The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-15
C, C, Wright Loses Life in the
Discharge of Duty
BLOW CRUSHES HIS SKULL
Mr.. Wright's Body Discovered satur-
day Mornina-Bloody Deed Com
mitted In Southern Railways
Yards at Woodlawn.

IKE an eggShell Z. &. Wright, night
Waterman at the Southern railroad
freight yards at Woodlawn was murdered
Friday night by unknown assailants. The
body found yesterday morning at O'Clock
lying under a car on a side switch of the
Alabama Great Southern road was hurri-
bly, mutilated, the wheels which were
still imbeded in the cnest had almost
severed the head from the trunk. Indi-
cations were that life had been extinct
fol several hours.
Was Murdered.
Although the exact manner in Which
he met death is not positively known,
the circumstances attest beyond doubt, ac-
cordIng to Chief Gray, that murder was
committed, and are of such conclusive
character as to admit of logical infer
ences as to the details of the tragedy.
Mr.. Wright was last seen about II
o'clock Friday night at the car knock
ers' shanty in the Southern yards. He
left box of crackers which he said
thieves had taken from car they had
broken open. Hearing him approach they
were frightened away
Stealing from cars in the yard had been
going on for some time He remarked to
the men in the shanty that he was going
back to get his man."
Probably Decoyed.
From the position of the body, lying
as it was some distance from his regu-
lar beat and with the back of the skull
crushed, the suppostion at the Woodlawn
police station is that Wright was decoyed
into that spot, where the cars were thick
ly placed, by one man and murdered
by another who lay in wait. The belief
is that the body was then laid on the
track parallel with it and car from a
long line standing little up grade was
uncoupled After the first wheels passed
over the neck and chest of the dead man
and the truck reached the body the car
struck the level and stopped. In this posi-
ton the body was found The piece of
blood stained iron with which evidently
the blow was delivered, was lying within
about four feet of the body
Was Viglant Waterman.
In consequence of repeated robberies
from cars standing in the freight yards
Mr.. Wright had begun a VIGOROUS search
for the thieves. About two weeks ago
he arrested two. and it is said, was de-
termined to catch the rest.
Both the Southern and the Alabama
Great Southern roads have put special
men on the case. The police at Woodlawn
have not ceased since Saturday morning
in their efforts to find a clue. As yet
nothing definite has developed.
The remains of the murdered man. after
an inspection by Coroner Paris were
taken to Gaudin's undertaking establish
ment. An inquest was held yesterday
afternoon.
The Funeral.
Funeral services will be held this after
noon at o'clock from the home of the
deceased at Fifteenth street and Second
avenue, Woodlawn. The interment will
be in Woodlawn cemetery.
Mr.. Wright was a member of the Star
lodge No. 22S Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, who In a body will attend the
funeral services.
The deceased was so years of age. Be-
sides wife he leaves a large family
of eight children, four boys and four
girls all of whom are unmarried and
lived at decea sed' s home.