Phoenix tribune., 1919-02-22
A LITTLE EXCITEMENT
DOWN IN ALABAMA

BIRMINGHAM, Ala, Feb. 1S-Per-
haps the greatest excitement in the
downtown district of Birmingham was
on the Owenton-Ensley car Tuesday
night between the hours of 7:15 and
7:30. The trouble and excitement
overcrowded and perhaps this is one
of the reasons that the trouble did not
bring about more serious consequent
ces. 1t occurred between Fifth and
Sith avenues.
The Owenton-Ensley car operates
under one of the special PROVISIONS of
the Birmingham district where the
white and colored passengers are sep
arated by little board stuck on the
back of the seat marked 'colored,"
and this notes the separation point. A
few prominent colored men and women
were present at this time and some
of them state that they heard what
they have never listened to before
They have heard stories of such things
but had never witnessed one. Eye wit
nesses make about the same state
ment A Mr. J. W. Perkins was acting
conductor and collected the fares. Mrs.
Louise Harrison, the wife of District
Manager ]. T. Harrison of the Atlanta
Insurance company, stated to the con-
ductor that she had given him ten
cents and he failed to give her the
change, the fare being five cents to
Eighth avenue and Davis street, where
she resides. The conductor asked the
man just behind Mrs. Harrison, who
was seated with another man on the
car, "How much did you give me?"
The man replied, 81 gave you one 10
cent piec and haven't received my
change" The conductor stepped back
to Mrs. Harrison and said: "You gave
me only nickel; this is all the money
have in my hand, and you didn't
give me any dime"
Don't you dispute my word! Didn't
you hear me say you didn't give me
but nickel? I'll slap you out of that
seat!"
Don't hit that woman! Don't hit
that woman! Don't you put your hands
on her!"
This voice came from near the door.
1t was all in a flash said many who
were present. The conductor turned
Immediately and started toward the
man with his hand fumbling at his
side, and in the position the unknown
and unidentified colored man shot,
shooting the conductor just above the
pit of the stomach, and the ball pene-
trated his lungs, it is stated.
Great excitement and few screams
were head. When the colored man
passed out of the car he made one
fire on the otuside and those who were
pursuing him made a quick-to-the-rear
retreat The conductor was lying on
, the floor, stating that he was killed,
shot to pieces, and calling on God for
help.
A special representative made i'm
mediate investigation of the shooting,
and because of some of the staff being
present, made immediate report to the
authorities as to the incident and how
| it happened, as near as it could be
discerned on such a momentous prov
ocation.
No one has yet been able to identify
the man who did the shooting. Even
his description is not clear. People
around the scene, both white and col
ored, expressed serious regrets and no
threats were made. The action on the
part of the man who did the shooting,
as was the threat made by the con-
ductor, created excitement for the mo-
ment. White and colored men were
penalized. Women were trying to get
through the windows, while others
were hiding themselves under the
seats.
The second shot was made by the
fleeing man as he struck the ground,
and that again penalized the crowd.
All were trying to travel, and yet no
one seemed to have an outline or pro-
gram. After the shooting there was
nothing to be done but what was done.
1t was Unexpected, The trouble between
Mrs. Harrison and the conductor was