The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-09-15
two MORE ARRESTS
CHARGING MURDER
OF ENGINEER REED
Former Fireman and Former
Yard Clerk of A., B. & A.
Are in Custody.
ARRESTS WERE MADE
IN THE WITNESS ROOM
Myrick and Smith Were Waiting
to Testify for the Defense
at Fairchiid Trial.
(By The Associated press)

TN21&NfeANC0
FITZGERALD. Ga, Sept. 14.-Alt
Smith. former nagman on the Atlanta,
Birmingham and Atlantic railroad. and
Gerald G. MyricE. former yard clerk.
were taken in custody by county officers
here today on warrants charging murder
in connection with the death OF Engineer
w. r. Reed who was shot in the cab OF
his locomotive on July 5.
The arrests were made in the witness
room where Myriok and Smith were wait
ing to be called to testify for the de-
tense in the trial OF o. c. Fairchild, one
of rs persons under indictment on charges
of alleged interference with employees
Of the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic
railroad"
The grand jury WIN convene again at
10 O'Clock tomorrow morning to immedi-
ately begin the latest investigation into
trouble on the Atlanta, Birmingham and
Atlantic railroad. It is understood that
six cases will be presented to the grand
fury.
Both Myrick and smith asserted to-
night that they were innocent Of the
charges.
Out Of 1900 witnesses summoned for
the defense. thirty wf heard during
the day In an effoTt TO refuse the
charges OF witnesses for the stase.
fart to prove that the wreck near Atlanta,
which resulted in the death of Engineer
Joe T. Morris on September 5. was caused
by agencies other than high explosives.
Witnesses who testified in Atlanta on the
proceeding in an investigation in connec-
ton with the wreck have been summoned
to appear here.
It is not expected that the case will go
to the jury before Friday.
Court adjourned at 6:3o o'clock until
9:15 tomorrow morning.
State Investigation Comes to a Close
ATLANTA. Sept. 1.-THE state in
vestigation into the fatal wreck Of an
Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic rail-
road freight train here last week was
commissioners announced that on COM
pletion Of certain tests they would pre-
pare their report.
Attorneys for the road sought 20 show
that the wreck was caused by an ex-
pIosion being placed on the track and
asserted it was one of series Of such
acts since non-union workers replaced
striking union men last spring. Counsel
for the unions charged that the wreck.
which caused the deaths of two trainmen>
resulted from defective equipment. Tits
between counSel ana witnesses became so
ifvely at times that Chairman Gambler
once threatened to cali off the hearing.
Harry Hawkins, superintendent of the.
road, told the commission today he sent
out a general warning on the night OF
the wreck because of the actions OF two
men in Manchester Ca, who. he said,
he had known to leave town the night
before each previous wreck. He did not
name the men. Witnesses for the road
declared the engine wheel, which was
whirled some distance away in the wreck,
had passed inspection at the shops short
~ before that night. Another witness
declared there was an explosion Of such
force that it knocked a bible off a table
in house quarter of mile from the
scene.
In bringing forward testimony regard
ing the alleged loose Wheel that union
men claim caused the wreck. A. c. Whip
pie, bushes agent for the machinists'
union, declared any member of the union
guilty of placing an explosive under a.,
train would be expelled, but he was pos
tive in his statements that no such thing
had been done. He declared such an act
would merit hanging.
w. J. Patterson, representing the in
terstate commerce commission, win re-
main here for short time longer, in
quiring into the wreck.