The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-03-02
NEGRO KILLED
by TARTAN
WAS CONVICT ?
Almost Positive Identified
ton He Was Virgil Jones,
Escaped February 20.
OFFICER TARRANTS
IS EXONERATED
May Receive 500 Reward
Offered by Authorities
of Gadsden County.

1t is believed that the negro who
was killed while resisting arrest and
attacking Officer Tarrants, is Virgil
Jones, who escaped from the state
convict camp in Gadsden county, Feb
ruary 20. The picture of Jones, the
escaped convict, had been posted in
the offices of the sheriff and the po-
lice headquarters, and the resemblance
is striking.
Alfred Hamilton, the mans room
mate, adds confirmation. !
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Ham
ilton, who is detained for investiga-
ton in the city jail, in custody of
Officer Tarrants made a trip to Pou's
undertaking parlors on West Romano
street. As soon as he caught sight
of the features of the negro, he ex-
claimed: "That surely is the man who
was in the same room with me, and
who come to Pensacola only last week,
about Tuesday. believe. He said his
name was George, believe. Yes, he
nearly always stayed out late at
night, sometimes coming in early in
the morning"
Hamilton and the dead negro had
a room at 1912 North Eighth ave-
nue., and in the place was found one
part Of the suit of clothes stolen from
the Fillingim home. Hamilton said
that the negro told him he had a suit
I,,E
brought it to his room at the place
named.
Investigating the probable identity
of the negro, the police discovered
that he had also a rented room near
the old depot, having paid for the
| lodging a week in advance. This room
rent would have given him the OPP
portunity to occupy it until Monday
next. 1t was stated by Hamilton that
| che didn't stay every night with
me-"
When the police were trying to
prove the Negroes identity, they
searched at other places and discov-
cred the remaining garments of the
stolen suit. The police tried to con-
meet the negro with the Brent resi-
dence robbery. and were especially
anxious to find the suitcase which
the negro said he had, believing thai
the stolen bag might contain some Of
the jewels from that place on Mon
day night, February 20. The sus
pected convict made his escape OF
that date in Gadsden county, bu
could have reached here by night AM
may have been the robber who go
away with the valuables.
Tarrants Exonerated.
1t required less than an hour TO
the coroner's jury to conclude yes
terday morning that Officer Tarrant
was justified in killing the negro
This jury, after viewing the remain
the day previous, took an adjourn
ment until 9 a. m. Thursday. A
that hour, converting in the office o
Judge Will L. Johnson, the jur
heard testimony of witnesses. On
witness after the other detailed tn
officers experience, one or two dra
matically telling of the chase and tn
later fight the officer had, confirm
ing the story as printed in The Jour
nal of yesterday morning. Hearin
t all the witnesses, the jury retired an
2 after a short time returned and an
nounced that Tarrants was justifie
: in what he had done.
Officer Tarrants was congratulate
e BY friends and the city officials yes
t terday all through the day. If tn
n identity of the escaped convict is es
tablished, Tarants will receive a r,
i ward of 500 offered by the state fl
the arrest of the convict wanted.