National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-05-09
DEATH OF JOHN A. TUCKER.


Fatal Resait OF a Biew with q stene-rhe
Latest nIurder-Coroner's Inquest to be
Held Te-day-skstch Ofthc Murderer and
HIS VIctim and the Crime.
Yesterday afternoon, about O'Clock, Mr.. John
Abel Tucker died At hts residence, on street
south, near Tenth, from the result OF wound
inflicted Just one week ago by a stone, which
struck him In the left temple and fractured his
skun. The following account Of the affair was
published In the REPUBLICAN Of May q
LAST night, about O'Clock, as the family Of
Mr.. Tucker, who resides At No. iOol street
southwest, were In the sitting room, they heard
On going out Mr.. John A. Tucker sawa colored
man In the doorway, and at once caught and at
tempted 10 hold him. A scuffie ensued, and the
pair fought their way down the close side alley
TO the open street, when both were reinforced,
Mr.. Tucker by his aged father, and the thief BY a
pal who was hid behind the Stat door OF an
adjoining house. John still held u his prisoner
although struck by the second man, whom the
old gentleman at once seized, bu; who broke
away from him quickly.
after wrestling for moment, during which
old Mr.. Tucker called Justify police John and
the prisoner fen en- the sidewalk, the former on
top. Seeing this thief No. seized a1arge piece
OF blue rock, weighing between three aud four
pounds, aud throwing It struck Mr.. 2: blow
at once rendered him insenslble.
1.-THE pair then started toward the Smithsonian
grounds Old NJ. Tucker following and eryins
couple OF gentlemen coming through, one OF
whom nred two shots at the retreating villains,
but II Is thought without effect
"The wounded man was At once taken to his
room and attended by Drs. fenwick and Jeech,
and At a late hour was considered out Of danger.
From the description Of the parties the police At
once concluded that they knew the men, and
about 10 O'Clock Or1cers Aldridge and Lewis ar
rested sam. RAiney, Bowie Williams and Edward
Howard, aud well-knOwn thieves, and locked
morning, when an attempt to Identify them viii
b. made.
civilians exactly answers the description
given, and his clothing presented the appearance
Of having been roughly used recently, they being
muddy and torn. II Is known that all these are
thleVea and u Is 70 be hoped that this crime will
be fastened upon them, as by that means the city
viii be relieved Of their presence for time at
least"
The next morning the working up Of tho case
was assigned by chief CiArvoe 70 Detective
Coomes, aud that onncer A. once proceeded 70 In.
teryiew the phsOners, which he did with such
good luck As 10 leave him satisfied that W VILLAINS
had attempted the robbery and Rainey had struck
the blow. He At once secured warrant for the
arrest Of Rainey, 10 await the result Of the inju.
ries, and Williams was committed TO jail As q
witness.
After the assault Nj. Tucker was attended BY
DIS, fenwlck and l.eech, and on the third day
DR.. Lincoln was called In, and the skull, which
was found 10 be fractured, trepanned. The sue
ceedlng day the wounded man was taken with
walls until the hour OF his death.
Deceased was q married man OF about forty
years Of age, but without children. lie was III,
sou q MI Tucker, well known In that vicinity
and was q carpenter by trade. He "a spoken o.
by those who knew him a. gentlemen pos
sesslng all the qualities which 80 TO make up tru'
manhood, and q feeling Of sincere regret pre-
vailed when the announcement Of his sad deatf
was made. To use the words OF one who ha'
known him long and well: "He was man VIII
never knowingly did harm to felo" erea
The prisoner, who by this death stands charge'