The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
NEGRO BOY KILLS OLD GRANDFATHER Murder of William Broadnax
 Comes to Light THE CRIMINAL C0NFESSES Attorneys Employed to Fight for the State Prohibition Law-Farm
 School Presidents to Meet
 In Montgomery.
THE CRIMINAL C0NFESSES

Montgomery, January 5.-(Special.)-By his own confession, Taylor Lee, young negro. killed his old grandfather, Will liam Broadnax, well-to-do merchant and farmer. He says, however. that he was forced to commit the deed by Ike Me- Cou, husband of his aunt, Sallie McCou, a daughter of the dead negro. He says that it was made up to kill the old man so as to get his property.
 According to the confession of Lee, Me Cou made 1t up to take the life of Broad max and told Lee that he must do the actual shooting. He says that on the night of the murder he and McCou went to the bushes near the front of the store and McCou called. Broadnax heard the voice and recognizing 1t opened the door and stepped into the yard. As he did so, he, Lee, fired twice with a shotgun, in fiicting a fatal wound. Both then ran back to their homes and waited for day light.
 Early next morning Sheriff Hood went to the scene of the murder with dogs and traced the negroes, now held, to their house. He could not get enough evidence to hold them, however, so they were re- leased. Lee then went to Beat S. where he did lot of talking and was taken up by Justice of the Peace V. E. Gerald, who vouches for the confession. He was today brought in by Deputy Sheriff Hor- ace Hood, Jr, and put in jail and a ch hnrt caught and also sent to the prison
 The negroes, from the confession, seemed to have it made up to kill the old man and get his property. He was worth about $15,O00, having a store, money in the bank and 700 acres of fine lands
 Justice War Over Case.
 The judge of the city court had to be called in today to stop the warning of two justices to which should have the trial of Eli Parker for killing of T. J. Swearengen one week ago. Justice Taylor. who lived near the scene of the shooting in West End, is desired by Par ker and his friends. Justice B. c. Young is desired by the state
 To prevent Taylor, who secured the case by issuing of a warrant first, the state solicitor sought and obtained writ of prohibition from Judge A. D. Sayre, who set hearing for 10 o'clock Wednesday, to ascertain which ought to have the case. It is one of the most unique cases in the history of the county. It is con- tended that Taylor is not competent in that he Is too much influenced by the neighbors and friends of the defendant.
 Prohibition Fight. Every support that the state, the Law and Order league of the county and the state and Anti-Saloon league forces can give, will be at the command of the forces that are fighting to maintain the integrity of the Carmichael prohibition act. Holloway & Brown, lawyers of Montgomery, former Chief Justice S. D. Weakley and others are to have a part in the defense that wifi be made in the various courts where fight is drawn. The retention of Holloway & Brown to assist the attorney general has been announced by George G. Miles, president of the Law and Order league of Montgomery county.
 Cotton Rate Suits.-
 The petition of the state for a readjust- ment of the rates cotton compressed, made to the interstate commerce com mission, should be heard in a short time. Tuesday was the last day for filing an swers, and 1t is likely that the national commission will take up the evidence as quickly as it can. This is an effort to prevent independent congresses from be- ing forced out of business by forcing the roads to have a rate on compressed and uncompressed cotton. At present there is only one rate, the roads compressing at such points as it desires. This makes it hard for the independent presses to live.
 Profitable Tax.
 tho cember, the state received $15, ,520O5 from the new tax of half cent a gallon on Illuminating oils. As one-fourth of the total goes to Auburn college for collec- tions, it is seen that the entire amount received from the tax was $20,336O4 This Is taken to be one of the best revenue producers of the recent session.
 Negro Loses Life.
 Rochel Howard, a negro youth, met death in the mill pond of the Mutual Lumber company Tuesday. He was try ing to get to a log that was floating in the water when he lost his footing and fell in six feet of water, drowning be- fore he could be reached.
 New Corporations.
 The Boaz bank, with capital of s25OOO, has been reported to the secretary of state. w. E. Snead and others are in- corporators. The Garet Van Antwerp Drug company of Mobile, with capital of $50, ,000 is also reported.
 Money for Soldiers.
 For the current quarter the state is paying to old soldiers, sailors and widows the magnificent sum of $23S, ,225 hl pen sions, the largest amount ever given to this cause. This goes to 17,279 pensioners of all classes Under the law recipients get the following amounts, according as classed: First, $25 quarter; second, s2O; third $16, and fourth s1A5O This quarter the payments were in order by classes as follows: '$41, ,176. $2,S6O s191 ,550
 Farm School Presidents.
 The presidents of the nine district ag- ricultural schools are called by Commis- sioner of Agriculture J. A. Wilkinson, to meet in Montgomery, January 29 and 3O These meetings are annual, the idea being to get at the best methods of conducting the schools. Among the subjects to be handled are the courses of study at the schools and the promotion of the science of plant breeding, begun last year. It is also proposed to keep up the organi- zation of corn clubs among the boys.
 Jordan Gets Place.
 William Jordan, of Midway, a well known Confederate soldier has been ap- pointed chairman of the state board of pension examiners to take the place of the late E. s. Starr, of Selma. MT. Jor- dan is known in many sections of the state.
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