National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-28
ATTEMPTED MURDER.
PROMPT ARREST OF THE woULD.BE
NTTRDFRER

PROMPT ARREST OF THE WoULD-BE
~. MURDERER.
For some time past the citizens Of AlexEn-
dria county, living in the vicinity Of Aqueduet
bridge, have been greatly annoyed by persons
from other sections of the county going there
for the purpose of committing acts Of yillainy,
either by suicide, murder, or highway robbery.
About 10 o'clock on Saturday evening, cries Of
murder were heard issuing from a piece OF
woods near the southern terminus of the bridge
and the canal. On search being made it was
found that 6 young man was there laying &C.
verely cut about the head and face. Charles
Cook, colored, one of the county special police,
being near by, made inquiries as to the cause OF
the attack and by whom committed, and shortly
after arrested q white man by the name of
O'Brien Birmingham, and took him before
Benz Austin, justice Of Arlington, who exam
ined him. He (Brumingham) at first denied
all knowledge of the affair, and swore he was
innocent; had never seen the wounded man.
The justice commenced to cross-examine him
when he admitted that he had seen him; had
been in company with him that day, and lived
in the same neighborhood in Washington. The
Justice being satisfied that he had the right
man, but not in the right place, Immediately
committed him to jail for further examination
and to enable him TO ascertain the probable re-
suit of the injuries received by the other party.
It appears that Birmingham is a resident Of
"Swampoodle," and follows umbrella mending
for trade; has been several times before Judge
Smell at his courtly mansion on c street, came
from Ireland about five years ago.
On one occasion the injured man testified
against the accused, who then took an oath
that he would have his life. On Saturday
afternoon Birmingham invited the other man
to take drink with him, near the Baltimore
and Ohio depot, which he did; he then per-
suaded him to get into street car and ride up
to Seventh street, and there they eat some
hogshesd cheese together; they then walked
up 10 Georgetown; took several drinks on the
way, Birmingham insisting upon the other
drinking whisky every time, and he beer.
When they arrived at the southern end Of the
AqueduCt bridge they took parting drink;
then Birmingham insisted upon their going IN
swimming, and as soon as he got his victim
into the water he tried to strangle him, but in
this ne was not successful, for the poor fellow
managed to get away, and while crawling into
the bushes was again set upon by the accused
with rock, and his head cut completely open.
It has also transpired that on his way up Penn
sylVania avenue he tried to purchase pistol.
The injured man was taken to the residence OF
n. s. Wright, eRq., where his wounds were
dressed by DR.. Benz. Smith, after which he was
sent to jail for the purpose Of having him on
hand when the grand jury meet. He is young
man about nineteen years Of age, son of Robert
Shurlock, the gypsy, who owns property in
jackson alley, D. c., an umbrella member by
trade, has a severe wound on head which he
received on the 4th Of July from brick sup
posed to have been thrown by the accused, who
Is about twenty years Of age, born in
Ireland, came to this country about five years
ago, sandy complexion, squint eyes, lives on
First street near jackson alley; both parties
are well known to the police.