The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-25
Probe Begun to Determine if Shiretzki's Death Was
 Due to Conspiracy
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
 HONOR SLAIN CHIEF
Many Believe Letter Received by the Mayor and Turned Over to Mur- dered Man Decoy-Public Fun
 eral Will Probably Be Held
By HARRY M. AYERS

Ann1Ston, May 24.-( Especial. )--In nearly all the Christian churches of An niston Sunday tributes of respect and the memory of Harry Shiretzki, the murdered Jewish chief of police of An niston, who was shot down before the door of an alleged negro blind tiger operator in West Anniston Saturday night while he and Special Officer Seab Eason were on raid.
 The churches have raised money for floral offerings for the final obsequies of the dead chieftain, and the sugges tion that he be given a public funeral, attended by all the dignity that can be ment, has met with unanimous indorse- ment. The city will neglect no means | to show that it was in sympathy with | the martyred chief. who was one of the strongest factors in the city in the en- I forcement of the law. He had made Anniston one of the "dryest" towns in the country. and was the enemy of every man who tried to evade or violate I the law.
 Investigating Conspiracy An investigation is under way to de- termine whether or not there has beess a conspiracy at work with tllA s'vlew of | consummating theaassiassiantion of the brave young .sofffcer. There are several cire1Anstances that give force to this Ibelief, and they being followed to
 their conclusion by the officers of the law
 l Some believe that the letter addressed | to Mayor Wikle on last Wednesday I and given to the dead chieftain was d decoy, written for the purpose of lead 1 ing him into trap in order that he l might be slain. There has been un- earthed other correspondence to lend credence to this belief including anoth. CT anonymous warning to the dead of ficer from a distant city. The chief waited until Saturday night to follow up the information contained in the letter, knowing that it is on Sat urday night that the tigers are usually at their worst.
 Chief Shretzki kept the mission of his | trip to West Anniston 8 secret He was
 elected chief in recognition of his leader | ship in the suppression of blind tigers, i ana a1Ier ne was eelcteu ne continued to l take the initiative, instead of sending one
 of his men. On this raid he carried with l him Seab Eason, a former patrolman and one of the strongest and bravest men in Anniston. As Shiretzki stepped upon the porch of Prince Bradfield. a negro be- | leved to be Wesley Britton drew a shot gun on him.
 Drop that gum commanded the chief without using his own weapon. Tho npRrOS fell to the floor and | the chief advanced But as he stepped forward the negro lurched toward him, thrust a derringer into his side. fired, and started to run. He was caught by Officer Eason, and for sometime the two men struggled in the yard. each seeking the life of the other. Finally Eason got his gun arm over the negros left shoulder, pulled him forward ana fired. The bullet l took effect, and the negro dropped to l the ground
 Bradfield Ran and Was Captured Having vanquished Britton, Officer Eason turned to take care of the wounded officer, who was placed in a buggy and
 hurried to Sellers hospital, where he died l from the effect of the shot, which pene- ! trated the liver and scraped the heart. Bradfeld ran, but was later captured by l a posse together with his wife and two other negroes, who are now in the coun- | ty jail.
 l Others are believed to be involved in | the alleged conspiracy, and the officers I are on their trail No further arrests | have been made, however, and there have
 been no new developments other than the
 discovery of clews that may play a part
 in the states effort to prove a case of
 conspiracy.
 | Shiretzk was about 30 years of age and had lived here most of his life. His | mother, father and two sisters are pros
  l close friends. including Mrs. Lon Phil l lips the wife of his running mate, who | was his consulting general in the effort
 to make prohibition prohibit in Anniston l in which they had been SO successful and ) for which ShiretzlSi gave his life. for which he will be honored by his fellow l townsmen.