The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-16
MURDER VICTIM
HAD $1,000 IN
HIS SHANTY HOME.
Police Seek Pal of Woman
Who Knew B. L. BeIote,
Found Hours After Being
Shot From Behind.

With the discovery OF nearly ST.
600 hidden in ashes under a stove
in his railroad shanty at the North
Second street crossing Of the Iili-
nois Central railroad tracks, and in
formation that he never carried
money on his person, police we're
strong in their belief that robbery
was not the motive for the murder
Of B. l.. Belote. so, Illinois Central
movements Wednesday night.
Belote's cold form was found at
the entrance to the alley on Mar
ket avenue between Second and
Third streets. He had been shot in
the head and then struck with a
sharp instrument in the face. There
was no indication that the man had
been searched for money A watch
and ring were found on his person.
Police were searching Thursday
for woman whom Belote, IS said
to have been intimate with. They
do not connect her with the killing
of Belote, but believe that she knew
something Of the railroad mans
movements Wednesday n.glt.
Belote was identified late
Thursday morning by o. S<Emer
son, a railroad man. Chief OF Po-
lice j. B. Burney also identified the
body as, that Of Beloute. whom he
knew. Belote made his home in
the small shanty where he was sta
toned as flagman. He slept there
and cooked mis- meals in the small
building.
Seeking Man.
Police are seeking a man as pos
sible murderer.
The man Is believed to be a ''pal''
Of the woman for whom police are
also searching.
This information was furnished
| the detective bureau by 0. s. Ener-
son, who identified the body as that
of Belote, and who lived in the
small railroad shanty with the MUIR
dered man. Emerson did not make
| known the fact that he lived with
Belote until after the police invests
cation had been started.
One theory of the police is that two
| persons are connected with Belote's
murder. and that a man was
hired" to do the killing by another
person They are sure. they say.
after investigation, that robbery was
not the motive for the mans death.
Police expect to make arrests in
the case before dark.
Detective Sgts VIII Joyce and
Frank Chiozza were detailed TO the
4 case. joyce scratched about the
ashes under the stove III the place,
finding nearly $1,000 in paper money
hidden there They are firm in the
belief that robbery was not the mo-
| tive for the murder.
Belote has been a flagnnan for the
| Illinois Central here for many
years. and has lived in the shanty
| for a long time. Police could not
learn the name OF the woman said
to have been a close friend OF the
| dead man. She is said to have lived.
however, on Market avenue, near
where Beloute's body was found.
Body Cold. N
The body was cold when found by
+. p. Stiger, 1872 Market avenue. TINS
fact leads TO the belief that the muir
der was committed not long after
dusk, and possibly before darkness.
An Elgip watch and signet ring
| were not Ntaken. While no money
was found on his body there was not
the slightest indication that the as
sailant had searched the pockets.
Scores Pass Spot.
Stiger discovered the body lying
near the r.outh OF tha alley, In line
with the sidewalk. Scores of per-
sons probably passed the spot after
the murder without noticing the still
form. Persons living in the neigh
borhood heard no outcries.
The murdered victim had both
hands in his overcoat pockets when
found. This adds strength to the po-
lice theory that the man was shot
from behind, and at close range. and
probably was never aware that no
was to be attacked. His face was
not bruised other than from the blow
from the murderer's instrument