Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-12
THE p STREET MURDER.
TEE FOUR MEN IN CUSTODY
Confession of One of Them.
Funeral of the Vicsim-Excitement
and Threats of Lynching-The
COrOner's Inquest To-day.

Funeral of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
and Threats of Lynchin9-The
COrOner's Inquest To-day.
No crime in this District has caused so much
general excitement and Indignation since the
killing of the peddler Rogerski by Tom Wright
few years ago, and the murder of Hahn, the
drover, by the colored ruffian Young shortly
afterwards, as the brutal assassination of young
Hirth, on P street, last week. Wright and
Young were both tried, convicted and executed.
The retributiOn that followed these foul crimes,
both OF which were committed for plumber, had
a most salutary effect, and for some months
afterwards no similar crime occurred. The kill
ing OF young Hirth, 1t now appears, was partly
for the purpose OF robbery, partly for revenge
Up to the time the cOrOner'S inquest took
a recess last Saturday but little light
had been shed on this dark deed, and
the police authorities and citizens generally
seemed disappointed and dissatisfied. OF the
nine men who had been arrested on suspicion,
six were discharged from custody, and 1t was on
mere suspicion that the other three were re-
tanned, as nothing was ELECTED In the testimony
before the coroner which would justify their
retention any longer by the detectives The
three men who were so luckily retained of the
ne nave since proved 70 De me very ones
at 2:45 a. m. on the night of the murder by Ser
geant Saffell and Officer GantZ on suspicion;
Sandy Pinn, arrested on the following day by
Officer Mcdonald, and James Queenan. arrested
by Detectives Voss and McDevttt. 1t should
be stated that it is not alone to the officers
named that the credit for the arrests belongs,
johnson, Sergeants Saffen and Slattery, and
the officers of the second precinct, Lieut.. Greer
and Officer Mcdonald of the sixth precinct, and
Lieut.. Guy, OF the fourth precinct, under whose
OF the time. The three men mentioned were
retained principally because of the characters
they bore, all being known thieves of "Hell's
Bottom" Certain trif1ing facts and circum-
stances known to the detectives, pointed
towards Bedford and Pinn as being implicated
in the foul deed, but in the case of Queenan
nothing but the fact that lady brown figured
silk parasol was found on him when
arrested, which he could give no ac-
count. of, saved him from dismissal on
results of the hearing, and realizing that the
eyes OF the whole community were upon them,
the officers set to work at once with renewed
determination to have the necessary proofs
ready at the inquest to-day to fasten the crime
where 1t belonged. Nothing was left undone.
Lieut.. johnson, though unable by lameness to
leave his station house. kept himself posted as
Bottom, and directed his men how to act. The
detectives were sent out to investigate every
thing affording clue to the crime.
THE LAST OF THE FOUR GIVES HIMSELF UP.
It was not long before MeSSrs. CoomeS and
Acton became aware Of these facts from over
hearing some conversation, that there was
colored man named Ben. johnson, who had fig
ured among the party of rutfians the night Of
ing Ben johnson was the next thing to be done,
and as nearly all their information had to come
through persons OF color, many of whom it was
feared would incline to screen the guilty parties
from arrest, rather than cooperate with the
Officers the task of finding this man was deli
cate one, and of rather doubtful result, but by
Wellt1med hints OF persons, whose names may
never appear publicly in connection with this
matter, and the energetic actions OF Officer
West, Ben. johnson was found, Or rather
he found himself, for he walked into the
second precinct, Saturday night, and inquired
for Officer West, whom, he stated. wanted him.
as he had been told. 1t appears that West rode
out to his house on 18th street, between V and w
in search OF him during his absence and on his
return, learning this fact, johnson went straight
10 the station house. The station keeper asked
him to leave his name, and recognizing it as the
name OF the man wanted he locked him up.
johnson did not appear at all dismayed at his
piedicament and it was very soon developed
that he was not only willing prisoner but a
willing Witness and did not hesitate to tell q
murder which fully implicated the three men at
headquarters, Bedford, Queenan and Pinn.
THE STORY OF THE MURDER TOLD BY BEN JOHNSON
TO STAR REPORTER.
Yesterday morning a representative of THE
STAR was accorded an interview with johnson.
BE is fair sized colored boy, apparently about
IS years OF age, has rather an Intelligent look,
and is light ginger-cake color. When called
to the bars of the cell he responded cheerfuliy,
and in reply to questions he said: 81 have
known Babe Bedford for two or three years;
to school together. 1 only know Sandy Pinn
slightly, and that he lived in Samson street.
That night the party had been out singing, hav-
ing met at l2ts and streets, and Babe pro
college Q9th street] to sing. At the corner of
14th and Samson streets there was a
nan . standing an. and some boys. and he
The man replied, twenty-five minutes after -
Just sauntering along. Babe got in hurry
after little while he picked up stone. man
was walking about 40 or 80 feet ahead of them
at the time. They walked on, and in shot
time they had almost overtaken the man, when
Babe ran up and struck him on the head. The
man staggered, and turning exclaimed, Don't
Kill me. Babe, for the Lords sake Babe re.
piled, striking him again and knocking him
I'm going to fix you.' Queenan then ran up and
kicked the PROSTATE man, and Pinn also struck
him.. said, Don't kill the man. and then ran
away, ana haven't seen any OF them since.'
JOY AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
Detectives Coomes and Acton had after their
investigation, concluded to arrest johnson, and
the officers OF. the sixth precinct having over
heard conversation duplicating him, were also
Acton were telephoned that johnson was under
arrest, and they took his story, and with the aid
OF Lieut.: Johnson's men found corroborative
at police headquarters Saturday night revived
the spirits of all present. Major Brock threw
up his hat, and Captain Vernon, the detectives
and others present jumped about for joy, and it
was not long before the news spread like wild
fire that the Whole nest OF guilty ruffians had
been bagged. While these scenes OF re-
Joicing were being enacted by the officers,
THE THREE PRISONERS
were close by in their cells singing and laugh
ing and having apparently high old time, as
from the first OF their capture their desire EVIL
IDENTIFY being to impress the officers with their
indifference and their innocence OF the charge
for which they were held. They devoured their
meals ravenouSly, and when their supper was
brought in and eaten Saturday night they in
quired what time they would get their break
fast in the morning, and cracked their jokes
about the murder. Queenan asked if they were
not going TO be permitted TO go TO the funeral,
he wanted to see that man. Mr.. COomeS and
the other Officers reminded them that it was
very serious subject to joke about, as they
might get found out. No intlmation was given
them last night OF the fact that john
son was In custody, and they sang
and laus-nad themselves to sleep in their cells.
Yesterday morning there vas repetition OF
this Conduct, but when the spec,ntoIs pegan
crowding In TO look at them, they evidently
began to suspect something was up, as their
mfTth began to simmer down and appeared
more forced than before. Their breaktast was
brought in between 9 and 10 O'Clock yesterday
and spread on table in the room outside the
cells, where they partook OF it. While they
1r-o.