Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-10-11
LEUIs HIMILTOS ESCAPES.
Sergeant Blackburn's Assaitant
Eiudes Arrest - Treachery Sus-
pecfed af The Police station.

On Wednesday night, September 9th,
a party oi police officers attempted to
quiet the dlsorderly and riotons condnct o.
about rs negroes headed by Lewis Ii.
Hamilton, assembled on Orange street be-
tween Tenth and Eleventh. The degrees
were heavily in drink, and rebellad at
the officers attempts to separate and
quiet them Sergeant Black burn who
was at the head of the police WAS attacked
by Hamilton who, with razor, en-
deavored, and nearly succeeded in disem-
boweling him. The negroes, following
their leaders, example, assailed the other
officers, who in self-proteotiou fired a
number of shots.
Que of the bullets struck Hamilton, in
tiicting dangerous wound in his back.
Another OF the assailants was struck but
not seriously injured Hamilton was
conveyed to his home, No. 1923 Orange
street, and DR.. Msull summoned to attend
him. The wounded man recovered
slowly from the wound and, on Tuesday
night, it was considered that he could be
removed with safety.
DR. Maull according to his instructions,
notified the head of the police d, part
ment, who claimed to want Hamilton for
assaulting and attempting to kill the
Sergeant, that he could now be arrested
and placed in Jail without epdapg ring
his life. The notice was received at
the police station on Tuesday evening
but no one WAS sent to
make the arrest until the following morn
ing. Officer Shesrer and fellow patrol
man We're dispatched to take him in Gus
tody Arriving at Hamilton's house they
found it deserted and thedoors barricaded.
After consulting an attorney they forced
open the door, entered the dwelling, but
Hamilton had made his escape.
1t is not known when he quit his
house, but 1t is the impression of the
neighbors that he left late Tuesday
night. There are officers on the forcs
who openly charge the head OF the police
department with furnishing Hamilton
the information which gave him tine to
get out OF the way and escape arrest, and
those who are not hand in hand with the
Chiefs methods are highly indignant that
he should aid so materially in thwarting
justice, They state that had the Chief
wanted Hamilton arrested, it might have
been done OH Tuesday evening.
Hamilton Is rough character who
leads gang of colored men that causes
much disturbance in the vicinity of
Tenth and Orange streets. He and his
family control number of negro votes,
which fact ,liceman states would win
him much leniency from the Chief.
The day after the shooting, Hawkins
charged Black burn with, in measure,
inoitipg the riot and doing the shooting,a
.ba xuI ol tot Nit
nesses does not bear ont. The Sergeant
did everything in his power to quiet the
riot without using harsh means, and did
not fire at all until he did 30 in self
defense.
DR.. West in an interview with repre-
sentative of the JOURNAL Friday morn
ing emphatioally denied that he made the
following statement to Chief OF Police
Hawkins, which fridays Morning Neps
alleges was made by the Doctor on Tues
day evening week: "The latter (meaning
DR.. West) informed him (Hawkins) that
Hamilton could be taken into custody
without danger the next morning. He
positively said that he ought not to be
taken that night, as suggested by the
Chief, and that it would be plenty time
enough to get him in the morning"
Tuesday evening week about 7 'olook i
think, said the Doctor to the reporter, the
Chief of Police and Sergeant Blackbu
called at my office. The latter said he
had been to see Attorney General Gray
and he had told him that Hamilton
ought to be brought to trial immediately
irrespective of the condition of his wound
and that if he could not furnish bail he
ought to ba sent to jail he could be
attended there by the Jail physician.
When the Sergeant told me that, said
DR., West, did not try to have his arrest
postponed. said to the officers if you
think there is any likelihood of his being
removed before his trial comes off take
him right away.
In alluding Friday to Hamilton 3
condition, the Doctor said if the young
man had besn wounded under different
circumstances, if he had been acci-
dentaljy shot. l would not have con.
sented to his going out Tuesday week nor
for week to come. Hamilton's condi-
tion was such that his going ont doors
made it possible for erysipelas to set in,
and it also endangered his life.
Hsmiltop's father savs Lewis left home
week Tues lay, in the a'tern ION he thinks,
but at what hour he says he does not
know. He is under the imprsssi Oh that
he has gone to join his brother in
Galveston.