The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1929-09-26
Young Negro Confesses
Many Local RObberies

| A series of robberies involving stores
and homes in Lexington resulted in the
| arrest of young negro named Booker
| 7. Benn, better known locally as "Ham-
| bone" who confessed to Marshal w
Allan Ramsey and Deputy Sheriff w. l.
Ellis, Jr., that he had entered the vari-
| Gus stores and homes covering a period
OF several weeks lately.
His confession to officers followed
his arrest in Tchula late Sunday after
noon following a clue picked up by of
ficials who trailed him out of the city
! and checking up on his movements near
the town. Disposition of his loot was
| in large measure responsible for his
capture, officials stated
He was brought to trial Monday morn
ing in the mayors court of Lexington
and while officials were busily engaged
in assembling the data against him, the
young negro strolled out of the office,
down the hallway of the building and
down the fire escape. A general search
of the city was made with the result
that w. H. Wallace, operator of the ice
truck for the Lexington Creamery
cought the negro on the outskirts of
town as he was making his way back to
Tchula. Mr.. Wallace brought him back
to the city and turned him over to the
officials, where he was placed in Jail
for safe keeping.
Numbered in his confessions that in
volve almost score of burglaries, manv
of them forgotten in his long list of
robberies, he told officials that he was
responsible for the following:
McRae's Cash Store, taking $500 in
cash, several pairs of sox and some
phonograph needles.
R. & B. Sontheimer, Inc, $3.50 in cash.
Whites Corner Grocery, $4,000 in
cash.
He also named the following homes
burglarized: R. Cohen, Baxter Wilson
Mrs. En- Brown, W. B. Kenna, W. P.
Hammett, W. l.. Ellis, Jr., John H. Wal
ton and Jane Brown, colored woman.
He stated he entered Mr. Waltons
home twice, first obtaining .3S Smith
and Wesson pistol, and later only to get
something to eat.
At Mr.. Hammett's home, he obtained
a gold ring among other things, the ring
being recovered by officials
At Jane Browns home, she furnished
officers with the following list taken
from her house: $500 in cash, a gold
watch, 2 opal rings, / diamond pin, 2
bar pins, locket and silver pin, as
we'll as several trinkets. The watch and
diamond pin were recovered
Officials state that "Hambone" is re-
sponsible for other robberies they feel
certain but forgotten by him in his
many operations about in the city The
negro, tho only youngster in his teens,
has been involved in similar practices
before, but lately operated by himself
When questioned by officers he stated
he handled all jobs by himself and i'm
plicated no others.
Several other young negros about
town were held for questioning, it is
learned, but were released when no evil
dence or connection could be made with
"Hambone's" operations.
At the trial held Monday afternoon
before Mayor E. T. Nelson, the negro
admitted that he attempted robbery of
the firms of B, Schur, Applebaum Bros,
and Sam Herrmans Insurance office,
but was unsuccessful in gaining en-
trance.
After hearing the evidence against the
youthful burglar, Mayor Nelson placed
him under $4,000 bond to await the ac-
tion of the grand jury at the coming
term of the October term of court.
You'1l find II in bo