The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-06

Decatur, May 0.-(Special. )-The jury in
the case of William jackson did not make
a report tonight. All is quiet at Camp Nc
kleroy, although the sentinels have been
instructed by Captain Gregory to be on the
alert all during the night.
Camp McKleroy, Decatur, May b.
Especially cases against Harvey
Smith and John Collier who are charged
with the murder of Miss Belle Blood
worth of New Decatur, last January.
have both been settled so far as the
juries are concerned. Both will be hanged.
Smith was found guilty of murder sew
eral days ago and the Collier jury report
ed this morning early Judge d. w.
Speake has not yet set the date for the
executions, but will probably do so to-
morrow.
The trial of VIII Jackson, who is
charged with killing Health Officer
Steele here last week. has been on this
| afternoon The jury was selected this
morning and the taking of evidence COM
menced when court reeonvened this af-
ternoon. Mai F. r. Francis anu Attorney
Price represented the negro. Mrs w. s..
Pryor testified that the killing occurred
just in front of her house She said the
officer had hold of the negro when the
struggle commenced. She saw jackson
point the pistol and fire, the officer fall
ing.
Saw Fatal Shot Fired.
Tobitha Hobbs, negro woman. testified
relative to Jackson running away after
firing the fatal shot. Deputy Sheriff Petty
told of arresting Jackson, said that he
told him en- route TO jail he shot Mr..
Steele. The Rev. A. A. Hutto, Baptist
minister, told of assisting in the arrest
of jackson. j. c. Morris, shoemaker,
also assisted in the arrest. The witness
said that Jackson was struggling iercely.
jackson was hit over the head with q
hammer and this finally subdued him
The state then rested, Jackson took the
stand and told the story of the shoot
ing. He said that he tried to reason with
Officer Steele after he had been arrested
near the river.
He said that he got hold of the officer 8
| pistol in the scuffle. He declared that
while holding the pistol in his left hand
the arm Of the officer struck his and
the weapon was fired The negro said
that he had nothing against the officer
time. On cross-examination he admitted
that he had just finished serving a term
in the coal mines near Birmingham for
burglary when he reached Decatur.
All of the arguments made In the case
were good ones and the charge of Judge
Speake was quite an able and impartial
one He recited carefully the evidence
offered in the case by both sides and then
addressed the jury as to the law The
| body Immediately retired to reach YER
dict.
Fred Bloodworth Visits Jail.
This afternoon Fred Bloodworth, a
brother of the young woman, was sum-
moned to the county Jail from his home
at the request of John Collier. 1t was
intimated that the negro would probably
make n confession. Mr.. Bloodworth re-
mained with the negro for some time but
said the negro did not make a confession
of any kind. He preferred not to say
anything about his interview with Col
lief.
The Birmingham soldiers are enjoying
life, but are now beginning to be anxious
for the time to come around for them to
break camp r<leroy and return home.
There has y but little sickness In
camp. althoug. many Of the BOYS are
suffering from Sore feet A number OF
ladies visited the camp this afternoon and
witnessed the slSirmlsh drill. The mem
bers of the provisional company are loud
In their praise OF the treatment that has
been accorded them by Capt. Robert l..
Gregory, Lieutenant Ballard and all OF
the officers.
The commissioned officers have always
been on the alert for the welfare OF their
men and this is appreciated. The soldiers
will probably leave here tomorrow after
noon. arriving In Birmingham about Z
o'clock on The Age-Herald news boy
train.
Mother Honors the Company.
When the boys went to dinner today,
Mrs. Robertson, with whom they have
boarded since being here, told them that
she was going to chrsten her little
three weeks-old baby. A United States
flag was secured, and with the SOL
diers standing around the fond mother
declared that she had named the baby
kate g." thus honoring the Birmingham
Rifles. designated Company X. and the
jefferson volunteers, which is Company q.
The soldiers have been well cared for
by Mrs Robertson, while here, and the
many favors extended by her are appre-
ciated
Captain williams. the acting surgeon.
this afternoon placed the arm of Private
Glen zuber in a plaster cast His arm
was fractured In the scuffle with civilians
Monday night The people OF Decatur are
upon their presence here local news
paper said editorially today:
Papers Regret Demonstration
We regret TO note the disposition on
the part OF some OF the younger element
in their conduct towards the soldiers who
are now stationed here. The question as
to whether or not the troops should have
been sent is not to be considered, but
1t Is a fact that while they are in our
midst they should be accorded courteous
treatment. 1t is nightly occurrence that
number Of people attempt to break
through the guarded lines around the jail
and court house, seemingly with no other
purpose than to aggravate the soldiers on
duty This conduct we feel sure will not
be sanctioned by the better class of our
people. So far as we have peen able to
discern, the company Is composed OF gem
tlemen from captain down to private, and
are simply doing their sworn duty.
We trust that some of our citizens will
cut out the part of playing bully while
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Continued OIL Second Paoe)