Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-09-21
rIor1M or A NEGHos RAZOR.

WIZ was hoohhihSh bJ
Alexander Danridge, colored, Sunday
evening, September 10th, with a razor,
died at his home, 212 Maryland avenue,
at ten minutes TO 8 o'clock Saturday
night. His physicians had closely OBJ
served his case during the morning and
long about noon Begley was told that
he could not live much longer. A
change for the worse set in and the
family was informed that life was fast
ebbing away. He was conscious all
morning and said that he felt his suffer
ing would soon be over. He was will
ing and ready to go he said, and ex-
pressed no fear of death.
Father Fallon was notified Of tho
young mans condition aud hurried to
his bed side where extreme unction was
administered. He received the sacra-
ment and seemed happy that the priest
was near. The authorities were also
called TO the dying mans bed side, where
his ante-mortem statement was taken in
the presence of notary.
In the afternoon he talked with his
wife and child and to his brother told
the facts concerning his assailant's'
ghastly work. He recalled the encounter
with Danridge and with the death
quiver upon his lips averred that he in
no way molested the negro until the
latter jostled him in the street. He was
at loss to explain the deadly assault,
declaring he never before saw Danridge
until the fateful night. Toward evening
Begley's condition became more serious
than at any time during his illness and
he gradually grew weaker, and expert
enced less physical suffering than dur
ing the morning, The family were again
summoned to the sick room to await the
approach of death which came a few
minutes to 0 o'clock.
The assault which resulted in Begley's
death occurred one week ago at the
corner of Second and West streets about
s o'clock in the evening. Begley In COM
pany with Joseph Mullin, Richard
Collins and Harry Smith were return
ing from the Philadelphia, Wilmington
& Baltimore railroad station and pro-
ceeded homeward out Second street.
They halted few minutes midway be-
tween Tatnall and West streets, where
they all sat down in a doorway. This is
the story which the young men tell and
which Begley in his ante mortem state
ment averred was true. Begley started
utSecond street, leaving his companions
sitting in the doorway.
Suddenly Begley felt some one jostle
him towards the sidewalk, and wheeling
to the right he observed Danridge. To
use his own words Begley said "Don't
get gay now; don't get off your trolley"
and at the same time he pushed the
negro away from him, He had NO
sooner done so when Danridge whipped
out o razor and made downward slash
Just below his heart. In a twinkle the
negro reversed the weapon to the
opposite side of the victim, inficting
an almost perpendicular cash extending
four inches across the abdomen; Begley
felt the warm blood trickling down ovei
his breast, and at the same time ex-
perienced singing sensation about
the mouth of the wounds. Realizing
that he had been slashed with the razor
he dealt Danridge staggering blow in
the head, knocking him sprawling OF
the sidewalk, exclaiming at the same
time; "He's cut me"
Smith then ran to the injured mans
asssta3ce. Danridge was just recover
ing his equilibrium, and when Smith
approached he slashed him also witt
the razor. This caused the latter Il
fall back few PAGES, and at the samt
time afforded an opportunity for Dan
ridge to escape. Begley's companions
rallied to his assistance and a Grove
soon gathered and carried the injured
man into Blocksom's drug store. Smith
then began to bleed profusely and ht
likewise was hurried inside the
apothecary shop.
When Danridge fled from the spot h,
took refuge in Mount Enon Baptis
| Church, on Second street, near Wash
ington. He was covered with blood
and to the trustees of the church he tolC
a story about being assaulted by severa
white men, and said he had lost his ha
at Second and West streets. Two o
the officials of the church volunteered
to accompany him in his search for th
missing hat, which was procured at tn
scene of the cutting. Neither Collin
nor Mullin noticed the negro searching
for his hat, their attention being al
tracted by the injuries of the victims
As soon as Danridge secured his hat h
disappeared up Washington street, an,
did not return to the church.
DIR. A. B. Harris was summoned AM
dressed both of the injured men
wounds. They were then sent home
AMI Smith gradually recovered Will
peritonitls developed in the case o
Begloy and was the immediate cause c
death. u
Begley was 90 years old and con
Quoted butcher shop at No. 100
Chestnut street and resided with hi
father-in-law at the address alread
mentioned. He was a member of 81
Paul's r. 9. Church and also connecte
with the Brownson Library Associg
tion. He was of genial dispositio
and very popular, He leaves wido'
and one child. The funeral took plaC
Tuesday. Interment was made at th
New Cathedral cemetery.
Alexander Danridge, the man VIII
did the cutting, is small, cope
4 colored negro, about 20 years old, an
is native OF Virginia. He has worke
at the Diamond State Iron Company
Old Ferry mills, and was employed b
the Street and Sewer Department unit
a short time prior to the assault. II
has been in Wilmington several yeai
and since January, 1891, resided wit
Mrs. Mary Gordon, in Morrow's Conr
small thoroughfare west from Frenc
street between Fourth and Fifth. II
left his boarding house Sunday evenin
telling Mrs. Gordon he was going
Mt Enon Baptist Church. She declare
she has not caught sight of him sine
There was a weeks wages coming
Danridge from the Street and Sew,
! Department, but he failed to call for
Friday night, when the men were pal
off.
Danridge has been confused with
: man known as "Nigger Charley" whoI