The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-14
SOMEBODY LIED"
COAT, COAT, WHO STOLE THIS
 COAT.
Policeman Bfanton and Mayor of selma Engage in Pleasant Gamesof Breaking up "Dirty
 nOxen.D
Advertiser Bureau,


 Selma Aug. 1S. Policeman Blanton Is responsible Tor the first break in the dirty dozen, gang of young negroes who nave been committing many petty thefts m anu about Selma.
 Two weeks ago they broke into a pressing club conducted by C. ". Reld, a negro. ana stole several suits. The officer got a description of the gar ments and watched. Yesterday he saw Andrew Kimbro with one of the coats on. Kimbro was arrested. He told the officer Charlie Hagood had sold the coat to him. Hagood was found and arrested. Upon examination he said he got the coat from Earl Holloway. Out went Oficer Blanton again and found and arrested Holloway. But Holloway swore he had gotten the coat from one Gus Houston. Out went the policeman and. after diligent search, Houston was arrested.
 Rut the end was not yet. Gus swore by all that was tangible he had gotten the coat from Willie Jones.
 Exaggerated the patrolman went to the search again and pinched Willie Willie was by no means at loss for a scape goat and ungallantly put the case up to his mother. By this time Policeman Blanton was very tired and rather damp, with precipitation, so an- other officer was sent out. Willie's mother was coaxed from the washtub to police headquarters, where she glib ty affirmed she had purchased the gar ment from Frances Vaughn for s6.
 Thoroughly interested Chief Walters sent for Frances.
 Frances was indignant. She dis claimed any knowledge of the whole affair, and hinted that neither Willie Jones nor his mother moved in her so- ciaI set.
 To be on the safe side the Chief held the whole lot for a hearing in police court today. Tn presenting the case. Chief Walters told the court that all he knew was somebody lied.' and shifted the matter. in toto. to the Nay or.
 That coat must have been a claw hammer or Prince Albert" the court said, for no other masculine garment has so long a caudal appendage."
 As the prison witnesses batted the theft accusation about like a shuttle cock the Judge got cross-eyed. He drank a glass of water, and then fined Ktmbo, Jones and Holloway $25 and costs each, and Hagood s45 and costs. As the Judge left the room he was heard to mutter: Fiat jus@leiat ruat celum."
 Nervy Firemen.
 At the fire which destroyed the prop erty of the Perfection Dyeing and Cleaning Company. Wednesday evening, two of Selnna's fremen took their lives literally in their hands.
 In the back of the building where the fire started, were four large cans and an open tub of gasoline. With nut waiting to be sent, Captain c. w. Bohlia and S. Fl. Bates walked into the room. picked up the combustlbles and brought them outside.
 The department reached the fire two minutes after the alarm was turned in and directed the chemical hose at the floor of the burning rooms, and a stream of water at the building. The cans of gasoline were still in the build ing, and were not seen until the fire was partially under control Why they did not explode is still a mystery.
 Seeing them In the room. Bohlia and Bates walked in, picked them up. the metal of the cans being almost too hot to handle. and brought the stuff out side. They had seen poor Dresden brought out scorched and almost un- conscious, but did not hesitate a mo. meut in their duty.
 Chief Blakely, who handled the fire so ably. said it was one of the nerv. jest things he had seen in his expert ence. The chief was in the room al the time, beside the combustibles, but was too busy directing the work to take part in the removal of the cans.
 Dresden Dead.
 ' af he. Al