Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-21
THE EAST WASHINGTON TRAGEDY.

THE TESTIMONY TAKEN BFFoRE THE CoRoSER's JrRY
T0-DAY-THE SCUFFLE BETWEEN ARNOLD AND
JOHNSON - ARNoLD'S FATAL FALL THROUGH A
CELLAR DOOR, &C.
Yesterday afternoon an autopsy was held on the
body OF Mr.. Charles 4. Arnold. the victim OF the
homicide in East Washington yesterday morning.
Coroner Patterson held an inquest today at the
home Of the deceased No. 513 South Carolina ave
nue. southeast. The jury was composed of c. w.
Dultn, W. +. Henry, VIM. Miller VIM Thomson,
John z. Tucker and Eihu R. Martin. The prisoner,
Adam Johnson. otherwise Harold Watson, had an
interview yesterday afternoon. shortly after the
tragedy, with Mrs Frawncr. with whom he boarded
at the corner OF Sth and streets southeast and 1t
Is understood that arrangements Were made to Sc
cure him counsel. The prisoner was kept at the
station last night. and when the Jury We're assem-
bed this morning he was brought in to hear the
evidence
THE TESTIMONY.
The first witness was Mrs. Laura Casey, residing
at 110t Sth street She testified that at a few
minutes OF 10 yesterday her attention was attracted
by a noise outside the house, and looking out she
saw johnson push Mr.. Arnold away, as though to
get past him. AS Johnson started to go ON Arnold
put his hand in his pocket as If to draw knife or
something. Mr.. johnson turned and taking Arnold<
by the two arms gave him push, upon which
Arnold fell on the cellar door. AS he attempted to
get up he tumbled over head foremost into the
open. and he fell on one. Witness had never seen
Mr.. Arnold before. and Mt the time did not know
him. Previous to the scuffc She heard some talking
In ordinary tone, but heard no threats, nor could
She understand what was said.
Margaret Pratt. a colorsd woman, testified that
she lived at 1115 Sth street southeast and saw man
push the Old man down the steps and run. Witness
was at CaSeys house, sitting at the doorsteps. Did
not hear anything said by them. The old man fell
open They We're both together walking when she
first saw them, and when they got by the cellar the
young man pushed the old man down.
James Spauding (60i Virginia avenue SoutheaSt
testified that he was working at 1102 Sth street
southeast, and before ten O'Clock he was standing
on the corner when Johnson came across the street
ana Mr.. Arnold was coming up Sth street. just as
johnson got on the curbstone Arnold struck him
and Johnson pushed him away, when Arnold
feet from under Arnolh who fell on the sidewalk.
Johnson started to go away and Arnold followed
him. AS he ArnoldD approached johnson the latter
son started 10 go away, when Arnold followed him
up and Johnson gave Arnold push, and he fell
backwards down the steps Of Caseys saloon.
The witness, in reply to question by juror,
said Arnold appeared to be sober.
WHAT A LETTER CARRIER SAW.
John II. Wehrly, a letter carrier testified that
about 955 he collecting letters from the box at
the corner OF Sh and NJ streets; saw johnson walk
Ing down sth street. Arnold was coming out from
the side OF the house johnson took hold of Arnold
and they scuffed. johnson showed Arnold away
COW. After showing Arnold toward the house
Johnson walked on, when Arnold came up to him
again about five or six feet from the cellar and
right in front of Caseys) They came together
again and Scuffled, when Johnson gave Arnold
hard Shove and the latter fell down the cellar.
Witness was at the distance OF half a square from
them and heard no words. Witness then went up
and met johnson and asked him whom he had
showed ana he replied: "He trying to strike
me, or something Of the kind. johnson walked
right On alter it had occurred and witness went up
and saw Mr.. Casey and others lift Arnold out OF the
cellar Arnold was sitting in the door and appeared
ness said Arnold raised his hand as he approached
Johnson.
Frank Cassidy and james vickers were ex-
am1ned but nothing new was elected from them.
WIN. Is. Kelly 18th and L streets utheaSt) teSti-
fed he was on the west side OF the street and he
saw Johnson going down the street and met
Arnold, who had a basket and they stopped,
Arnold putting down the basket right in front Of
Casey'S. After little while Arnold caught john
son 10y the coat and struck at him; did not know
that he struck him. T:>ey then scuftied and john
son tripping Arnold he fell. Arnold got up, put
his hand III his pocket and was knocked or showed
by Johnson and went down again. Arnold got up
again and was then showed or knocked down the
cellar. Witness was well acquainted with Arnold;
coun not tell that he was intoxicated.
John Casey. who lives at No 11O4 Sth street. In
front OF which place the scuffle occurred, and
Henry p. Armstrong We're examined without add
Ing anything to The facts already ELECTED.
Mrs. Casey was recalled and said she did not
think that Mr.. Arnold was drunk.
DR.. j. F. Hartigan testified that death resulted
from conclusion or shock from the fall
THE VERDICT.
The jury returned a verdict that death resulted
from shock and compression Of the brain caused by
being pushed down the area OF the premises by
Adam W. johnson during an alteration with the
said johnson.
JOHNSON COMMITTED TO JAIL.
The coroner committed Johnson to Jail. The
funeral of the deceased viii take place tomorrow
afternoon at O'Clock.