Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-14
THE P-STREET MURDER.
Latest Developments is the Case.
Pinn's Story About where He Was
the Night of the Murder Con.
tradictcd-E Feeling Among
the ColOred People.
ETC.. etc.


The talk over the murder OF young Hirth on
Wednesday night last week, and he subsequent
discovery of the supposed murderers-Bedford,
Queenan, and Pinn-continues to be the general
topic of conversation in this city. Although the
expressions in public as to the necessity OF
netting out punishment without reference to
judge or jury are not as boldly uttered rs they
were on Monday there is deep seated feeling
especially among
THE COLoRHD PEOPLE AGAINST THE PRISONERS.
The better class of colored citizens saw that the
time has come when an example should be
made. and that they are tired OF hearing every
such CoWardly act as this murder set down TO
the discTedit of the colored race. There are not
a few who endorse the position taken at the
Workingmen's Assembly by the colored dele
gate MIR. Tunia. The most OF the coloTed men,
bers of the grand Jury regret that that body has
taken a recess until Monday next Last Monday
one of them went to the City Hall To ascertain
whether they could not be called together at
once. so that they could indict the culprits,
give them trial this week, and hang them, it
convicted, Just as soon as the scaffold could be
put in place. Owing to the change In the Dis
trict attorney $ office and consequent unsettled
condition of affairs il was impracticable TO pur
sue this course. Parties about the courthouse
are quite certain that an effort will be made
TO GIVE THE ACCUSED SPEEDY TRIAL.
and that conviction viii follow; but others are
OF the opinion that the case win now take its
course lust like any other case, and that
although the new District Attorney, Col. Cork
hill, may do all in his power TO secure an
early trial and conviction, that the coun-
sci for the prisoners may succeed In
having the trial delayed until the excitement
has subsidized, and that even If they are convict
ed, that it will be an easy matter to secure
commutation OF sentence to imprisonment for
life. The fact that IL has been several years
since there has been an execution here, and
there have been quite number Of acquittals. is
freely commented upon, and the general senti-
ment Is that we have had enough OF immunity
to criminals.
TIIr MEN TIMER ARREST
are we'll known in the northern section OF the
city, having been running together as n sort OF
singing band" for some months past, and Bed
ford, Queenan and Pinn were all residents OF
what is known as Samson street, formerly
Chestnut alley, between q and streets. john
son resided lately on 18th street, between V and
W streets, and previously in Bruce's alley, near
the head OF 9th street. The police SubStantiate
from their personal knowledge the statement OF
johnson that he only went with the others oc-
casionally, but that the other three men have
been almost constant companions this winter.
Since the 1st of December there have been in
that section OF the city
SEVERAL. CASES OF PERSONS KNOCKED DOWN,
namely: A ..colored nan, about December lst,
near the Thomas circle, who was robbed OF a
dollar; George Carr on 18th street and Rhode
Island avenue December 18th, and robbed OF a
dollar and man near the corner OF 18th and =
streets, in Christmas week, and 1t Is now be-
iieved that one or more of these parties were
the perpetrators of these crimes, and in one case
two OF them Bedford and Queenan, were identi-
fed beyond any shadow OF doubt.
THE VARIOUS RUMoRS
rs TO the finding OF ring and the watch OF the
deceased having led to the discovery and arrest
OF the parties turns out to be entirely false and
although the police have worked with as much
diligence as il is possible for men to work. not
a trace OF the missing articles has yet been dis
dollar in a restaurant on Capitol Hill
had nothing whatever TO do with this
case. as it would have been impossible for
the party who offered it to the barkeeper to
have made the time from the scene OF The mur-
der had he been concerned In 1t.
THE FACTS ARE
as heretofore stated In The STAR-that Bedford
was first arrested on suspicion; that Plnn
gave himself away by stating that he knew
that Bedford was innocent; and that Queenan
was held because of his known intimacy with
the others and his bad character. Those three
were detained when the officers released the
other six arrested men, because they (the three)
were more strongly suspected than the others,
and also because even If they did not prove TO
be the parties who did the murder, there were
other cases against them.
INFORMATION OF JOHNSON
knowing something about the case leaked out
from respectable colored woman residing In
the neighborhood, who gave 1t to the detectives.
The second -psecinct officers had the same infor
nation. Lieut.. Greer's officers, also, were ap-
priced that on Thursday morning two colored
oyStermen met on 10th street, between L and NJ
streets, and. talking over the murder, one of
them remarked that johnson, living on 18th
street, near W, knew something about 1t. The
officers Of this precinct were therefore instruct
ed to arrest him on sight, and at the time he
gave himself up In response to Ohicer VESTS
notification all the officers In the two precincts,
as well as the detectives, were looking for him.
.'BABE" BEDFORD,
although he has not spent much uGIe In jail,
has been frequently under arrest for minor
offences, but was looked upon prior to this oc-
currence as not a very bad character, and at
the stores and shops in the vicinity OF Samson
street he was frequently employed and trusted.
His parents reside in Samson street. Some
/ Ci hl w
worked some months driving cart, but since
street work became scarce, he took to doing
jobs about the neighborhood, for the most OF the
time driving wagon for MI. Pagan.
SANDY PINN
has been regarded heretofore as fair kind of
man, although he had been frequently arrested
for disorderly conduct, and once for the larceny
OF 81. Recently he had been working for Mr..
John Sibley, to whom he said the day following
the murder that Bedford was not guilty.
QUEENAN
bears rather the hardest character of the lot,
and has been frequently in Jail for larceny, and
one of his first acts was with Broadus, the lar
ceny OF coat, in the pockets OF which were a
number OF bonds, and, turning states evidence,
Broadus was convicted and sentenced to the
penitentiary. He afterwards served some time
in the reform school.
PINN'S LYING STATEMENT
1t was stated in yesterdays STAR that in re.
ply to questions by STAR reporter, the pris-
oner Pinn said that he could prove where he was
the night of the MURDER that ex-Polieeman
Brown was with him when he walked out to T
street, between 18th and 18th streets the officer
going to Cedar street
Ex-Policeman Brown called at THE STAR Of
fice to-day to say that Pins statement Is false;
that he (Brown) was not in company with Pinn
that night or at any other time that he (Brown)
having been on duty In that locality knew the
colored roughS thereabouts and they knew him.
but that he was never in company with Pinn or
any OF them.
District Government Affairs.
VACCINATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN.
The health officer to-day addressed letter to