Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-09-16
HORRIBLE DOUBLE MuRDER,
Man Kills his Wife and her Mother.
He Uses Hatchet A Knife. and n Brick.


He Uses Hatchet A Knife, and a Brick.
This morning about O'Clock a colored man
named Albert Nicholas, killed his wife and her
mother in house No. AZ Maine avenue, between
Sd and ~ street west. The house is a two
story frame structure, the lower part Of whic h
Is occupied by woman named Maggie
Allen, and the two upper rooms were occupied
by the murderer and his victims. II appears
that tie parties were quarreiing last.night and
this morning, probably because Nicholas was
drunk. About O'Clock this morning, the
quarreling and general disorder 10 crea sed an d
Mrs. Mathews, a white woman, residing next
| door thinking that the police should interfere
sent after Officer q. A. Owens, at his house On
maryland avenue, and to the station, AZ and q
streets, when the disturbance was going on.
Oficers Hill and Owens rea shed the house
about the same tune, and on entering found
the prisoner with his pants bloody, as also the
side of the bed in the front room, under which
the Ratchet had been placed which had been
used in committing the crime. Officer Hill took
him TO the station. house, where he was locked
up for hearing
Onicer Owens on going mp stairs found the
wife OF the prisoner, Lucinda, lying on the bed
She was not then dead, although unable to
speak. She had eleven wounds on her head
her skull being horribly cut and battered and
brains and blood oozing from the wounds
Drs. J. r. Riley and Brookheimer were
sent for and Were early on the spot but they
could do nothing for Lucinda, who died about
Gas o'clock.
The wifes' mother, Ellen Smith, was found
lying on the floor with blood flowing from
seven wounds on the head. Five wounds
were on the front of the head, one in the left
cheok nd ON fha
bone. The wound directly over the eyes was
apparently made with the blade of a hatcher
She was speeches. when found and coutipu ned
SO unllI nel oeatn, which occurred at fifteen
minutes past III clock.
Nicholas AT first denied that he had struck his
wife or her Mother, but subseq uent!y admitted
mat ne did IT. that they had had a little H. ht
He also stated that the weapons he used W.rs
knife, Ratchet and brick
subsequently, at the station, he said that
he had done the deed because last NIGHT tha
motner mad advised her daughter not TO sleep
with him, because he was drunk; that he went
10 the room this morning, and the mother or.
oered him out, al the same time picking up
Ratchet; that he seized the Ratchet, wrested
IL from her, and Knocked his wife down and
then his mother.In.law, and beat her with the
Ratchet until he broke the handle, and than
used a brick; and that he did not use the knife
at all. He appears 10 be very cool about the
matter, and converses very freely.
From statements made by the neighbors il
appears tnat last night be threatened 10 Kill ais
wife, and that she was about to jump out Of
the window, and that it was in conseo hence of
these threats that the two women refused In
allow him TO stay in the same room with them
The affair created intense excitement in the
neighborhood where it occurred, especially
among the colored people, and, as the news
spread, very large number gathered about the
mousse all anXious TO see the victims an to learn
tne particulars, and among these were several
relatives of the deceased. Nicholas and his
victims were originally from North Carolina.
ana nave been living in this city several years
Inc TWO women have borne excellent charac.
tiers since they have been here and before AZ far
as is known. They were brought up as house
Servants, and were well educated Nicholas is
4 very large man, between IS and 40, and has
oeen regarded as quiet inofiensive person
as fireman at the United States Hotel, and
since then has been in the employ Of MT c. w.
KING, bricklayer, as hod-carrier. Nicholas
mas been married but about ten months and
his wife was confined about three weeks
since. (the child being stillborn, and yesterday
was her hrst day out. small child, between
iOus and nve years OF age tissue OF the wife
IN the back shed, where II had IN or had been
hidden for safety. Sergeant S. Is. Clements
states that be called on Dr. Joseph Walsh, who
was near by at the time, and he refused to
attend, but Drs. BrOokheimer and j. r. Riley
came promptly when notified.
II appears that the child above referred 10
as having been found in the yard has been
the cause OF quarreling in the family, Nicn.
ne COTOnOr. w. w. Potter, with Drs
Todd and Adams. (of the Navy short time
after the death Of Ellen Smith, with Drs. Todd.
Riley and Hartigan, proceeded to make a post
morton examination Of the bodies. The DO.
lice summoned the following jury of inquest
w. F. Hinlein, Charles II. Parker, James Ra.
cord, John Corrigan, Joseph Mahrar Simon
Joseph, A. McDermott, ]. =. Harmon, II H.
Lemon, VIM. Webster, Nicholas White and
George o. Noyes; DIR. James Racord as fore.
man, and the jurors were worn over the
bodies; after which, they were discharged until
ii O'Clock a. m. to morrow.
Some Of the colored people were quite ex.
cited about the matter, particularly some of
the relatives, one Of whom very excitedly asked
II they were going to try such a man, and SAID
that he ought to be strung up the first thing
because this was double first degree m urder.
THE POTOMAC FRoNT.-The steamer W. w.
Colt, Ryther, left Galt's wharf this morning
for Norfolk, having on board a large number
OF passengers and full freight, among which
were over three hundred barrels Of District
flour, 10 be shipped for Boston. The steamer
Wawaset, FowkP. arrived at Potomac Ferry
wharf yesterday hternoOn, from Currioman
and intermediate landings, with passengers,
country produce, poultry, fish, &c. O.her
mo tsay hale