Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-07-31

TWO coLoRKD BOYS CHARGED WITH pRowx-
ING coNPANIoN-THEY PULL AND PUSH
HIN INTO DEEP WATER.
Yesterday, about one O'Clock D. m, Q colored
boy. name unknown, was drowned in Rock
creek, near Browns quarry, while bathing.
to the sscond nrsc sOo1 ..;a nstegrspaed
went 10 the place, and finding the body there,
had 1t taken TO the police station-house. Sub
se!9ently 1t was reported that the boy, while
bathing, had been dragged into deep water by
other colored boys, and showed out beyond his
depth; and Officers Ryan and Bailey, Of the
fourth precinct, after tracing up the rumors,
arrested two colored boys charged with the
homicide-Daniel Palmer and Charles Halter
who were delivered to Officers Reiss and West.
Halter, when arrested, asked what time 1t hap
pened, and being informed that it was about
three O'Clock p. m, said he was not there at
that time; Palmer acknowledged that he was
present at the time, and charges that Halter
pushed the deceased into the water.
THE INQUEST.
This morning DIR. j. F. Hsrtigsn, as acting
coroner, held an inquest on the body Of the de-
Eli Nugent testined that yesterday he heard
the cry of murder from the creek, and on going
TO 1t saw three boys in the water; two (the sc-
cused) leading the deceased into deer water.
Halter Immediately ran OF, but Palmer re-
manned and told witness to say nothing about IL.
John Tdibert testified that he, with others, was
cunning and went to the creek to go in bath
ing. Heard deceased say he could not swim,
but paid no attention to 1t, and in few min
9tes heard some one say that the boy was
uiOMHths' ga" the dScustu tncIe. falmer
held the wrist of deceased as he dragged him
out into the water and Halter pushed him.
W. r. anderson testified to hearing deceased
say 'Dont take me in: / can't swim;' and af-
forwards hearing some one say: "There, see
what you get for ducking that boy, you have
drowned him" Went to the scene and saw the
prisoners running away. Witness tried to save
the deceased, but he was too far gone.
W. v. DOdSOa and Charles Wilson testified, but
nothing new was ELECTED.
VIM GOiHgs testified that the parties ducked
deceased but he got away, but they chased him
into field and brought him back, and a little
while afterwards heard some one say: "See
what you got by ducking; you have drowned the
boy"
RieRdrd Ross did not testify 10 any new facts.
Grant FrdctIm testified to recovering the body.
CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS OF THE AC-
Chas. Halter, one of the accused, denied posi-
lively that he had ducked the deceased.
Palmer stated that he had chased the deceased
in the field that one Of the boys dragged de-
ceased back to the creek, and the deceased got
hold OF him but he stepped away, when Halter
pushed deceased in. Halter asserted that Pal
mer was telling what was not so, aud that he
being stranger to all the others they were try
ing to "put it on him."
THE VERDICT.
The jury found a verdict that the deceased
came to his death between the hours of ~ and2
O'Clock on the 30th inst. by drowning, in being
pushed under the water by Charles Halter and
Daniel Palmer.
DIR. Hartigan committed the accused to jail to
await the action Of the grand jury.
The body will remain at the station until to-
morrow morning, when if not claimed it will be
inferred. 1t appears to be that OF boy about
Is or 10 years old, well grown, stout, jet black
boy.