The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-27


fractured skull, due to the murderous
assault of unknowns. As yet there has
been no arrest in this case
John Walston, a negro. was shot and
instantly killed Tuesday by Lizzie Clark,
who confessed to the crime. She was ar
rested and placed in the county jail by Of
ficer J. 'E. Jones. OF the serious cut
ting affrays reported Tuesday were those
of Matte Sanford, a negro woman, at
Vanderbilt furnace, and w M. Marken-
son, stabbed very badly in the side
Wednesday Banner Day
Wednesday was the banner day for
crime, as on that day one of the most
atrocious murders in the annals of crime
in Jefferson county was perpetrated with
in few blocks of the business section
of Bessemer. Joe Gathers. a section hand
of the Birmingham Southern railroad.
after drawing MS monthly stipend. was
assaulted and knocked in the head with
an iron bar and then while unconscious
was placed on top of a pile of crossties
which We're set on fire by his assailants
The negro Gathers was burned alive. Two
arrests have been made in connection
with this case
Wednesday also proved to be the las.
day on earth of Ernest Thomas, negro.
He died in the IIillman hospital following
blow on his head with an ak dealt. il
lis alleged, by Jim West. a negro. who
has left for parts unknown. Della West.
the spouse OF Jim. was also hit over the
head with the same AK that killed
Thomas. and she is now at the point OF
death in the Hillman hospital
Thursday one of the most shocking trag-
edies occurred during the initiation prac-
tices of the local lodge of the Loyal Or
der of Moose, when Donald A. Kenny and
Christopher Gustin were killed by an over
charge of electricity. The possibility that
the killing of Kenny and Gustin was due
to criminal negligence is at the present
time being investigated by the county cor
oner and the police department
Friday none We're killed, although Alf
Walker, a negro, did his best by shoot
ing Kid Matthias through the abdomen at
Twenty-sxth street and Second avenue.
The negro Mathis is still hanging on to
the slender thread of life at the Hillman
hospital and Walker is in the county Jail
Yesterday the coroner had not yet
brought in his report of two killings out
in the county at the time this article was
written.s
Calls 1t an Epidemic
Its an epidemic, said Chief of Police
George IL. Bodel<er, ''and quite possibly
next week will be comparatively quiet. /
am pleased TO state that the police We're
very successful in apprehending all muir
derers during the past seven days, and
greatly regret that we were not able to
prevent the numerous homcides"
There is not near enough police in the
city of Birmingham for the protection of
the taxpay ers,' said Coroner c. l.. Spain
last night, ''and the city government is re-
sponsible for the lawlessness that pre-
walls.
Il have no criticism to offer of the
present police department of Birmingham
1t is a most efficient and capable set OF
men and under a highly trained chief, but
the point | wish to convey is that there
are not enough of them There should be
at least 200 more policemen in the city of
Birmingham at the present moment for
the adequate protection of its citizens.
These numerous homicides have placed
me SO far behind in my investigations that
have deputized Judge w. S. Russell as
assistant coroner to assist me until this
present wave of crime is over