The Forrest City times., 1905-07-28
NEGRO DIPPED TRAIN CREW.
Claude Hemphill Finally Shot
 Negro After a Fight.

on the Rock Island railroad. arrived at his home in Argenta yesterday. alter having made one of the most ad- Venturous trips in his railroad career by clever ruse he rid freight train NO. 3l of an unruly negro who was beating his way on the train, and who had announced his intention of killing anybody who attempted to interfere with his passage. Mr Hemphill was compelled to shoot the negro in order to save his own life, but did not kill him, and subsequently,, in trial be- fore a justice of the peace in Forrest City yesterday he was acquitted.
 The freight train was west bound, and left Memphis last night for Little Rock. Shortly after leaving Memphis the negro boarded the train and took a seat on top of one of the boxcars. The head brakeman, J. E. Thomas, and Brakeman Hemphill met the negro while passing over the train and were halted by him. He had pistol in his hand and told them that he was going to Little Rock and that he would kill any of the crew who at tempted to eject him. The brakeman told the negro that they were com pelled to reach the head of the train and would not interfere with his ride, and after clambering down from the top Of the car he made the men pass in front of him, keeping his gun lev eled on them all the while. At Ed mondson Hemphill secured pistol from one of the train crew, a few minutes before midnight, and shortly before reaching Forrest City the train stopped and Hemphill climbed to the top of the cars and walked toward the car on which the negro had stationed himself. He was halted by the negro, who did not recognize him in the dark ness, but he told the negro that he was also a '.hobo" and was beating his way to Brinkley. The negro kept his gun down on Hemphill, who tried by several ruses to get the weapon away, but did not succeed. He finally told the negro that he had beat" his way on the Rock Island many times, and that it would be impossible for them to ride through the city on the train, as the town marshal always kept sharp lookout for hoboes.
 Hemphill suggested that they leave the train, walk through the town and catch it short distance down the track, to which the negro agreed. Hemphill kept sharp lookout for the town marshal for the purpose of mak- ing the negro surrender, if possible, but could not locate the official
 While passing under one of the electric lights on the streets of the town the negro recognized Hemphill as one of the brakemen who had ac- costed him shortly after leaving Memphis, and reached for his pistol Hemphill made grab for his gun at the same time and was quicker than the negro, and fired first. The shot went wide, however, and the negro returned the fire, but without result, and then started to run. Hemphill fired again and struck the negro in the back. He did not kill him, and it is not thought that the negro is se- riously wounded.
 Hemphill was arrested and taken before justice of the peace in For rest City yesterday morning, and was discharged, there being no evidence to show that he acted other than in self defense. He reached Little Rock on passenger train No. ,, which arrived here at 1:40 pm. yesterday and went to his home in Argenta. He will re- sume his run on the freight train today.
 Above is taken from Wednesday mornings Gazette, and is substantially true, except that Hemphill has not had preliminary hearing. He was placed under $500 bond to appear here today. It is also a mistake about the negro firing his pistol. He had the pistol in his hand when he was shot, and it was picked up near where he fell after being shot, but he did not shoot at Hemphill
 The negro was shot in the back be- low the ribs, the ball passing almost entirely through his body, and was cut out just under the skin on his abdomen.
 He was carried to a negro hotel, and is still alive, though there is little chance for his recovery.
 One Dollar Saved Represents Ten