The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-07
WILLIAMS CLAIM
 IS SELF DEFENSE Eye Witness Tells of the
 Killing J. A. ESTES RETURNS A Branch Medical Association Is Formed Elderly Lady Hurt Alighting from Car-In-
 quest Over Boys Body

Bessemer. September 6.-tSpecial. )-John Williams, who killed Mylam Freeman at Sadlers Spring, lonely spot on Red mountain, near the Raimond mines. last night will make fight for his life on the plea of self defense, and the only eye witness of the affair Chambers Par sons, a miner in his account Of the com- bat this afternoon, stated that both men were intoxicated and the fight arose upon Williams giving Freeman the lie.
 The deceased, a youth of 20 years, was returning from Tuscaloosa. where he had been at work as driver of a steam shovel and was on his way to the home Of his brother-in-law and sister, MT. and Mrs Collier, who live a short distance beyond Williams, and with whom he has made his home for the past 12 years: Jusi how long he had been in this vicinity before starting home could not be ascer- tained, as conflicting statements were made by several persons.
 Williams, restless and grim, was vis'
 tied in the city jail by his wife, severa of his young children, his brother and the brother-in-law of the dead man. Ht would not make any statement except that he was willing for the world tt know how the killing occurred, but had been advised by his attorneys not tc talk. He referred to the incident witt evident regret, and complained of his shoulder and arms that were bruised ir the struggle at the spring.
 This mornings sun shone on two blooo stains along the roadside, one near the spring and another about 100 yards fur ther, where the cut man, bleeding from the almost incredible number of wounds fell while attempting to reach aid. Par sons, the only eye witness to the tragedy was on his way for assistance and Will jams had left for home, when George Crotwell. young miner, returning from Horewell church, heard his groans, ane hurried back after eScorting the young lady with him to her home. The dyins man gasped out his name and cried fol help and upon Crotwel's return witl another man. found that small crowo had collected The remains were taker to local undertaking establishment and Williams, who had come back to find out how badly the boy was hurt came to this city and gave himself up to Night Warden Doyle of the city jail.
 Chambers Parsons. manager of q floating track of Reeds mines. wher seen this afternoon at his home related the following events leading up to the killing:
 Last night about S:3o o'clock tive men called for me from the road to come out that they had some business to talk over with me. I did not know at the time who they were, but when I reached the road I saw that they were John Williams and Mylam Freeman and that they had been drinking heavi- ly. Williams asked me for drink of water and not wanting to come in the house I walked with them down to Sad ler's spring, near here. The two men were in the best of humor with one another and not 10 minutes before the scuffle Freeman gave Williams match to light his pipe. One of them had a half pint of whisky. from which we all had two drinks apiece, and then Will Hams decided he would return to Bes- semer. But Freeman remonstrated with him by telling him that he had best go home to his wife and children. One word brought on another until Williams passed Freeman the lie and Freeman in- stantly picked up a bough lying close at hand and struck Williams over the shoulders and head. They clinched, fought without single sound and aft CT few minutes fell apart, Freeman saying, Get some help. Parsons, am so badly cut that I cannot live unless you get doctor did not even know that Williams had a knife in his possession and did not interfere because I did not think they could hurt each other with their fists.
 Williams started off down the road saying, I am cut, too, and I am going home and change my clothes. I went to the nearest house to get local phone to call the doctor from Raimond but 1t would not work and when I re- turned Freeman was dead. By the time the brother-in- and other neighbors had arrived Williams came back and finding that Freeman was dead said I didn't mean to do that and I will give up right away"
 Coroner Brasher will hold prelimin- ary inquest tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock in the courthouse and the funeral services of Freeman will be held at the Canaan church tomorrow afternoon. The father of Freeman ar rived tonight, and definite arrange ments have not been made in regard to the place of interment.