The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-26
NEGRO IS KILLED,
FATHER Is DYING:
ROW OVER dime
Bessemer Car Conductor
Held On Charge
Of Murder
(Bessemer Bureau)


BHSSEMER, Ala, May 25.-Arthur
Jones. negro, is dead and his father;
Robert Jones, is at the Bessemer Gen.
eral hospital mortally wounded, as the
result of an alteration between them
and street railway Conductor Homer
Best on a South Bessemer car Sunday
morning at IL o'clock. Best was as
saulted by Robert Jones and after re-
treating was forced to draw his revolver,
according to spectators, shooting the
elder negro through the head and his son
in the abdomen.
1t is stated that Best dropped dime
on the floor of the trailer, upon which
he was conductor, the money being
picked up by Robert Jones. After an
argument with the negro, during which
the latter used abusive language, ac-
cording to witnesses, the negro reached
under the seat and secured a stick,
with which he is said to have struck
the conductor several blows.
The car had reached Dartmouth ave-
nue. and Twenty-first street and the
motorman signaled for a stop and for
aid from the other conductor and mo-
torman. Before they could arrive,
however, he had retreated to the street,
followed by the negro, and the killing
took place in front of Chief of Police
Randell's residence. Arthur Jones, the
son, was struck by a stray bullet and
died before reaching the hospital. Rob
ert Jones was shot through the head
and little hope is held for his recovery.
Best has been connected with the
Birmingham Electric company, former
ly the Birmingham Railway, Lifht and
Power company, for year and half,
and lives at 2122 Bessemer boulevard.
He was arrested Sunday and placed in
the county Jail at Bessemer, charged
with murder.
Baccalaureate Sermon PreaChed-Be-
fore an audience which taxed the ca
pacity of the new high school audi
forum Sunday morning, DR.. Frank
Macdonald delivered the baccalaureate
sermon to. 20 high school graduates.
> This is the first time that this service
has been held in a school building, it
having been the custom to rotate it
among the various churches.
An interesting program was carried
out by the faculty, while musical pro-
gram was given by the Bessemer male
chorus.
The senior class play, "Smilin'i
Through" will be presented Wednes-
day evening at the auditorium. The
scenery and effects Of this play cost
approximately $1,000, much of it being
built by the manual training depart
ment of the school.
Thursday evening the graduation ex-
ercises will take place, when diplomas
will be presented by W. b. Parker,
president of the board. The class ad-
dress will be delivered by Hubert Leh-
man, president, while the valedictory
will be given by Miss Hirch Childs
and the salutatory by Miss Evelyn
Moreland. The alumni banquet will
take place at the old high school lunch
room.
Announeements-T Woman's auxill
larry win meet at the First Presbyterian
church Monday afternoon at 8 o'clock
with Circle No. 3 in charge. Mrs. H.
p. Lipscomb, Jr., will be leader.
The Missionary society will meet at
the South Highland Baptist church
Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock when
the young matrons' band will have
charge.
Mrs. W. G. Baty will be hostess to
the Missionary society of the First
Methodist church at Spend-tne-day
party Tuesday. A business session will
be held during the afternoon.
Circle No. will be in charge of the
program at the Monday afternoon meet
ing of the Woman's Missionary union of
the First Baptist church.
The Southside Bridge club will be
entertained Tuesday afternoon at 8 80
o'clock at the 'home of Mrs. Sam Erlick
Mrs. J. @. Pope will entertain the
Junior Matrons' club Thursday after
noon at 8 80 o'clock.
Mis- Helen Lees Drum will entertain
Thursday afternoon at 8 80 o'clock at
her home in honor of Miss Margaret
Raymond of Los Angeles and Mrs. Carl
Stokes of Detroit.
The Woman's auxiliary of Trinity
Episcopal church will meet Monday aft
ernoon at 80 o'clock with Mrs. w. d.
Taylor.
The Woman's auxiliary of the Chris
tian church will meet in the Sunday
school rooms Monday afternoon at 8 80
o'clock.
The annual open meeting of the min
erva club will be held at the home of
Mrs. Rose Huey Wednesday afternoon
at 8 80 o'clock.