The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-21

In a pistol duel last night about IL
o'clock near the Union station. Pa
trolman Fred Merry shot and killed
a young negro, believed to be Charles
Lyles, of Evansville. The negro died
in few minutes after being shot. as
the shot entered just 70 the right of
the spine, and Is supposed to have
ranged upward Three negroes had
opened fire upon the lone policeman.
Two companions of the dead man es-
capped Immediately after the shoot
Ing Patrolman Merry surrendered to
the police.
Patrolman Merry Is stationed at
the Union station at night, without
partner About Ill O'Clock he saw a
fire burning brightly near the east
side of the. crossing of the tracks of
the Nashville, Chattanooga & St
Louis and Illinois Central railroads
IA freight train had been in about an
hour. and the patrolman started for
the fire. as all camps of the hoboes
are raided He walked up along a
string of box cars. Reaching car
opposite the fire, Patrolman Merry
stopped down and looked under the
car Three negroes. one a tall, yell
low negro. and two smaller conn
panions we're warming about the
blaze. The tall negro answered the
description OF a negro that Is wanted
by the police.
The Shooting.
Patrolman Merry walked the length
IQf two box cars to the end. -of a--thn.
train. and around the cars. When he
was about Go feet from the fire he
called for the negroes 10 walk to him.
At his command the three men began
running rapidly towards O'Brien's adj
ditionl He pulled his pistol and shot
up into the air to brighten them. At
this there was fash, and Patrolman
Merry heard a bullet whiz near him
He lowered his pistol and fired two
shots, taking aim at where he had
seen the fash.
The running did not cease as he
heard the patter of feet rapidly up a
walk. Over toward the fire. the pa
trolman heard groans. and he hurried
to the station and secured a lantern.
With J. NJ. Sexton, night baggage
agent, Patroiman Merry found the ne
gro dying about rs yards from the
fire. The patrol wagon was called
and Patrolmen Terrell. Baker, Morris
nFa1 Ans wN1 -
was carried to the undertaking estab-
lislhment OF Mattil, Efinger & Roth.
after Coroner Frank Eaker had or
dered the body removed.
When searched no pistol was found
on the negro or near the scene, and
4 is believed that one of his CON-
panions returned the fire. The negro
wore a sweater a coat, several shirts
and two pairs OF trousers. A blank
book was found in his pocket with the
name "Charles Lyles, Evansville,
Ind" Also the name of Laura
Baker" was found. The negro was
about 20 years old.
After the killing Patrolman Merry
rode to the police station. where he
Surrendered to Lieutenant William
Beadles and remained at the station.
Patrolman Merry has been on the
force about a year, and has made
good record as patrolman. Patrolman
Merry regrets that he killed the man.
but he felt he only protected himself
when he fired
A thorough examination of the
papers on the body convinces the
police that Lyles was the dead man'S
name. From his possessions he must
have been travelling musician or
performer in a minstrel show, as he
had burnt cork, joke book. guitar
strings. a long knife and other pos
sessions worth a few cents.
Coroner Frank Eaker set the In
quest for 2 O'Clock this afternoon.
No one was found in the city that
knew Lyles, and 1t is presumed that
he had Just arrived on freight train
Hast night. The police have not To-
lcatad his two companions.