Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-02
THE BENNINGs TRAGEDY.
Coming Trial Of Nelson Thomas and
Wife for the Murder Of Eliza Foster.


The watery grave In the old Meeting House
woods on the the hill just behind the ancient
town Of Bladensburg, which was the supposed
final resting place of the body of Eliza Foster,
the victim Of q mysterious murder last April,
Is now vacant, the remains having been taken
from that burial place and removed to Grace
land cemetery, where it was inferred not far
from where the grave robber took the body of
John H. Brooks from the ground Sunday night,
as mentioned in yesterdays STAR.
Eliza was q negress and was killed not more
than three miles from the settlement known as
Burrville, Md, which il not far from Bennings
station on the Baltimore and Potomac railroad,
and Nelson Thomas and his wife, Lizzie
Thomas, both colored, are still confined in the
Jail at Marlboro, Md, the former charged with
her murder and the latter as his accomplice.
The grand jury meets there next week and that
will be one Of the first cases considered. 1t is
thought likely that Nelson will have to pay the
penalty Of death on the scaffold, but it is
doubtful what disposition will be made Of his
wife.
NELSON'S FEMALE FAvoRrTK.
Tillie Thomas, the woman who was found in
Howard county, Nd, and committed to Jail as
witness in the case as stated in The STAR at
the time, has been released. Thomas did not
like the idea OF he- being set free as long as he
lived, for, although he soon expects to meet his
end on the gallows, he is still q devoted ad-
mirer of that young woman. She was held in
Jail some time as a witness, but as her fee
would amount to a considerable sum she was
released on her own recogniZance to appear
when wanted in order to save expense to the
county. After her release she did not forget
her old-time lover, and she returned to the Jail
to see him, but was not permitted to do so.
She became boisterous and violent and could
only be quoted by threats Of shutting her up
again. This treatment Of Tillie had
BAD EFFECT ON NELSON,
for he begun to rave 30 that the guards found
it necessary to threaten him with the ball and
chain before he would be quieted. Nelson is
not in such good spirits as he was when taken
to Jail, although he spends large portion of
his time singing and praying and fully expects
he will go to glory when the law has been
indicated. His wife, who holds the same
opinion Of the case, joins in the hymns and
prayers, and altogether they appear to be hav-
Ing pretty good time, considering the sur
rounding circumstances.
THE MEN WHO CLEARED Up THE MYSTERY.
Detectives Raft and Horne, who made such a
thorough investigation of the case and cleared
up the "Bennings mystery" by the arrest Of
the parties and the Identification Of the MUIR
dered woman, will be important witnesses at
the approaching trial. 1t is by the result of
their efforts that q clue to the murder was OBJ
tanned, and the photographing the body at their
suggestion proved the means of fully identity
ing the murdered woman. These facts. in con-
nection with the full and free confession of
Thomas, leaves no doubt as to the ultimate re-
suit Of the trial of Nelson Thomas as the princi-
pal in the crime.
THE ALLEGED MURDEREB AND HIS WIFE.
Nelson E. Thomas is laborer about forty
five years old. Born in Maryland, he came
here a number of years ago, and has earned his
living WITHDRAWING, plastering and with work
ing with spick and shovel He is about five
feet five inches high, and weighs less than 14O
pounds. He is pockmarked and has short,
stubby whiskers and has an altogether repulsive
appearance. His picture is among the collec-
ton of photographs Of criminals at police
headquarters and is numbered .41S." He has
depraved disposition, and even behind the
prison bars is unable to control his temper.
Lizzie Thomas, his wife, is only twenty-six
years old She is not SO dark as her husband,
but she otherwise tallies with his description.
She has scar behind one ear. Her photo
graph is under mo. 49,"
Tillie Thomas, the witness, is about the same
age as the murderer's wife. but is much taller
although no heavier than Lizzie. Her picture
is mo. 420' in the gallery.
THE APPROACHING TRIAL.
Thomas will probably be indicted early in
October and his trial will take place some time
during the month. Should he be convicted
and appeal his case his execution will not take
place until some time after the Christmas holi-
days.
THE CRIME.
Eliza Foster, the victim Of Thomas assault,
was about twenty-five years old. She was en-
ployed from time to time as q servant in vsri-
Gus houses. She was acquainted with the fact
that Nelson vas q married man, and also that
he visited Title Thomss in Howard county,
Md. 1t was while they were ON their way to
TITLES house, as she supposed, that Nelson in
ficted the blow which caused her death with
stone and then left her body there in a lonely
spot in the woods until her decomposed re-
mains were found by some children. After his
arrest Nelson, as already stated, made con-
fession, telling how he killed Eliza as though
1t was q joke and not brutal murder