The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-05
MAN THOUGHT To
Be HUGH QUEENS
KILLED BY OFFICER
W. B. Ratterbee Claims He
Fired in Self Defense Aft
er Being Attacked by
Man He Put Off Train

Climbing self defense, w. n.
Ratterbee. special officer OF the
Southern railway. shot and In
stnntly killed a man thought to
be Hugh Queens mt Trussviile,
Mt lao yesterday afternoon.
The body was brought to BiF-
mingham In the cabOose OF the
stated the man was riding and
from which he Ind repeatedly
been ordered 10 leave, according
to Ratterbee. n sergeant ON the
Southern railway police forces.
The body was taken from the Ter
minal station in the Lfge 10y ambu-
lance and was viewed by Coroner j.
d. Russum, who believes the man Is
Hugh Queens of Lenoir City, Tenn.
The man was apparently % years old
and letters found in his pockets indi-
Gated his probable name.
r. W. Turner and Lee White, spe-
cial Southern railway officers, were
questioned by Coroner Russum and
White contended that the mans death
was a result of threat upon the life
of officer Ratterbee. followed by an
attempt OF the Ito use knife
and draw a weapon.
Ratterbee contended to Coroner
Russum that the man had been rid
ing freight train from Chattanoosa,
and despite the orders OF the conduc-
tor of the train crew, had stayed on
the train until 1t reached Alfalfa.
At Alfalfa the train Is inspected and
police officer rides with 1T to Biz
mingham to protect against robber-
les. it Is stated by railway officials.
Mr.. Ratterbee was covering his
usual run" and when the train ar
rived at Alfalfa the conductor told
him about the man. Ratterbee then
put the man off and climbed aboard
the train. As the train left town the
man swung back on again.
Self Defense Claimed
well, I'm going to kill you and the
conductor, too; I'm going to clean
house." the man said upon coming
back to the caboose at Trussville, and
approaching Ratterbee, the latter
claims.
Thereupon he pulled out q knife
from his pocket and reached for hle
pistol when batteries shot Queens,
the bullet entering his fight eye and
killing him instantly the special Of
ficer says.
The dead mans arms were tattooed
in the fashion OF sailor. and pic
lures found in his pockets showed him
in the uniform of United States
sailor.
Letters found in his pockets were
addressed, Hugh Queens, Ledbetter
Hotel. Lenoir City Tenn and came
from several of the large cities of
the east and middle west.
Coroner Russum ordered that finger
prints of the man be taken in order
to ascertain IL he is wanted by au-
thorities at any place.
Two Colt pistols were found on his
person after being brought to the
city, reports say. he was clad in
overallss
Letters Found
Several letters were found. One was
written November 26, in Long Island
City, and signed, Your old pal. Nell
recent visit to Long Island made by
Queens. This portion of the letter
runs as follows:
Long Island City hasn't changed
much since you came here. and i don't
think I've changed much either. 1
am not working in the same place, but
have job in the city. Was SO giao
to hear you had fine position and
sincerely hope yoi keep 1t. All the
gang sends their best regards"
letter from Hickory. N. c.. was
signed by Frank Patten. 1t seems
that these two have been associated
together for a long time. Mention is
made of a hobo" trip to Knoxville
Tenn, as follows:
Say, how did you get to Knoxville
SO quickly? On freight or blind a
passenger You must have taken a
passenger to have gotten there so
quick. l went to Hickory Monday to
see you, but guess you had already
beat IT."
One letter signed Laura" and
postmarked Philadelphia, was 4ound
upon Queens person. The writer
makes mention OF having missed him
(Queen) in Baltimore, but hopes to
see him in Philadelph a.