The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-29
OFFICER MARTIN
 BADLY WOUNDED
Car Thief Shoots With Accu-
 rate Aim
RUSE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL
Higdon's BIoodhounds Fail to Find Crimnal-One Arrest Made-Oc- currence Near Illinois Gen.
 traI Freight Depot.

Police Patrolman R. l.. Martin, one of the men recently elected by the police commission, was shot and dangerously- perhaps fatally-injured early last night by negro car robber. The sAooting oc- cured near the Illinois Central freight house on Fourteenth street. between First and Second avenues, shortly after 8 o'clock
 Within the past few days the authorities have received reports of the robbery of several box cars standing on the tracks approaching the Illinois Central freight house. Last night Officer Martin and his partner Officer E. H. Bently, together with special agents of the Illinois Gen. tral railroad, kept watch for the thieves which had been breaking open box cars nearly every night.
 It seems that a box car had been plant ed' for the thieves. By "planted'' rail- road men mean that the car was placed as trap for the thieves Special watch was kept over this car and eventually three negroes put in their appearance The door of the car was pushed open and one of the negroes climbed in. At this
 
 the car rushed out and succeeded in trap ping the negro who had climbed inside the car. The other two negroes escaped, how ever. under the fire of the officers
 After the two negroes had escaped the officers started to search for them. It seems that the tracks leading to the freight house cross several large ditches, over which there are bridges. When Of ficer Martin came to one of these bridges he decided to look under 1t to see if the fugitive robbers were there.
 The policeman climbed down into the ditch, and just as he leaned down to look under the bridge he was fired upon.
 The bullet fired at him took effect in the left shoulder. After entering the body the ball struck the shoulder blade and glanced downward, it is believed, into the region of the heart
 An effort to locate the bullet proved futile and the physicians attending the wounded man state that they cannot tell how seriously the officer is injured. If the ball found it's way to any point near the heart the consequences might be very grave.
 However, it is understood that Martin Is resting as well as could be expected under the circumstances and no fear Is entertained at present. Unless the bull. let is located, however. complications might result and the wound may prove fatal.
 After firing upon the officer the negro jumped out Of the ditch where he was hiding and ran. He made good his es- cape, Officer Martin, the wounded man. firing upon him as he ran off.
 The sherff's ofrlce and police head quarters were notified of the occurrence immediately
 Sheriff Higdon, upon receiving word of the shooting ordered the bloodhoun Is brought to the city. Owing to some de- lay, however, the dogs and their keeper did not reach Birmingham from the kennels near East Lake until after 10 o'clock An effort to open a trail and follow it for any distance was without result.
 The negro who was trapped in the box car just prior to the shooting was taken to police headquarters, where he was questioned, and he was later committed to the city jail He is being held on a charge of burglary and grand larceny. The officers believe they can induce thls negro to give an account of himself and his partners in the robbery.