The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-01
NEGRO KILLS MAN
 IN SELF DEFENSE
Unfortunate Shooting Affair at
 Palos Fay Office
NEGRO WAS TRYING TO HIDE
Was Crouching Behind the Station Agent When a Shot From Wood. mans Pistol Went Through
 the Negro's Hand.

Dave Woodman, a white boss driver at the mines of the Palos Coal and Coke company, was shot twice and fatally wounded yesterday afternoon by a ne- gro driver at the mines The shooting affair grew out of trivial matter, and the negro shot the white man, according to the statements of eye witnesses, in self-defense.
 It Is understood that Woodman had been employed at tho Palos mines as boss driver for about two days when he was shot, having moved to Palos from Pratt City. Four or five days ago he had his furniture sent to his in- tended home near the mines, and it fell to the lot of the negro driver involved in the affair to haul the furniture from the station to the house.
 At some time between the time when the furniture was packed and when 1t reached the house, bureau mirror was broken and other pieces of the furni- ture were slightly damaged. When Woodman unpaeked them he discovered this and charged the negro with having broken his furniture up.
 Yesterday afternoon about 2 o'clock Woodman was in the pay office of the mine company when the negro entered. The two came to words about the broken furniture. Woodman charged the negro with having played foot ball with his furniture" The negro told him that the pieces must have been damaged in the freight car, as they were broken when he took them from the station.
 Finally Woodman grew furious, and cursed the negro roundly. remarlelng that If he would wait minute he would play football with tho negro" The white man then left the pay of- flee. went to his home and got a pistol
 When he returned to the office he again cursed the negro driver and then opened fire on him. The negro jumped behind the depot agent who was in the building, standing directly behind him with his hands on the agents sh builders. woodman did not cease fir ing, but finally hit the right hand of the negro which rested on the should CT of the depot agent.
 There was revolver lying on the desk of the cashier in the office and finally the negro jumped over, grasped 1t and fired two shots into the abdomen of the white man. One of the bullets struck directly in the navel and passed clear through, coming out just below the small of the back. The other enter ed about two inches below the first and came out in the hip. Woodman fell to the floor mortally wounded.
 After firing the shots the negro made no attempt whatever to escape. lie was placed under arrest by Deputy o. P. Quinn, and he and Woodman were placed on the train and brought to Birmingham. Woodman died on the train just as it pulled into Birming- ham, sh ortly before o'clock The ne- gro was given medical attention and then placed In the county jail.
 According to the statement of Deputy Quinn. the shooting of Woodman by the negro was purely one of self fense. It Is also stated that the white man was under the influence of whisky when 10 went home after his revolver.
 Dave Woodman was 0 married man about 33 years of age. He is survived by q widow and one child, who are at the present living at Palos Mir. Wood man was a son-in Jaw of George Bar Der of Pratt City. He had been in Palos only about two days, having gone there during the midweek to accept the position as boss driver at the mines.
 The negro who killed Woodman is said to be of good character, having worked at Palos about three or four years
 The body of the deceased was re- moved to the undertaking establish ment of Lige Low where it was pre- pared for burial The remains will be sent to Pratt City today, the interment to take place there tomorrow.