The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-25
ELLIS HAS KILLED
 AT LEAST TWO MEN
Negro in Jail ConteSseS That
 He is a Murderer
DENIES OTHER CHARGES
Killed a Negro in Greenville, Missp and One in Somerset, Ky. May Be Wanted at
 CaIera.

"I killed a negro at Greenville, Miss, and shot another at Somerset, Ky. They tell me he is dead l know nothing of the other murders of which l am accused When negro wrongs me, however, he must look out. I never bother white people," Such was the statement or Will Ellis, the negro confined in the city Jail, who is said to have killed half dozen men.
 Trembling from head to foot and resem- bling somewhat a wild beast that has been conquered, Will Ellis, the negro ar rested several days ago by Detective Patton for a murder committed in Som- erset. Ky, and whose name has sub sequently been associated with five other murders, has confessed to two or the crimes. He says he was acquitted of the Greenville murder and that he was forced to shoot a negro in Kentucky just before he came to Birmingham and was arrest ed. Ellis denies that he knows anythlns of the other murders.
 Finally Broke Down.
 The confession was obtained from him yesterday by Detective Patton, who laid the trap that led to Ellis arrest, ana Lieutenant Hagood of the police force. For more than an hour they had the negro in a sweat box" in the pohce jail before he would reveal anything. Finally he broke down and said he shot the negro in Somerset, the crime which led to his arrest. It was forced upon him. he said and when he lied ne ulu not know whether or not his victim was dead Ellis claims that the other negro fired two shots at him.
 In admitting that he is the man who shot and killed negro in GreenVllle' Ellis declares he was tried by Jury and acquitted on the ground or selt-de- fense. His story is not believed by the police and they have queried the Missls- sippi authorities.
 Denies Other Charges.
 Besides denying any knowledge of the murders in Rockmart, Ga, Barnwell county, South Carolina, and Calera' Ala, he claims he knows nothing of the mur- der he is said to have committed in Hell ena, Shelby county, Alabama, in l902. This is the last crime the police have tried to connect him with, and Detective Patton received letter yesterday which says that Ellis is the right man. It was from O. l.. ONeill of the ONeill lime
  works at Calera, who says that Sheriff Ross of Shelby county is confident the negro is the right one. MT. O'Neill wrote in reply to a letter directed to him by the detective. While disinterested in the case, he writes that the man killed was n negro. and that there is reward for Ellis
 The character and number of crimes laid at his door, coupled with his con- fession, all go to make him an unusual prisoner. The chief of police of Somer- set left that city yesterday and will reach here today. While the negro ex- presses desire to be returned to Ken lucky, Detective Patton may insist that he be turned over to either the South Carolina authorities or the sheriff of Shelby county, both of which places hold out rewards. The police are of the opinion that the negro knows something of more serious murder than has yet come to light. They base this belief up- on the negro's anxiety to be tried in any state besides Alabama.