeared at the fire station on the North
side with shotgun. He inquired FOR Lane
and was told that the captain was in the
yard in the rear of the building. The
members of the company who gave Nor
ris this information did not suspect that
there might be trouble he seemed to
be in good humor. The fact that he had
a gun at the time did not arouse sus-
picion for the reason that he had bor-
rowed a gun from one of the firemen a
few days ago and had promised to return
1t yesterday.
1t is said that when Norris reached the
yard and saw Lane that ne cursed him
and accused him of ill-treatment and dis
elimination, AS he spoke he raised the
gun to fire. Just at this instant John
Broderick, locomotive engineer. who
happened to be with Mr.. Lane, leapeG
forward and tried to prevent Norris from
shooting This action DETECTED the shot
and the load hit Lane in his hands, which
were raised above his head. Norris shot
the second time and the load entered the
abdomen.
Norris walked to Nineteenth street and
delivered himself to Deputy Sheriff Al
bert Stratford.
Chiefs Statement
Chief Mullin. speaking of .Ae matter
last night said: Captain Lane reported
to me yesterday morning that Norris was
guilty of acts of INSTRUMENTATION, and up
on investigation | ordered him suspended
for ten days. Later Norris appealed to
me and / told him that 1t was his duty
20 observe the strict rules of the depart
ment; that he should obey the superior
officers. | told him that this was neces-
sary to maintain good service in the oe-
partment. and that | thought he deserved
punishment for insubordination. The next
| knew of the matter was the report that
he had assaulted and shot Captain Lane"