The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-06


Behind closed doors yesterday, witness
after witness was examined at the eoro-
ner's investigation into the shooting in
the Peerless saloon Friday evening, when
Thomas G. Hewlett was killed, John T.
Shugart perhaps fatally wounded, and
Leonard Poss. Dave Tyeus and Frank Lee
painfully but not seriously injured The
tragedy was the result of a pistol duel
participated in by Hewlett and Harry
Haynes. In all eleven witnesses were ex-
amined and late in the afternoon an adj
journment was taken until Thursday
morning.
Although only the coroner and his jury,
the solicitor and the witnesses were al
lowed to enter the grand jury room on the
third floor of the court house, when the
investigation was held. it comes from
a reliable source that all the witnesses
examined agree in their testimony that
Haynes acted in self-defense. Ten of the
witnesses were of the opinion that Hewlett
was the first to commence firing, while
Warren Tice, the manager of the Peerless
saloon an eyewitness to the tragedy,
still maintains that he Is of the opinion
that Haynes fired first.
The investigation commenced yesterday
morning and later in the day Coroner
Paris Solicitor Hef1in, Detective Bodeker
and NJ B. Orr, d. r. Dunlap, j. A.
Young, NJ G. Helms, o. L. Duncan and
John b. Bethea. the members OF the cor
orer's jury. visited the saloon and made
Of tba In
the afternoon the investigation was re-
sumed.
Haynes is still confined in the county
Jail, and it seems probable that he Will
remain there, at least until after the in
vestigation is completed Thursday. He
still contends that he was forced to shoot
Hewlett in order to protect his own life.
Without doubt his plea will be self-de-
Tense, If he is put on trial, to answer
the charge of murder which has been
docketed against him.
Solicitor Hefiin conferred with Judge
Weaver yesterday with reference to call
ing a special session of the grand jury
to investigate the killing. and this will
probably be done Immediately.
Autopsy Was Held.
An autopsy over the remains of Mr..
Hewlett was held yesterday morning at
Loy's undertaking establishment on Third
avenue, where the body was taken short
ly after the shooting occurred.
The post-mortem examination was con-
Quoted by Drs. B. L. Wyman and ]. D..
Heacock They made an official report
to the corner. showing there were three
wounds on Mr. Hewletts body, the shot
that pierced the brain evidently causing
his DEATH
Those making the examination found
the first wound to be in the left foot. the
bullet having entered about one inch be-
hind the great toe. 1t would not have
proved serious. The second wound was
a superficial one at the junction of the
middle and lower third of the right thigh,
on the anterior surface.
The third wound, and the one which,
in the opinion of the doctors, produced
death, was found to be in the lower part
of the occipital opening. at the base and
back of the skull. The bullet entered
about half an inch to the right of the
backbone. at the back of the head, and
ranged upward and to the left. Its exit
was Just over the left malar bones, and
under the left eye. I he skull was not
opened by the examining physicians, as
they thought it clear that the bullet
through the head had produced death.
Funeral Arrangements.
The remains were later taken to the res
idence of the deceased s sister, Mrs. Err
win, at No. 3029 Fifth avenue where the
funeral services will be conducted this
morning at $50 o'clock by the Rev. DR..
A. J. Dickinson. pastor of the First Bap-
fist church. Interment will follow at
Oak Hill cemetery
The following have been asked to serve
as the pail bearers:
Active-Thomas +. Parker, John Nc
Queen, Gus Camp John G. Bradley, J.
p. Stiles, S. E. Greene. William Smith,
James T. Hood.
Honorary-Judge A. A. Coleman, Hugh
Morrow, d. ]. Fox, F. NJ. Edwards, Dr.
j. W. Hughes. Eugene Flies. II. c. Miller,
William Vaughan.
Mr. Hewlett was one of the st-known
men in Birmingham. He numbered
staunch friends by hundreds. and large
number of them called at the home of the
deceased's sister to leave messages of
sympathy. Many beautiful floral offer
ings were placed on the casket during
the afternoon.
Condition of Mr.. Shugart.
The condition of Mr.. Shugart appears
to remain unchanged. He is alive and that
seems about all that can be said. A large
number of men called yesterday at the
private infirmary of DIR. B. G. Copeland
on Fourth avenue. where Mr.. Shugart
was taken Friday evening, and many
were allowed to step into the sick cham
Der and speak few words of cheer to
the stricken man. To friends Mr..
Shugart appears to be of the opinion that
he cannot survive. but he does say that