The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-27
HIRED AMBULANCE
 TO CARRY HIM TO
 NORTH BIRMINGHAM
Miss Ruby Walthal, Victim of His Infatuati0n, Talks Freely of Affair and How It Started

Bessemer, and totally blind. shot and seriously wounded Miss Ruby Wal thai, 1S-year-oId daughter of MT. md Mrs. R. E. waithal. 222s Thirty-thirs avenue. North Birmingham. last night at S;3O o'clock, in front of the Chris tian church at North Birmingham. and then turned the weapon on himself, in- fIicting q mortal wound Just above the heart.
 Wakefield died at St. Vincent's hos pitaI last night at 9,45 o'clock. Miss WaIthaI is resting well could be expected at the HiiIman hospital. where 1t is reported she will recover.
 The entire affair seemed to have been premeditated and well prepared by Wake field. He engaged the ambulance of Huey & Mcconnell of Bessemer yesterday afternoon about o'clock to come tc Birmingham thence to North Birming- ham to get a sick patient and bring him to McCalla, which is few miles below Bessemer. lie explained to the undertaking company that he was de- sirous of giving the business to a Besse- mer concern, and knew they could make the trip as quick as Birmingham un- dertaldng establishment. The ambulance of Huey & Mcconnell called for him three doors from his residence which is on Seventh avenue and Twentieth street, Bessemer. E. c. Childers was driving. He made the following statement last night:
 ARRANGED FOR AMBULANCE
 Wakefield called the place yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock and told F. H. Fielder, one of the embalmers, that he wanted to take an ambulance to North Birmingham to get sick man and bring him to McCalla. He asked how quick we could make the trip and Fielder told him he could make it in short while if it was an emergency case "Wen,'' said Wakefield. 'It isn't an emergency ca SC, exactly I was told by Fielder to go to the place three doors from his residence and get Wakefield I did and then returned to the undertaking shop to get Jim Kelso, who knows Birming- ham better than I do. I<elso and I sat in front while Wakefield rode in the back on a stretcher. When we got to Birmingham he told me to go to 252g Second avenue. I did SO ana he called out blind man and talked to him a few minutes. From there [. drove to Twenty-fourth street and Thirty-second avenue. No one was home and Wakefield told me to drive to 2320 Thirty-second avenue. No one was there either, so he told me to go to Thirty-third avenue and m # rA sir I told me to drive down about half block. He then got out of the car and told Kelso to lead him to the church. Kelso and he left and went down the street Wake field appeared to be normal all the while and seemed to be in a happy mood. The next thing l knew l heard some shots and ran up to the church. The young lady was shot and the people told me to rush her to the hospital at once. They then told me that Wakefield was dead and not to wait. I did and that is all I know about it."
 According to Kelso, he led Wakefield to the church and found that the front door was locked, although the lights were burning and people were inside. Wake field then told Kelso to go to the side window and tell Miss Walthal to come to the front of the church. About that time the people who kept the keys to the church came and opened the door Kelso waited few feet from the couple and the first thing he knew Wakefield was shooting. 'I ran up to him and tried to wrest the gun from his hands, but it was too late,' he said.
 MISS WALTHAL TALKS
 Miss Walthal explained the shooting in a n hospital shortly after the shooting. She is an unusually attractive young woman and talked of the affair very candidly: 'I climbed in the church window with several older people and some boys to light the lights. we were going to have a prayer meeting and we knew that MT. and Mrs. Andrews, who keep the keys to the church, would be along presently l was talking with some of the people when a boy appeared at the window and told me to come to the front of the church. Someone wants to see you he said 1 never thought for an instant that it was Albert. When MT and Mrs. Andrews opened the front door of the church I stepped out and saw Alberv.
 What do you want here?' I said. He kinder laughed and said:
 Well, Ruby, I have taken some all eohol and am going to die. l did not mean to take it; I did it by accident
 'I don't believe you. You are silly to tell me that, Albert.
 Well he replied. T wanted to see you before l did so, here I am.'
 Albert, can't talk to you, I must go hack to church Why do you act so silly?"
 He turned as if he was going to go and then stopped suddenly and said:
 Won't you tell me good-by?
 "Of course I will replied and he ex- tended his right hand. l shook hands with him, and before I knew it he pulled his revolver and shot me- He then turrn,. it on himself and fired. I fell and that is all I know"
 Did you love him?" she was asked.
 No; don't think I did. I have known him long time. He often came to my piano. I guess he loved me-
 What do you think of his shooting you and himself tonight?"
 "I think he was awfully silly. Is he dead?
 When she was told he was not, she closed her eyes and appeared to be pom dering. "Well. he shouldn't have done it. she said +I did not believe he was so silly.
 SHOT IN LEFT SIDE
 Miss Walthal was shot on the left side between the sixth and seventh rib. The bullet went through her body and came out of the back. Dr. L. c. Wood at tended her and he is of the opinion she will recover.
 After Miss Walthal had been taken to the hospital. Shaw's ambulance was called and Wakefield was rushed to St. Vincent's hospital. lie rnoaned and screamed intermittently. "Oh. God, have mercy i1l ry soFi tof Gods sake, tell