Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-23
Farmer Marshall DangerouslyW Wound
ed by Unknown Colored Man.
THE SHOT MAY PROVE TO Be FATAL
Mr. Marshall Was on His Way to
Early Market.
SEARCH FOR HIS ASSAILANT

John D. Marshall. farmer who lives on
the Marlboro road about two miles east
of Forestville. was assaulted by an un-
known colored man near the west end of
the Pennsylvania avenue bridge about 3
O'Clock this morning. He received a small
bullet in his leg above the knee, and be-
cause of the nature of the wound it is
feared It may prove fatal. His condition
is thought to be quite serious, and this
afternoon the Y rays will be used in order
to determine the location of the bullet.
Just why the assailant should have used
his weapon on the farmer is rot known,
but it is thought that robbery his
motive. although no real attempt to rob
him WAS made. Mr.. Marshall only the
one man there, but it is believed there was
confederate near-perhaps several in the
party.
Mr. Marshall screamed for assistance
and his outcrieS, together with the appear
ance of Mr.. Bell, another farmer. fright
ened away the would-be highwayman and
his possible friends.
Between I and o'clock this morning
Mr.. Marshall left home with a load of
peaches. intending to dispose of them at
some stores in East Washington or about
the market in that section.
Arrived at Twining City.
1t about 5 o'clock when he reached!
Twinins City, and he stopped to give his
horse some water. He remained there
just long enough for the animal to drink.
and then his journey to the city was re-
Eewed. Crossing the bridge the farmer
could see the lights not only on the Penn
sylvania avenue bridge. but also those on
tho Anaoostia bridge, and in the city, and
hurried up to supply his early morning
trade.
Then his wagon had about reached the
city side of the AnacoStia river the driver
of the team a colored standing
near a tree. with cigar in his mouth. and
this reminded Mr.. Marshall that he too
might take a smoke, it would be com
pany for him.
get n light from the colored man, and
brir ging his team to standstill he called
to the stranger who stood beneath the
tree:
Won't you please give me a ma;ch?''
Yes. answered the approaching
the wagon. here's your match you =
- and he added Take that
Fi-ed at His Stomach.
AS he said this he grabbed Mr.. Marshall
by the leg and sent the bullet in the di-
rection of his stomach. The piece of lead
missed its mark. however, and entered
the left leg few inches above the knee.
The injured called for help, and
wagon in which Mr.. Bell, one of
his neishbcrs, was seated came rolling
over the bridge The colored man evil
IDENTITY saw the wagon, for he made no fur
ther effort to commit violence. He went
east In the direction of the bridge, and Mr.
Bell who saw him. thinks he went over
to Twining City. He saw no others about
there He hAarduthe screams of Mr.. Mar
shall. but did not realize that the roise
was made by man distress
The colored man did not run, bat walked
away, apparently unconcerned and as if
nothing had happened. His conduct was
probably what diverted suspicion and he
succeeded in getting away unmolested
When Mr.. Bell finally overlook his neigh
Dor and learned of his misfortune be did
all he could for the sufferer and assisted
him 10 reach the hospital Two policemen.
who also responded. did what they could
for the injured man In few minutes
Providence Hospital was reached and Mr.
Marshall was treated by DR.. Ramsburgh.
The doctor found the wound which ap-
peared to have been made by a 22-caliber
bullet, and there was nothing about it TO
indicate any particular danger
The patient was weak, however and very
pale, and he soon complained of pains in
his stomach. His condition led to the be-
lief that the bullet had DETECTED after get
ting beneath the skin and had passed up
into the abdomen Such a wound might
prove fatal 1t was evident that the bull
let had passed some distance through the
flesh. for it was impossible to locate it with
probe. and during the day every effort
was made TO get the patient in as good
condition as possible before the ravs
are used.
Ihe Victims Statement,
Mr. Marshall was seen in the hospital by
q Star reporter. and although very weak
ne was able to tell the story of his expert
cree on the road at early an hour this
morning. He says he saw the colored man
standing beneath the tree and thought he
would not object to giving him a match
His request, he said. constituted the only
remark he made to the man who shot him
he to4d OF the language used by the col
ored man. as already stated, and said thar
MS assaiiant held him by his leg when he
HieH ue shot The man, he said was of
tWthty-one years old. He is not certair,
that he will be able to Identify him.
The Assnssin Described.
Two policemen of the fifth precinct called
at the hospital early this morning and lis
TENED to the statement of the wounded
man They obtained from him as good 4
description of his assailant as he was able
10 give and notified the police in the other
precincts to be on the lookout for him.
Ihe team of the wounded man was .urn-
ed over to his brother, Mr. John O. Mar
shaH whp lives at 1874 Emerson street
northeast. and he disposed of the beaches
marshall has a wife and three children
MIS- Marshall, who was notified OF The as
sault. reached here early in IN, dav ar,d
eaiied at the hospital to see her husband
SdALihs the apparently serious condition
oi the farmer the police are exertinc Them
serves on the case, and IL Is likely that sew
erai arrests on suspicion will be. made he
fore Sundown. ~
AS soon as Inspector Mattingly heard of
tne sHootins ne assigned two detectives to
the case with instructions to do AN in ,bair
power 10 capture the fuyifiya