Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-19
TWO WOUNDED BY
ACCIDENTAL SHOTS
IN 4 LIQUOR RAID
John Bell. Farmer and Minis
ter, and Andrew West,
Negro Informer in Hospit-
ais Seriously Injured

John Bell, a farmer and minister of
Cherokee county, and Andrew West,
negro informer for federal prohibit
ton agents, were in Atlanta hos
pitfalls with serious injuries resulting
from pistol bullet said to have been
accidentally discharged by Federal
Agent J. w. Nations Thursday morn
ing while attempting to capture a
liquor car said to have been in charge
of Bell.
Bell was in the Georgia Baptist
hospital with a severe wound in the
left chest and shoulder. but will re-
cover it was said. West was at Grady
hospital with a wound in the neck,
and probably will die. physicians
stated.
Investigation of the shooting bv
city police was in progress. Officials
stated that all available information
INDICATED the shooting was accidental.
1t was not believed charges would be
docketed against Officer Nations
Carl Smith, young farmer of Chero-
kee county. said to be a son-in-law
of Bell. was in the car with Bell
and the negro when the shooting oc-
CURED at the corner of Marietta AMI
Alexander streets. He was charged
with violating the prohibition law
cIHu llCIu III POVU DUnu ny rSuRTdl
Commissioner Colquitt Carter
Director CAN'T said charges will
be entered against Bell. who is ex-
pected to be released from the hos
pital within the next three days. Ac-
cording to Director Gantt's agents.
Bell was the owner of the liquor
car. 1t contained twenty-one gallons.
which the agents said Bell and his
son-in-law brought to Atlanta from
the mountains to place on the mar
ket.
Information that Bell was bringing
car of whisky to Atlanta reached
federal, prohibition headquarters
early Thursday. Director CAN'T dis
patched two negro informers to meet
Bell and arrange to buy his LIQUOR
and stage a delivery while Dry
Agents Nati @ H. Fl; Stowe vr = and md
According to Director CAN'T, West
and his colleague completed all ar
rangements for a delivery at MARI
eta and Alexandria streets at y
o'clock They met Bel and gd+ sm M th ae
The raiding squad, headed by Off
Ger Nations, appeared and thrust
guns in the sides of Bell and Smith,
who promptly threw up thelf hahus
and surrendered,
Agent Nations said while he held
his gun on Bell, Smith suddenly
stepped on the gas accellerator.
which caused his gun to explode.
The bullet struck Bell and the ne
gro West.
officer Nations said he had known
Bell quite well for more than five
years, and that he counted him as a
| friend 1.-THE sudden forward lurch
of the automobile caused my gun TO
my part TO fire. as both Bell and
Smith had surrendered without a
word" he said.
As far as the investigating off
Gals could ascertain Thursday: T.
Garner Furniture company at az
witness He said 'the liquor car
stopped near the corner Of Marietta
and Alexandria streets with two
white men and a negro in it. and
minute or two after Nations jump
ed on the running board his pistol
fired, striking Bell and the West
negro" Waters was unable to say
whether the shooting was accidental.
said pistols were found on Bell and
Smith Director CAN'T said he
learned Thursday that they bought
a fresh supply of ammunition short
ly after arriving in Atlanta with the
car of whisky.
car with his gun held on Smith,
said the bullet from Agent. Nations
pistol missed his head by Less than
| four inches. He was emphatic in
his statement that the shot was ac-
cidentally fired.
John Bell is Familiarity known in
Cherokee county as preacher Bell y
said Director CAN'T. Bell declared
he was a Baptist minister. Prohibit
ton officers said they were inclined
| for many days to discredit reports
received by them to the effect that
| he WAS a linuor runner.