Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-27
A TRAGEDY
The Brown Killing as Described by
Eye Witnesses.
CORONER'S JURY HOLDS INQUEST
The Connection Quartes Had With
the Affair.
T HE FATAL QUARREL

A scent piece, lawful money late yes
terday afternoon was the primary cause Of
the death of strong, healthy man in the
prime Of life, and the subsequent arrest Of
another on the serious charge of murder.
Both parties were colored, with Brown as
surname, but were not related to each
other.
The Browns, James and Henry, were in
the employ of the Crawford Paving Com
pany as laborers. and yesterday were en-
gagged, with number of others, In relay
ing the asphalt on 9th street near street
northwest, which had been removed during
the construction of the new road bed for
the Metropolitan Railroad Company. 1t
seems that shortly before o'clock four Of
the men, including the two Browns, each
contributed cents for the purchase of a
bucket of beer The money was turned
over to James Brown, and he started after
the beverage, but returned in a few mo-
nentS ana announced that he had decided
not to get it. For a short time James de-
chned to return the money, but finally
handed over that contributed by the two
other men, Withholding the amount belong
ing to Henry Brown, and then Joking with
the latter regarding it. Henry grew angry
ana after making several demands for his
nickel, II is said, struck James in the face.
The Fatal Encounter.
The latter walked away without returning
the money or the blow, but after the lapse
of few minutes returned in company with
| man named James Quarrels. AS James
Brown drew near Henry the latter picked
up several pieces Of broken brick and
| hurled them at the man who had his
| money Before he recovered his balance
after throwing the last missile so wit.
nesses say, James rushed upon his adver-
sary and stabbed him just over the heart
with small pocket knife. After commit
ting the act he ran up 9th street. and
Henry followed for a short distance then
stopped and threw another stone at the
other. He attempted to retrace his foot
steps, but suddenly fell to the pavement
and expired in two minutes from internal
hemorrnage.
James Brown was captured by Policeman
Il. G. stroman in Clicks alley and
to the morgue. The prisoner denied
that he intended to kill Henry, maintain
ing that the latter ran into the knife Both
the Browns We're well known to the police
having been behind the bars several times.
James is about twenty-five years old, and
Henry was about the same age. The for
ter's home was on West street.
Coroner Hammett was notified Of the oc.
currence, ard decided to hold an inquest
this afternoon at l o'clock at the sixth pre-
cinct station house.
Inc inquest
The jury sworn by Coroner Hammett
! consisted Of John T. Power, Timothy b.
man, l.. A. Latchford, Edward L. SAINT.
| myer. Frank E. Lannan and Afford S. VIII
son. The alleged murderer was present at
the hearing, handcuffed to James Quarles.
Both prisoners Were apparently uncon-
| cerned. and frequently conversed with each
| other They were represented by Attorney
NJ. NJ. Holland, who took an active part in
the inquiry.
DIR. B. H. Smart of COO Q street north
west was the first witness. He stated that
he was called to see the dying man. Brown
was found lying face downward. He lived
but few moments after the arrival of the
witness.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook testified that
he made an autopsy on the body this
morning He found a small wound under
the chin and another over the fourth rib, .
half an inch downward and inward. The
weapon had penetrated into the pericardill
sac, and from there into the aorta. In
brief, the instrument cut the aorta about
one and one-half inches above the heart.
7 he immediate cause of death was hem
orrhage
The Tragedy Described.
VIM H Duffy of 1924 street knew
nothing of the beginning of the alteration.
He was in Linkins' stable on 9th street,
and hearing a difficulty outside and saw
the deceased with brick In his hand.
Henry Brown threw a brick at James, then
the latter cut Henry, saying: I've got
you! I've got your James ran up 9Th
street and witness followed him. He dis
tinctly saw the plunge made.
The next witness was a fourteen-year-
old white boy named Jesse A. Mann, who
lives at 24O4 p street His occupation is to
supply a gang of laborers with drinking
water. The witness told about the making
of the pool to purchase beer by the four
men. Later he saw the deceased strike
James. The latter moved off crying and
saying that he going to kill Henry
Brown, or If he couldn't kill him he would
get something to kill him with. Witness
did not see the stabbng. but testified that
Quarles' connection with the difficulty was
in the capacity of peacemaker.
QunrIes' Part.
Police Sergeant David G. Dunnigan de-
scribed the arrest and also the taking Of
Quarles into custody later.
Charles H. Linkins of 210S I street was
present during part of the fight. His tes-
timony was almost identical with that Of
Mr. Duffy. The witness distinctly saw
James Brown plunge a knife into Henry
Brown. saying: I've got your Mr.. Lin
kins did not see QuarleS take any part In
the fight. The deceased threw two bricks
at the prisoner, but witness did not think
either of them hit him.
John William Hardell, a storekeeper at
9th and streets saw James Brown run
down street and empty his pockets Of
rocks.
A workman passed along and said:
You'd better get away from here; you've
killed that man" The prisoner then ran
off.
A young colcred man, Charles West, OF
1870 Franklin street, verified the statements
already made to the effect that Henry
Brown threw a brick at James Brown and
the latter then stabbed him. saying: I've
got you"
William c. Duncan, colored, plumber.
residing at 215o 9th street, gave testimony
similar to that Of the other witnesses re-
garding the stabbing He ran after James
Brown, following him to WiIburger street.
The Missing Mrs. Clark Found.
Lucretia Clark the school teacher who
mysteriously disappeared from the streets
of Planfield. N. j., Friday, August Q, has