Deputy Sheriff Autrie Killed

Title

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

Tuskaloosa Gazette

Publication Place

Tuscaloosa, AL

Publication Date

02/02/1888

Transcript

DEPUTY SHERIFF AUTRIE KILLED. Mr. James R. Maxwell came up on the train Tuesday morning, and brought the sad intelligence that Deputy Sheriff Autrie had been shot and killed at a little station called Austin, two miles this side of Hull's, by a negro named Jim Seams. Seams was charged with assault with intent to murder, and Mr. Autrie had a warrant for him and was trying to arrest him, when the negro discharged a double barrel shot gun into him, killing him instantly. He then knocked a man down named Arthur Carpenter, who was assisting Mr. Autrie, and took to the swamp and escaped. Sheriff J. O. Prude has got out a circular giving a description of the negro and offering a large reward for his capture. The news of the killing of Mr. Autrie was broken to his family as gently as possible. It was a great shock to them and their grief was heartrending. The scene at the jail when his little children came home from the public school and the sad news of the Willing of their father broken to them, beggars description. Rev. J. Dill was with the afflicted family and did all in his power to allay their grief. As soon as possible dozens of men mounted horses and started in persuit of the murderer. Mr. Prude telegraphed to Pratt Mines for blood hounds to hunt down the assassin, but we have not learned whether they will be sent down or not. We understand that the people in the neighberhood of Hull's station were thoroughly aroused and were doing all in their power to catch him. Several colored men from the city left on horseback to join in the persuit, thus showing by their action that they do not approve of such acts as this committed by Jim Seams. Particulars of the shooting were very meagre yesterday, as no one from Hull's came into the city to bring the straight account of the affair. We hope by this morning that the guilty scoundrel has been captured and that he will have a swift and terrible punishment met- ed out to him, at the hands of outraged justice. We do not mean by this to mob him, but hold him and let the law take its course.

Sources for

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