The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-12
Is Continuation of Series of Outrages at Almost
 Same Spot
BELIEVED ONE NEGRO
 IS GUILTY PARTY
Mrs. s. s. Morgan Was Victim Last Night as She Passed Fifth Alley and Nineteenth Street-Is
 Fifty Years Old

One of the most brutal purse-snatch- ing episodes happening in Birmingham recently occurred last night about s.95 o'clock at Fifth alley and Nineteenth street when Mrs. s. S. Morgan, an el- derly lady, was knocked down and hor purse, containing only s1.s5, wrested from her.
 This is the continuation of a series of similar outrages at this same spot
 Mrs. Morgan stated that she was going toward Sixth avenue on Nine teenth street when suddenly she was eivan a. blow and fell to the ground. While she was falling she said that she felt something tugging at her pocketbook. She was carrying the purse by cords. which were unusually stout. and In the wrestling her arm was se- verely wrenched. She said that all this time she did not see the party, but as the purse strings were finally forced from her hands she saw a negro man dart up Fifth alley toward Twen- tieth street.
 Negro Ran Up Alley
 Mrs, Morgan describes the man as small negro, about feet 6 inches in height. weighing approximately 150 pounds and wearing a light grey or white cap, and a light suit of clothes. This description tallies with descrip- tions furnished by other victims of like incidents at this point, state the police authorities.
 Mrs. Morgan states that she saw the negro run on through the alley and turn up Twentieth street toward Capitol park. This alley is bounded at Twentieth street on the south side by the Athletic club building and on the north side by the new Y M. C.. A building. The alley at this latter point is brilliantly lighted.
 Several parties who came up while the police were making search for signs of the negro asserted that he climbed the fire escape of the Athletic club building. Detective Daily and Po- liceman Brent climbed the fire escape and went to the top of the building but could not find any one. This fire escape Is the only means of egress from the top of the building.
 Mrs. Morgan. the victim appears to be about 50 years of age and is stout ly built She was considerably bruised by her fall. She lives at 701b North Ntneteentn street and was on her way home when the incident happened.
 Police on Scene
 Detectives Mcdonald, Murphy. Tully. Daly, Warren and Policeman Brent were hastened to the scene of the snatching as soon as the report came into police headquarters. Detective Me- Donald advises as a preventive for so many purse-snatch that ths women of Birmingham abolish the prac- tice of carrying their purses in sight after dark. He states that as a rute they carry their purses by long strings and in nearly every case these strings are frail and will break at the slight est snatch. The case of Mrs. Morgan's S purse. he states, is a notable exception to the rule.
 There have been number of purses stolen at this particular point within tho past month and although the of ficers are doing all in their power to apprehend the thief, they have not caught him so far. It is the prevalent opinion of all the detectives who have investigated such affairs at this cor her that the perpetrator is one and the same person, inasmuch as the de- seription tallies in every report.