The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-10
ME- RELIANT KILLED
AND POLICE CHIEF
HURT IN ANDAL US|A
Burle S. Fitzpatrick, Charged
With Murder, In Jail At
Montgomery

ANDAI.USIA. Ala, May 9.-(Spe-
chant and business man and highly
esteemed citizen of Andalusia, is
dead. Chief of Police j. n. Jernisan
of this city is in a critical condition
at a local hospital and Burle S. XII
patrick. an employe of the mercan-
tile firm of j. l.. Knox K Co..
is being carried to the NJ. ntgomery
county jail for Safekeepins by Sher-
IF J. y. LiVings. He is charged in
one warrant with first degree muir
Ger of j. l.. Knox and al another
warrant of assault viii. intent to
murder on J. y. Jernigan. the two
Peace L. j. Salter.
According to reports, Mr.. Kilpat-
rick, veteran employe of the mer-
camille firm of j. L. Knox .&
Co.. was in an Intoxicated condition
and at the noon hour when he and
Mr. Knox and Miss Alice Kennedy,
the latter at the front of the store,
were the sole occupants of the store,
both men became engaged in con-
versation at the rear. The exact
nature of the conversation is not
known. but it is believed that Mr..
Knox was demonstrating with XII
patrick regarding his conduct. Pistol
reports alleged by witnesses to have
been fired by Fitzpatrick. attracted
the attention of the young lady ana
others about the rear and front OF
the store. Three shots are said to
have been fired at this time. two of
them entering the body OF Mr.. Knox.
and after the shooting persons who
rushed in to find the latter dead
state that Fitzpatrick reloaded his
pistol and going to the front entrance
OF the store, refused to admit anyone
Officers Arrive.
Sheriff !. \. Livings and Chief OF
Police ]. y. Jernigan were notified
the latter being a his home. and as
the sheriff approached the store. ac-
cording to his statement. Fitzpatrick
re-entered the store. Chief Jernlgan
rushed up in car at this time ana
bpth Officers entered at about the
same time. Chief JerniGan advanced
on Eilpatrick, /. is stated. but was
unarmed and the latter is alleged by
eve-witnesses TO have fired upon him.
one bullet entering the breast at the
base of the neck and ranging toward
the right shoulder. where 1t was
later discovered by X-ray and re-
moved.
During this space. Sheriff Livings,
armed, circled Fitzpatrick. as he
stated. and before ano;ner shot could
be fired forced him to surrender his
arms and submit to arrest and con-
ffnement in the county jail pending
his early removal to Montgomery.
The arrival of the officers at the
scene was fully ten minutes subse-
orent to the killing of Mr.. Knox.
So far as can be ascertained there
had been nothing but good feeling
existing between the parties to the
tragedy. and in the killing of Mr..
Knox there is no indication whatever
Of anv difficulty These circum-
stances and facts make it all the
more difficult to account for such a
tragedy.
Was Civic Worker.
Mr.. Knox, who was about AZ years
OF age. was the only son of Mr.. ana
Mrs. w. NJ Knox, a nephew of j. d.
Henderson, Tuscaloosa lumberman..
was a Mason and Shriner. member or
the local Chamber OF Commerce, To-
tarv club and was recognized as one
of the leading business men of Anda-
lusia. He was MEMBER of the
Methodist church. Owing to the fact
that the only sister of the deceased
lives in Kentucky and the time or
her arrival has not been ascertained
funeral plans have not been an
nounced.
Fitzpatrick. the man charged with
the killing, is of good family. One
of his brothers. Wiley Fitzpatrick,
is member of the department store
firm here OF Fitzpatrick Mash
burn. He has two otner brothers,