Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-08


opinion, from the position and character of
the wound in the neck, Halls assailant
vas in all probability a left-handed man.
1t would have been next to impossible for
a man to have made such a cut holding the
razor in his right hand.
The police of the eighth precinct have
three colored men locked up. but simply as
Witnesses. for there is nothing in the way
of direct evidence against any one of them,
and 1t is said that all can prove a salts
factory alibi without the slightest difficulty
Detective Henry H. Lacey, who is particu-
larly clever in ferreting out crimes among
the colored element of the community, has
been assigned to the case, but admitted
this afternoon that there was not the
slightest clue to work on. He thinks that
knows more about the case than he has
yet told, and may yet say something that
may give the police the scent.
The Inquest.
The inquest over the body was held at
II o'clock this morning at the eighth pre-
cinct station. DIR. Glazebrook, the deputy
coroner, testified as to the autopsy ne made
this morning.
DR.. Glazebrook stated that he found on
the side of the mans head fracture four
by six inches in size. This was a fatal
wound, although it might not have caused
immediate death. On the right side of
AASSAA
sharp instrument. The carotid artery
was severed, and this alone was sufficient
to cause death in few minutes. Besides
this, the right thumb was fractured, as by
some blunt instrument, and the nose was
broken. There were other cuts around the
body. The doctor said that in all his ex-
perience he had never seen a worse used
body.
From the fact that the razor used in
cutting Hall was one that was locked in a
bureau In the room, and that this bureau
drawer was broken into, DR.. Glazebrook
expressed the opinion that Hall vas first
knocked senseless by the brick that was
found on the floor and then slashed with
the razor.
Finding the Body.
Policeman Barrett, the first man to reach
the scene of the murder, and Frances
Trusty testified as to what they saw at
the house last night, but they were unable
to throw any additional light on the mys-
terry. Frances said that she was at re-
hearsal for a concert last night. Clemens,
who was held last night on suspicion, was
there with her last night, uut left few
minutes before she did and walked home
with young colored girl
Hezekiah Prather, who lived with Hall,
was next questioned, but as he left the
house last night before o'clock he did not
know very much about the occurrence. He
identified the razor and the little bank as
his property.
Prather was asked by Coroner Hammett
whether he had any suspicion as to who
committed the murder He said he had not
the slightest idea. Hall was quiet, inof-
fensive sort of man, who had many friends
among the colored people in the neighbor-
hood and who never seemed to make any
enemies.
Possible Clue.
Policeman Voc testified that some time
ago he arrested a young colored man nam
ed Eugene Alexander for housebreaking.
Alexander and Hall were formerly friends.
and Hall gave the evidence that resulted in
sending Alexander to the Reform School.
The man is now at liberty, and has been
arrested several times since for minor
offenses.
Lewis H. Monroe, one Of the three col
ored men who we're arrested by Policeman
Murphy last night as witnesses, said that
he was at the house last evening calling
upon Hall. The old man, he said. was
great for debates. and last evening VIXEN
he was over there they were discussing
the Cuban question. He left the house q
few minutes after o'clock and did not see
Hall again.
The inquest was then adjourned until to-
morrow afternoon at ] o'clock in the hope
that by that time there may be some evil
dence they can go on.