The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-23
BURGLARS BUSY IN
 STA|D BESSEMER Operations Are Now Covering
 Wide Range OFFICERS KEPT ACTIVE Negro Shot Last Sunday Evening Is Identified As We'll Known crin- inaI-PersonaI and Gen.
 eral News.

Bessemer, January 22.-(Special.)-It is well known fact that the peonle or staid old Bessemer are always on the lookout for something new, and it usually happens that they get what they want, and a good many things that they do not care for. for in stance, the number of amateur min- strel performances.
 Any way, the newest sensation is the large number of thefts that have taken place within the past two weeks. Not day passes now that the officers are not called upon to go out and look after some poor soul that has been robbed. Any old thing goes with the long fingered gentry that are operating around the city at the present time If a person has an umbrella or a knitting needle that he places any value upon, he would do well to stow it away some where, as these boys with tn graft seem to be in a position to get rid of anything. Here is a sample: party or parties broke into a Louisville and Nashville freight car last evening and walked off with box of dry goods This box must have weighed four pounds. The store of J. 6 P. Renner was also entered and it appears that the boys with the anvil walked right in, looked around, took what they wanted and walked right out again. This store was full of lights, and if the owners themselves cannot lock heir doors properly after the close of business. it seems pretty hard that the officers of the city should be blamed when robbery occurs.
 In the meantime, the officers them n1tfac afa 1nif a hn law has been laid down to them by Mayor Rush. He stated in talk that he had with tn em some time ago. that he expected every man to do his full duty, and he most certainly did not like to know that there were all sorts of robberies being committed right in the city limits, with out the culprits be- ing apprehended. He stated further that he had absolute confidence in every man on the force and he would certainly look to them to discharge their duties.
 Detectives Patton and Parsons have held up tn cir share of the citys bur dens within the past few weeks They arrested Pink Smith, a negro, and Rar- den & Sons claimed that he had stolen $50 from them. He was bound over to the grand jury in the sum of $500. The firm of Rarden & Sons did not
 
 much actual money, but they stated that the negro had stolen that amount in dry goods. This negro is now lodged in the jail in Birmingham. and it is hoped that the jail will be large enough to keep him.
 Negro Is Identified.
 The negro, Will Johnson, who was so badly shot by Paul Piazza on eSunday evening last, has been identified as Au- burn Smith, a negro who was convicted over a year ago in Talladega for num- Der of thefts. This negro. 1t appears was sent to the penitentary at the time of his conviction and served his time out He is supposed to be bad man generally and his capture is considered a good one. Anyway, 1t will be many q long day ere he will enter another mans store, from the fact that he is shot all to pieces
 Andrew Young. colored, is the latest bidder for fame. It asemes that he will steal anything. He even gets so low as to steal tools from aspoor carpenter, and judging from the amount of license that has recently been put on them by the City Council they have at best but a poor showing to make good.
 Chief of Detectives Patton is under the impression that this Is the same negro that has operated all over the district