Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-02-21
BLOoDSHED IN THE COUNTY.

shed between nine and ten o'clcck lssI
night. and as result Benjamin Hines,
colored, special deputy sheriff Of jack
son CITY, is dead, Edward Deuter-
mau. deputy sheriff of the county, SHOT
in chin; Milton II. Johnson, special
deputy sheriff, saloonkeeper at the cor
ner of Columbia and Alexandria turn
pixies, shot through feshy part OF NECK,
and Charles O'Neil, alias Peg O'Neil,
horse trainer, Jackson City, shot three
times, one bullet just below right eye;
one over left eye, and one bullet in the
right cheek.
There are several versions of the at
fair. The trouble occurred in the sa-
loon which John Nelson recently open
ed in Jackson City, next to Jos
Place." on the west side OF the railroad
tracks. Six special deputy sheritfs,
headed by the regular deputy sheritfof
Alexandra county, Edward Dsuter-
man, entered the saloon about 10 O'Clock
to discover if gambling was going on
there, and if the place was the resort OF
thieves. The deputies were armed and
carried their revolvers in their over
coat pockets. According to one account
before the deputies had time to say
word or explain the nature of their
visit, John Nelson opened fire with
IS calibre revolver from behind the
centre of the bar. 1t is charged that
another man stood behind one corner
eff the bar and fred upon the officers.
The charge was made by one OF the
colored deputies late last night that this
man was the notorious Harry Cand-
Ter, also Jackson City saloonkeeper,
whose place last spring was the hiding
place of the Billy Williams's gang of safe
blowers. 1t is charged that Gambler
has been acting rs barkeeper for Mel
son since the latter opened his place,
about three weeks ago. Nelson, how
ever. AYERS that Gambler happened to
be there by accident. 80
When the party of deputy sherltfs
reached Nelson's saloon eighteen or
twenty gamblers and race track follow
ers were gathered about the bar, drink
ing and carousing. They made rush
for the door. Nelson, the proprietor,
i1 is charged, drew his revolver. There
was report, and Benjamin Hines, the
first man in the party of officers, fell
dead. Another report, and Deuter-
mann fell, with the blood squirting fu-
riously from wound in his neck. Then
the shooting became fast and furious.
Deputy Johnson emptied his revolver,
but was unable to wound the assailaDts.
Deputy Lewis fired several shots, but
without effect. The three other colored
deputies did not cut much of a figure in
the shooting. for they we're forced out
to the sidewalk by the crowd of loung.
eIs which had rushed through the small
door. Finally, Deputy Lewis, no had
not been injured, withdrew, leaving
Hines lying dead and johnson and
Deutermann apparently dying. The
room was full of powder smoke, and no
knew just what damage had been done
When the deputies retreated, Special
Officer Benjamin Hines, colored, was
lying dead upon the floor; Deputy Deu-
termann was lying PROSTATE in front OF
the door; Deputy johnson was lying
against the bar, while one of the muir
derers was wrestling Johnson's revolver
from his hand. All of this was the
work of moment. Fifteen or eighteen
shots are thought to have been fired,
and nearly all of these were, it is said.
from the revolvers Of those behind the
bar.
It was now that unexpected re-en-
forcemeu's appeared. Charles O'Neil,
alias Peg" had been one of the loung-
ers in the saloon, and had been drink
ing freely. He is o horse trainer with
one wooden leg. He was supposed to
have no respect for the law or its Off
GERS. But he rushed forward and
through the door, right up to John Mel
son, and grappled with him. Nelson
fred at O'Neil, and hit him in the face.
The revolver used was large, old
fashioned navy, loaded with large shot.
Three of these entered O'Neil's face,
making ugly wounds. Both of his
eyes were closed by the injury, and he
staggered out Of the place more dead
than alive.
The crowd of louDgers had by this
time disappeared entirely. The only |
persons left in the street were the three
uninjured colored deputies. All of the
lights in Nelson's place had gone out,
and further onslaught was expected.
No more shooting followed, how.
ever. Nelson walked out of the place |
and fed from Jackson City without so
much as a hand being laid upon him.
He boarded the 1910 local train from |
Washington, came to this city and gave
himself up. The bartender of the
place, whoever he was, also made his
escape.
Nelson upon reaching this city sur
rendered to Lieut.. Smith at police
headquarters. He told Lieut.. Smith |
that he had shot several men, be did
not know who or how many, in self
defense. Nelson was locked up to
await the result of the coroner's iu-
quest.
Nelson's version of the affair differs
materially from that given above. He
says the raiding party paid two visits to
his saloon, and at the first drank and
retired in apparently good humor.
When they returnnd they had twenty
five or thirty negroes with them, that
three revolvers were placed at his head
and a demand made for his money
drawer; that he supposed his place was
to be looted by the mob and stood on
the defensive. He further says he was
leaning on his counter, engaged in no
hostilities, when Johnson fred his pis-
tol at him. He then opened fire on the
crowd. Nelson also states that as he
left his saloon he was fired upon again.
1t is said that Deuterman and
t. e. Ioa