Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-30
HELD TO AWAIT AN AUTOPSY
David Stewart Arrested Because of Sus-
picions Of Foul Play.
Vague RumOrs That He Had Some
thing to Do With William Browns
Sudden Death.

David Stewart, a colored man, who has
lived his allotted three score years and ten
and is willing to live another score, was
placed behind the bars at the second police
station about o'clock yesterday afternoon
en- a charge of suspicion. While the station
blotter did not give the offense of which he
was suspected the police held him because
of statements that had been made concern
ing tie death of William Brown. and the
alleged part he took in the affair.
William Brown was about ffty-five years
old and was engaged in the purchase and
sale of rags. He occupied rooms in house
in MAYORS alley, and for about week
Stewart worked for him and roomed with
him. Brown was a pensioner, and it is
claimed that he spent most of his pension
money for whisky. About the saloons
where pensioners spend their money Brown
was familiar figure, for he was always
ready to treat until his last nickel was
gone. after which he would return to the
rag business.
Some days ago. 1t is said his conduct was
such that his wife had to leave the house
end seek shelter elsewhere. and then he got
Stewart to room with him. But Saturday
morning he concluded to get rid of his
guest and he elected him ard threw his
trunk into the alley.
Stewart, who is Woodworking and hon
oratle old man, went elsewhere looking for
a resting place and he soon found one.
Brown Found Dead.
Monday about noon Brown was observed
to enter his room and nothing more was
seen Of him until about 5 o'clock, when a
friend called and found his dead body on
the floor. One hand was on his stomach
and the other on his chest.
Poor man., muttered one of the colored
residents of the alley when she saw the
body. .! guess he must have had the
cramps"
The case was reported to the police III
the regular way. but there was no sus-
picion of foul play. Brown had died with
cut medical attendance. and before he
could he buried 1t was necessary TO have
a death certificate. This could be given
only by the coroner. which would probably
have been done yesterday had not a report
been circulated that foul play was sus-
pected.
This report was hIade by some of the
Grand Army friends of the dee easel, SO
the authorities say. and the police We're
told by witnesses that Stewart had said to
Brown when the latter put him out of the
house: You old -, you won't live
twenty-fcur hours
Stewart Taken Into Custody.
AS soon as the police heard this Precinct
Detective Barnes was sent out, and, as al
ready stated, Stewart was put behind the
bars.
Coroner Hammett was called upon and
told of what had been done, and he con-
cluded to hold an autopsy today.
Lieut.. Teeple said to a Star reporter that
he thought there was nothing in the report
of foul play, although, as a precautionary
measure. he had to have Stewart locked
up. So far as he had been able to learn,
Stewart Is an Industrious old man, aid
had never harmed anybody.
Detective Barnes had not obtained any
evidence tending to show that foul play
had played any part in Browns death, but
was in the nature of poison, for there We're
no evidences of violence about the body.
Stewards Statement.
When seen in his cell by Star reporter
Stewart denied knowing anything about the
death of his late friend.
HE was always drinking common
whisky" said Stewart. land was very dis
agreeable, but as for my knowing what
killed him-well, don't know nothing"
He said that Brown had thrown his wife
out of the rouse some time before his
(Stewart's) going there Brown, he said,
had always bcasted that he had considera-
BILE money, but if he did have 1t, he (Stew-
arD knew not hing about it. He did not be-
Eeve he could have had very much, for he
was lard drinker and was always treat
ing the boys. Stewart also denied having
made the remark attributed to him.
About MAYORS alley where Brown died,
there were all sorts of rumors afioat yes
terday and today, but there was nothing
definite in any Of them. People in the alley
seemed to be under the impression that
Brown had large sum of money in his
house, the amount being placed all the way
from S35 to $1,000. Some of the residents
declare that when the body was found
there were evidences of robbery. 1t was
stated by soH,e of them that the boxes and
drawe in the room had been ransacked,
but the police had been unable this after
neon to find any proof that there had been
a robbery committed.
Stewart Released.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook made the au-
topsy and found that death resulted from
natural causes. This information was con-
veyed to the police and Stewart was re-
lea Sed.