Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-09
FOUR SHOTS FIRED.
DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO KILL AN ELEc-
TRlC-CAR CONDUCTOR.
Tho WouldBe Assassin, a Negro Dude,
Caught and Sent on TO the
Grand Jury.

The report OF four plstol-sbots, fired IN
rapid succession between 7 and O'Clock
A. VI. yesterday, broke The stiffness OF the
morning in tbe vicinity Of the Union Pas
senger. Railway Company's sheds on Church
Hill, and for awhile the most intense ex-
element prevailed in that neighborhood.
The shooting vas done by Thomas Hewlett,
bright mGia,tO, twenty-five years old, and
the individual at whom be was sending the
leaden missiles was Mr. +. p. Jones, q con-
ductor on the Electric Line, who had, for
reasons which be considered good, put lle1-
lett Of bis car. Fortunately none OF the
balls performed the desired mission. and ~
about four hours after the occurrence the
shooter was 10 the city jail, where he now
rests to await the action Of the grand jury.
THE AFTRAY.
When Car No. II on the Electric Line
passed Eighteenth street going east yester-
day morning Hewlett stepped aboard, and
soon after he got inside the conductor
walked IN aud asked for hls fare, whereupon
Hewlett ripped ont su oath by way oi intro
ducton and replied "You had better wait
until take nv seat" The conductor repTi-
manded Hewlett for swearing in a car where
there were ladies', and told him that be must
either behave himself or get of the car
war Of words between the two followed and
the car was stopped aad the negro dude
elected. After abusing the conductor he
pulled out q nickel and offered 10 psy his
fare, but Mr.. Jones had stopped the car 10
put him on and would not then receive the
fare. as the conduct Of Hewlett was con
sidcrcd entirely too dlsorderly 10 be put up
with.
The elected passenger did not at all relish
his treatment aud Oeing enragcd he took
passage on the next east-bOund car and rode
10 the sheds, al the corner Of wenty.nnth
and + streets. lie walked directly into the
motor-men's room Snd inquired for the con-
ducior o. car No. II. Mr. .. Il. Tate the
mOiOr.man on Jones' ear, recognized liew-
lett and advised him to leave before Jones
came in, and not % renew the trouble.
While these two were talking the conductor
came in, and Hewlett turned on him and be-
gan 10 abuse him. Jones admonished him
10 leave, saying that he did not want any
Difficulty. but the negro continued 10 Jaw
and ioally he placed his hand on bis right hip-
pocket and with IN oath threatened to shoot
Jones. Sulting the action 10 the word. he
drew his pistol and pointing u directly at
jones, pulled the trigger, but the weapon
refused TO fire md only soapped. II the pl'-
tot bad fired. the ball most assuredly would
have taken effect IN the body OF the man at
whom it was pointed.
BANG! BANG!! BANG!.l
Upon getting on the street the negro fred
again. Jones stopped down 10 pick up a
stone, ssgiog to his assaiaDt, "YOu had
better kin me, for ] intend TO sill you." The
nero fred four shots at Jones, all OF which
went wide OF the marx. and before he could
fire again several persons came TO Mr..
JOnes's assistance. which caused the negro
To turn and run off. He was followed, and
finally brought to bay in house on Thirty
first street, where he had sought refuge.
TIE house was surrounded 10 prevent his
escape, aud ne was bcpt there until The arri-
val OF the police officers, who took charge
OF him aud carried him 10 the station-house.
BEFORE COURT.
A few hours later the prisoner was taken
before the Police Court to answer the charge
OF shooting at +. 4. Jones, with intent 10
kiU. A young colorcd lawyer named Lewis
appeared a. counsel for tie accused. Ouly
three witnesses were examined for the Com
monwcallh and the gst OF their evidence Is
gwen above.
But one. colorel man nSmed Brown,
was offered for the defence. He was stand
ing ON he opposite side OF the street when
the shooting occurred and his statement
msde Il appear thai several OF Joaes's friends
i0ined " IA him (Ionesl III an assault 90 TIE
accused and that accused acted solely IN self
defence. He knew nothing about the origin
oi the trouble.
Hewlett WIS sent on 10 the grand jury Tor
the ielonous shooting and tined S20 for car
ryiug concealed weapons.
Personal.
Hewlett is better looking than the average
OF his race and was very neatly dressed.
dark suit, iresh.liundered SHIRT
collar Of fashionable cut, white satin cravst,
black DERBY, comfortable dark-colored over
coat and iight-cOOrcd GamDeitas over his
r. fa.hiouably.cut shoes. lie lives In Boston,
but. together with his SISTER. is here on
visit TO his mother on Thntieth street. lie
did contemplate returning 10 Boston ~
about two weeks. but be- will probably now
conclude 10 remain in Richmond LONGER.
The accused was not put on the stand,
but after court was Over be said 10 Dis
patch reporter that he attended wedding
out in Hcnrico night before last and was re-
turning home yesterday morning when he
boarded The car; that the conductor asked
for hl, fare directly he entered The car and
he (fIewlet) remarked: You had better
wait until a, down -; that he went to the
clr.shcds with the intention oi complaining
to The Superintendent and that he had no
idea Of Falslng difficulty when he went
there. lie denied thai he made m attack on
The conductor. The prisoner admitted that
he bad been drinking Thursday night.