The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-26
CAFE PROPHET TOR' STRUCK DOWN BY. A NEGRO ROBBER.
Bold Robbery Attempted in Early Hour of Night. Mrs. ViteIIaro Dies
 From Injuries

While police and county authori- ties were securing Birmingham for the murderers of Mrs. Josephine Vii tellaro and the assailant of her hus- band, Luigi, who were assaulted, presumably with an ax, at their resi- dence. z431 Eighth avenue, north, Tuesday night. Costis Terlikis, 1122 Avenue H. was third victim of such an assault. Thursday night, when he was attacked in his cafe at 252S Second avenue, north, and struck down by negro highwayman hav5 ing robbery as his motive.
 According to police statistics, the attack upon Costis Terlil1is was the twenty fourth of it's nature perpe- trated by ax-men and robbers upon local merchants in Birmingham within the past IS months. In each instance the tactics employed by the assailants were much the same.
 Fired nt Negro
 Terlikis was struck on the back of his head with a sharp piece Of
  counter by investigating officers. He was saved from robbery by the prompt appearance of Jesse Julian, Second avenue and Twenty-fourth street. in answer to the screams of Terlkis. Julian stated that upon his arrival Ee fired one shot at negro who was retreating from the scene, going west on Second avenue. It is not known if the negro was struck by the bullet from Julians pistol.
 Terlikis was taken to Hillman hos pital in police call car where his injuries received attention. He was dazed by the blow which caused an ugly Gash Tn the back of his head. He was later removed to his residence, from where he was reported to police as resting well late Thursday night.
 Terlikis, in a statement to investi- gating officers, declared that a ne- gro appeared in his store at S:45 o'clock Thursday night and ordered food, which was served him. He stated that he then turned his back on the negro. and was almost i'm mediately struck. Terlikis said that as the blow fell on his head he screamed at the top of his voice. which attracted the attention of
  away.
 Mrs. NitellarO Dies
 Mrs. Nitellaro, who died at the Birmingham General hospital at 8 o'clock Thursday night, passed away without giving officers Investigating the case a single clue upon which to continue their investigation. She died without regaining conscious ness from the blows dealt her. Lugi Vitellaro is surviving by the merest thread, hospital authorities said, and hope is fast declining for his re- covery. Remains Of Mrs. Vitellaro have been taken in charge by Johns to be prepared for burial. Funeral services will be announced later. Cor oner Russum will hold his inquest within a few days.
 Detectives W. K. McAdory and w. F. Lee, who have spent their entire time on the case since last Wednes- day morning, stated Thursday night that unless one of the victims gives them some tangible clue upon which to work, further investigation, un- less more evidence is obtained from outside sources, will be fruitless. Meanwhile the two white men ar rested in connection with the Vitel- IdrO case w euHeSudy are Stlll DelHB held for further investigation.
 Found in Store
 Vitellaro and his wife were found lying in their store early Wednes- day morning by Andrew Hightower, negro, who entered the store pur- posely to buy snuff. Vitellaro was found lying in the middle of the floor, and his wife behind the cCun- ter where she had dragged herself, presumably to summon assistance by telephone, which was located near where she was found lying. The store and its rear section, used as living quarters by the couple, was ran- sacked by the assailants of the cou- pie. It is not known how much money CT other valuables, was taken, although S945 in postal savings stamps was found in the mattress of bed in one of the rooms.
 Investigating the latest assault were Chief of Police Fred H. Me- Duff, Assistant Chief Thomas Chris tian and Detectives G. M. Bragan. R. J. Walton, G. w. Alexander w. E. Helton, W. F. Watson and Officers J.