Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-05

Nelson Colbert, the negro who shot and killed
Philip Wenzel, the superintendent OF the Columbia
street railroad stables, wednesday night, WAS
taken rom the sixth precinct station house this
morning part OF the way to the house where the
dead man lay, 1417 H street northeast, at the end
OF the Columbia line. An inquest was held at the
mouse this morning by Coroner Patterson Police
Sergeant Brosnan consulted the coroner as 70
whether It was necessary to have the prisoner
there. ana being informed that tt was not neces-
sary, had the police van, In which the prisoner
was being conveyed. turned back to the station
house. It was feared that there might be some
demonstration against the prisoner II he were
coroners Jury assembled in the dining room OF Mr..
Wenzers house little after IL O'Clock.
The jury was composed OF y: s. Paul J. Il.
Peerce, David Biddle, Byron r. Bond Collin E Z.
Fathers, and Arthur sperry. Mr.. II. A. willard,
president OF the Columbia road, was present and
listened TO the testimony.
GRAPHIC STORY OF AN EYr-wrrSEss or TEE nuRDEA
Charles B. West, driver on the road the nrst
witness sworn, testified that he heard some con-
fusion outside the stable. He went into the once
to eat his supper, and there some one SAID the
hostier was not there to put the horses away,
linen sne cololeo man COLBERT came around and
way that was OF doing business Colbert told Mr.
Wenzel II be did not like the way he colbert, was
him and put some one else In his place. Mr. wenzei
turned about and did put a man In CoIberts place.
Colbert said; "i'li De So that man takes my
you don't by G. I'll Kill you this night" colbert
.es 1. saa ySS gong sS pay m Mt
going TO kill you anyhow" Mr. Hughes, one Of the
drivers, ran out and said: "He shall not hurt
out and made 3 similar remark Then colbert
said agsin: care you going TO pay mef" Witness
jumped up then and walked TO the door, thinking
he s.ood there second Mr. Wensei said e e col.
bert: "You ought to be ashamed OF yourself, q
young man IKE you talking 70 an Old man IKE
do care for you" and raised his hands. Mr..
Wenzei had q small stick In his hands, and point
hands TO me-" Quick as q nash Colbert ran the
pistol out and rred It. Witness grabbed for Col
bert, who ran through the stable.
CoRRoBoRArvE TESTIMONY.
Frederick and george Ward, employees OF the
road, who were In the stable ONCE al the time OF
the shooting testtned substantially as West did.
Hughes said that Wenzel told colbert II can't
pay you Tonight you will have to come after
your money tomorrow" Mr.. Wenzel. the wit
was in the habit Of carrying with him about the
stable When the negro came toward him Wen
eel motioned to him with the stick TO keep back
pistol was fired Wenzel SAID, al am shot; go for
my son George" He then walked a few steps, and
fell Just inside the office door: As Colbert was
gong out with his revolver in his hand. witness
said Nelson, you've shot Pap" He answered, II
don't care d-n.
Ward testified that Colbert demanded pay for
that nights work, and Mr.. Wenzel said he would
not pay him, as he had done nothing.
One OF the jurors asked Ward II Colbert was
under the influence OF liquor, and Ward said he
could not say.
DEATH THE RESULT OF THE NURDERKRs SHOT.
DR.. Lachlan Tyler, who performed the autopsy,
testified 70 the course OF the ball, which passed
through the right ventrcle Of the heart and lodged
In the stomach: Death, he said, resulted from
hemorrhage and shock.
TEE VERDICT.
The Jury rendered q verdict that the deceased
came to his death "rrom o pistol-shot wound OF
the heart inflicted With pistol in the hand OF
Nelson Colbert"
The witnesses examined by the coroner were
summoned TO appear Immediately before the grand
jury.
colbert was taken by the police In the patrol
wagon to within q few YARDS OF the house this
morning, when Sergeant Brosnan sent the wagon
back. There were no threats or indications OF
trouble, but Mr.. Wenzel has tour stalwart sons,
who were In the house during the inquest. judy
ing from their knowledge OF human nature the
police thought it would be imprudent TO take the
fathers slayer into the house.