Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-18
SEEKS SAFETY IN FLIGHT
Brilliant Engagement Played With the
Street as Stage.
Louis OcchcOnOrO Frightened at His
Own Act-EGects Of the Discharge
OF Pistol.


his livir sharpening knives and scissors
the Emergency Hospital came near max
ing a case for either the hospital or the
coroner this morning. Joseph Anderson. a
small colored boy, who is better known as
Pcmpey,' the Italians intended victim,
was fully satisfied that a leaGen bullet
had entered his body when he saw a pis-
tol i'm Louis hand, and heard the report
when the trigger was pulled.
Being of this opinion. he fell 10 the side
walk, Strengthened out his legs and await
ed removal in an ambulance. Presently it
dawned upon him that perhaps he had net
teen shot, for there was TO blood seen or
felt. and he regained mis- feet in time TO
discover the scissors grinder making good
time toward hiding place.
Clarence Hill, another colorei boy, and
several friends of his size and color were
about the scene of the shooting. and when
these boys started In pursuit of the flee
ing Italian pedestrians who witnessed the
foot race were satisfied there was but lit
tie chance of escape for Kim. II his pur-
suerj had been mea there would have occn
less certainty. but with many small
boys following HIM it was evident that
his capture would be effected in a short
time.
Crowd lncrcnxes.
When Louis reached III. street he turn
ed north, passing the power house and
crossing Pennsylvania avenue. 1t now
locked as if he were making an ercrt TO
escape violence at the hands of his pur-
sueis rather than to get out of the way of
the police. As he turned into 18th street
The cries of police and 'catci. him. had
attracted others. including men and boys
of both colors. and when he crossed +
street at the intersection of 18th the crowd
had increased to hundreds.
Reaching G street 1enio.r scissors
grinder boarded an lexington and Soldiers
Home horse car, and this accepted by
The bystanders as ample evidence that lie
was not trying 10 get away, but Was
seeking place of safety.
Detective Frank Helan, who was attract
ed to the car by the crowd deprived Louis
of his liberty and took MIN to police head
quarters to record his name and take steps
TO get at the facts.
Before the Inspector.
Taken before Inspector Mattingly, the
prisoner, who was very much excited and
who could scarcely make himself under
stood, endeavored to tell his side of the
affair. The mention of a pistol surprised
him, but afterward he said he would tell
the truth, and added:
Italian seldom tell lie
He informed the inspector that he had
trouble with some boys. and finally admit
ted that he had fired with something that
he tried to describe as pop-gun. He had
no idea of shooting the boys, but only
wanted to scare them.
Where's the pistoi?" he was asked.
His response was that he did not know.
He had thrown it away. he said, but just
where he did not remember.
After his name had been recorded he was
taken to the Police Court. and Detective
Helan had the case continued until next
week, in order to give time to make full
investigation of the affair.
Before he left headquarters with his
prisoner the colored boy, "Pompey," and
several on his companions appeared to en-
ter complaint. "Pompey' charged that
Oocheonero had shot at him, and said that
he was on Ohio avenue catching ball with
Clarence Hill, when the latter threw the
bail with all his strength, and he PompeyD
vas unable to stop it. The consequence
was that the sphere rolled in the yard in
front of the house of the prisoner, and
this seemed to anger him.
"Pompey'' Was Afraid.
Il was afraid to go in the yard when /
saw how he looked at me-" said the hoy.
land L stopped at the gate. When L
asked Mr.. Louis to give me the bail he
came out and said he'd kill me if 1 came in
there
The boy said he was standing near the
gate and that Louis came out with a board
ard struck him.
And 1 threw stone at him in self-de-
fense," he admitted.
TEel ii was, said the colored boy, that
he went in the house and came out with the
pistol.
'Pompey" said when he heard the report
OF the pistol he fell beside the fence and
thought he had been shot When he real
lied that the bullet had not struck him
be jumped up and ran after the man who
had fired the shot.
None of the boys knew where Louis had
thrown the revolver, but they volunteered
TO do some detective work and went 10
make search for it.