Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-29
B L OW w AS F AT A
Louis Il Berry Struck James Newsom
With Bat
The Blow Thought to Have Been in
Self-Defehse Tragedy at
Carlin Springs.

suit of injuries received at the hands of
young Louis II. Berry at Carlin Springs,
Va, late Thursday evening Newsom was
struck upon the head with base ball bat.
According to the stories of those VINO are
familiar with the incidents of the case the
blew was struck in self-defense. One of
the best informed residents Of Carlin
Springs said 20 a Star reporter this morn
ing that in his opinion 1t would be impos-
sihle to find jury in Virginia which would
hold Berry on any charge.
Carlin Springs is small hamlet located
about midway between the Aqueduct bridge
and Falls Church. One of the most re-
spected families is the Carter family. Mr.
carter runs a grocery store. They are in
rather straitened circumstances. and this
summer Mrs. Carter thought to increase
the revenues by taking bonrders. Among
the first to reply to the advertisement in
LEGAL paper was Mr.. Newscm, and about
Marquett. friend of the latter. took
rooms with Mrs. Carter. Mr.. Carter was
absent when the fatal occurrence took
place.
Had Been Drinking.
Newsom has always had a reputation
around washington of being something of
drinking man. He was in town Thurs
day. and when he returned to his summer
home took with him some fruit and
other dainties Cor the ladies' and also sew
eral bottles of whisky for his own consump-
ton. He had been drinking during his STAY
in town, and continued after he got back
Finally he got himself into ugly state of
intoxicatfon, and was locking for trouble
After supper he had some words with his
wife, and 1t is said that he struck her
At any rate, she had had experiences with
him before under such circumstances and
as she was thoroughly frightened she go.
son of Mrs. Carter to drive the two
ladies and Mrs. Marquett's young daugh-
ter into town. where they took up quar-
tiers at the Enrich Horal This left onlv
Mrs. Carter, her daughter, young lady Of
about eighteen, and small son at the
house with Newson, who by This time was
getting to be more than troublesome. The
result was that they called in Louis Berry
neighbcr. who has for some time been
quite devoted to Miss Carter. He at once
went to the house and was urged to re-
main as a protector. Newsom had gone
off to his room, but later began rushing
through the house in q condition closely
approaching nudity. 1t is said that Berry
| twice took Newsom to his room and en-
The Fatal Blow.
Newsom again came into the room where
Mrs. Carter and her daughter were sit
ting. and Berry had more difficulty in get
ting him back to his apartments. This
| time Berry stayed in the room with him.
and young Carter, boy of about twelve
was also present. According to the latter
Newsom, who was acting like a crazy man,
went through the motions of drawing a
pistol from under his pillow and started for
Berry, SO that both the latter and young
Carter were of the opinion that he had
weapon in his hand. Berry picked up a
small base ball bat, which happened to
be lying near, and struck at Newsom. ap-
parently in self-defense. The blow had lit
tie effect. and the Infatuated man, who
was much larger than Berry, continued to
advance. Berry struck him a second time
and this was the fatal blow. Newsom was
struck on the side of the head and fell to
the floor like log.
Berry and young Carter were greatly
frightened by what had occurred. but at
once ran for physician. DIR. Boswell was
soon at the side of the injured man and
everything possible was done for him;
yesterday morning DR.. James A. Kerr of
this city was summoned. Newsom fingered
until about Q O'Clock yesterday morning
without recovering consciousness. Mrs
Newsom was informed by telegraph but
did not see the body until this morning
1t was brought to town last evening in q
wagon and left at an undertaker's in
Georgetown. 1t will be shipped to Mem
phis this evening.
Berry's actions after the ARRAY were
those of a man who felt that he was justi-
fled in what he had done. AS soon as he
knew that Newsom was dead he at once
left for the home Of Sheriff v,eiteh. in
tending to give himself up. The sheriff was
not at home and Berry then went to Alex
andria, where he consulted with an at
torney as to what he should do. After
ward the young man returned to his IA
theirs home at Carlin Springs. and was
in evidence all the evening, making no at
tempt to avoid or to conceal anything
There was no warrant out for him. and
as the Sheriff knew he would make no at
tempt to get away he was not placed I'M
der arrest. At 6 o'clock an inquest was
held at the Carter residence and young
Berry, as well as the members of the Car
evidence ne
jury decided simply that Newsom came
to his death as a result of a blow, inflicted
by a base ball bat in the hands of Louis
H. Berry.
The Two Men.
Berry is an intelligent young man of
about twenty years and has always borne
an excellent reputation in the neighbor-
hood. Those who know him say that he
would not have struck the blow except
under the most grievous provocation. New
som, too, has always borne good reputa-
tion-when not in his cups. He comes of
an excellent family in Tennessee, but has
long had a weakness for drink When
sober he was an attractive and en-
tertaiDing man, and was regarded as quite
a strong factor in politics in Memphis 1t
was through the influence of Representa-
tive Patterson, who was indebted to him
for some political favors. that he secured
a position in this city. He was a man of
about forty-tWo years of age, and had
means outside of his salary. his mother,
who is quite wealthy. freqhently sending
him remittances. A couple of months ago
Mr.. Patterson endeavored to get him to
go home for the summer and went so far
as to get him railroad ticket on his prom
Use to go to Memphis on the same train.
This. Newsom did not do, but remained
here and sold his railroad ticket in order
to raise funds for big carouse.