The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-29
M|SS|SS|PP|ANS ARE AROUSED BY YOUNG MANS DEATH
Posses Searching for Mur- derer and RObber-PrOb- able He Will Be Lynched
 When Captured
By J. c. FEAzELL

|
 Laurel. Miss, June 2s.-(special )--The people of this city and the citizens of Jones and Jasper counties for 40 miles northeast of Laurel were never more aroused than they have been since yes- terday over the killing of Resse Fitz- patrick, and the probable mortal wound ing of F. J. Simmons and Wyatt Robin l son. + The young men were among the most prominent of this section and held re- sponsible positions with the large sawmill firm of Gilchrist, Forney & Co.,, whose big mills are located in Laurel. The com pany's logging camps are some 40 miles | distant from Laurel in Jasper county. The logs are brought from the timber section owned by the company from Stephens over the New Orleans, Mobile | and Chicago railroad. From Stephens the company logging trains reach the timber over a branch railroad. Fitzpa sick, Sim mons and Robinson left Laurel on the regular New Orleans, Mobile and Chicago. train about noon yesterday and went to Stephens, where they boarded motor car and proceeded on their journey to the logging camps. where they were taking the weekly pay to the camp employees. They had gone only a few miles when an obstruction was noticed on the track. The car was stopped and before the ob- struction could be got off the track they were fired upon from behindrby negro. Fitzpatrick was killed Instantly, SIm- mons was badly injured and Robinson was probably poftally wounded. After the mnrder the negro secured the money and made his escape. He evil dently thought all three of the men were dead He is said to be a well known character about Laurel and was recog- nized by Robinson. Robinson succeeded in making his way to the nearest tele- phone station, one and a half miles away and gave the details of the murder to officers of the mill company here. The news spread rapidly.
 Soon special train with surgeons, Sheriff Luther Hill, several deputies, members of the Laurel police force and all available citizens that could be got together hurriedly, was speeding to the scene. As the news spread other deter mined men left in automobiles and later in the night another special train carry
 
 mined men left for the scene. These and the former delegations were joined by others from the several small towns and the farmers of the section and all night hundreds of men were searching for the negro. The negro was seen by several parties in the section after the crime yesterday, but at that time the parties were not aware that he was wanted, the crime having been committed at a late hour did not reach the rural population as soon as it did in the towns It was thought a posse had the negro surrounded last night, but he has not been captured up to a late hour this aft ernoon, according to reports from the scene.
 All stations on the railroads tributary to the section and all roads and promi- nent points are being guarded and the searcherS, hundreds in number are tramping the woods in an effort to cap- ture the desperado It is believed the negro will be captured before many hours. special train was run from Crystal Springs to bring a pack of blood hounds, said to be the best in the country, and reached the scene early this morning. The dogs struck the trail and it is hoped they will run down the murderer in a short time.
 Should the negro be captured by the posse it is very probable that he will be
 
 indignant over the crime.
 MT Robinson was brought to the lessee Gates hospital last night and is conscious today. He was the first man shot and received a wound in the head and was shot in the breast, one of the bullets pen etrating the lungs. He is said to be in a desperate condition and very little hope is entertained for his recovery He is a very young man and supports mther and sister who are distracted with grief Only a few years ago his father and brother died, and young Robinson by hard work and close attention to business had worked himself up to a high position.
 MT. Fitzpatrick. who was instantly killed. was married about one year ago to Miss Olevia Scarborough, daughter of MT. and Mrs. B. w. Scarborough of this city. Mrs. Fitzpatrick was visiting friends in vicksburg when she was ad- vfsed of the death of her husband by tel egram.
 Mr. Simmons is unmarried and resides with his parents at Louin between Lau- rel and the scene of the tragedy.
 The body of MT. Fitzpatrick was brought to Laurel and turned over to Travis & Abney. undertakers to prepare for burial.
 The negro secured about $2e00, it is said, ana about $500 of this was in silver.