The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-03
Wm. s. Davis, Jr, Shot By Jim Russell Over Trifing
 Quarrel
FROM NORTH HAVEN THE
 YOUNG MAN ESCAPES
Davis and Frank Foster Had Trlfllng Quarrel When Russell Inter- fered With Deadly Result.
 Both Boys We'll Known.

As sequel to a youthful crap game. William s. Davis, Jr., was shot and in- stantly killed by Jim Russell yesterday afternoon at about 3:9O o'clock. Russell made his escape and is being followed closely by deputy sheriffs.
 The shooting caused quite a sensation, as all the young men connected with It are well known, and this was their first difficulty. The shooting was there suit of trivial disagreement, and many point to 1t as moral against the practice among young men of carrying pistols.
 Not Party to Quarrel.
 The peculiar part about it is that Rus sell was really not party to the quarrel, which started between Davis and Frank Foster. He fired only once, and the next moment the brains were running out of two holes in his victims skull.
 The young men were 25 and 22 years old, while some in the crowd were not more than 16. The boys who were eye witnesses to the killing. having been look ing on while the crap game was in prog ress were H. D. Wood Erby Batey, W. s. McCaslkey, Ben Puckett, Beverly Chew, and Paul Welch.
 From their account it appears that a crowd of some twenty-five boys had con gregated in the field called the North Haven ball park, just beyond Village creek at what would be Sixteenth street and Twenty third avenue, north. Part of them spent the afternoon gambling, WbiIa tba otbars p1ouad boI
 Just Finished Big Game.
 They had just finished big, free for all game, and were starting away when Frank Foster proposed that they shoot for $4 Davis agreed, and when the dice were thrown, he lost. At this he picked up the dice saying, Let me see these, l believe they are loaded"
 Foster became angry and told him to leave them alone, and both drew their knives Foster then asked Russell who was standing near to lend him pistol Russell refused, but stepped up and made some remark to which Davis asked him what he had to do with 1t. Russell re- piled, ''I'll show show you.' 70, you needn't get gay" was the rejoinder.
 Russell then pulled his pistol from his hip pocket and deliberately fired once The bullet entered just above Davis Jeff eye. went straight through his skull and came out at the rear. He fell over, in stantly killed, the blood and brains run ming from the wounds. It was a deadly aim. as the young fellows were standing within three yeards of each other.
 FIourlshed He Pistol.
 Two of the other boys who were in the group grabbed Russell from his back but the frenzied fellow began to point his pistol over his shoulder at them and they had to let go.
 Russell then made a break up the creek toward North Birmingham. By this time there was large cvrowd attracted to the scene. Police headquarters was no- tifed and Officers Cole and Ray went out on horse back. They followed the fugitive up the creek to the Sloss company's North Birmingham furnace, and there lost track of him.
 Sheriff Higdon sent out Deputies Riddle Helton and Brent, who traced him to where he jumped into a buggy and was last seen going by Mary Lee mines. They are still in hot pursuit, and all the au. thorities of the counties surrounding have been notified. He will probably be caught before another day passes. While the young men claim the dice were loaded they have not yet been found.
 Young Men We'll Known.
 Russell Is the son of Attorney James M Russell, a Well known lawyer of the Birmingham bar, and lived at 2OOO North Twenty-forth street. He has been work. ing for slime time at the Boston shoe store on Second avenue.
 At the time of his escape he wore a gray suit, a light felt hat, tan shoes and has black hair and blue eyes. He is 2: years of age.
 Davis was the son of w. s. Davis, ST. carpenter and contractor and lived with his parents at 1920 Avenue F. He has two brothers, Ike. and Charley, the last of whom just gained consciousness a few days ago from a long delirious spell oi typhoid fever. Policemean Baker and Ed Baker are his uncles. The young fellow was a carpenter himself. having worked on jobs with his father. He was 9 years of age.
 The remains were removed to the par lors of Lige Loy and prepared for burial. The funeral will be conducted from Wes- ley Chapel this afternoon at 8 o'clock and interment will be made in Elmwood ceme- tery.