The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-22
COLLINS IS BROUGHT HERE Negro Had a Narrow Escape from Death. THE SHERIFF SAVED HIM Was Followed by Young Girls
 Brother. AIertness of officers Rescued the Nesro From The Posse And Saved Him From PursuinE
 Brother.


 Mack Collins. the negro who attempt ed to assault a young white girl near Georgiana several days ago. was yes terday brought to the Montgomery County Jail for safe-keeping by Sheriff Watson of Butler County. The Sheriff after seeing that his prisoner was safely lodged in jail, then gave an account of the capture to day Jailer Pettus and the deputies about the cor riders.
 The negro was caught several days ago by Sheriff Irwin of Conecuh Coun- ty and turned over to Sheriff Watson of Butler County. The Brewton jail was considered the safest place for the negro and he was carried to that place. The excitement which continued to demonstrate itself in that section of the country so excited the sheriff of Butler County. that the jail at Brewton was no longer considered a safe place. It was known by the sheriff that the young woman's brother was following closely in the sherfffs footsteps and that on sight of the negro there would be q killing.
 l Sheriff Watson accordingly tele- phoned that he was coming to Brewtor on business. The brother Of the young woman followed on the same train When Brewton was reached, however the sheriff remained on the train, and the brother paid his fare to the con ductor as far as Evergreen. always keeping the sheriff in sight. At Ever green. the sheriff got off the train on the dark side, while the brother remained on the platform of the sleep ing car, thinking he had the sheriff cold.
 As negro prisoners are not taken on the fast trains Sheriff watson waited for the accommodation following on the heels of the fast train. Boarding the accommodation, Sheriff Watson made his way to the baggage coach. where the negro was securely handcuffed and guarded. The train with the sherifi proceeded to Montgomery and the prisoner was safely landed in the jail here.
 It is said that the brother of the young woman was positive that Sheriff Watson knew the whereabouts of the negro would be- rapist, and that had the sheriff ever taken the prisoner ir the open, the brother would have killed the negro, sheriff or no sheriff Collins, the negro. several days ago was employed on the farm of John Y. Watson. On being awakened by Mir Watson, the negro began his regular morning duties, while Mrs. Watson oc. cupied herself in the kitchen. Mir I " 0SSOA WcAo nNAAA HI nAS TOOfn, AILel a little while. Mir. Watson asked his wife if his daughter was awake, and on the reply that she would find out Mrs. Watson entered her daughters room to find the negro In the act of climbing on the bed in which the young girl lay asleep.
 The negro seeing that he was dis covered ran for the swamp and made good his escape for several hours. An enraged posse with hounds soon took the train, but Sheriff Irwin of Escam- bia County was too slick. The negro had been captured by him, and the mob went on hunting. Great excitement prevailed for several days in the com munity, and had not entirely subsided yesterday when Sheriff Watson made his successful escape with his prisoner to this city.
 The negro will be held here subject to orders from Georgiana.