Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-25
THE CAPITOL HILL MURDER.
Clues to the Perpetrators Being Worked
Up by the Police.

CERTAIN THAT TWO MEN COMMITTED THE
cRrME-rHE STORY TOLD BIZ coLoRED GIRL
WHO SAW THE BLOW INFLIcTED-BorH WE'RE
YOUNG NEGROES
As the investigation of the murder and rob-
berry Of the late Peter II. Young progresses
clews multiply and give the officers an addi-
tional amount Of work. "Where are the MUIR
derers2" is the all-important question, and the
ownership Of the pick handle is also problem
which If solved might furnish material aid to
the officers in their efforts to apprehend the
murderers. That there were two persons con-
cerned in the tragedy there can be no doubt
They were seen by the colored girl when the
crime was actually committed and they were
also seen by others either in the vicinity of Sd
and South A streets just below where the death
blow was inflicted or on the route between the
deceased's store. corner Of 4th and D streets
the crime
Robbery was undoubtedly tho intention Of
the criminals, who had probably carefully ar
Ragged their plans, which they carried out thus
far successfully.
TWO SUSPICIOUS PERSONS.
Before Mr.. Young closed his store two sus-
piclous persons were seen about there. One Of
them entered the store and purchased cents
worth Of cigarettes. This was just about the
time for closing. The man left the store and
went outside, where his companion was waiting
years old and the other was apparently two
years his senior
As the deceased, who was nearsighted and
crippled. wendell his way along the street
toward the home Of his brother-in-law where
he resided, he made no stop. The men sus-
Pected OF the crime followed in the darkness,
passing under an occasional gas lamp. The
younger one still held the weapon in his hand.
All this time Mr.. Young was evidently uncon-
scious that he was being followed, but kept on
his way as usual, paying but little attention to
his surroundings.
THE coLoRED GIRL STORY.
The negroes, however, did attract attention,
for after the murder was committed persons
who had seen them came forward to tell about
them. The colored girl who witnessed the
Tragedy, as published in Saturdays STAR, is the
most important witness. She saw the negroes
Is they came along and saw them not far from
Grant alley. She thought at first that they
were after her and she hastened her footsteps,
but when Mr.. Young came along and received
the death blow she congratulated herself upon
her escape and went on, to get out Of that
The girl evidently thought that the man was
ing that she told of the affair to her employers
and they sent word to the police.
THE YOUNGER STRUCK THE BLOW.
In describing the affair the girl says that the
younger one Of the men inflicted the blow, but
she did not see either Of them rob the victim.
There can be no doubt, however, as to his being
robbed, for his little hand satchel, in which he
always carried his money, is gone. As he car
ried the satchel in his hand il is likely that one
OF the men grabbed it so suddenly that the girl
did not notice the transaction.
After committing the murder and robbery
the criminals quickly escaped in the darkness,
not giving witnesses an opportunity to tell
where or even which way they went. 1t is
known, however, that they went south to A
street and separated, one going east and the
other west. Concerning their movements after
leaving the corner Of Sd and streets state
ments differ, but they were seen running down
Sd street to that corner One story is that
from there one went east toward Lincoln Park
and the other managed to get around East Capi-
toll street and go on car as far as Dupont Circle.
THE NEGROES DESCRIBED.
The negro who dealt the blow is described as
being about sixteen years old, five feet five
inches high, brown skin. round face and dressed
in suit of gray mixed goods, white shirt and
collar, striped necktie and n brown derby hat.
His companion Ia described as being about
eighteen years old stout built Ave feet eight
inches tall, dressed in dark clothes and white
straw hat.
Deputy Coroner Schaeffer made a post NOR
tenn examination Saturday afternoon at Eur
horsts undertaking establishment and found
that the force Of the blow had fractured the
skull In numerous places.
THE coRoNER's INQUEST.
The officers Of the sixth precinct summoned
coroner's jury yesterday and Coroner Patterson
swore them to make true and diligent inquiry
into the facts concerning the death Of the muir
dered man and the jury adjourned to meet
tom orrow afternoon at 5 O'Clock at Eur
horst's establishment, where the witnesses al
ready summoned will give their testimony.
During the investigation the police have been
visited by numerous persons, who. in the usual
mysterious manner, call them aside to give
quiet tip"
Several young colored men have been arrested
on suspicion and released when it was evident
that they were not the persons wanted.
The officers are still confident of ultimate
success. and expect to have the murderers b.
hind the bars before long,
THE HIRTH MURDER RECALLED.
The murder and robbery recalls a similar
crime committed here twelve years ago, when
George Philip Hirth. grocer, on his way
home one night was foully murdered and
rODDed. dlrtn store was on 18th street next
to the corner Of p street northwest, and after
closing store shortly after 8 o'clock he started
to 60 to the house Of friend.
That was in January, 1880, and on
account Of the season Of the year there we're
not 30 many persons on the street as at this
time Hirth was killed on P street between
18th and 18th, the north side of the square not
being then built up. His murderers were after
ward captured and two of them, Babe Bed
ford and Edward Queenan, were executed
Sandy Pinn was sentenced to life
The murderers were well
with their victim. They had spent
time about his store and thor
oughly understood his habits. Like Mr.. Young,
the victim Of Friday nights tragedy, he carried
money home with him at night, and no one
knew 1t better than did his murderers.
Acolored man named johnson, who was with
the others that fatal night, left his companions
when he learned what they were going to do,
and he afterward proved to be one Of the
strongest government Witnesses
The blow received by Mr.. Young WAS similar
to the one dealt Jandorf by Sam Moore in the
Jail several months ago. In that case, although
it was generally conceded that the shovel ham
die used as 1t was was a deadly weapon, it was
the opinion Of the court and the prosecuting
officer that 1t was not inflicted with deadly in
tent, and Moore was consequently sent to prison
for life instead Of being executed. Should the
assassins Of Mr.. Young be captured it is more
than likely that that point will be raised in the
trial by counsel and that the court and district
attorney will be quoted AZ authorities.
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