Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-26
NEWS FROM ROCKVILLE.
Murder Case ON Trial-Meeting Of the
School Commissioners.

School Commissioners.
Correspondence Of the Evening Star.
ROCKVILLE, Nov. Is.
The circuit court Of this county was in ses
sion yesterday and disposed Of the following
cases. State agt. Edith Reddiek, colored. Lar
ceny, guilty and sentenced to six months il
the house of correction; John C. Tydngs. col
ored assault, guilty, house Of correction fou,
| months John Jackson. robbery, guilty, -four
years and six months In penitentiary.
Yesterday a jury Of inquisiton was sum
moned before Sheriff Fairall to determine the
lunacy of Mr.. Hezekiah l.. Metz, he having fol
some time past shown evidence of insanity
After hearing the evidence Of several witnesses
the jury came to the conclusion that Metz wa:
in such state OF mind as not to be capable OF
taking care of himself or his property and re.
commended that he be placed in the hands of @
committee having power to send him to an
asylum should they deem 1t advisable, and also
to take charge of his property.
In the circuit court today the first case tried
war that of Frank Mangum for carving con-
cealed weapons. the prisoner being found guilty
and fined IS. after which the case of the state
against Greedy Dggs for the killing of John
Harris WAS taken up and occupied the attention
of the court for tue balance of the day. This
is the case OF The killing Of Harris at dancing
party given by colored people near Cropley's
brick yard in Potomac district some months
ago at which Diggs and Harris got into an
alteration. but which was soon settled
and af'erward when Harris was leaving
the house he was assaulted with q
heavy club by Diggs, knocked senseless,
and remained in this condition until
he was carried to hospital in Washington two
days after the occurrence. where he died. In
his testimony before the jury Diggs said that
Immediately after the difficulty in the house he
left and was pursued By Harris with razor in
hishand. and in order to defend himself he picked
up stick and struck Harris on the head, knock
ing him down. ". III. Robinson. a middle-aged
cOlored man. who, from his evidence. appears
to have been the coolest and most sober man in
the crowd. said that some time had elapsed
after Diggs left the house before Harris started
to leave and was met outside the door and
knocked down with the club. In regard to
Harris having II razor there was but one wit
ness besides Diggs who said he ssw it, while
there was razor found after Harris had been
knocked senseless. There were thirteen wit
nesses in the case and the testimony was closed
about o clock, after which the court took a
recess for one hour. Upon reassembling the
case was ably argued by State Attorney Z. G..
Peter. with Messrs. George Peter and James L.
Henderson for the defense.
The case was given to the jury about 6 o clock.
and after they had retired to their room large
portion OF the crowd which had been in attend
ance during the day left the court room.
Dlggs, who Is bright mulattO, of medium
stature and about nineteen years OF age. during
the time of waiting for the verdict SAT unconcern-
edly In the prisoners chair. chatting pleasantly
with his mother and other persons of his ac-
qlalntance and occasionally smoking cigar
cite. The jury remained out all night and at
latest accounts were unable to agree on YER
diet.
At a meeting of the board of school commits
sloners held here today the secretary and
treasurer. John j. Higgins. reported the enroll
ment of white pupils FOR the pas: term at 2.7S5;
colored, 1.3O-total. Also. Average attendance:
Whites. 1,7S5; colored. 7s2-total. 1867. Ex-
penses for fall term: White. 81. 1861: colored.
= .373.O5-total, >9,33S.42. Balance due on fall
term: White, S6.757.3i; colored. Sl.170.09.
Miss Lily Stabler was appointed assistant
teacher in school No. t. fifth election district to
take effect December l. The board Of manage
ment Of the Agricultural Society have deter
mined to resurvey the track at the fair grounds
and make it full third of mile. In order to
do this many changes will be necessary i'll the
arrangement of the grounds. The survey was
ordered to be made at once and report made
to the next meeting of the board. SAN.