Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-07-23
A TRAGEDY IN THE STREET.
George S. Smith Shot and Killed by jeff
Phillips.


Phillips.
I.ast night about half-past nine O'Clock
.br.e nstol shoys in rapid succession startled
ovsr, BODY in the vioirify of the City He'll
ms hrculhs conversations to an abrupt ter
,o#r,..or. IL few minutes people were
ssoru. pioe i.om eli points of the compass
...5. .he corner OF Cameron and Royal
rhere jeff Phillip, who bas sll his
I h,r.e an uuidvory reputation, stood
locking pistol In Bis hand, while on
g size OF the street, In doorway,
,,f-{4 George 5. Smith, with his liie's blood
nc aus ead dying. Phillips, vino made
a-atIempl 10 escape, vas secured and his
20 In, ,Aken to nelghborlng public house,
Taro sIthin half an hours ,ime, be ex-
'Ss oris!o Of the difficulty dates back sew
,s weeks e.d as ls 30 often the case,
vamsn. eghosa reputation Is as unsavory as
m oithe asssssiu, figures In it. IL seems
,as for sore time past the victim OF the
ft,oa6V hsd allowed his infstustion for
c.ar,an nsmed Csp,toIa Crossman, more
COMMONLY known as "Cappie," to seriously
dis.u4o asa domestic relations, and after
sc.Is - ~n!on ne figured, ne lett the city
for . eW days, tbs 6oman disappearing
Is, Z
si however, had taken PLACES between
hr.seit aad family. Phillips was also
~ ,insd hg the establishments ofthe woman
,l,i was n familiar yititor at her house and
a- Sun.isy night while in the tolls OF the
yr.en-syed rDo.s 81 Jealousy, struck bis
inso:cGts Mr. Smith was considerably sp-
yeted by sucb m ulgallsnt act, snd upon
mis- recommendation a warrant was Issued
and POiitps was arrested, taken before JUS
rice Beacn AMI Aned.
B.n men ,,eiag fed with Jealousy, tine
sfjs5g a; M warrant me6e more bllter blood
n qgs1 she5l, and on Tuesday Smith had
csyje rhich was Bang conducted bg Phil
jiua ne driving park IL the connty stop
I,er, Cnus re q tons sroud cAt4seu the two
.ne s-retday whsr Smitn, with friend,
So .chsd Phillips ia ths q ID Jrado House
for ~. pUr, oSe o. Ds&otiaJ'ng an amicaoie
aet, enent, saying 20 hin Ia substance, that
hs was not DESTROYS of harboring further
reasniment. and was willing to let by-2ones
he BIZ cones aud become friends again. They
shock hands and parted with pleasant ex-
nressions, Phillips remssking, George, l
have co5 no bad feelings against you," and
all nartiss took socisbie drink end they
did M, eee each other until their mee.ag
leai night. TIE two men parted, however,
eafbe seq1el proved, with the trouble be-
tgeeu them merely Gildsd over-so fsi as
Phi ip-, 1T least, wss Concerned.
| oas about hsti-pBst nine O'Clock last
piol4 wpen Phillips was sitting in the door,
wsv.eftba f. Dorado Houae In conversation
vt Mr.. samuel Q rison. when he cav
FIN, y. who red inst letr saloon on the wet
side Rogel street with Mr.. Zorro Hill, stop
az taa southeast corner OF Roy aud Came
ron streets.
Pnl,ips br0nga5 the nVtrsation to an
abruo5 termination by arising and walking
toward The two men. As he passed his VIC
tim ia. exclaimed George Smith J" and
whiskng out pes;ol fired at him, Smith,
uuor reaiiZug thet ne was about 10 be kill
ed ran toward the northwest corner, and as
he & n, and while under the electric light,
Phiilips fred two more shots 10 rapid sue
oe.sion. both taking effect. The report Of
the pstol produced the greatest consterna-
ton anoUg the peCpie who were seated In
font OF their doors, and the wounded man
ran toward the front door of MIR. John Hsr'
lows residences. The members OF the faml-
IL. who we're seased aronUd the door, bs'
came panlc-stricken and fed preoiptately,
surprising the man who had go unceremoni-
ou.iy ccme among them was doing the
shoo,iae Smith closed snd fastened the
'front.' DOR and remained standing In the
vastIhuIe I'LL bis brother, Lieut.. Smith,
came. wten he said my God, jim, am
shot. J II Philltos did 1t for nothing" By
this tine other officers had made their ap-
pearsaoe, and Phillips, with the pistol in
his hand, was found standing on the orpo'
site corner. He Wae quickly hustled off to
the al ton house, apparently 10 no wise dis.
Gomez ed over his deed. Lieut.. Smith, OF
the PC ice force Ygss among the first attract
ed 30 ne spot By the report of the pistol,
tl.yi Cpn 81 he
brother was the victim OF tho tragedy, snd
upon spproaehiDg him and discovering bis
identity and realizing that he was dying,
his grief aud lamentations were plteous, end
caused nnmbeTs to turn away In sorrow.
The diving man was taken from the YES
ttbuie md borne to Mr. F. Schwsbs saloon,
feg doors south, and DR.. Jones SUNNI oned,
bnt By the time the physician arrived the
vital spark had fed. Members Of the fami-
ly of the deceased mad also arrived, among
them sister, whom he recognized, and his
estinsbe mother, now an eyed lady, whose
locks have been beaohed by the SHOWS OF
many Waters and who s now called upon
to besf q crushing sorrow In the advanced
even!U. Of her life. Her grief, IS may De
sGppossG, was poignant and her presence
ELECTED the heartfelt sympathy of all spso
tstors
Ghe i9td palor s0cn settieu upoa the
iea.uras Of she deg mar, and the CLASSY eye,
hsli-openeG mouth and bloody clothing told
another sad story Of the allCrements OF
frsil woman and the uasa Of esils which go
often follow In Der wake.
Upon ne news 0ithe shooting being noised
about much evaporation was produced, aud
there we're some threats of executing sum-
mary pucishment on the assassin.
The bodq was then taken to MIR. Smiths
la.e resid anoe, on ST. Asaph street. Justice
Besch IN the absence OF Dr.. Purvis, the city
coroue7, aeid go inquest, and post mottem
exaDilell1n was mace at the residence by
Dfs. 0Beien and jones. After the e1aml-
nston lie jary WIS adjourned to the station
h9use
Itw.s about lases o'clock this morning
when tAs Coroner's inquest y as concluded.
ZlEo dill testified that he met Nj Smith at tne