The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-05-27
Nearly $500 Raised in Pub- lie Subscription at Mass Meeting Last Night CITIZENS ID GUARD
 CITY IN TIE FUTURE Vigilance Committee Will Be Organ ised to Aid In Preventing Crime
 and Catching Grim
 lnaIs.

At mass meeting of 300 citizens of Woodlawn last night, the sum of s4s6 was subscribed to be used as a reward for the arrest and conviction of the mur- derer of Isaac W. Walter. Plans were also made to have vigilance committee of citizens organized to try and prevent such crimes in the future.
 Dupont Thompson made d motion that a public subscription be raised and that it be offered as reward to the people who catch and convict the man who killed MT. Walter The motion was carried with out opposition and $4s6 was readily sub scribed at the meeting. Mayor Burris stated that he had already offered $1O0 reward from the city of Woodlawn, and that he would attempt to have that amount raised to s25O.
 The governor will be asked to offer a reward for the capture and conviction of the murderer of MT. Walter, and the Board of Revenue of Jefferson county will receive a similar request. The subscription lists will be kept open for some days, and all subscriptions will be given to the city treasurer of Woodlawn.
 
 After the meeting had been called to order by Dr. Jackson, who presided, sew eral talks were made on the situation in Woodawn. Among others were w. M Lindsay, Dupont Thompson, ]. B. Gib- son, Col E. L. Higdon, G. w Hopson, John Davis, S. s Knight and Mayor Bur ris.
 The suggestion of MT. Knight. amended by MT Thompson, was carried. The former moved that Chief Gray, the Mayor and Council should appoint committee of any number. equally divided in the various sections of the city, to act very much as a viligance committee. These men are to be sworn in as special officers without pay. The men are to arm them- selves and hold themselves in readiness to answer any call for aid from the chief of police or citizens. In case a pistol shot is heard at night the members of the committee living nearest are to investigate the same immediately. Or of there is any crime of any kind the mem bers of the committee will notify one another by telephone and every one will get out and come out armed and ready to arrest any suspicious characters. MT. Thompson amended the resolution to read that a committee be appointed to meet tonight and outline a plan and suggest names to go on this larger committee. The chairman appointed S. s. Knight, Dupont Thompson, J. M. Morgan, II. J. Davis, J. B. Gibson, W. R. Watkins, Lon Abel, O. D. Freeman and H k. Williams. The committee will meet tonight at s o'clock in the city hall building and complete the plans for the larger com , mittee.
 Authorities Are Criticised. John Davis criticised the county au- thorities the sheriff and the jury sys- tenn of the county, stating that they did not attend to their dues. He said that pack of bloodhounds should be kept by the county to run down criminals in 1 such cases as this. He also criticised the | coroner severely, and said that when l the coroner was notified of the death yes-
 terday morning he immediately wanted | to know what undertaken had the body, and not who got killed or who did the
 killing"
 l He used the word "graft' several times I in his speech and said that it figured strongly in the county administration. | Chief Deputy Sheriff Albert Stratford re- piled to this statement by saying that l dogs were practically useless in Jefferson | county as the criminals easily escape on
 street cars and trains, which are run
 ming at all hours of the day and night, | and that dogs are unable to trace the l fugitives further than the nearest rail- road track.
 | Dupont Thompson introduced the fol- I lowing resolution, which was adopted:
 Resolutions Introduced. | Whereas this community has been | shocked and mortified as never before by 1 the perpetration of a most bold and das- | tardly murder in our very midst. and, 1 Whereas there appears to be a most
 unprecedented spread of murder, assassin | ation and every shade and degree of crime in Jefferson county, ane, | Whereas, the authorities appear to be unable to cope successfully with the | situation and bring to justice the guilty
 parties in a large number of instances, | and,
 1 Whereas. this appalling situation and | (Continued on Eighth Page)