Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-01

All day yesterday Detectives Horne and Raft
were busy collecting evidence in the case OF
Nelson Thomas, the negro arrested on suspicion
Of having caused the death of Eliza Foster. the
cOlored woman whose body was found in the
woods on the Sheriff road beyond Ben
ming station a few days ago. He and his wife
Lizzie. and his female companion, Matilda, or
'IIllle" Thomas, were confined in separate
cells and were let alone, so that they could
think over their positions and say what they
chose later in the evening. The door leading
to the cell rooms was closed and the prisoners
could not hear word that was said on the
outside. The only visitors they received
during the day were the detectives.
Once or twice Thomas attempted to
give the officers some information. but would
stammer and then sink back on the iron settee
and hide his face, After his dinner, late in the
afternoon, he was not so nervous and appeared
in better spirits than he had been since the
time OF his arrest. About 6 o'clock he sent
word TO the detectives that he was ready TO
tell them the whole truth. The officers arrived
At the station about o'clock and went directly
TO the prisoners cell
Il have been thinking over the matter all
day. he said. I'm in a hole and can't get
out OF IT. Ny wife and Mrs. johnson say that |
was not at home emancipation night and
haven't been able yet to show where 1 was
But before say anything / want you to bring
my wife here and let me question her."
TERMINATING MS WIFE.
His wife was escorted down from where she
had been confined, and was brought face to
face with her husband.
Did you say" began the prisoner. address,
ing his wife, that you did not see Eliza Foster
after she left the alley with me on the night of
April 1TF'
She answered. 81 did"
And Is that all you know"
1T is" she replied.
did you not walk down as far as Pennsylya-
MIA avenue and return far as New jersey
avenue, and did We not have q quarrel at that
point?' he next inquired.
His wife hesitsted. He repeated the inquiry,
and shs then answered: Yes, believe did"
Did we not then return to the house to-
getherf was the next question.
Il believe So" she replied
Then the prisoner hesitated He seemed
greatly depressed, but again braeing up asked.
Lizzie, didn't you bring me a rope with a
moose tied IN one end. and tell me that il was
gong TO klll her not to hit her, but choke her
to death?'
"NO," she Indignantly answered, II handed
you your overcoat and the rope was in one OF
the pockets.'
Didn't you call me back several times and
KISS me good bye and tell me not to kill her.
but choke her, or take her out in the country
and let lille kill herr"
mo, sir, did not" she replied.
ACCUSING ANOTHER MAN OF THE MURDER.
His VIE was then returned to her cell. and
Thomas continued his story, saving that when
he left the house on the evening Of the 10th of
last month he started with Eliza to take her To
Titles home in. Howard county, MARYLAND.
that at the corner of North Capitol and II sire is
they met a man named George Fletcher who
formerly went with Eliza; that they walked to-
gether out II street and passed the tolI-gate,
crossing the Eastern Branch bridge; that the
crossed the railroad track at Benning when
Fletcher made the remark, Lets kill Liz;
that Fletcher then struck her back of the head,
and she tell to the ground. II ran off then u
said Thomas, ''and Fletcher struck her four or
i've times"
IF Won ran" said an officer. show do Won
know that Fletcher struck her three or four
timesl"
Il don't know" answered the prisoner, who
was then beginning to get matters
BADLY MIXED.
He repeated the story several times and the
officers informed him that Fletcher was in the
work-house.
"Is he?" asked Thomas. That's funny"
'Why did YOU go toward Benning il Won
was on your way TO Howard countyf' he was
asked
Because didn't know the way" he replied
What did you do with the roper he was
asked.
Il threw ii behind the bed" he answered
The prisoner was then placed In his cell
again, and the officers searched his house, but
Jailed to find the rope.
The prisoner rested well during the might
Ano arose early this morning, and, having