The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-07
AND MERCHANT LEVINE
HAS VERY NARROW ESCAPE
Body of Cork Recovered-TWo Blood
hounds on Hot Trail Refuse To
Dodge Locomotive and
Are Killed.

Thursday morning while in pursuit of
an escaped convict, was recovered yes
terday afternoon about o'clock after a.
search which continued off and on. for
more than "a hours.
1t was learned yesterday that all indi-
cations are that the escaped prisoner
whom Cork was chasing when drowned
was also swept down stream with his
pursuer. The body of the convict has not
been recovered, although it is believed
to be lodged under a great heap of logs
in the middle of the river a short dis
lance below Flat Top. Corlx's body, 1t
is understood, was found under the heap
and while 1t is reasonable to believe that
the prisoners body is there, too, if he
was drowned. the body could not be To-
Gated yesterday by the party which
dragged the stream.
The prisoner, negro, whose name could
not be ascertained, escaped Thursday
morning shortly before II O'Clock by dodg-
ing from under the tipple at the opening
of the mine. Shortly after his escape
he was missed by the mine guards and
he was seen making for the river, which
was badly swollen from recent rains and
was very swift.
The Swimmer Disappears.
Cork, 1t seems, took up the chase alone,
securing the bloodhounds and a mule,
with all possible haste. 1t is stated that
when Cork reached the river bank the
fleeing prisoner was about half way
across, swimming. Cork is said to have
1-ix .f-rl,t t,.t. i
owing to the swollen condition of the
stream the mule began swimming after
he was only a few feet from the bank.
1t seems that the mule came near dis
mounting Cork in lunging through the
water and the rider attempted to check
the animal by Tightening the bride reins.
1t seems that he jerked the mules head
under the water several times and the
animal became somewhat frustrated. Cork
becoming excited himself leaped from the
mules back and started to swim back
to Shore The mule swan on across
the stream and landed safely on the OPP
poste side of the river.
One of the mine guards named Pickens
had rushed to the river bank in the
meantime and he states that he saw
Cork swimming back to shore Pickens
states that he turned his head to look
at something about the tipple and had
Cork shout, I'm lost"
Pickens says that when he turned to
see where Cork was the man had disap-
peared and was seen no more.
Pickens also states that the negro con-
Wet who was swimming ahead of Cork
never reached the opposite bank of the
river. 1t is understood that when he
reached the swiftest part of the stream
the current overcame him and he was
carried beneath the water and swept down
stream.
Those who know the condition of the
Warrior river as it was Thursday state
that 1t would have been impossible for
man to recover himself after the current
had bested him, the water flowing so
swiftly that it would carry him on, and
for this reason it is believed that the
escaped convict lost his life as did Cork
Two Dogs Mangled.
To make sure, however, the guards
about the mines took the bloodhounds to
the opposite bank of the river and at
tempted to pick up trail, which they
could not find. However, on the side
next to the mine the dogs followed the
trail right up to the river, where the
prisoner had jumped in, then turned ana
doubled back on the trail. In following
the prisoners trail back to the tipple
where the negro began his flight two OF
the dogs were killed by an engine. In
following the hot trail the bloodhounds
took no notice of the approaching engine
and two of them ran directly in front OF
the locomotive and were killed. 1t IS
stated that the two dogs were the finest
in the pack kept at Flat Top and their
loss is greatly regretted.
Shortly after Cork was drowned
searching party was organized, and they
began looking for the body. The banks
of the stream were searched for dis
lance of two miles below Flat Top, and
Cork's hat was all that was found. Yes
terday the stream was dragged. and only
after o'clock yesterday afternoon was
the body discovered. 1t was brought to
Blrn1nRldHl anu lVihoNSo I" eiiS 'iNSi-
taking establishment of Gaudin & Co.
IT will be sent to Tuscaloosa, the former
home of the deceased this morning at 10
o'clock.
Last night the negroes body had not
been recovered, although the search will
probably be continued. Until the body
is recovered it will not be definitely
known whether or not the prisoner is
still at large
Levlne's Narrow Escape.
1t was also learned yesterday that Jake
Levine, peddlar, came near mourning
the same fate Thursday as Cork.
1t is understood that Levine had been
engaged in peddling his wares in
wagon at Porters, a few miles below
Flat Top. He attempted to cross the
warrior at Porters ford and started in to
drive across the stream
The current caught the peddlar and
swept him, horse, wagon and all down
stream. 1t seems that Levine leaped
from his wagon, although he could not
swim, and came near drowning. 1t is
understood, however, that he succeeded
in catching hold of clump of bushes
In the river, and that he held on until a