Impudent Freshness Cost Negro Soldier His Life at Holt

Title

Source Type

Newspapers

Publisher

Tuscaloosa News

Publication Place

Tuscaloosa, AL

Publication Date

01/23/1919

Transcript

The soldier is said to have received his discharge from the army within the past few days, and without funds was sent to his home here by the Red Cross. He arrived at home on Sun- day. Wednesday morning Crumby seems to have started out on a wild rampage to pull some social equality stunts such as he is said to have told some white ladies whom he forcibly visited that he had enjoyed in the army in Hawaii. These stunts were destined to get the negro in bad. for he was working in the wrong community. One of the places he visited was the home of Callie Garner, where he found Mrs. Garner and the children at home. This home is near Holt junction. Mrs. Garner ordered the negro, who was wearing his uniform, off the premises but he refused to go and talked of how he had associated with white families in Hawaii and boarded in white homes. He chucked the children under their chins and acted in a very impudent manner. Shot at Twice. This was about noon. it is said, and Mr. Garner arrived on the scene. The negro hurriedly left the Garner home at sight of the man. but with the use of ugly language. Securing his gun, Mr. Garner fired twice at the fleeing negro. but the shots failed to take effect. In the meanwhile rumors were afloat of other places where Crumby had visited and of his insulting remarks to white ladies. Determined Young men Tim Ryan was of the number set out to arrest the negro. Crumby was traced through South Holt and young Ryan was heading him off along the McKenzie road They met as above stated and with the results stated. Sheriff on Scene. A number of Holt citizens gathered at the scene of the killing, and Sheriff Hughes was notified and was soon on the scene. The Rogers-Jones Undertaking Company was ordered to bring the body of the dead man to the city A terrible hole was torn in the left breast by the charge of No. 6 shot with which the negro was hit, The charge ranged downward, affirming the statement of eye witnesses that he was in a crouching position and coming forward when shot. No warrant has been issued for young Ryan, as he is considered to have been acting wholly in self defense when he fired. It is stated Crumby was in New York City when he received notice of his mustering out of the service. He appealed to the Red Cross there for aid to get him home, and the New York chapter conferred with the Tuscaloosa chapter. Crumby's father put up the funds with the Red Cross necessary to pay the negro's way home. He claimed that he had been entertained for a month as a guest in the white Y. M. C. A. in New York Last night the Rogers-Jones Company turned the body over to a colored undertaker and it was prepared for burial.

Sources for

See all items with this value Festus Crumby