The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-06
FIRED IN THEIR FACES
Three Detectives Failed TO Stop
Robert Simms.
WAS CHASED BY a BIG MOB
Row Started In a Laundry and When
the Officers Tried to Stop the
Fleeing Boy He Promptly Pulled
His Gun - No One Was Hurt, but
1t Was ii Close Shave.

There was nearly murder in South Wash
ington last night
Robert SimmS, a nineteen year old col.
oEeu boy, stood within five PAGES of three
Officers OF the law and fired a pistol in
their faces. Then he turned and ra
down the street nd the Officers chased him
Inc trouble started because SimmS threw
baiI a brick through the window Of a Chi
neSe laundry. When the Chiuamau came out
TO investigate there was fight, q crowd
gathered, the police came and SimlUs
escaped up an alley.
Officers Baker, Shaunon and Smith of The
Fourth precinct started In pursuit Simms
went over 4 feace and the policemen went
after him. The fugitive hid behind a
chicken coop, but was routed out and
started down Third street southwest to-
ward d street.
1t so happened that central office de-
tectives had been detailed last night 10
nla kt Il tour OF the saloons and dives in
south Washington. Detectives Helan,
Laecy-aad Rhodes wGre theInen who went
on the quest for crooks.
RANINTO THE DETECTIVE. -.'f.-
When simnlS troke the windaw W they were
standing on Third street near d. They saw
the crowd ana fheafd cries of murder
and stop thief" They saw man running
down Third street IN their direction. He
kept in the shadow OF the building and
altough making good time il was evident
that he was nearly exhausted.
By this item the, crowd had increased
until mob Of nearly 800 DCOpIe were
running and shouting in pursuit.
Hclan and Rhodes stood on the sidewalk
and waited while Lacey went out in the
street in case he man should turU that way.
When the fugitive saw the men waiting
for him he increased his paCe.aAd attempted
10 pass them, at the same time reaching
at something concealed there.
1.-The Officers thought IL might be a gun,
but the fellow was so young and seyish
booking that they did not think for an
instant he would shoot.
Young Sinms reached Detective Helan
first. The officer called To him 10 stop.
and reached for him with his right hand as
he spoke. Simms tugged wildly at his
pocket, his hand flew up, there was a
CLEAN of nickel in the gasight, and De-
tective Helan locked down the muzzIe of
a revolver, with the coloFed boys fingers
twitching a the trigger.
Quick as a flash, the burly officer
ducked and swung his left arm with all
the force he could command. The blow
missed, and HeIan fell against the palings
that surround the corner house.
FIRED POINT BLANK.
Detective Rhodes was close behind his
fired point blank in his face. How the
bullet missed no one knows. Rhodes
clothes were covered with powder and the
ball tipped past Detective Laceys head,
as he closed in from the street Simms
gained an inStants start, and sped on down
the street.
The officer fired two shots in the air and
called to him 10 halt, but it had no effect.
All three men followed with the crowd be-
hind them and caught up with Simms at
| the corner of ID street.
The boy backed up against saloon door
and cooked his pistol. The crowd scattered
and the three officers stood around in a
semi-circle and told him TO surrender or
die.
Simms chose the former and put down
his gun. Then they took him to headquar-
| ters and searched him and later sent him TO
No. station to be locked up charged with
carrying concealed weapons.
A gold watch and sum of money were
! found on the prisoner and viii be held as
| evidence in case they connect him with
several robberies that have taken place
| in that section lately.