The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-11
John Williams, Alleged Slayer of Police Bennett, Captured
.ENSLtY POLICE ARE ACTIVE
Young Man Is Killed at Steel Plant. James Elder Takes Overdose of Morphine, But
 Is Saved.

Chief of l'olice c. T. Camp and other members of the police force effected two arrests today which if the accused are found guilty of the crimes with which they are suspected, will be two or the most important arrests made by the police in sometime The men In custody are John Williams, colored, who Is al- legged to be the murdered of Officer E. l.. Bennett of the Ensley police force and Tom Jones, colored. the alleged assailant of Officer Ollie Camp which assault came near ending fatally.
 Officer Bennett was killed OH March IS, 1903, while he was in the act of arrest ing a negro, supposed to be John Will Hams. The city was intensely excited over the killing of the officer and every effort was made to catch the guilty per son but without avail.
 It was on November of last year when Officer Camp was murderously assaulted by a negro near the Kansas City cross ing The negro had just shot a woman in saloon in this city and was attempt ing to escape when the officer overlook him. While Mir Camp was in the act of arresting the attempted murderer. the negro struck him over the head with whisky bottle The glass was broken into hundred pieces and both of Officer Camps eyes were badly injured and his face lacerated After making the assault the negro made his escape.
 MT Camp was carried to St. Vincents hospital where an operation was perform ed For a while 1t was thought that he would lose one If not both of his eyes. After several weeks confinement in the hospital. however, he fully recovered the use of his eyes.
 Jones was identified by Officer Camp and q negro who claims that Jones told him that he committed the deed. The negro woman, who was shot on the same night of the assault, was not positive that Jones was the man who shot her.
 The arrest of Williams was the result of some splendid detective work by Chief Camp. Since Officer Bennett was shot down in the pursuit of his duties the chief has been constantly searching for the guilty man \ few days ago MT. Camp had talk with Aleck Robertson. who was hanged today at the county jain, in which Robertson told MT. Camp that Williams killed Officer Bennett.
 After much investigation the former chief located Williams at Lexington, Ky. He wrote to Williams and informed him that he was wanted in Ensley on some important business.
 Last night Williams arrived from Lex ington and was invited by the former chief to witness the hanging today.
 In company with Williams MT. Camp went into Robertson's cell this morning while a prayer meeting was in progress Two negroe preachers, MT. Camp, Sheriff Burgin and Williams were in the cell at the time when Robertson was asked if he knew who killed Officer Bennett He replied that he did, and when asked if Williams was the man. he replied that he was.
 Williams was taken into custody and confined in a cell at the county Jail He stoutly denies that he killed Officer Ben nett, and declares that he was at Flat Top at the time the officer was killed.
 The trial of Jones' who is charged with assaulting Ollie Camp, will be called Tn the police court tomorrow morning before Mayor Scott.
 We'll Known Young Man Killed.
 This morning at g o'clock Duke" simon, well known young man of Ems ley was run over by an electric charger at the steel plant and fatally injured, dy- ing this afternoon at l o'clock. Mir simon had gone to the steel plant to secure a position and while waiting to talk with the foreman was run over by a charger, which Is used for carrying hot metal, sustaining internal injuries.
 Young simon was carried by Echols & Anguines ambulance to the Cunningham hospital. Every medical attention was 6iNCH mn put ne uleu lnlS afternoon shortly after 1 o'clock
 Simon was about IS years of age and was the son of MT. and Mrs Fred Simon. and had lived In Ensley for about six years.
 r The remains will be sent by Echols s Anguine 10 Oakland tomorrow where the interment will take place SundayA
 Takes Overdose of Morphine.
 James Elder of Vivian. who was lock- ed up in the city jail this afternoon. on charge of an, affray, attemptel to kill himself by taking an overdose of nor pfine. Fortunately he was discovered by Warden Harris, who summoned several physicians and after several hours of hard work succeeded in saving Elders life.
 Elder was brought to the city jail by Chief of Police Walker of Vivian and Is said to have been drinking heavily When the warden searched him he had box of capsules which he asked to be allowed to keep. Warden Harris kept a close watch on him and after he had been in the cell for twenty-five minutes noticed that his sleep was very unnatural He at once summoned Drs. Rosamond Rob- bins and Edwards who saved the mans life by using a stomach pump Tonight Elder was walked to Vivian bv several members of the Knights of Pythias, and 1t Is not thought that any serious results will follow.