Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-07

More Particulars as to the C.use-Rye Now
In Jail

More Particular as to the C.use-Rye Now
In Jail
John Marshall Rye, the old man who shot and
almost instantly killed John ]. Wheeler. few
miles from Clifton Beach, Wednesday, as pub
hshed in yesterdays STAR. was arrested near
Hill Top on the afternoon of the shooting He
was on his way to Port Tobacco to give him
self up when he was overtaken by Constable
Luttrel, who accompanied him to the county
seal, where he was taken before Justice Smith
and committed
Rye. as published in yesterdays STAR, was a
Carpenter about sixty years old and Wheeler
Wa . school teacher.
WHAT LED TO THE SHOOTING.
From what is said by friends of both parties
the shooting ended bitter feeling that has ex-
listed between the two men since before the
close Of the last school year. 1t appears that a
niece Of Rye's was scholar in wheeler's school,
ami the teachers settlement Of a diffculty in
which the niece was involved displeased her
uncle. and he sent word to Wheeler that he was
no gentleman. words to that effect.
since then il appears that the incensed uncle
has taken occasion to denounce the school
teacher. and his denunciations we're communi-
Gated to Wheeler. who thought he would call
on Rye Wednesday and ask for an explanation
or retraction-
some DAYS ago Wheeler was injured while en-
able 10 walk without the assistance OF clutches,
he called on Rye in buggy.
Rye lives at the house OF his nephew. John r.
Bowie. and when Wheeler arrived there he sent
word for the old man to come out.
Rye responded and a heated discussion en-
seed Wheeler was q man. so some Of his
friends say. who would not take an insult with
out resen'ins IL. and it is therefore probable
that he made some demonstration toward Rye
when be wheeler got out OF the buggy.
THREE ssors FIREp.
Rys was armed with 32-caliber revolver. a
though he had anticipated trouble. and he fred
three shots at Wheeler. as il he meant to finish
him He succeeded, for two Of the bullets
took eject, one entering the left breas. in the
region Of the heart and the other lodging in the
right hip Of his victim
The dead body was put in the buggy by Rye
ard his nephew. who started toward the late
home Of the deceased, but on the road they
met two friends, who relieved them Of the ex-
cosdingly unpleasant task, and Rye soon after
ward started FOR Port Tobacco.
Constable Luttrell, who was on the road. met
the men who had charge Of the body, and
learning Of the cause Of Wheeler's death he
returned and procured . horse. and with two
citizens he started in pursuit of the man
charged with. the homicide. After ride of
nearly ten miles they overlook him near
Hill Top on the ROAD 10 fOrt TOBACCO. he vent
with them willingly and said he did the shoot
Ing in self defense
After committing Rye to jail Justice Smith
summoned jury Of inquest. A partial investi-
cation was made, and the Jury adjourned until
today to finish the hearing
The homicide occurred in . place called
Lower Nanjemoy, which 10 about twenty miles
from Port Tobacco
THE PRIsoSKn's cAlERR-
The prisoner, as already stated. 10 about sixty
years old He IL native Of Charles county
and served three years in Dement'S battery.
Az published in TEE STAB yesterday, the
prisoners wife lives in this city. She reside.
At No. 429 10th street southwest with her chill
dren- She vas widow Of the late John Brax-
Ton and abe first met Bye near Clifton Beach
There is no doubt but that he In her husband
although she has not seen him for about thir
teen years
After living happily together for about nins
years she said that he packed his clothes one
Afternoon and left home without saying
word about where he was going and she ha
never seen him since. She speaks Of him II
the kindest terms and sincerely hopes IL vii
turn out that he is not her husband, but anothe
nan Of the same name.