The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-14
INVASION OF THE BELL HOME ST|RS ANGER IN BESSEMER Chief of Police Suspen ded Until Whole Affair Can Be
 Investigated
ANONYMOUS LETTER WAS
 ONLY BASIS FOR CHARGE
Particular Resentment Aroused by En- trance to Bedroom of Mrs. Bell, Who Is Seriously Ill-BelPs
 Character Excellent.

 a result of the searching of the home of Joe Bell at East Bessemer yesterday aft ernoon Chief of Police T. B. Wallace is suspended, pending an investigation of the search Officer W. H. May has been appointed acting chief Mayor Lewis is in receipt of the following communica- tion from the chairman of the police committee, George Ross:
 I. A. Lewis, Mayor City of Bessemer- You are hereby commanded to suspend Chief of Police T. B. Wallace, pending an investigation of the charge of con- duct unbecoming an officer and also the swearing out of warrant to search the home of Joe Bell of East Thomas
 GEORGE ROSS,
 Chairman Police Committed MT. Bell Is very indignant at the search and has issued an affidavit to the effect that the bedroom of his wif>, who is Ill, was searched. His complaint to MT. Ross was followed by the suspension of the chief Bessemer is very much stirred up over the aaffir and the con- demnation is universal. Prominent citi- zens have expressed their indignation at the proceedings in no uncertain terms. Chief Wallace refused to make a state ment, merely saying that he preferred to await the finding of the committee.
 Only Evidence Anonymous Letter. It will be recalled that the Bell home day afternoon and that not a particle of liquor was found in the residence. It developed today that Mayor Lewis had very scant evidence upon which to issue the warrant. An anonymous, unsigned letter, was sent to him charging that liquor was being sold in the Bell home. The mayor. upon this information, in structed Chief Wallace to swear out the warrant and the search was made.
 In view of the keen interest in the search and seizure law at the present time the following communications and affidavits will be of unusual interest. The letter received by Mayor Lewis, upon which the warrant was based, reads as follows:
 ''Bessemer, Ala MT. Lewis, Dear Sir-This is to inform you of a man selling whisky and fresh meat without license. Joe Bell & Pernolo. at Thirtieth street station, East Bessemer. is selling both; keeps it upstairs; you can see for yourself; my husband drinks it. I am tired of it. Please, for my sake, stop him from selling 1t. A FRIEND"
 Text of Affldavits.
 The mayor handed this letter to the chief of police, T. B. Wallace, and in structed him to make affidavit for search warrant against MT. Joe Bells place as follows:
 State of Alabama, Jefferson County Before me. I. A. Lewis, mayor and ex- officio recorder of the city of Bessemer, personally appeared T. B. Wallace, who, being duly sworn deposeth and says, that he has probable cause to believe and does believe that Joe Bell and Pernolo' keeps a place, viz.: on Thirtieth Street and Dartmouth alley upstairs, where prohibited liquors or beverages are kept for sale, contrary to law a more specific description of which prohibited liquors or beverages is not obtained.
 ''r. B. WALLACE. sworn to and subscribed to before me on this 12th day of November 1909.
 "I. A. LEWIS. Mayor and Ex-Officio Recorder City of Bessemer."
 Search Warrant-State of Alabama, Jefferson County-To the chief of police or any police office of the city of Bes- semer: Proof by affidavit having this day, been made before me by T. B. Wal lace that he has probable cause to be- neve and does believe that Joe Bell and Pernolo keeps place, viz: on Thirtieth street and Dartmouth alley. upstairs. where prohibited liquors or beverages are kept for sale, contrary to law. You are therefore, commanded, at any time be- tween o'clock in the morning and 6 O clock in the afternoon, or at any other time that the said place is open, to make immediate search of said place for the following property, viz: Any proh- bition liquors or beverages kept for sale contrary to law, a more specific descrtp- ton of which is not obtainable, and If you find the same or any part thereof. to bring it forthwith before me at my office in the city of Bessemer. Ala
 .'Dtaed this 12th day of November, 1909.
 sI A. LEWIS, Mayor and Ex-Officio Recorder of the City of Bessemer.'
 On the back of the warrant is indorsed the following: 'Executed the within writ by searching the within described prop erty and no spirituous. vinous or malt liquors found. This November 12, 1909, 11:45 a. m. Signed: w s. Patton and R. J. McCabe, City Detectives"
 And there was also a warrant issued similar to the above in every respect requiring the store house of Joe Bell and