The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-27
TWO MORE ARRESTS
ARE EXPECTED SOON
Further Developments in L. &
N. Wreck Gases
NEGRO CHANGES STORY
Detective Sigsbee Recites Details of
Confession Mndc-says the Negro
Was Not Submitted to the
"Tbird Degree"
NEGRO CHANGES STORY

ihdt tWO dIItslS Will Ue Illdue Ill Tic
Louisville and Nashville railroad wreck
cases in addition TO that of William
Nabors for cpmplicity in wrecks on the
South and North Alabama, was the de-
velopment yesterday afternoon in the
wide net that has been spread from Bir-
mingham for the wreckers of trains on
the Louisville and Nashville.
Majors is the only man that has been
taken into custody for completely in the
South and North Alabama cases, but
within a short time it is stated two
more persons will be accused of having
knowledge of the wrecks or with having
actually participated in them.
No inkling as to the identity of the sus-
poets was to be had yesterday from au-
thentic sources. However, it is said they
Will be as surprising to the railroad peo-
pie and the general public as was the
arrest of William Majors few days ago.
The special service men were in Biz
mingham yesterday digging into fresh in
formation, and it is said to be extremely
probable that whoever is arrested resides
between Birmingham and Decatur, and
Is allied either directly or indirectly with
the company. 1t is also stated that the
two suspects were on the scene of the
wrecks on the South and North Alabama
at most surprising time. according to
the opinions of the officers.
Chief of Detectives ]. B. Harlan of the
Louisville and Nashville and r. e.
Brooks, superintendent of the Louisville
and Nashville, were closeted together yes
terday for some time in a close confer
ence The officials have practically
dropped all other matters and are paying
all attention to the solution of the wreck
cases. The officials stated later in the
afternoon that the developments which
were expected a few hours previous had
not eliminated, and no new information
was available at this time. The officers
are however. very near what is said
to be the real climax of the cases
Majors, the accused wrecker, when seen
yesterday, stated that he did not wish to
his case. His attorneys are now enga ged
in mapping out his defense.
sigsbee Discusses Confession
The full details of the alleged confession
OF Morris Brown, negro, that he
wrecked the Louisville and Nashville fest
train 10 miles below Montgomery, near
Faulkner's Siding, few days ago, were
made public yesterday afternoon by De-
tective Sigsbee of the local police depart
ment. He said that he was under tn. I'M
preston that the negro charged that he
third degree" had been administered 20
him, and he wished to state that this was
untrue. Mr.. Sigsbee stated that several
Nashville were present and the detec-
tives all substantiated everything given
out by Mr. Sgsbee.
He said that the negro was arrested al
the store of Mr.. Stone in Montgom-
cry about four or Ave days following the
wreck. He was placed in jail at Mont
gomery and was returned to Birmingham
to be cross-auestioned here by Louisville
and Nashville secret service men Later
Mr.. Stone came here to see Brown and
said the negro was the man.
THE negro related five different stories
about the wreck before he told US the
true story" said Mr.. Sigsbee. 1--WE never
in all the questioning even hit MIN with
the palm of our hand. He told LIZ frs,
that he went to the scene of the wreck
on the wrecker from Montgomery Tnis
was brought about by reason of the fact
that we knew he was the first man on the
ground after the wreck occurred. We told
him that we did not believe sue ha stor,
and he stated then that he rode on to-;
of the Pullman car third from the rear
We knew this was impossible for he
said he caught the train in the yards
While nc man can board that fcst traii
IN the railroad yards by reason of the
seed 1t maintains. He staral the third
time that he rode to the scene of the
wreck on the trucks of the wrecked
train which we knew was a mislea ding
down the railroad tracks walking. This
was changed to the statement that h.
walked the dirt road. | had started back
TO the jail with Brown after qulzzing him
for several hours. Detective Cecil of the
Louisville and Nashville was with me.
We reached the second landing en- route
to the ground floor of the city hall when
Brown stated that he wished to talk 10
me. Mr.. Cecil. however rem aimed and
the negro said: L have been fooling you
white folk. / wrecked that Grain, but
placed the switch for a freight. / had
been drinking and was mad because my
wages had been garnisheed and NY m )ney
held up.
Repeated Statement Next Day
1.-The next day." continued Mr.. Sig sbee,
''Deteptiyp Porter 7 nd
Nashville. and | carried Brown upstairs
again and he repeated the statement to
Mr.. Porter and myself. He stated that
he removed a watch from the fireman OF
the wrecked train because the fireman
told him to do it. Really he stole the
watch and later sold 1t in Montgom-
cry. Browns mother got money together
and removed the watch from the pawn
shop and / believe returned it to the
owner.
Brown may state in Montgomery that
he did not wreck that train. but we have
the best possible proof that he did. He
told us without any promise of reward or
light punishment that he did the work
and then supplemented this statement
by another of greater value to us. The
negro will uuquestionably be convicted
of one of the most appalling crimes In
the annals OF railroading in tho south
The negro Brown was taken TO Mont
gomery few days ago by Detective Sigs>
bee, where September he will be placed
on trial for the crime before justice
OF the peace.
Claims he Took "Third Degree"
He Is alleged to have stated in the city
jail here before being taken away that
he had been given the third degree .
The negro stated here that he had been