The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-11

Another of Birminghams brave officers
 was killed at his post of duty last night
 In a shooting that is still 2 mystery Officer W. J. Smith lost his life, and his
 fellow-b beatman, Jud Byers, generally
 known as "Byers No. f." was seriously
 shot in the left leg just above the knee.
 The shooting occurred on Avenue E,
 between Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets,
 shortly after F o'clock. It seems from
 the information at hand that the officers,
 who had been on the beat for only lit-
 tie more than week, were walking down
 the sidewalk side by side, when man
 crossed in front of them One of the
 officers, 1t is understood either halted
 the man or addressed him, and no sooner
 had he done so than the man wheeled
 around, raised pistol and fired upon the
 two officers of the law
 Officer Smith was shot first, the bullet,
 which was one of large calibre, enteT-
 ing the right breast He was knocked
 down by the force of the ball, and as he
 fell the man, who is yet unknown, fired
 second time, the bullet striking Officer
 Byers in the left leg just above the knee
 Officer Byers stated at the Hillman hos pital this morning that as soon as his partner was shot he drew his pistol and as he did so received a bullet in his leg. He stated that he tried to follow the man and did follow him for short distance and emptied his revolver at him. The man turned into an alley, however, and escaped, as Officer Byers believes, un- hurt.
 Smith Dies Quickly.
 Officer Maloney, who was on another heat a short distance away, heard the shots and ran to the scene to see what was the matter. When he arrived of- fcer Smith was dying. He passed away about ten minutes after being shot, lay ing on his back on the sidewalk close to a fence.
 Officer Bvers states that he is not positive. but believes the man who fired the shots was white man.
 The shooting occurred on Avenue E, just above the old Belt railroad round- house. The Belt road runs down Avenue E. and along the middle of the block on the side of the street where the officers were shot the lots are vacant. The To- city is a dangerous one, there being Practically nothing but negro shacks in the vicinity, with the exception of n lumber yard about half block distant. As soon as it was possible to get
 telephone connection the police authorities were notified and officers were sent out in a hack to render assistance As soon
 as they arrived Officer Byers was placed r the carriage and carried to the Hill man hospital, where his injuries were pro- nounced serious but not necessarily fatal,
 unless unexpected complications set in
 Lige Loys ambulance also responded to the call and the deceased officer was removed to the undertaking parlors. BIoodhounds Out.
 The sheriff office was notified and the bloodhounds were sent for immedi- ately. As soon as 1t was possible to get them to town they were carried to the scene of the shooting, setting out on the trail shortly after ? o'clock. The trail was held open and the dogs got good start
 It is not known what prompted the man to shoot 1t is probable that the man was a negro, and some desperate character, and on the other hand 1t is thought by the authorities that it is pos sble that the man was on his way home carrying his pistol in hand ready for any occasion and when the officers ac- costed him he thought them highwaymen and turned upon them and fired withous any knowledge of whom he was murder | ing. This, however, Is merely the suppo sition of the police and when the true | circumstances come out. if they ever do. l the facts will be then known, and then only. If Is thought that possibly the assail-
 ant might have held some anlmosity for