The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-04-20
HOMICIDE At THE woRR.HoUsE
A Prisoner KILLED white AttemptisG
10 Escape.

Norh-nouse nave Dcen anhoN'l W wv Nv
tempts Of the prisoners to escape from Gus
tody, and have warned them that an es-
ample would be made Of such as would be
discovered in pcrsuading others to make an
attempt. Yesterday morning one OF the
colored oyersecrs at the work-house, VIM.
A, Carroll, was placed In charge OF u squad
Of the prisoners TO superintcnd the digging
of three graves for the bodies Of dead
manners sent down by the Frcedmen's Blu
rcau While obtaining their tools the squad
were standing near the "woodplle,' north
of the asylum building, and between II and
the smallpox hospital. Suddenly one OF
the party, white man, started TO run, and
had got outside OF the gate before Carroll
discovered him. lie at once called TO Mr..
Martin, the intendant, who pursued the
fugitive, firing his pistol aftcr him.
Meantime Richard Catlett, q colored man
aged about % years, made nm attempt to
escape and was pursued by Carroll, who was
armed with heavy army revolver; Catlett
ran towards the smallpox hospital, closely
followed by the oversecr, who fired two shots
after him, the first missing him; the second,
however, being better aimed. pierced the
back Of the fugitive, entering Just below the
right shoulder blade passing through the
lung and lodging between the second and
third ribs. His death was almost instan-
taneous. The body was picked up and
carried into the "dcad-housc." The fatal
termination OF the attempt to escape had
tho effect ofquicting the remaining prisoners,
who, In charge OF Carroll, proceeded to
Potter's field and dug the graves for the
bodies of the paupcrs mentioned above.
Carroll then proceeded to the Eighth pre-
cinct statlon-house aud delivered himself up
to the officer in charge.
The coroner (Dr. Pottcr) was notified and
soon arrived, accompanied by Drs. Hartgan
and Williams, of the army medical museum,
who, assisted by Mcssrs. Rich and White,
resident students ut the museum, made O
post norton examination, when the course
of the ball was discovered. A jury Of in
quest having been sworn, the testimony
elected corroboratcd the statements made
above, and further showed that ut tho time
the fatal shot was fired the parties were
within flfteen feet Of each other. 1t was
further In evidence that while the parties |
were running Carroll called ont 30 the head |
gardener, "a man named Atkins "Shall |
give II TO him :" Atkins replied, eyes" |
and then the second shot was fired. A
statement made by Carroll was to the effect |
that Catlett tried to run; he called to him to
stop, when the deceased threw piece of
marble at himj after which he pursued him
and shot him. The Jury, after hearing all
the evidence, rendered u verdict that the de-
ceased, Richard Catlett, came to his death
from wound In the right lung, produced
by a ball from a pistol fred by the hand of
VIM. Augustus Carroll. Coroner Potter
committed Carroll to Jail for court.
The deceased was committed to the work
house on Sunday, the 18th inst, by Justice
Clark, on the charge of lisordery conduct
He has wife and three children residing on
street, In the Second ward. Ills fellow
prisoners state that for some days past he
has appeared greatly troubled In mind as to
how his family would be provided for during
his imprisonment The Intendant of the
asylum states that on Sunday night the de-
ceased was discovered getting out Of the win
dow, and was warned to 90 In, which he did,
renllrklng that he would take his chances In |
the day time, thus showing that he intended |
10 make his escape at the FIRST opportunity.
While the effort to create stampede and
thereby cause Wholesale escapes from the
prison deserved punishment, still the ex-
IRENE measure Of taking the life of n fellow
creature is entirely uujustiaablc and should
be condemned. The idea of puttng such
u weapon Of destruction as an army revolver
iu the hands Of an irresponsible subordinate
Is wholly wrong AMI 1t was but natural that
the thoughts Of the prisoner, intent upon the
wants oil Ills family, would prompt him to
make every effort to escape from what he
considered heavy punishment for dlsor-
derry conduct, which is generally punished
with fine Of few dollars.
Under the administration Of the three pre-
cedlng attendants of the asylum the guards
were not allowed to shoot at escaping priso.
hers' put were each armed with stout walk
ing stick, which they used to fog partio,
who endcayored TO run oil. Would not such
pan be good ono for the present inten-
dant TO adopt Human life, IL II be even
thAt oil a paupcr, Is entirely too precious to
he placed ut the disposal OF every Individual
VINO may he clothed with a little brief au-
thOrity.
SEQUEL To THE BEAR AND Ffsu.-Yester-
Jay we recorded the fact of black bear hay
ing broke lila chain and stampcdcd for a
lunch of perch In possession of n gentleman
walking along the tow-path Of the canal on
Thursday last. The animal Is still at large
and has swan to the river side of the canal |
at least such Is the latest report from the
'front.'" On Friday he was observed BY
searching party, armed with sticks and
clubs, who gave chase to Bruin In order to
ciiect his capture and convey him TO his
Old quarters. There happened to be on the
line oil retreat OF the bear Mr. Charles Lamb,
VINO carries on the business of bread and pic
baker on Capitol Hill, In company with A
venerable patron of plsedtorid, and who were |
at the time quietly seated ut the river side |
angling. Bruin, doubtless having fresh In |
remembrance the delicious bunch of nrrrh
captured the day before, "weut for them, -
and succeeded in frightening Mr.. Lamb and
companion oil their "pCrch," and romnrI |
ling them to run for dear life to save their
bacon, the fugitiycs finally bringing IN nj n !
deserted hshmonger's hut near the river,
into which they entered, making the door
secure after them.
The bear having arrived In front of their
prison house, they had the extreme gra,in
cation OF observing his bruin lOrlshp grim
aclng and dancing in manner that would
have done Infinite credit to the most cele
bratod OF comic actors and jig dancers. The
pursuing party with iclubs having made
their appearance, the bear removed his base,
and the occupants ofthc hshcrman's hut came
forth apparently In the best of humor, In
consideration of their lucky escape from The
warm embrace Of shaggy and hugpIng
Dear. We have since learned that the bear |
took refuge up a tree, when his owner came |
along, and addressing the brute Familiarity, |
the animal came down and followed him as |
tamely us dog would have done,
The BOARD or REGIsrRNTIoS.-Th Board |
OF Registers Of the city met yesterday after
noon and organized by selecting VIM. A.
COOK, esd, as chairman, and Mr. j, II.
Crossman as secretary. Mcssrs. Jas Camp.
bell and Joseph L. Nenning were elected
clerks to the Board.
The following arrangement was made for
inc registration Of the First, Second and
Third wards.
The Board will set In the First wur,l on
Thursday on Friday they will register in
the Second ward on Monday next ihcy will
register In the Third ward; ono dav In cncL
ward. On Tuesday next they return 10 the
First ward and register two days in surrr.-
sion, then two days In the second ward.
then two days in the Third ward. II i,
thought, by this action the voters can b
better Informed Of the sessions of the Board.
and that they Will register more promptly.
The sessions Of the Board In the Second
ward will be held In the large frame building
on the west side OF Fourteenth street, DO.
tween street and New York avenue.
The WASHINGTON u ALEXANDRIA RAIL
ROAD BRIDGE.-For two months the rail-
road bridge across the Potomac river has l!
been In such an unsafe condition that IL was !
considered dangerous for trains to pass. We +;
understand that In order 10 place 1t In proper
repair, Mcssrs. Stevens and Phelps, the re- ,.
CRiVpTE of the buV IN 10 auth l., Il |