The evening times., 1896-07-29
THE CRIME DIsCoyEREp.
DR.. Miller of This City was an Eyy.
Witness.

-Dr- Miller of This City Was an Eye.
Witness.
Dr.. A. w. Miller, Washington druggist,
VINO mas been guest at Seat Pleasant
House Tor the past six weeks told an
Evening Tinifs reporter today that he
was With Mp. Dfown when she broke
open Marguerite s tedroom door. DR.. Miller
said he placed his shoulder against the door
ana forced It from its fastenings. The sight
which met their gaze aim ost unnerved him
Margueritep'
This call was repeated half dozen times,
atilt no response csfine from the prostratc
girl, who lay On the floor with her feet
Just beyond the foot of the bedstead.
she Is on the floor. DOCTOR" said Mrs.
Drown, appealingiy; Ego in and see what
Ii the ma tier with her,
Dr. Miller said lie entered the room, and
q nasty glance at the girl told the story
OF the criire.'f Retreating from the rooni
DR.. Miller looked at Mrs. Drown "A moment.
what is the matter with Marguerite?"
she pleaded.
MY God, Mrs. Drown, she is dead. her
throat is cut from ear TO ear
| RAN FOR ASSISTANCE.
As the house was deserted, with the ex-
cepfion of DR.. Miller and the agonized
foster mother, the uoctor ian TO tie house
OF Mr.. Lusby, half-mile away, to summon,
! MN TO her assistance. Mr.. Lusby and his
daughter went to Seat Pleasant house to
remain with Mrs. Drown until DR. Millercould
summon Judge Brooks, an official Of Prince
George county.
Juuse BROOKS was Soon upon the scene,
and the neighhors were then summoned
from every direction.
Who could have committed this awful
act?" was asked.
James Smith. the colored servant"
promptly replied DIR. Miller
search was then made for Smith, but
he was nowhere to be found.
That settles it." DR.. Miller reioinel.
me Is the man who murdered this inno-
| cent girl"
INsULTED TIE GIRL
DR.. Miller said also that on last FRIDAY
Smith had made advances to Marguerite.
De entered her chamber, and was en-.
gagged In cleaning her hair. Finally the
| brutal fellow seized her hand and tried
TO kiss her.
She Indignantly repellcd his advances,
when he attempted TO kiss her by force.
IF you don't stop this impudence."
she exclaimed, Z will call mother
A few minutes later Marguerite told
Mrs Drown what hal happened and Smith
was summoned before her. He was asked
what he meant by such outrageous conduct.
; Smith was penitent and tried to excuse
himself.
Mrs Drown, however. promptly discharg
ed the fellow from his service On the next
day. Saturday, Smith came to Seat Pleas.
ant viiia and pleaded to be re-empIoyed
py MIS- Drown- He promised to be circum-
spect In the future, and Mrs Drown re-
employed him against the protest of DR.
Miller and other friends.
The negro came back, as DR.. Miller said.
With lust and murder in his heart. DE-
Miller's words were propbetic. as Issr
nights horrible crime shows.
Dr. Brayshaw made an examination or
Marguerite this morning anddi scovered that
The nend had accomplished his purpose.
out not until he had nearly severed her head
from her body.
THE COUNTRY VILLA.
The scene of the tragedy is a beautiful
country villa on Ce ntral avenue, a road lead.
ing east from Benning station. The house
Is about four miles from Benning.
After drive over q winding, billy road.
with yellow dust shimmering 1 n the summer
sun, The Times reporters came up to tbs
house today. 1t is large mansion. win
three stories. counting the gable roof, w.h
It's quaint, reen-shuttered windows.
piazza. with q pale blue ceiling.
o1oh6 liC, boutuWebG corner 0I
the house and Introduces the visitor to the
ble-doored entrance to an old "a shioned
hallway.
At the other side two double-decked
verandas, also with pale blue ceilines-
mark the back OF the house
Cantaloupes and. tomatoes lay ripeniug
on boards this morning on these verandas.
THE ENVIRONMENT.
The house is white. The shutters ars
green and give it the air OF New Eng
land farmhouse rather than an old Mary
land mansion. A water barrel sat at the
corner OF the house. the slaves warpng in
the hot sun.
Behind the house the cornfields waved in
the hot breezes. The meadows browsed
beneath the sun. while down In front Of
the house the dusty road stretched toward
Benning, like great yellow serpent.
The house is on a hill, and the surround
ing territory may be seen for miles stretch.
ing in every direction. THE Monument, the
Capitol and the Soldiers Home are all
conspicuous objects against the western
horizon.
Once in the house one finds great spa
cious rooms, with ceilings a trifle low.
Folding doors and portieres lead from Que
room to another. Like the chambers In
summer villas, all the rooms ON the first
floor are parlors, where the rugs and art
squares can be easily removed for the
dance or party.
The rooms above are used exclusively as
bed cha mbers, and it was in the one at the
head of the stairs, on the second floor,
that the crime was committed.