The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-22
W.L.THOMPSON SLAIN
WAS SANITARY OFFICER OF CITY OF BIRMINGHAM.
H. s. Robertson, a Guard for City Pris- on His Slayer-A Charge of
 Murder Brought Against the Latter.

Birmingham, April 21.-(Special.)- William J. Thompson, City Sanitary Officer. was shot and fatally wounded this morning by H. S. Robertson, a street guard. The shooting took place at the southside prisons, where city convicts are kept after they have been tried and convicted. Robertson, who was arrested few minutes after the shooting, claimed that he shot in self defense. He said that he had trouble with Thompson yesterday and that he had received word that he must be ready when the two met. This morn ing, he said. when they met he Was ready. and fired twice; ..,os = i. hospital, made a statement as to the difficulty to Assistant State Solicitor Winston in the presence of witnesses and 1t will be used as dying state ment. The sanitary officer fingered until 1:30 o'clock this afternoon when he succumbed. The shooting took place in the presence of half dozen street guards, but none of them could
 It is said that yesterday trouble came up between the mon in regard to the treatment of some negro ctfv conyiets. One statement is that Thompson dis armed Robertson. The latter stated today that he was dragged on wag-
 Thompson joined the police depart ment in 1897. He came here from Tus- caloosa. He made an, excellent officer, and since being detailed in the sani- tary department gained the confidence and esteem of all city officials.
 As soon as the information reached Mayor Ward that the officer had been shot, letter was written to Mrs Thompson expressing deep regrets at the The letter informed the wife that her husband was one of the best officers the city had ever had and that he was ever faithful to his duties.
 aba Of hann against Street Guard Robertson, The dead man leaves a widow and two daughters, grown. MT. Thompson was a member of the Police Reliet Assocla- ton and other organizations. The re- mains will probably be sent to Iusca- loosa for interment
 Hot Grand Jury Report.
 The grand jury of Jefferson county made a partial report to the criminal court today and took a recess until May 18th, when it's work will agaln be taken up. The The partial report ,D 1ieS oS the sheriff of the county When seen' Sheriff Burgin was told as to the re- port and he made a strong repbs hs partial report said x.
 We the grand jury empanneiled by your honor. desire to make this, our partial report. We have investigated a great many matters pertaining to the enforcement of the law and the manner in which the juries are made up, ana not how they are drawn, ana we re found a most deplorable state of affairs to exist in this county, both as 10 the enforcement of the law and the jury system. We find from the records, the sheriff of our county has returned not found some of our best known citi- zens that were drawn by the Board of Revenue to serve as petty jul
 we find from the records, after that thirty-five men were picked up by the sheriff as substitutes to fill up the venires. These professional jurors are used in every one of the courts. Some of these men have served twice in the same year in this, the criminal court. fessional jurors. can we expect toaget justice? We say no. With the pres ent conditions can we be surprised that the red-handed murderers are We find vice and crime f1ourishing and the officers of the law have not the courage to dc theiy fuu duty Can we expect crime to decrease under these conditions? Enforce your laws. puri- fy your jury box and crime will de crease and not before. Respectfully MSAdGITyd IEydict9ents 0rsIan were returned by the grand jury in the partial report making IA in all, fifty-three being re- ported the first of the week. ter the grand jury report had been filed in the criminal court made a statement. Among other things ne said that any man who says that any of the deputies in the sheriff's office ever packed jury box tells an % un. found" made by deputies in regards to citizens who were on the jury rolls and could not be found. "As for the same jurors serving twice in the same year." said the sheriff. that IS not fod ! me to discuss. The qualifications Of a juror are made known to every man before he enters the jury box
 The report of the grand jury and the reply of the sheriff are interesting and the end is not yet in sight. it is be-