The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-19
ARE STILL AT LARGE
PETOMIE NEGROES MANAGE TO
 ELUDE DETERMINED POSSE.
Scouts Are Watching for Prof. Hardy's Assailants, and 1t is Believed that
 They Will Yet Re Captured.

Selma, March 1s.-(Special. )--The two negroes. Will Petomie and Ed Pe- tonic. would-be murderers of Professor Hardy, of Pine Apple. are still at large.
 The posses, fatigued and disappoint- ed. have been disbanded and tonight scouts. are scattered over the territory l in which 1t is thought tbs negroes are located awaiting the formattenAs of fresh parties who will take up the hunt tomorrow night.
 It now appears on the surface, al- though 1t is far from admitted. that the fugitives have gone further than tie posses of yesterday believed. It has been we'll established that Will Pe- tonic and Ed Petomie are wounded but there seems sonic doubt about their having taken a stand in the Bear Creek swamp. The hunters are still working on the theory that they are located in the immediate vicinity of Schuster, but they are making ready to meet the obstacle of their temporary escape, so determined are they to cap ture the assailants of Professor Hardy.
 The citizens of Pine Apple. Schuster and other communities today contrib uted to a liberal reward that will be groes. The reward is to instigate the formation of other parties in that vi- cinity and to insure apprehension of the Petomies if they have gone beyond the Alabama river.
 A telegram early tonight to The Ad- vertiser bureau from Pine Apple stated that the reward had already reached a large amount and contributions were still coming in. One telegram also said:
 Negroes still supposed to be in this section but locality now uncertain. No organized posse. but scouts are out"
 The telegram was from J. R. Melton, a prominent merchant of Pine Apple.
 From reliable information today giv- en The Advertiser Bureau. 1t appears that the pursuers of the negroes have somewhat changed their tactics. If the information given Sherin Albritton and Charles Mckee by negroes whom they followed to Selma is correct the negroes are now fin the Bear Creek swamps and the hunters now intend to hold them there until they show them selves or starve. They know that if Will Petomie and Ed Petomie spent Wednesday night at the houses of An thony Palmer and Ollie McWilliams, near the Pine Apple depot, they are not further than the Bear Creek swamps or the cave near by. The whole country has been too vigilantly watched for escape.
 Although the hunters are by no means towards, it is believed they deem 1t folly to rush headlong into the thick canebrake on Bear Creek where the two desperadoes with their pistols and sup ply of ammunition will have all the ad- vantage from ambush.
 Despite the warnings posted up in Allenton Thursday night that the little town would be burned to ashes, all has been serene there today and tonight. The citizens are watching and prepared but they are not much expecting a rash attack by the negroes of that vicinity.
 Late tonight Professor Hardy was still resting we'll and unless there are complications it Is only a question of about two weeks. 1t is said. before he will leave the Selma hospital.
 Will R. Hamilton.