The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-15

 opposite corner from the American hotel and stood there. Moore says that he then searched Gerstman and found nothing on him but d small pocket knife Policeman Baber soon came to Moores assistance and asked where Couch was. Moore told him that Couch was behind the bill board and Baber went after him. When Baber got within a few feet of Couch, Couch is said to have said to Ba Der. "Baber, don't come on me or I will shoot you" Baber paid no attention to this remark but advanced on Couch and Couch shot him three times. Baber also fired a shot two but he missed his mark. When Couch fired the last shot Baber is reported as saying, That will do. you have got me" Couch then fled and and went to Huntsville. where he spent , the remainder of the night with friend, it is said. Couch fired two shots as he was retreating, but they went wild. Couch was arrested on a train in Tennessee, bound for Nashville, on the day of the shooting and was brought back to Deca- tur and placed in jail where he has been | confined ever since His case was con- ! tinued at the last term of court on ac- count of the serious illness of the wife of one of the attorneys for the defense. few minutes. after the shooting sev- eral men rushed to where Policeman Ba- l Der was lying desperately wounded and carried the officer to the Mayors office, i only a block, where he lived only few minutes.
 Last week a change of venue was de- nied by the presiding judge. D. w. Speake, and a special venire of seventy two names were drawn in the case. So far as known there was not an eye witness to the shooting. There are sev- eral who said they were at the Hotel Bis marck and at the Union depot a block away, who saw the flashes of the revol- vers. but could not tell who the two men were on account of the dense shadows in which they were standing. There is a belief among some that Couch will set up plea of self-defense. they claim he was compelled to shoot in order to save his own life.
 The case is one that has attracted a great deal of interest on account of the prominence of the two principles in the case A number of the best lawyers in north Alabama have been engaged to de- fend and prosecute the case. For this req
  fought.
 Percie Couch. the defendant is a mem- Der of one of the oldest and most highly respected families in Decatur. His brother ir-law. J. Lee Barns, is proprietor of one of the prominent hotels in Atlanta, and Percie Couch's brother. Jessie Couch, is clerk in the hotel for his brtoher-n- law. John c. Evans, proprietor of the l Tavern hotel, New Decatur, is also brother-in-law of Percie Couch. Pereie Couch is about p years of age and was married only a few months before the murder with which he is charged took place. His mother is still living. but his father died several years ago. No amount of money will be spared to clear Couch of the grave charge with which he stands accused.
 William A. Baber the officer who was killed was one of the best men on the De- catur police force. Before coming to De- catur he lived at Trinity. seven miles west of this city. on the Southern railroad. where he owned q valuable farm and other property. He was highly respected and had a host of friends both in Decatur and at Trinity. He was a prominent mem- Der of several secret orders. He left wife and several small children and several brothers.
 Aged Woman Dies.
 Mrs Mary Dancy, aged S1 years. died this morning after an illness of few days. Death was due mainly to old age.
 Mrs. Dancy was one of the oldest citi- zens of Decatur, not only in age but in the number of years that she had lived in Decatur.
 Her husband died some years ago. She leaves several daughters and sons. The funeral will take place tomorrow. and the remains will be intered in the city ceme- tery.
 The farmers throughout this section of the state are complaining of drouth. They say that rain is badly needed. and that early corn and gardens are suffering con
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