The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-12-22
LEAD
TO NEGRO'S ARREST
FOR NEELYS WOUND
Special Agent is Shot After
Placing Negro Under Ar
rest at Pratt City Rail-
road Yards

The city's bloodhounds last night reg
istered their first catch since their
purchase over year ago.
]. J. Nicely, special agent for the
Frisco railroad, was shot and seriously
wounded about O'Clock by an unknown
negro whom he placed under arrest
The negro escaped Immediately follow
ing the shooting and soon outdistanced
a small group of men who attempted
to give chase.
The city's blodhounds, handled by Of
ficer r. F. Wyatt, were taken to the
scene about one hour and half after
the shooting. The dogs were given the
trail, and a chase, which led the Of
ficers to the home of Oliver Peet, a
negro. followed. The dogs led directly
to Peet, who was placed under arrest
and lodged in the city Jail on charge
of assault with intent to murder.
The home of Peet is about a mile
from the scene of the shooting. which
occurred in the Frisco yards at Pratt
city, and only 100 feet from the station.
Immediately after the shooting the
negro darted between two trains and
was soon lost in the woods. posse
was organized and attempted to fol-
low the negro. but were soon forced
to abandon the chase.
Neeley was unable to give any de-
scription of the negro. He was shot ii
the right side of the chest. 1t is
thought the negro used .3S-calibre
pistol None of the vital organs were
penetrated by the ball and authorities
at ST. Vincent's hospital stated last
night that he would recover unless
plications set in.
The negro, it is ALLEGED, was steal
ing coal from q. car on the Frisco
tracks. Neeley approached him and
ordered him to raise his hands. The
negro started walking toward Medley
and when about 10 feet away dropped
his right hand and fired. He had the
pistol concealed in the sleeve OF his
oyercoat.
Officers at the station at Pratt City,
attracted by the shot ran to Medley 8
assistance, but arrived too late to get
a glimpse of the negro. Medley was
rushed to st. Vincent's hospital and
the chase to locate the negro with the
city's bloodhounds was taken up.
Peet was taken before Nicely at the
hospital last night The wounded officer,
however, did not identify Peet as his
assailant Neither did he say that Peet
was not the man. The negro will &c
taken before Neeley again today for
final Identification.
Officer Wyatt. who handled the dogs,
stated last night that he felt sure Peet
as the guilty party. THE dogs picked
up the trail he said, TAT the exact
spot where the shooting occurred. They
ran briskly for almost a half mile, down
a railroad track for most of the dis
lance, and then through a field.
ION crossing a street. the dogs faltered
and circled before they regained the
trail A short distance farther they
faltered again, but on circling again
picked up the trail and did not hesti-
tate again until they ran up on the
rear porch of Poets house"
The dogs have been the property OF
the city for over a year and have been
given numerous opportunities to show
their WORTH but had failed on every in
stance until last night. The dogs, for
the past few weeks, have been placed
under officer WAITS charge. 1t is
their first ease" under his supervision
Officers feel confident that Peet is the
guilty party, or that the guilty party
will be apprehended through his cap
ture