Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-03-29
MIDNIGHT ASSASSINATION.



our city last night, rivaling i'm its CHASTITY de-
tails the butchery of Rogerski, the peddler. 1t
appears that Mr.. Columbus Scriber, the watch
man at the Armory building, hearing groans in
the Armory square late in the night, went to
the place from whence they proceeded, and dis
covered man lying near the hedge, about 80
or co yards south of the Baltimore and Potomac
depot grounds. The Waterman tried to arouse
the groaning man, but he was insensible and
unable to speak. On close examination, it be-
came apparent from the wounds about his head
and face (Which almost rendered the features
M distipgu1shable) that he had been beaten so
nearly DEAD that whatever was to be done for
ms re1ef should be done quickly. Mr.. Scriber
Immediately repaired to the Central guard
mouse, where he informed Mr.. Voss, the station
keeper, Of the facts, and Mr.. VOss directed
MN 10 call on the first police officer he met.
This was at a quarter to two O'Clock a. m, and
Mr.. Scri1er finding Officer Harding, the two
proceeded to the place where the man was ly
ing. Officer Parlin was also called, and a hack
being procured, they started with the wounded
man to the guard-house, but before their ar
rival there, he had breathed his last. The body
was attired in rather coarse gray pants. vest,
and coat, with heavy boots quite muddy, and
his general appearance was that of a working
man, but his skin, where not exposed, was APP
parently as tender as a child's. He was about
feet inches in height, full faced, and with
dark hair.
THE WOUNDS.
Dr. Hartigan made a cursory examination of
the body shortly after o'clock this morning,
and found four wounds about the head and
face, one laying open the cheek and another on
the back OF the head from which the brains
were oozing. From the appearance of the
wounds Dr. n. was under the impression that
a small Ratchet had been used to lnflict them.
Oficer Harding, after the death of the VIC
tim, returned to the grounds and found near
the place where the deceased had lain a heavy
piece of lead, wrapped in sheepskin, a handle
to which, making a dangerous weapon Of it,
had been broken, probably while the assassin
found, on which were blood stains. A local
railroad ticket from Washington to Alexandria
was also found.
THE VICTIM vIEGINIAN.
This morning the body was identified by the
partner of the deceased Mr. Hinkle, as that of
MI; Frank Ham, who was engaged in business
with MIR. Hinkle a. a drover and cattle dealer.
The deceased was a son of Mr.. Henry Haun,
and resided near Woodstock, Shenandoah
county, Va. with his wife and one or two
chlidren. Mr. Hinkle states that the deceased
was in Baltimore yesterday, and must have
HAD ABOUT 81 600 WITH HIM.
IL l. not yet known at what hour he arrived in
the city; but the ticket to Alexandria, men
toned above, FO. 1892, was identified as one of
the last sold at the depot before the departure
OF the e:S5 train. He probably intended to re-
main here until the late train-12 O'Clock y. m
and to leave Alexandria for his home on the |
Manassas train this morning. Ii Is reported
that some persons heard
CRIES OF MURDER
from the direction of the armory as early as 6 |
O'Clock last evening, and they ran down 9Th |
street, but by the time they reached the lower
end OF the depot the cries had ceased. Some of
the Island officers heard a similar cry about | |
o'clock, hut could not find from whence it pro- |
ceeded. |
The impression among some friends of the
deceased Is that whoever murdered him |
FOLLOWED HIM FROM BALTIMORE.
knowing that he had money, and that it is |
likely he was dragged, and then easily per
,uaded to go to the place where he met his |
leath.
A FEMALE FOOTPRINT.
large pool OF bloot on the carriageway in |
he Armory lot, just where il is nearest to the
ence on the east side of the square (along
which are some bushes), marks the spot where /
he body was found. Seine persons in examin-
ng the place this morning discovered some |
mall footprints, appearing to have been made |
~ female shoe, and from this discovery a re-
'Ort gained currency that the deceased had
,een enticed into the lot by a woman. This
tory does not gain any credence, however, es-
eciaiiy among those who knew the deceased, |
$ they represent him to have been an exem-
larry and temperate young man. Some per-
ons even went so far as to state that they had |
cen the deceased with a colored woman, but
he description they gave of the man they saw |
oes not accord in any particular with the APP
earance OF the murdered nan.
THE CoRoNER's INQUEST.
The Coroner, DIR. Patterson, appeared at
he guard house, in the course of the morning, |
mi Sergeant X. NJ. Clayton summoned the fol-
owing named gentlemen as jury of inquest:
IOnas b. Ellis (foreman), Robert Hardon,
tenry King, Jacob Neighmeyer, SAMUEL
loTner, VIM. Wolf, Charles III. Kettler WIN.
1. Clark, and Frederick Meyers.
Dr. Patterson had previously consulted the
Olice authorities, and at their suggestion con-
luded to postpone the taking of the testimony
therefore after the jurors had been sworn over
he body they were adjourned to Monday morn
ne at 10 O'Clock.
IT,. d. F. Hartigan, assisted by DIR. III. E.
each. made mi ati 1
SO far there is no clue whatever to the muir
erer.
THE AUTOPSY.
The physicians concluded the autopsy about
Ia O'Clock a IN. They found one wound over |
he eye, the skin being cut in several places,
me on the right temple, from which thew re- |
moved seven pieces OF bone, the smallest being
As large a. ten-cent piece; and one back Of
he head. These may have been, and, indeed |
al have the appearance of having been, made
With blunt instrument, with the exception of
he one on the cheek, and that may have been
inflicted by billy. The right side of the face
was slightly discolored and scratched, from
which appearance, 1t Is supposed, the body had
The remains were placed in charge of Mr. A.
Bnchly, undertaken, who embalmed the body.
The friends will allow il to remain at the station
until Monday, and IL will be carried to Wood
teck for interment.
AN ATTEMPT AT IDENTIFICATION.
About ~ O'Clock p m. a resident of low
leighborhood in the Seventh Ward, COrnelia
| yler, was brought to the guard house to see If
he deceased was the person whom she noticed |
asst evening in company with some rather rough
men. She first examined the body and then the
clothes, but was not able to say that he was the
nan.
ME-. H0LDEN's STATEMENT.
Mr.. Holden, of the well-known firm Of Har- !
'ey < Holden, states that on his way home.
about 1:i0 O'Clock last night, he met Scriber,
he Waterman at the Armory, and three other
colored men, near the entrance to the square
On 9Th street, and passing along the walk. he |
heard some one moaning. Supposing at first /
that the groans were those Of drunken man,
md he being alone, he passed on, and at |
9Th street and Maryland avenue blew his |
whistle for an officer. While waiting for 4
)ne, Mr.. Mulens came along with his carriage
and Mr.. Holden telling him what he had heard /
proposed to him that they should 20 back to-
sether. This they did, and found Scriber and /
and his companions there, and they all went to-
wards the place from whence the grOans pro-
seeded, and finding the man gasping for breath
hey removed him to the station house.
WHEN HACN LEFT BALTIMORE.
Chief Of Detectives Clarvoe received tele-
gram at O'Clock to-day, from Mr.. Franken-
fein. hotel keeper in Baltimore, stating that |
Mr.. Ham left that city on the Z 25 p. M, Balti-
more and Potomac train last night for this city. |
REV. HORACE A. CLEVELAND recently trans |