St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-03-19
Dennis Piekens Kills John
Smith at the Hotel Metro
politan. III
Postmaster Castle Makes An
other Change at st. An.
thongs Postoffice. -
The Holly Avenue Livery
Stable Fight Thrown Out
OF Court.

With hen-edged razor Dennis Pick
ems murdered John Smith yesterday
morning. Both men are c0lored and
were walters in the Metropolitan cafe.
About $50 yesterday, while the hotel
breakfast was in progress and a number
of guests were seated at the tables, they
engaged in dispute over a plate OF
butter which Smith took from Piekens.
They had given separate orders to the
cook, and Pickens claimed the butter
was intended for his tray, which
was denied by Smith. Only
a few words were exchanged
when Pickens drew razor from his
pocket and Sprang at Smith, slashing
right and left with the terrible weapon.
The first wound inflicted on the de-
fenSeleSS man was cut in the back OF
the neck that was over an inch in depth,
and extended from ear to ear. A por
ton of his left ear was cut off. The
man raised his hands to ward off the
the stabs aud had them nearly severed
from the wrists. He was otherwise
horribly injured by the murderous as
saiant, who, when his victim fell to the
floor in pool of blood, coOlly left the
place. In the excitement that followed he
was forgotten for time and given an
opportunity to cover up his tracks. DR..
Aneker. who was In the hotel at the
time, attended Smith, and endeavOred
to stop the frightful flow of blood which
came from his wounds. When all that
was possible had been done to alleviate
the mans sufferingS. he was conveyed
to the city hospital. In the meantime,
and over half an hour after the affair
had happened. the police were noti-
fled. The entire force was at once
put on the lookout for PickenS.
He had escaped them, however,
aud though the search was kept up all
the afternoon, no trace of him was
found. The Minneapolis police were
also notified, and are looking for the
man,
Smith died at the hospital at 3'p. m.
He was unconscious for sometime pre-
ceding his death. The man was well
liked at the hotel by both guests and
employers, and was quiet, gentlemaniy
waiter. He had served at the Metro
politan for several months. and, it is
stated. leaves wife and baby in am
other city, whom he supported from his
wages here. -
His murderer was not so popular. His
penchant for wearing elegant clothes
was his chief characteristic. He has
been employed at the hotel since De-
cember. The description of him fur
nished the police is as follows: Stoutly
built and quite fleshy; about five feet
seven inches in height; high cheek
bones: small mustache, and a Yellow
ish complexion. He is about twenty
six years of age, and wore fnll-dresS
suit when he left the hotel. There is
hardly any doubt but that Pickens viii
be captured, as no effort will be spared
to that effect by the police, .sles{
Smith body will be taken to rSchroeS
der's undertaking establishment, Oh
Sixth street this morning, and an I'M
quest will be held there this AFTERNOONS;
At late hour last night Pickens was
still at large. The police are now, in
cIined to believe that he boarded an
outgoing freight train in the railroad
yards. and messages were sent out TO
ali the small towns along the different
lines. 1t has been learned that the
murdered mans wife lives at the cor
ner of Sixth and Cedar streets in this
city. and not away from here, as stated
above. Some of Pickens' colored friends
are endeavorihg to give the impression
that Smith was to blame for the affair,
but the circumstances would seem to
show that the attack was premedltate d
by Piekens, who had several times eX
pressed a dislike for Smith, and threat
ened him on more than one occasion.