The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-24
HOSTILE FRESHMAN
WILLIAM SHERIDAN RAN NEGROES
 FROM HIS PLACE.
indignant Because Street Railway Built Through His Property, He Re- sisted Policemen Who Went
 to Arrest Him.


 William Sheridan, an aged gardener. who resides in the southwestern part of Montgomery near Hendricks Mill. is confined in the city prison and 1t is probable that serious charges will be brought against him for firing on an unknown negro out of alleged malice for the Montgomery Street Railway.
 Sheridan is an Irishman but he has the British landlords ideas of the rights of property owner.
 It will be remembered that two years ago the Montgomery Railway sought to secure a right of way through Pea cocks Tract to the point where Wash ington Park. the negro resort, was af- terwards established. The proposed right of way was partly through a small tract of land owned by Sheridan and he declared openly that before be would allow a street car to run through his place he would kill the men en- deavoring to construct the track. Sheridan refused to sell an inch of ground to the street railway and the company was compelled to file peti- tion for condemnation proceedings against him. A right of way was se- cured.
 Yesterday afternoon Washington Park was liberally patroniZed by ne- groes The gardener did not attempt to shoot at the street cars but 1t Is al- | legged that he did fire on a negro who was walking down the street car track In the afternoon about 6:30 o'clock
 Mounted Patrolmen Jim Avant and D P. Cantey heard shot in the neighbor- hood of the little house of Sheridan They put spurs to their horses and ar rived in time to see the gardener enter | his gate bearing on his shoulder an an. | tiquated muzzle-loading shotgun. number of negroes had seen the shot | fired and pointed out Sheridan to the | policemen.
 Avant and Cantely approached eau. I tiously. They walked to the fence oi | Sheridan.
 Did you fire that shot7" asked | Avant.
 l .'oi did" replied Sheridan. The nay. gur was on me property" The muzzls | loader was pointed in the direction oi
 the policemen.
 | Now, Avant does not lack bravery nor is Cantey devoid of courage, bu' both considered discretion the better
 part of valor.
 | Come here, I want to talk to you called Avant.
 l Sheridan approached the policemen
 'Ts that the gun?" dueried Cantey. | Tt is," said Sheridan. 1 Let me look at it?" asked Avant. | "oi won't" declared the gardener l Its me property"
 Come on Cantey," said Avant. and
 the policemen started through the gate
 "If yez comes on me property Oil
 kill yes," calmly advised Sheridan.
 Yes, and if you raise that gun Fl kill you" replied Avant, and he and | Cantey drew their revolvers. Just as the policemen reached the gardener he attempted to throw his gun to his shoulder. Cantey grabbed
 the weapon and Avant grabbed Sheri- | dan.
 At the police station Sheridan was | still obstreperous.
 "Oi shot at the naygur and Oi'll dc 1t again If they come on me property he informed Desk Sergeant Smith. The police have been unable to Io- | cate the negro at whom the shot was | fired. He left the scene of the trouble I rapidly as soon as Sheridan became hostile.
 If the negro is located charges of l assault to murder will be brought, oth- | erwise charges of disorderly conduct | and resisting an officer will be brought