National Republican., 1878-08-12

the office Of the Metropolitan Railroad Com
pany, In Georgetown, at the west end Of the P
street bridge, early Saturday morning. Lieu
tenant Vernon having received information
that an attempt would be made to rob the Of
fee named, 1t was arranged that Detectives
McDovitt, McElfresh, and Yoss should meet
the burglars. These officers, accompanied by
Mr.. Charles Flinders, arrived at the railroad
Office about midnight. They were there REIN
forced by the superintendent Of the road, Mr..
Lloyd Emmert, and tho night. wa lehman, Mr..
William Jones.
were observed creer'lg into the building.
They did not make their attack upon the office
at once, but reconnoitred and consulted.
II was nearly four o'clock when the burglars
approached the cash.room. They were allowed
to enter undisturbod, it being the purpose Of
the detectives to capture them In some bur-
glarious act. After entering the office, the
burglars very soon discovered Detective Voss,
who was secreted In the cash-room. One Of
them covered his person with q short double
barrelod gun. McDevitt, in the next room,
thercupon blew an alarm, aud the whole party
Of officers rushed In. Hero
A DESPERATE FIGHT
ensued In tho dark. Pistols were fred In rapid
succession. Three Of the thieves escaped by
dodgng among the cars. One OF them was
evidently wounded, rs he was seen TO fall and
then jump up again. The two men captured
were both wounded; one Of them, Charles
Schenig fatally. Tho other man, who Is
known as William, alias Sukey, Bell, had
slight wound on tho ankle, which crippled
him. Schong was shot In tho side. None Of
the officers party was injured. The prisoners
and the burglars implements, including mask
worn by Charles Schenig, were taken to Police
Headquarters. Schenig was afterward removed
to tho Providence Hospital, whore ho died
yesterday morning.
Charles Schenig, German, was at one timo
driver on the Metropolitan Railroad, and
consequently was familiar with tho location of
the different rooms at the company's office.
lie was well-known dcsperado and was once
arrested for committing an outrage on girl,
and at another time on suspicion Of murder,
but on both occasions escaped conviction.
Schenig died at Providence Hospital about
eleven o'clock yesterday morning
THE INQUEST.
Coroner Patterson held an inquest at the
Eighth Precinct Station at four o'clock yester-
day afternoon, and the story Of the encounter
was detailed in the testimony. The following
jury was summoned: 4. n. Maker, q. ".
Lighter, Robert Saith, J. b. Mccarthy, W. A.
Henderson, 7. Little, T. A. McCabe, d. Gala.
han, 4. G. jerks J. II. Mead, Robert Leach,
and Edward Castle.
The first witness called was Lieutenant
Charles r. Vernon, Chief Of the Detective
Corps. lie testified that last Friday after.
noon, about halfplst five o'clock, man
named William Bell came to Police Head.
quarters aud told witness he had something to
| tell him. Witness took him into the office,
and he said job had been put up to rob the
cash.room Of the Metropolitan Railroad Com
pany. The men who proposed to commit the
deed were going to kill the watchman. Hal
been after him Bell to 60 with them, and had
told him that the job was to be done Friday
night Witness asked him who the parties
were, and he stated he only knew two, the
Schenig brothers, John and Charles. Witness
turned Bell over to Detective McEllresh, with
Instructions to hear his story and t,ke the
necessary steps to Illustrate tho robbery and
capture the thieves.
DETECTIVE MELFREsu
was then examined. He corroborated Lien
| tenant NernOn's story concerning Bells visit,
aud testified substantially as follows: At
halfplst twelve o'clock Saturday morning hc
arrived at the car station In company with Mr.
Charles Flinders, and met Detectives McDsvitt
and NOss who had preceded him. Mr.. Lloyd
Emmert, the superintendent OF the company,
and o Mr. Jones, receiver, were also present.
| Arrangements were made for giving the ex-
pectcd visitors hearty reception. Mr. Noss
| took his position In the caSh.rO on top of an
Mr.. McDsyitt was In the adjoining room IN
company with Mossrs Emmert and Jones, aud
| Flinders and witness were in . car In the shed
in the rear, about forty feet from the other
gentlemen. They remained In the shed till
nearly two o'clock without hearing anything
| At that time five men came down through
the car.shod between the cars, stopping at
the one In which witnes, was hiding. They
held a consultation, and one said 1t was
too light to cross tho opening to the car.
| sl.cd. Some one suggested that they all
| make q rush at once At that time they
seemed to think some one was In tho car,
rs they talked In whisper and witness could
not understand all they said. One of the men
said Il tell you they are In there look and
satisfy yourself" Two Of the men did come
to the back part of the car aud look in. They
then went into q csGr aud sat thore awhile,
WHOM two Of the party came back and again
looked into the car where witness was concealed
The balance followed them. A remark was
made by one OF them, Give me tho pistol and
I'll cook the s-n of b-h." At that time q
jinging Of bells was heard from a car coming
In, aud they all ran down to the centre OF the
shed. Mr.. Flinders then jumped out of the
car and stationed himself at the lower end Of
tho shed. Between halfpast three aud fouI
o'clock they went out of the door. About five
minutes elapsed, a signal whistle blew, and
Flinders and witness ran TO the door OF the
Office aud saw deceased coming out. Witnes,
ran him back into the office, and he said he wa,
shot. Bell was down Ia the corner and de
J ceased jumped on him. Witness Immediately
arrested him aud put the nippers on him
About halfpRst four a. M. Schenig and Bel
were placed in a ear aud carried to Police
Headquarters. Witness did not know who
shot the man. There were about ten shots fired
Some of the firing took place outside the office
Bel! did not 90 with the detectives to the office
but was with tie burglars.
sUXEY BELLS STORY.
William. alias Sukey Bell tho prisoner, wa
sworn: Hal no particular business Reside
in Alexandria. Last Monday deceased me-
him at { and Thirteen and .a-half street
northwest and asked him II lie wanted Il
make some money, and he said yes. ScheniI
asked II he was willing to take any chances
Witness asked what he meant by chances, an,
lie said desperate chances. He asked him /
he meant murder aud ho said yes, II neceS
, sary. Witness told him he was not with hin
on load Of poles like that. He said, "Thcl
you give 1t up" and witness said he did II /
, wus to murder any one. Schenig then wake,
away, but soon returned and said it could b
done without murder, and witness said h.
would go In with him, aud told deceased to 10
him know when he was ready. They mad
an arrangement 10 rob the railroad Office, an,
all hands went for that purpose. Could no
say whether the parties he was with did an!
shooting. Shots were fired inside and outsid
Of the office. Heard dec, ased tell u colOre
man IN slnnt Nngz and they al shnn