Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-30
A MURDERER's CONFESSION.

James Smith, the negro who murder
ed Miss Marguerite Drown, in Prince
Georges county, Nd, Tuesday even
ing, and who was arrested by the Wash
ington police yesterday is held to await
the action of the Maryland authorities.
The Washington police refuse to deliy-
err him to the Maryland authorities
without the proper requisition papers.
These may be secured to-day from An
napolis aud the prisoner removed to
that State. But where ne will be taken
is not known. Deputy Sheriff Waring,
who represents the State, is reticent on
this point, and it is evident that he fears
for the safety of his prisoner when once
on Maryland soil. He will probably
be taken to Baltimore. According to
Smiths story, as he told it to the police,
he had been on terms of criminal init
macy with the murdered girl for some
time, and when this was found out the
girls foster mother discharged him and
had sharp quarrel with the girl. Re-
Gently Smith was taken back-all
this according to his own statement
on his promise that he would have
nothing more to say or do with the
girl, Miss Drown made similar prom.
ise. Smith says that Tuesday after
noon, when there was nobody upstairs
but Miss Drown, he went up to her
room and sought to renew the relations
that had formerly existed between
them. She grew angry with him and
ordered him out of the room. Dis
appointed and incensed at her
treatment of him, Smith jumped
toward her, and, catching her by
the neck, choked her severely.
Then leaving her lying on the floor,
the man descended to the kitchen and
picked up knife. 1t was sharp
kitchen knife that had been used for
pairing potatoes, and had very keen
edge. With this he returned to Miss
browns room and killed her. Miss
browns friends deny this statement.
At the inquest held yesterday in
Washington the jury was out about ten
minutes and brought in verdict charg-
ing Smith with the crime.
In order to spare the feelings of Mrs.
Drown the room was cleared of all but
the jury during her testimony. She
was almost overcome with grief. Smith,
she said, had always been a good ser
want, respectful and reliable. She told
how he had attempted to kiss the
young lady some days ago and how he
was afterward discharged. She had
taken him back on his promise to be-
have himself.
The doctor who performed the au.
topsy said that his examination of the
body showed that the girl first had
been knocked down and rendered I'M
conscious by a blow on the forehead;
that she had then been outraged, and
later killed by the severing of the wind
pipe and iugular vein.
Bland, Bryan and Lucy Garrett, col
ored witnesses, were taken to Upper
Marlboro to be held as witnesses, as
the sheriff refused to take their per-
sonal bonds, and bail could not be pro-
cured for them. 1t would never have
done to have taken Smith to Seat
Pleasant for the inquest. The people
about the place were so incensed that
thew would have torn him limb from
limb if possible. It is more than proba-
bile that he will be lynched as soon as
he is taken into Maryland.
Up to 8 O'Clock this evening no requi-
simon had been received in Washington
for Smiths return 10 Maryland.