The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-19
MAYOR REMOVES AN ASSISTANT WARDEN Negro Claims He Was Not Given Medical Attention COMMITTEE INVESTIGATE Night Warden Williamson Suspended. Matter Will Be Settled This
 Morning-Letters Are
 Exchanged.

Pending investigation of a complaint made by Will Hays, a negro. who says he was not given medical attention while confined in the city jail, Thomas William son, night assistant to Mack Rittenberry, the warden, has been removed from office by mayor George B. Ward The negro says he was shot in the leg by Police man Hickman, who made the arrest, and that he remained in the city prison three days without attention.
 Besides ordering the suspension of Will Hanson, the mayor has written letter to Chairman Parker of the police commits sion calling his attention to the negro's complaint.
 A special meeting of the police and sanitation committee has been called for 10 o'clock today for the purpose of hear ing all concerned. The suspension of Will Hanson and the complaint against Police man Hickman is based on the following sworn statement of the negro, Will Hays: "On Tuesday, October 1o I got in fuss with some parties at Twenty-second street and Alley B. The police were called
 
 edge of the house. The partner of Officer Armstrong (Hickman) put his gun under the house and fired, striking me In the leg and inficting an ugly wound.
 "I was brought in and placed in jail by the officers between and o'clock in the afternoon Upon entering the jail I asked the warden for a doctor, and also the two white stevedores, but no atten- ton was paid to me.
 .On Friday I was bound over to the higher court and was sent to the county jail on that day between and o'clock in the afternoon, having remained in the city jail for three days, and my leg receiving no treatment whatever.
 BILL HAYS" Sworn to this 18th day of October. 1905.
 B. A. PEPPERMAN,
 Notary Public.
 Letter to Parker.
 As soon as the charges were made the mayor directed letter to the chair man of the police commission. It fol- lows:
 October IS, 1905. MT. T F. Parker, Chairman of the Po- lice Commissions:
 Dear Sir-Enclosed find copy of state ment of Will Hays, colored, who seems to have been shot by Officer Hickman while lying under a house. Please have this investigated.
 It occurs to me that policemen have no right to shoot a man unless he has done something for which he should be shot Very truly, GEO. B. WARD,
 Mayor. The mayor addressed letter to the warden ordering his assistants suspen- sion and notifying him of the called meet 's october IS, 1905. Mack Rittenberry. Warden, City:
 Dear Sir-Assistant Warden Williams IS herewith removed from office pending investigation of the case of Will Hays. A copy of Will Hays statement Is here- with enclosed. Please get what informa- ton you can about the matter and report at the mayors office at 10 o'clock Iues- day morning. Very truly,
 GEO B. WARD, Mayor. MT. Rittenbery directed the following communication to the Mayor last night;
 Rittenberry's Letter.
 Birmingham, October IS, 1905. Hon. George B. Ward, Mayor.
 Dear Sir:-Pursuant to your communi- cation in regard to Will Hays, l have made an investigation, and so far nave not been able to find anyone to whom he made complaint while In the city jail In fact, your letter was the frst intimation that I had of his having been shot. I asked Dr. Oscar Hayes, the city physician, if he had seen this man, and his reply was in the negative. Dr. Hayes said that he had been to the Jail door and that no complaint was made to him. Hays had many opportunities to com plain as the negroes come out or the cells three time every day to get thelr meals, which they receive near the door. The prisoners are allowed to eat in the ho h0nnd over to the grand jury was delivered by my brother, Alex Rittenberry, to a deputy sheriff Friday afternoon. He made no complaint at that time.
 This negro was arrested by Officers Armstrong and Hickman The policemen made no report to Alex or myself about the negro being wounded. Hays was tried in the police court, and If 1t developed there that he was shot, no report of 1t was made me by Judge Feagin, MT. Cur ran or others connected with the court. It is my wish that you hold me respon- sible for derelction of duty by subordi- mates Respectfully.
 MACK RITTENBERRY. The following signed statement of the affair was made by Policeman Hickman and given the chief of police:
 Hickman's Statement.
 Birmingham. October IS, 1905. Capt. W. E. Wier Chief of Police: Dear Sir--In regard to the complaint of Bill Hays against me, beg to state that I was called to house on Alley B. be- tween Twenty-second and Twenty-third streets to arrest tle negro Will Hays, whom I was informed had killed a man by cutting him. When I got in sight of him he was running with a crowd of ne- groes after him. I joined in the chase and ran him short distance, when he ran under house. When I reached the side of the house he was going out at the other side. I saw he would in all probability get away before I could run around the house. I fired shot at his legs as he went out from under the house on the other side from me. I was informed at the time that he was guilty of murder He was caught some dis tance from there by my partner. Mir. Armstrong, who was attracted by the shot.
 He said nothing to us about being shot