Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-18

CHEST By GEORGE wELLS-wELLs CLAIMS TO
HAVE ACTED IN sELf-pxFxxsE-rHK WOUNDED
MANS CONDITION.
Ayoung eolcred man Who ID known a. Charlie
Bird or Watson 10 occupying . cot in Freed
mans hospital suffering from dangerous stab
wound Of the breast, inflicted yesterday.
and bis assailant George Wells, il be-
hind the bars swaiting the fate of
his victim. The Iatter's chances are about even
between life and death. Both men are under
twenty-five years old and are frsquenters Of
saloons in that section Of ths city known -
"Helrs Bottom"
Keith Sutherlands saloon, corner Of 10Th
and streets, was the point where the quarrel
resulting in the stabbing began. Watson. who
bad complained of having the toothsche,
stretched himself out on box in the saloon
and fell fast asleep. His loud snoring at
tracted the attention Of the other colored
patrons OF the saloon and one Of them aroused
MN. The statements as to Who aroused
watson difier, but at any rate he and Wells
quarreled and were ordered outside Of the
saloon II they wanted to fight as the proprie-
tor objected to having any such disorders in
his saloon.
The .growl" lasted few minutes and the
men went outside and renewed the quarrel
KNIFE FLASHED OUT.
The men hardly knew what they were quar-
reiing about or how many blows were ex-
changed, when q bystander called to Watson
Look out, Charlie. he's got knifer'
>. Charlie was already ON the lookout but he
oid not suspect for a moment that Wells
wanted to kill him.
Before he saw the weapon Wells had plunged
the blade Of it into his chest aud Watson fell
to the pavement with cry
Wells put the knife back in his pocket and
walked away quite unconcernedly. Police
man Grant was the FIRST officer to arrive upon
Sne scene OF the tragedy and he summoned the
patrol wagon, in which the wounded man was
conveyed to the hospital
APPARENTLY DEAD.
When the officers arrived at the hospital the
wounded man to all appearances was dead. and
had 1t not been for the examination made By
the physicians, Shadd and Glennon, the I'M
fortunate man would probably have been con-
signed to the "uead house"
Watson's pulse was not perceptible, not even
to the physicians, but there we're signs of life
u, mn me h warmth OF his body, and the physicians
gave him stimulants. They also placed hot
bricks about him and in about an hour he raj
lied. This morning his condition was still
critical, although be was much brighter than
he was last night.
GEORGE SMITHS STORY
George Smith. who vas present during the
ARRAY. is the most important witness for the
prosecution. According to his story Wells
aroused the sleeping man and they then en-
gagged in quarrel They went outside and
WA watson =, said; go away, George, or I'll carry
Wells rstorted, IF I 60 to HI we'll both 90
together
Blows then passed and Watson fell TO the
ground with the stab wound in his breast
WELLS SURRENDERED HIMsELF
1t was about 10 o'clock last night that Wells
returned to Sutherland's saloon and purchased
a piece of tobacco When he left the saloon he
told the proprietor that he was going to sur
render to the police Soon afterward he en-
tered the second precinct station with Officer
Grant and was locked up.
WELLS PLEADS sELF-DEFFNsE
Wells admitted the stabbing, but claimed
that he did it in self-defense. He said that q
young man named Will Scott shook Watson.
who was asleep, and when the latter got up he
(Weils) laughed at him. This angered Watson,
VINO started the quarrel. aud some one said:
Go outside and fight it out"
he objected to having fight, but Watson
insisted on 1t. Wells said that he went outside
TO get rid OF Watson. but returned TO the saloon
and afterward they met outside. Watson, he
said, struck him and put his hand behind him.
the knife he said he was cleaning his finger
nails at the time. and he slashed with it back
ward and forward to keep Watson Of, and that,
ne said was how Watson got injured.
he told the officer that he gave the knife to
female friend, Eliza Brown.
ELIZA DENIES.
The officer found Eliza at her service place
on l4th street, but she denied knowing any
thing about the weapon. She afterward told
the officer that she took the knife to Wells
nome, on Boundary street, and il was there that
the knife was found tied up in an apron Eliza
was placed under arrest az . witness and WAS
held at the police station last night The pris-
oner will be held without bail until Watson is
reported out of danger
COMMITTED TO JAIL.
The prisoner was taken to the Police Court
this afternoon and charged with assault and
battery with intent to kill He was represented
BY MIR. Joseph Shillington As the court would
not accept bail he was committed to iail.