Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-06
PISTOLS ERE USED
Only Good Luck That Several Fighters
Are Alive.
Almost n Riot This MOrning-Chasing
Man Under Barn
Trials Today.

Two cases involving the use of deadly
weapons were in Judge Aliller's court today
and it was not the fault of those who used
the weapons that the cases were not in
vestigated by the coroner. In one case
the bullet made a flesh wound, while in
the other case the piece of lead did not
take effect. Eight shabbily dressed negroes
appeared in the first case called to the at
tention Of the court, four of them being
charged. They were Ambrose Harris Thos
King, John Harris and Walter Brice, and
there were charges of assault and con-
cealed weapons against them.
Tuesday night the affair happened near
Dist street and Virginia avenue. 1t was
about o'clock when the quartet of pris-
oners passed Henry Chapman and three
companions. Chapman ventured the ques-
ton, Are you going down to see Sadie!
Yes, and what Of it?' retorted Waiter
Brice.
'Oh, she's in the workhouse," said Chap
man, who seemed glad Of the opportunity
to make the statement.
'Tain't none of your - business
whether she's there or not" added Brtce.
Chapman said he meant no harm by
what he said, and endeavored to make the
boys understand that he was not prejudiced
against Sadie johnson, but this sort of an
apology did not answer. A fight had to
take place, and, although a pistol was
used, no one was injured.
Walter Brice was the particular one to
get the weapon, and he handed 1t to John
Harris, who fired one shot.
Brice claimed that the pistol belonged to
his grandmother but he admitted that he
had carried 1t on two occasions.
Judge Miller, in disposing of the case,
said he thought Harris should have been
charged with attempted murder.
Its a shame" the court said, ito send
these fellows to Jail and feed them when
they ought to be somewhere breaking
stone"
John Harris was given eleven months and
Twenty-Five days in Jail for the shooting,
and Brice was given eighteen months for
the assault and concealed weapons. The
other prisoners were given thirty days
each.
Another Shooting.
In the case in which flesh wound was
inflicted a white man shot a negro. The
affair happened on the works near Florida
and Connecticut avenues about 1:3O O'Clock
this morning Don Peters, an assistant
foreman on the works, shot John Fleet, a
colored cart driver, and the appearance of
Policeman Skinner prevented what would
probably have resulted in a riot.
1t appears that soon after the men start
ed to work cutting down the bank Don
Peters appeared among the colored men,
who jeered at him. This did not please
Peters, and what he said to the negroes
caused an i'll feeling, which was followed
by the throwing of stone. The stone
! struck Peters on the head, and, thinking
! Fleet had thrown it, he drew his pistol and
commenced firing. Two shots were fired,
! and one bullet made a flesh wound in the
arm of the negro. Then the negroes turn
/ ed upon Peters, and he had to for his
/ life. He sought protection from the excited
cart drivers beneath barn, and he was
there out of their way when Policeman
Skinner appeared upon the scene and pre-
vented further bloodshed. Peters was ar
rested and locked up on a charge of at
| tempted murder.
The case was continued until Tuesday.