The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-02
Will Ho1combe Shot By
 John N. Thomas.
OXFORD THE SCENE OF RIOT
Trouble Over the Payment of Fare
 on a Street Car.
Policeman sfghton and Conductor Wails Injured-Coroner's Jury Decides Thomas Shot HoIcembe
 in Self Defense.

AnnlstOn, Ala., Juiy L --tSpGcial. B--- For short time last night about l1: :36 o'clock, the peaceful city of Oxford was in the hands of rioters and as result, one man is dead and the two Oxford policemen and others are laid up with bad injuries. The dead: win Holcombe. young white man. of this city.
 Some of the injured:
 Pink Knighton. Oxford day police man.
 John A. Thomas. Oxford night pos liceman.
 Conductor walls. of Anniston Erec- tric and Gas Company.
 All kinds of stories of the affray were rampant early this morning and it was hard to secure facts concern ing the affray. The policemen had been sent to their homes as soon aa Dr. D. B. Williams could dress theiR wounds and the conductor Of the caE refused to talk
 It seems that Holcombe, his broth< CT and VIII McRae, a brother fin law, were on the car coming to Anntston from Oxford Lake and a dispute arosa aver the change. given when he paid his fare while the car was stopped at the Oxford switch. It Is alleged thas the Oxford policemen came up while the dispute was going on.
 It was renewed on the ground. where a crowd gathered around the police.
 Policeman Knighton was struck on the head with some instrument, pre- sumably whiskey bottle. and the fiRht started.
 win Holeombe succeeded in getting Policeman Thomas down, and 1t is said. was in the act of cutting him with . knife when Mir. Thomas shot him. The bullet passed through his heart. killing him instantly.
 Only one shot was fired" is the statement of man that was on the car. and It seemed to have restored order for the time being, although E. A. Walker. a prominent merchant and member of the council, assumed the duties of mayor to take charge of the situation in the absence of Mayor Haynes.
 Acting Mayor Walker swore in a number of extra police and soon ra- stored order. The crowd hung around for a short time and finally disper- sed
 The body of Holcombe was carried to a nearby barber shop. where it is this morning. The injured ones wera carried into the office of Dr. D U. Williams and their wounds dressed
 The injuhies of Policeman knighton were A three-inch confusion and the outside plate of the skull cracked by q rock or bottle. He is thought to be In a danEerious condition today.
 Policeman Thomas's left hand was badly lacerated by similar instru- ment.
 The conductor was cut by a knife. On the car near the scene of the af- fray were several women. and one of the number fainted. adding to the confusion. This was Mrs. Reese Jsn- kins. of Anniston. She was brought t0 ha Ntf ak early hour this morning.
 MT. Walker acted last night for Mayor D. Fl. Haynes, who was called to Lineville Friday on account of the death of his mother. Mayor protein A. c. Allen, was unable to leave a sick wife.
 Sheriff Woodruff placed Poiiceman Thomas upder arrest this morning. charged with murder. He win be giv- en a preliminary hearing at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. His defense wiil very probably be self defense.
 Sheriff Woodruff and his deputies have also arrested Cleve and Dan Hol- comb. brothers of the deceased and Joe Contard, charged with assault with intent to murder. They are in the county jail. Other arrests may bs made.
 The coroner'u jury on the death of VIII HoIcomb, at Oxford. returned the following verdict late this afternoon. We the jury, duly empanelled to inquire into the death of the body now lying before us. find that the deceas- eds name is Will Holcombe. that he came to his death by 6 pistol shot wound inflicted by John A. Thomas and that said shot was fired in self defense and said killing was justifs- able.
 "J. L. Murphy coroner.
 ''C. c. Morgan.
 "A. T. Houser.
 '.Noah Johnston.
 ''w. c. Bryant.
 "J. F. Green.
 coroners Jury"