The National tribune., 1895-08-08
MISS FLAGLER KILLS A NEGRO.
After the Affair She Surrendered and Was
Exonerated.

After the Affair She Surrendered and Was
Exonerated.
Washington was stirred mp last Friday by n
sad happening. Miss Elizabeth Flagler daugh-
ter of Brig Gen. Flagler, Chief of Ordnance of
the Army, aud well known in Army and society
circles, shot and killed IL year-old negro boy
named Ernest Green, at their home in tho sub
urbs of the city. Miss Flagler is prominent in
Washington social circles. The Flagler and other
families in the vicinity have been annoyed
greatly of late by boys stealing their fruit and
damaging the trees of their gardens.
Miss Flagler discovered young Green on the
fence stealing fruit, and fred toward him with
a pistol from the second story window. The
bullet entered his right breast, and, passing
through his body, inflicted wound that caused
his death in short time. Miss Flagler went
to Police Headquarters aud gave herself into
custody. She is % years old, and an attractive
and omplished woman.
Ernest Green was a son Of "Dick" Green,
we'll known TO public men as one of Secretary
Carlisle's messengers. Miss Flagler says she
had no intention of shooting the lad. and was
much surprised to see him fall. She merely
fired to brighten him away. Later in the day
the Coroncr's jury exonerated her from all
blame and she was released from custody.
Miss Flsgler WAS Immediately taken into
Mai. Moore's Office Here she remained for
several hours during which time Judge Cole,
of the Criminal Court Assistant District Attor-
ney Jefords, Inspector Hollenberger Maj.
Moore aud Others we're presant. Miss Flagler
retained as her counsel MIR. X. Ross Perry and
consulted with him in regard TO the case.
At the Coroner's inquest after all the wit
nesses had been heard, Dir. Perry stated that
Miss Fiagler wished to makea statement in her
behalf DIR. Hammet, the Coroner who was
conducting the inquest, stated to the jury that
Miss Flaglers statement was purely voluntary,
and she was permitted to proceed. She ap-
peared TO have n wonderful amount of self-cou-
troll. Although her efforts TO hold herself well
in hand were plainly noticeable, she spoke in
clear voice and gave her story in AN easy man
ner. Although at times she hesiiated and her
mind seemed TO revert 10 the terrible tragedy of
the morning, Mr.. Perry attempted to draw her
story from her by questioning, but she pre-
ferred to tell it as it happened.
Miss Flagler said her father and mother
went to Canada; her brother, Lieut.. Glenn Flag
Ter, being in Europe. Since her mothers de-
parture she bad always kept the pistol near at
hand. She was used to firearms. but was not a
good shot, being quite nesrsighted. Even be-
fore her mother left they had been annoyed
considerably by boys, who climbed the fence
and stole the fruit, and broke the trees On
Monday last party of boys broke into the
place and were stealing some fruit, when Miss
Flagler took the pistol and fired into the road
10 scare them away. She warned them that
she would shoot at them again if they returned
Since then the marauders confined their visits
10 a time when they knew Miss Flagler had
driven down into the city with her coachman,
and while she was away would steal fruit.
Several days ago some clothing was also stolen,
by whom she did not know. This morning
she was lying in her brothers room, which adj
Joined hers, when she heard rustling in the
branches of the pear tree in the front yard
near the fence and not far from her window.
She ran into her room and took the revolver
from the top bureau drawer and threw up the
window-screen. Seeing some boys stealing the
fruit, she pointed the revolver at them and
fired. She then ran TO the side window and
saw them all running down the road. Sho