The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-06
Negro Tries to Get Away

negro serving hunderd and sev- enty-five days sentence with the city made a bold break for freedom today, and was only caught after hard chase by the bloodhounds belonging to MT. Doyle, director of live stock.
 The negro, with several oth ers was in charge of Tom Payne, who was known as side guard. It appears that Payne was subject to hemorrhages and he had one this morning which re- suited In his death before medical aid could be had. The negroes were all busy working the streets when Payne was taken suddenly i'll. and died a few minutes later After 1t was learned that the man was dying, the negro that tired to escape made the remark that he wanted to go to Payne before he died. The dying negro was some distance from the rest of the gang, and this negro started off as If he were going to him. Instead of stop ping he kept right on. and was gone before any one realized what he in tended doing. MT. Doyle was tele- phoned for, in a few minutes and he immediately set his dogs on the trail. They had only been running a few minutes when they came upon the ne- gro and after that it was all up.
 When he saw that he was caught. he turned around and started back to join the rest of the gang. He stated after he was securely fastened that he did not mean to run away but the evidence was all against his state ment. No doubt the next time he tries to pull off any such stunt. he will fig ure on 1t in advance.
 Police Court.
 Mayor Rush walked into court about 6:SO o'clock this morning, followed shortly by Clerk Edwin Bernard Stubbs, and Bosco Constant.
 Just before the first case was called on of the prisoners asked his honor what made him come down at such an early hour and the mayor replied that he had not slept any last night because he was worried about the storm sewer debt of the city. He asked Clerk Stabbs on the side if he could suggest any plan whereby that old and ever-appearing storm sewer spasm could be disposed of, and after going up against an extra large piece of Schnapps MT. Stubbs replied that the only solution he saw for it would be to work and walt" The mayor was heard to murmur on tho side that he was no better off after that than he was before he asked the question.
 Not being able to have his mind eased on that particular subject, he remarked that he could at least help the cause along by dishing a few money fables to those Of the human family that had been unable to tread the straight and narrow path, and & result had to try the hard boards in the pail.
 The following responses were received when the roll was called by the clerk: Jim Woods colored; Elijah Jenkins, col- ored; Will Turnboe, colored Maggie Carter, a cross between a ginger snap and piece of brown bread, and Maggie Williams, slightly of a black and tan color.
 Jim Woods was compelled top lead guilty to the charge of petty larceny. His crime consisted in the lifting of a ham from friend.
 Jim remarked to his honor that if he had known as much about that ham the day before he took it. as he did after he had landed 1t safe at home, he would simply have written it a little note, and asked 1t to come over to his house. He took a dying oath that it could walk without even the use of crutches, and he was quite sure that it had never seen a hog. He was assessed SIP. 50 and costs, and in fining him his honor took occasion to remark that while he appreciated the fact that all food stuffs were very high at the present time he was inclined to the belief that Jim had an idea that he could advance the price or meats even hlBner When ne latched on to the ham.
 Elijah Jenkins, colored. certainly would be a good subject for prohibition, when he was found he was in a state of happiness that was simply terrible to be- hold. He, to use the common expression, was 'all in, down and out" and it took four men to get him into the red maria. He did not make any excuse because some one had given him a looking glass and after one glance at 1t he knew as soon as the Mayor laid his peppers on that bedraggled mug life would cease to be