The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-08
M00NSH|NERSK|LL
 FEDERAL OFFICER Griffin Shot While Chasing Es- caping Prisoner-Party Had
 Destroyed a Still

Five warrants charging murder and vio- lation of the prohibition law will be sworn out by Federal Prohibition Agent N, l.. Pierce this morning against moonshiners alleged to have been implicated in the shooting in which Richard D. Griffin a federal prohibition deputy, was killed near Colley Springs late Monday night
 Two men are in the county jail here. Federal officers who have been for the past AS hours searching the woods for miles around where the shooting oc- cured have collected enough evidence concerning those who fired upon the party of officers to have the warrants sworn out for their arrest
 Officer Griffin was fatally wounded at Colley Springs, about 8 miles from Bir- mingha1n, while he was chasing an escap- ing prisoner The officers had captured five men and confiscated S5 gallons of moonshine liquor
 It is believed by Mir. Pierce that a large party of moonshiners was trailing the small group of officers waiting for the opportunity to offer itself so they could free their comrades.
 One of the prisoners attempted to make his escape. Griffin gave chase. Immediately shot rang out from the darkness and Griffin fell to the ground. The shot struck him in the abdomen. Half a minute later a second shot was fired. This time the bullet struck the already mortally wounded man in the foot
 Forced to fight for their lives, the other officers, w E. Eubanks and Jack Horton, who were with Griffin, let the four other prisoners escape and ran to where Griffin lay upon the ground. None of the officeres had much ammunition, and after exchanging flew shot, their supply was nearly exhausted.
 Realizing it was out of the question to try and defend themselves against larger numbers Horton left Eubank with Griffin and started 10 try and reach their automobile to call to Birmingham for help. The moonshiners, firing their pistols, failed to hear the automobile, and Horton was able to make safe getaway. A few minutes later he was at a telephone and had informed MT Pierce of the affair,
 MT. Pierce gathered his forces and started for the scene The ambuscade started at S:30 o'clock, and few minutes after 10 o'clock. MT. Pierce, John s. All len, w. P. Hampton, Dr. R. E. Peebles and Officers Wyatt and Mccoy were or their way.
 Griffin was placed in the automobile with Dr. Peebles and started for Bir mingham immediately, but he expired al 2:30 o'clock yesterday morning before the hospital was reached.
 The prisoner Griffin was chasing al the time he was shot made his escape but it is not believed he fired the shoi which proved fatal to the officer.
 Luther A. Whitley and Will Whitley who were under arrest when the firing began, are now in the county jail. Nc charges have been made against them yet.
 Officer Griffin was 25 years old and was unmarried. His home was at New vile, Ala. but he worked under the direction of the Birmingham prohibition officer, with Headquarters at the post office The body was held at Shaw s last night, but will be sent to Dothar for burial this morning. The body will be accompanied by Deputy W. F. Hampton.