Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-03-21
FINAL CHAPTER IN SENSATIONAL CASE WRITTEN David Overton, Slayer of Alabama Judge, Killed
 by Posse. PRISON DELIVERY
 TRAGEDIES BATTLE With Tony Milano, Condemned Mur. derer, as Leader, Seven Men Escape From Birmingham Jail, Two
 Being Killed in Fight.

Birmingham, Ala, March 2O.-The final chapter in what is believed to have been Alabama's most sensational murder case, was written early to- night when David D. Cverton, former official at Huntsville, under sentence of death for killing Judge w. T. Law Ter, his political opponent last year, was shot and killed by sheriff's posse near here, in a fight in which Overton and six companions engaged after they had escaped from the Jef- ferson county jail here carly today.
 Tony Milano, another fugitive, also was killed, and J. L. Lathem, a mem- Der of the band of tugitives, was mortally wounded. Four of Overton's 5 companions fled when the fight with the deputies began, and are being pursued by the officers. None of the members of the posse was injured.
 Milano was under sentence of death, for the murder of a peddler, and I4athem was under indictment on a charge of forgery.
 The seven prisoners fled from Birmingham about 8 o'clock this morning, after overpowering two war dens and turnkey at the county jail They were heavily armed. Thorough fares in every direction out of Birm- ingham were searched, and late this afternoon the authorities were in formed by negro that the fugitives were in hiding, back of Owenton col lege. This college is within 100 yards of the home of Solicitor Jos. R. Tate, who, last fall, represented the state in the prosecution of Overton.
 COllegians Lead Chase.
 Fifty shots were fired in the bat tie. The fighting occurred in a wooded field back of the college, ill the semi-dusk of the evening. Ten deputies under Sheriff Batson, of Birmingham, guided by the negro in- former, surrounded the men, and soon were joined by students from the col lege. These youths led in the chase after the four men who fled as soon as the shooting began.
 Overton, armed with a rifle, met the fire of the officers alone, at first, firing the first shot, it is said. He was joined by Milano and Lathem, and the trio appears to have fought to the finish. The slayer of Judge Lawler fell with his rifle in his hands, and must have died instantly. Milano and Lathem were armed with pistols.
 The other four men who escaped with this trio are Sam Messina, un- der death sentence with Milano for the murder of peddler; J. Anderson, Frank Smith and F. c. Winters, the latter three charged with forgery.
 Lock Wardens in Room.
 Milano is believed by the officials to have been the leader in the plan to escape from the county jail, with Overton second. The delivery is thought to have been carefully pre- arranged. About o'clock this morn ing, Milano was eating his breakfast with a warden and the turnkey. Sud denly he leaped to his feet and locked the officers in. He then proceeded to unlock the cells which contained Overton and the others. The seven had reached the corridor when another turnkey appeared. He was overpowered and the men made their way to the jail yard. They met War den Sam Lavendar there. Overton, armed with revolver, and Milano, fortified with a razor, forced Laven- dar into the kitchen and took his keys. The fugitives then proceeded to an alley, through which they reached the street, where an auto mobile was waiting. A negro team ster stood near the automobile and told the police he heard the driver say, Hurry up, pile in quick" The curtains of the car were buttoned down, and the automobile was soon lost in the traffic.
 Judge W. T. Lawler, it was con- tended by the prosecution at Over tons trial, was lured to a bridge in lonely place on a roan out of Hunts. vile, where he was stabbed to death by Overton, who then secreted the body. After the body was discovered, some days later, Overton fled, being captured in Tennessee some time afterward. The trouble arose out of politics, alleged misappropriation and dedication of public funds by Over ton being the basis, and Lawler being slain, it was charged, because he re- fused to assist Overton by changing public records and destroying some official papers, which were declared to have been discriminating.
 EAGLES BALL.