The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-03-23
SHERIFF'S POSSE
KILLS DAVID OVERTON
SLAYER of JUDGE LAWLER GIVES
Up LIFE TO GAIN LIBERTY.
Two Companions Shot with 0yerton
Four Others Escape: Noted Pris-
Oner was Under Death SEN
tence: Died with Gun in Hand

When David Overton, former official
at Huntsville, Ala, was shot to death
by a sheritf's posse Tuesday while at
tempting to gain his liberty after
breaking out of the Birmingham Jail,
one of the most sensational murder
cases in the history of Alabama was
brought to its final chapter
Overton had been sentenced to death
for killing judge Lawler, a political RI
val. Tuesday he and six other des-
perate criminals overpowered the Jail
officers and made break for liberty.
A posse was quickly formed and in
the battle which followed, he and two
companions were shot to death. The
other four escaped.
Tony Malone is believed by officials
to have been the leader in the plan to
escape, with Overton as q close second,
and the delivery is thought to have
been carefully prearranged, About s
o'clock in the morning Molino was eat
ing his breakfast in his cell with a war
den and a turnkey. Suddenly he leap
ed to his feet and locked the others in.
He then proceeded to unlock the cells
which contained Overton and the other
prisoners. When theseven men had
assembled in the cell corruor, another
turnkey came up. He was quickly
overpowered and the men made their
way to the Jail yard. There they con-
fronted Warden Lem Lavender. Over
ton, armed with a revolver, and Malino
fortified with a razor, forced Lavender
into the Jail kitchen and took his keys.
The fugitives then proceeded to the
street and several blocks away got in
a small automobile.
A negro teamster, who stood neal
the machine, told the police he heard
the driver say:
Hurry up Hurry up! Pile in quick!
The curtains were closed and the
automobile, heavily laden, bore away
and soon was lost in the traffic.
When the news of the Jail delivery
spread posses were formed in nearly
every town within 80 miles OF Birming
ham. In Huntsville citizens organized
a band to search for Overton.
The seven prisoners fed from Biz
mingham about s o'clock in the morn
ing after overpowering two warden'
and a turnkey. They were heavily
armed. Thoroughfares in every di.
rection out from Birmingham were
searched, and late in the afternoon the
police were informed by a negro that
the men were in hiding back of Owen
ton College. This college is within 10C
yards of the home of Solicitor JOSEPH
Tate, who last fall represented the
state in the prosecution of Overton.
Fifty shots were fired in the battle
The fighting occurred in a wooded fielC
back Of the college in the semidusk
Ten deputies, under Sheriff Batson o.
Birmingham, guided by their negro in
former, surrounded the escaped men
and soon were joined by students from
Owenton College. These youths LEI
in a chase after 0verton's companion
when the firing began. 0verton, arm
ed with ar life, met the fire of the off
GERS alone at first, firing the first shot
it was said. He was joined by Malin
and Latham, and the tro apparently
fought to a finish. The slayer of Judg
LAWYER fell with rifle in his hand an
must have died instantly. Who CAV
him his death wound is not known. Ma
limo and Latham both were armed will
pistols. As far as can be learned, non,
Of the possemen was injured.
David D. 0verton was arrested Sep
TENDER %, 1916, on a charge of having
murdered Judge w. I. Lawler in