Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-06-29
A Fatal FIGHT.
\ WELL~KNOWN FX-CONTRACTOR THE VIC
TIM OF BAR EoOM QUARREL.

y HELI@HNo"N fA-tOSTRACTOR THE VIC
TIM OF A BAR Room QUARREL.
Mr. David Keppe formerly contractor
and more recently a grocer, died about nine
O'Clock last night at his residence 537 New
jersey avenue, from the result of wounds re-
eeNed on Thursday evening. in the Marble
avenue and 9th street. The accounts of the
manner in which he received the fatal in
luries do not all agree, but it is probable that
the truth will be developed at the inquest,
which is in progress this afternoon. The
statements of those who claim to know some
thing OF the facts OF the case are in brief as
! follows: That VIM. Fletcher and Jeremiah
Desmond, both well-knOwn contractors, on
Thursday evening last had been drinking, and
gong Into the saloon about five O'Clock they
alteration was about pavements and others
that it arose from an alleged insult offered by
desmond to Fletcher. One account says that
they commenced to throw glasses at each
other. and that Desmond, picking up goblet.
threw 1t at Fletcher, when it missed, and
striking keppel on the forehead, inflicted
1eaf1ul cash. Another account says that KEEP
pei being friend to both parties, stepped In
between them, when one of them pushed him
asa and he fell on the marble floor and in
suited in his death. keppel was Immediately
taken to his home in stupor, and DR.. j. T..
Notwithstanding the efforts made to save his
life, death resulted as above stated
ARREST OF DESMOND.
AS soon as The facts were made known to
the police the various precincts were notified
and officers were sent after Desmond and
F e Officer Shilling, about. 1214 o'clock
No: 102 street southwest, and he was locked
up in the first precinct station.
AFTER THE AFFRAY.
About O'Clock Thursday night a cOlOred
hackman had the injured man keppe, in his
hack with another white man, at the corner
81 "a ana l. streets southwest, hunting for
locality. as Keepers house is New Jersey
avenue northwest. Keppel appeared to be
seriously injured, as blood was coming from
his mouth; his head was bound with hand
kerchlef and his clothing was bloody: he was
lying in the hack. his companion being very
drunk. When asked what the matter was
away with him and Injured him: but the
white man said a contractor named Bill
iF r. Il, nag struck him, A colored man was
Informed where KepDepS house was and
drove off in that direction.
THE Participants IN THE ARRAY.
Fletcher is Well-krOWn, having been street
contractor Tor years and resided for a long
time in the first ward. He is quite well to do.
owns a farm near Langly, va, where it is
a contractor and is famiiiarly known as Jerry
Desmond; He to is wei to do and has fami-
~ MI heppel was about 80 years old and
3oyearS. He leaves widow and two grown
sons VINO have had charge of his grocery bust
ness.
MIR. FLETCHER SURRENDERs HIMSELF AND
MAKES A STATEMENT
Mr.. Fletcher arrived at police Headquarters
about ~ o'clock to-day and surrunderSd
himself to Major Morgan. He was in town
yesterday until s p. m, when he went home
Ihls morning Mr. Henry HimDer drove out to
pies death, and they Immediately drove back
to the city. Mr.. Fletcher said no one regretted
the occurrence more than he did and he
without any reservation made the following
statement: Il went in with the others, and we
cali;i Tor soup: Desmond took a seat at the
table, and when sat down he called me some
name name, and got up, saying that would not be
insulted, and walked away from him. DeS1
mOnd then commenced to throw the cruits at
me: and four of them Just grazed my head
head, cutting and drawing the bIood. Dave
then fell, and believe he was struck and then
stop Desmond W