Evening star., 1896-11-05
ALLEGED HlGHWAYMAN
John Kelly Held for Assault on. 8. F.
Merrill.
Partially Identified, Although He De-
MES the Charge-Watch
Not Found.

Judge Miller says that washington should
be known as a work house town" to the
tramps, and as soon they get here they
should be put in striped clothes and made
to go out on the public works. This re-
mark was made during the trial Of John
Kelly, who was arraigned this morning on
a charge Of highway robbery. Mr. Samuel
F. Merrill. the well-known citizen. resident
of 14th street near Thomas Circle, was in
court as Kelly's alleged victim. The as
sault and robbery, as published in Tues
days Star, was as daring it was out
rageous. but, fortunately for Mr.. Merrill,
although he Is heavy man, he was only
slightly injured by the fall. Monday night
between and 10 o'clock the affair hap
pened. just after Mr.. Merrill had left
cable car and started to walk In the direc-
ton of his house.
Two colored men. Ebenezer Williams and
James Hicks. were among the pedestrians
who were near the scene of the crime, and
they responded to call for assistance.
Hicks remained and picked up the in
jured man, while Williams went in pursuit
OF the robber. He shouted Police" sew
eral times, and his cries attracted Police
man Gibson of the second precinct, who
Joined in the pursuit. The fugitive fell en-
the sidewalk. but was soon on his feet
again. and he managed to get away with
out being captured. When Mr. Merrill re-
covered from the shock he made the dis
covery that his watch and chain, valued at
500. had been taken. He saw the :nan as
he ran and knew he was a white man, but
thought he would be unable to Identify
him.
The colored men were equally confident
they would recognize him without any
trouble. and Tuesday afternoon, while one
OF them was rassing through Franklin
Park. he noticed Kelly seated on one of the
benches.
He was fully satisfied that Kelly was the
man who had robbed Mr.. Merrill. and he
went in search of policeman. Sergt. Jor-
dan was the first officer whom he met, and
Kelly was soon made prisoner and turn
ed over to Precinct Detective Barnes of the
second precinct, who made a further in
vestigation, which resulted in the formula
ttCn of the charge and arraignment in
court this morning.
Kelly. who had told of having stopped at
the Central Union Mission and cheap lods
ing houses near the Capitol, entered plea
of not guilty to the charge.
The Identification.
Mr.. Merrill told the court of his unpleas-
ant experience the night before election,
and said he was knocked down and robbed
by white man.
Had you noticed any man on the car
who got off where you did?"
Il did not was his response. II occu-
pied seat on the grip car. and may have
talked to the gripman as l usually do"
Look at the defendant and tell me what
your impression about him is
prefer not to state my Impressions
said Mr.. Merrill This is a serious charge
against the man, and ] don't want to make
any mistake against him.
What about his general appearance?
The prisoner resembles him in size"
The two colored witnesses were examined
and they identified Kelly as Mr.. Merrilrs
assailant- James Hicks did not see the
prisoner after his arrest until this morning
and then he picked him out of the crowd
of prisoners.
Policeman Gibson explained to the court
his connection with the case. He told of
having seen the fugitive fall. ard said
there was mud on his clothing when he
was brought to the station. The officer
said he got a good look at the mans back
and his clothing, ard he thought the pris-
oner was tie man he pursued when he
was attracted by Williams outcrias Mon
day night.
Prisoners Story.
The prisoner. who says he has been on
his own defense.
I'm an Englishman." he said land have
been in this country only two years.
''Tramping all the time?'
NO, SIR he answered. I'm a fireman
by trade and have worked on the Hudson
river steamboats,
When ne reached here he said he had
Sl.oO in his pocket and he paid for his
lodging at the mission and other places.
He denied the charge against him and
said that on the night charged he did not
go farther west than the new post office
He spent most of the evening about the
city hall. he said. and went to bed early
after he had taken about two drinks.
Judge Miller asked if the watch had
been recovered and was told that 1T had
not Policeman Gibson said it was thought
that the stolen property had been thrown
in the sewer at 10Th and l. streets. The
sewer, he said, would be cleaned today
and a search ade.
IF We are going to have all the tramps
harbored here" said the judge. I'VE may
as we'll look out for depredationS of every
kind. What else are we to expect when
tramps are coming here from everywhere
and nowhere and making their living in
any way that presents itself? Make Wash
ingtoH workhouse town for the tramps
put on striped clothes and put them to
work and then there may be fewer of them
come"
Kelly was held for the grand jury, and
Judge Miller committed him to jail in
5ef 1It of