The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-16
Motive for Killing of Joseph Brookins or Identity of His Slayer Completely
 Baffles the Police
BODY IS DISCOVERED BY NEGRESS WHEN
 LIGHTNING FLASHES
Terrible Crime Enacted in Eastern Section of City Is Complete Mys- tery-Detective Darnell Dis
 cusses the Criminal Sit
 uation in Birmingham


 motorman. was lured into field a few blocks away from his home about 7:45 o'clock last night and it is believed was assassinated The murderer, if there is one, escaped
 The shooting occurred in a field near the intersection of Fifty first street and Fourteenth avenue. East Birmingham. It happened while the lightning and thunderstorm was at it's height. A flash of lightning re- vealed to a negro woman the mur- derer making his escape
 Brookins when found had his mo- torman's uniform and his head was living under barbed wire fence. As fthe lightning played on his features, 1t revealed clean cut face of young man about 27 years of age. The eX- pression on the dead face was one Of extreme horror--as if he realized too late that he trusted a false friend and his life was to be the forfeit In his right hand he held tightly clutched a one dollar bill and on his person was found his watch and other valuables.
 In Good Spirits
 As far as the police could ascertain Brookins was at work usual yes terday and arrived at his fathers house. 5iOS Tenth avenue north, about T 6 o'clock He was in excellent spirits and had supper with his mother. About an hour later some person whom the mother believes was negro called for Joe Brookins from the garden gate The young motorman answered the call and after few moments returned to the house and putting on his coat started out with these words to his mother:
 "1'l be gack in just minute, mother.
 Brookins' movements following the time he left his home are a mystery until about 7:45 o'clock when he was seen to pass the residence of R. E. Condley. at l119 Forty-first street. with A white man. Mir. Condley plainly saw 1 Brookins but coud not identify his companion. The lightning at the time was raging in the skies and there were several loud peals of thunder, as 1t rained in torrents.
 Shot Rang Out
 Brookins and his companion had walked about 200 yards north from the Condley residence when suddenly shot rang out and was followed by the loud scream of a man in pain. The Condleys on their porch thought it : was odd that there should be shooting in the storm, but did not investigate. Estelle Gardner, a negro woman. who lived about 40 feet from the spot where Brookins was killed, heard the shot and ipeering out in the night she stated that she saw two men run away from the scene
 ? Later when the storm subsided the negro woman Estelle Gardner, started ; to walk to the Condley residence to get h>r daughter. As she was walk : ing along the path near a barbed wire , fence she suddenly stumbled and sud den flash of lightning revealed the str ring , countenance of Joe Brookins. The negro woman screamed and ran through the , marshy field for assistance.
 Officer T. R. Williams went at once , to the scene and later summoned the coroner who in turn sent Warner $ Smiley's ambulance to get the dead man. About 10. o'clock central police headquarters was notified and Detec- tive Sergeant s. H. Darnell, accompan- lied by Detectives Ed Jones and Propst went to the scene. The body had not been removed at the time.
 : Investigation Slow Owing to the lateness of the hour and the indictment weather, investiga- tion was difficult.
 : At the time the report came into police 3 headquarters Detective R. G. Williams was deputized to inform Charles T.. } Brookins. watchman at the Crane com pany on Twentieth street. south. of the murder of his son and other officers took i' upon themselves to inform his brother. Arthur L. Brookins, mounted police of rt kt- l1- Al.- . death.
 The father took the shock very hard. He was first told that his son was only seriously shot, but his repeated inquiries finally forced the informing officer to tell the truth and then the elderly watchman slowly trended his way to the morgue to await the coming of the body.
 Officer Arthur l.. Br. ex:ns was at home when he was told of his brothers death, and he immediately left for the scene Later he reported for duty at Il o'clock the same as usual. In speaking about the lease few hours after the killing Dete ltive Sergeant Darnell sa.d:
 Darnell Talks
 This Is but another of a series of mur- tGcrs (rather assa assinations) which would do credit to the most vivid writer Of flc- l. tion. However, as we are not storybook detectives we cannot sJlve these mys- teries by deduction and theory. but can only deal with facts as we find them.
 Tn each case there has been apparently no surface clews and what results are acc complished can only be by hard and re l1cntlIss work and the cooperation of the citizens. deeply sympathize with the bereaved family and assure them that ev- erything m human power will be done towards the apprehension of the murderer Of this young man. This department has been criticised for lack of results and accused of ''releRating to back files'' mur- der cases of some weeks standing. but I wish to state most emphatically that 1t Is not our intention to let up on any case until all human efforts have failed.
 "Our work must. however be carried lon with . certain amoune of secrecy and the fact that we do not give publicity to every move we make Is no indication that we are not working I have placed three detectires on this murder and am certainlv h~neful of results in the very near future.''
 Mother (svief Stri~ken
 1 At the Broclirs ,cadel last night Itherc was much gr'ef anl the mother of r [.