LAUDERDALE COUNTY, ALABAMA
COPS AND ROBBERS - [MOSTLY ROBBERS]

From the Florence Journal, Wednesday, January 4, 1873, p. 3.

The colored people had a supper at their school house, in Florence, during the holidays-the proceeds to be applied for some benevolent purpose. During the entertainment a colored individual rejoicing in the name of William Simpson, became quite "obstroperous" [sic], and engaged in a general fight with all around him. Tob Hood, who was standing near the stove, conversing with his lady-love, was the recipient of a heavy blow from a chair in the hands of William, which so changed his base? that the soft words of love which escaped his lips and inspired the heart of his fair one with feelings of kindness toward him, gave way to the angry words of Mars, and he also engaged in the general demoralization that prevailed on every side. The parties were brought before his Honor, Mayor Hamer, who fined William ten dollars and costs.- The respectable portion of our colored people are quite and industrious, and Mayor Hamer is determined to punish all such fellows as Bill, who cannot behave himself properly on such occasions.

From the Florence Gazette, Wednesday, November 12, 1879, p. 3.
An Attempted Throat Cutting
In the crowd and rush at the entrance to the cricus tent last Monday was a negro, John Walker, who was trying to push his way in regardless of the women and children who were ahead of him, and when Mr. Henry Killis, who was acting police, undertook to check him, he snatched the police club from his hand and cut at his throat with a knife. Fortunately he cut a little too high, and struck the lips and chin, inflicting no serious wound. Mr. Ellis at once knocked him back, and covered him with a pistol, and would, no doubt, have killed him but for the intervention of Marshal Blair. The negro was at once arrested and is now in the hands of Sheriff Carson. No doubt it will be many a day before he breathes the free air again.

From The Banner, Thursday, March 6, 1890, p. 3.
Matt Jenkins, (c,) who did a little stealing here lately, and ran off to Memphis, was brought back last week by Sheriff Porter, and will have a hearing in the Circuit Court now in session. Matt seems to be very much out of sorts, if he is not in some kind of trouble all the time. He served one term in the coal mines for abusing his first wife, and now he has a very fair showing of going back again.

From The Banner, Thursday, March 20, 1890, p. 3.
The trial of Cad Brown, (c,) for the murder of Robt. Vaughn, (w,) near Oakland last November, began in the Circuit Court here last Thursday. A special jury consisting of Thos. H. Peeden, A. C. Chisholm, Z. B. Romine, S. L. Crow, Allen Mitchell, G. W. Busham (?), Eph. Call, Thos. Fulmer, G. W. Dalrymple, W. H. Jackson, C. W. Holden, and J. A. Haraway, was summoned. The attorneys for the defense were J. B. Weakley, Jr., and C. E. Jordan. The State was represented by Messrs. Simpson & Jones. From the time the case was called to its close, the court room was packed to its utmost, with eager listeners to catch every word from the numerous witnesses put on the stand. At times there were at least 175 to 200 colored people in the court room, and many whites. The evidence closed on Friday evening, when argument began. R. T. Simpson led off, in a few plain facts as to the evidence and law bearing on the case. He was followed by Mr. Jordan for the defense. At the close of his speech court adjourned until 8:30 o'clock Saturday morning. Long before the time for opening court, the court room was filled. At 9 o'clock Sheriff Porter called court and Judge Speake ascended the stand, and Mr. J. B. Weakley opened the argument for the defense, and for an hour labored hard in convincing the jury that if Cad Brown did kill Vaughn, he did it in self-defense. At close of his remarks G. P. Jones began his closing speech. His argument was plain, pointed, and showed conclusively that Cad Brown struck the fatal blow that killed Robt. Vaughn. The charge of the court was very exhaustive, covering all the points at issue, and the jury retired at 12 M. [sic] After a short deliberation it returned a verdict of murder in the second degree, assessing his punishment at 20 years in the penitentiary.

From The Banner, Thursday, April 3, 1890, p. 3.
All Johnson (c,) was fined $5 and costs, amounting to $7.50, by Esqr. Jackson on Monday, for profane language in the presence of [a] colored woman. He paid it and went free.

From The Banner, Thursday, April 3, 1890, p. 3.
Raz Stewart, (c,) was up before Esqr. Jackson, on Monday, charged with assault and battery on All Johnson and Chas. Burdett. In the first case he was found guilty, and fined $21 and cost, making $28.60; in the second $9.10, making in all $37.70.

From The Banner, Thursday, April 3, 1890, p. 3.
Cad Brown, (c,) who murdered Robt. Vaughn and who was tried here last court, was taken from Huntsville (where he was taken for safe keeping) last Thursday, to the penitentiary, where he goes for a term of 20 years, but by good behavior, 10 months count a year.

From the Florence Times, Saturday, October 20, 1894, p. 3.
THE WAGON WORKS.
A Slight Fire--Electric Lights In.
          About 6:45 Tuesday evening fire was discovered in the oil house of the Wagon Factory, a few minutes after the factory started up for the night. The alarm was sounded and the Factory Fire Department responded promptly and the fire was soon a thing of the past. The damage was very slight. It caught from a lantern carried by Will Reynolds, whose duty it was to mix paint. It appeared to be an explosion of gas accumulated from handling a good deal of gasoline in and around the oil house. Reynold's right arm and hand were severely burned, he will probably be laid up for a week or more. He belongs to the Factory Fraternity and will get weekly indemnity while disabled.
          In the rush to the fire M. Urick had his left hand cut while bravely bursting out a glass window with his fist. He will probably be off several days.
          Dr. Bellamy remained out that night to see the new electric lights start up, and seemed highly pleased at the quick action of the boys in fighting the fire fiend.
          Such occurances nearly all have a ludicrous side and one of the funny things of this frolic was to see Messrs. Trainer and Lynn, stock clerk and stenographer, hustling barrels of turpentine out of reach of the fire. Ask them how much a barrel of turpentine weighs.
          Mr. Wm. Faris had one of his hands hurt by the rip saw that evening.
          After the excitement of the fire had in a mesure subsided; the electrician who is putting in the electric lights at the factory started up the Dynamo and the Wagon Factory was lighted for the first time by its own electric lights. The Wagon Factory is now one of the best equipped plantsin the South, and one that the citizens of Florence, yea of Alabama, should be justly proud of.  
LEX.

From the Florence Herald, Thursday, January 10, 1895, p. 1.
WHERE IS TRAINER?
Ask Victims of a Whilsom Florentine.
TRAVELED FOR THE WAGON CO.
And is Still Drawing Drafts on the Strength of it.
          Mr. J. G. Trainer, formerly of Topeka, Kan., more recently of Florence, but at present----where?
          That is the question that many Texas customers of the Florence Wagon Company would like to have answered.
          Mr. Trainer was employed by the Wagon Company as a traveling salesman and started on a trip through Texas last November. There soon appeared signs of trickery and Mr. Trainer was called in, but too late to suit the bank accounts of some of the Wagon Company's customers, through whom Trainer drew drafts, representing himself as Secretary of the company.
          Mr. Trainer first achieved prominence as a drawer of drafts two months ago. Since then he has apparently made a regular practice of drawing drafts on customers of the Wagon Company and and on his own imaginary account on the First National Bank, in this city.
          Last week Trainer drew on the First National Bank for fifty dollars. The draft was of course protested. Trainer was then in Little Rock, Ark. He bobs up every now and then in various Western towns and always makes himself known to the extent of a fifty or a hundred dollar draft.
          Trainer has never had an account at the First National Bank in this city, but that does not prevent his drawing on this bank for sums ranging from fifty dollars up.
          It is impossible to determine the number of Trainer's victims. He has been representing himself as secretary of the Wagon Company probably ever since he was discharged by that company. Many of his drafts were honored by customers of the Wagon Company who supposed that he had authority to draw on their accounts with the company.
          Trainer is still at large and when last heard from, by draft, he was in Dallas, Texas, from which place a draft was received Monday.
          During his connection with the Wagon Company, Trainer became acquainted with many Florence people and his recent conduct will undoubtedly be a surprise to those who knew him here. But few, if any, thought him a criminal, though the almost universal verdict was that he had too open a mouth for a business man.

From the Florence Gazette, Thursday, January 17, 1895, p. 3.
          A man by the name of Trainer, has been "doing" the patrons of the Florence wagon works rather badly out in Texas. He claimed to be vice president of the company, and drew on his customers for portions of their bills and did not report his collections to his employers here. So he collected a good deal of cash that did not belong to him, and his dupes are anxious to know his whereabouts. [Contributed by Donald Murks, Feb 2007]

From the Florence Gazette, Thursday, January 24, 1895, p. 3.
A little difficulty occurred on Sweetwater a few days ago. A man from Wayne county, Tenn., concluded to paint the town red, but policeman Wash Hindman, was notified and soon captured this Tennessee slugger and town painter, and run him in. Hurrah for Hindman, who is always at his post and ready for any kind of game that may come along.