Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-05
GETTING THE FACTS
Inquest Held Over Remains of Chas.
E. Arnold.
TESTIMONY OF THE WITNESSES
Deceased Said to Have minated
Intention to Commit Suicide.
BURIAL To OCCUR TOMORROW

BURIAL To OCCUR TOMORROW
Today at noon Coroner Carr held an in
quest in the case of Charles T.. Arnold,
the special delivery messenger boy whose
dead body. with a pistol. dime novel ard
whisky flask rear it, found in the
White Lot carly yesterday morning, as pub
Iished in yesterdays Star. Several wit
nesses were examined. among them COM
paniors of the deceased. 1t was apparent
to the nIi2ds CT the jury that it was a
of suicide. and verdict to this eff
feet was rendered.
Ehysicinn's Testimony.
Dr. Juenemann of the Emergency Hos
pital was the first witness examined. He
testified that he was called to the White
Lot about 6:25 O'Clock yesterday morning
and found that death had taken place at
least two hours before. The wound may
have been inflicted five six hours before
he was called. Asked if he thought the
case was one of suicide, he said he could
not tell. The dead boys nose was bruised
ard there a bullet wound in his right
temple. So far as he knew. he admitted.
the body may have been brought there
from some other place and dropped on the
grass The body had been disturbed by
the police before he arrived He saw no
pool of blood the grass. nor did he look
tSor blood. The officers were about to re-
move the body and he made no investiga-
ton Witness thought that the fact OF
the wound being in the right temple and
the weapon having heen held close to the
head made the suicide theory plausible.
Policeman Austin, VINO went to the lot
and found the body, after his attention had
been called to it. said there was stream
of laqfl f~SU1 no tn ninf
several inches from the head. 1t was his
idea that the young man was lying on the
ground when the shot was fired. TIE leaves
or the grass about where the body dis
covered were undisturbed. and it was his
opinion that the deceased had fired the
shot. Witness produced the pistol. whisky
flask and dime novel found on the grass
rear the body, and explained the positions
in which they were found. He was certain
the weapon could have been discharged by
Arnold and then dropped.
At the Tbeuter.
William Wagner 1af2 Sth street north
west testified that Wednesday night he
was at kernan's Theater. and ne had
seat behind Arnold. Witness was Ii little
late getting in. and Arnold turned 10 him
and said: You're too late 10 set a drink"
Arnold. he said. told him that he had a
bottle of whisky. and he had paid dollar
a pint for il. Witness intimated that he
did not believe him. and Arnold then offered
to bet him that what he said was true.
and said he could take him out on 11th
street and find tie bottle Witness said he
vas more interested in the show than he
was in betting, and refused TO 60 Arnold.
he said. then told him he would treat and
ordered beer.
Did Arnold appear to be under the in
fuerce of Iiquor?'' the coroner inquired
No. sir. answered witness; so far as 1
know he only had two beers
Witness said he knew that Arnold had
money. but did not know the amount.
Wallace Morgan companion Of the de-
ceased testified that he met Arnold near
Rhode Island avenue and 18th street about
o clock Wednesday. and started down the
city with him. They soon met a young
man named Peake. whom Arnold called
aside and asked to buy something for him.
They separated and Peake soon returned
and gave Arnold something.
It's Il -" Peake said to him. BE
careful with it, for they have my name and
it may cause trouble if anything happens.
Then Arnold again asked him to buy him
something. He (Peakel went away and re-
turned with bottle of whisky. Witness
told of their visit to the theater. and said
that the flask found On the lot was not the
one Arnold had Wednesday night. The
bottle was carried by witness part of the
tine. Arnold told him that he (ArnoldJ
had been discharged. and said he going
to New York and get a good job Witness
begged him to go home, but he refused
Arnold gave witness 10 cents for car fare
When they separated Arnold said goodbye,
and promised to write TO him He told wit
. ness he would answer his letters and would
send him money If he ever needed it,
Asked why he DID not go 10 the depot
with Arnold, he said the latter would not
let him CO.
bought the Pistol for Him.
James A. Peake. 12l5 18th street. testified
that Wednesday night ne met Arnold on
the street
81 bought the gun for him. said witness.
What did he say?" the coroner inquired.
He told me ne was going on bicycle
rice 10 Baltimore.
Witness was asked what he knew of the
dead man. and ne said he never knew him
to drink Wednesday night. he said. Ar
mold had a flask OF whisky in his pocket
aH.i ne asked witness to take a drink but
he refused to do so.
when We separated, said Witness ar
mold said to me: Here's a quarter; 90 get
yourself a drink, for / may never see you
any more
That was the last witness saw of him.
Asked if he knew Of any reason why Ar
mold should have taken his life. witness
salo Arnold had told him he had had some
transaction with High School girl and
that she had gone back on him. The wit
ness thought this had made him despon-
dent he did not know the name of The
g1ri. but he had seen her standing on the
corner of 9Th and streets MANY after
moons talking TO Arnold.
Ne hask found near the body witness
him a drink from. but he had not accented
u The label on the flask showed that IT
mad come from Costellos, on 10th street.
but juror said he knew that Mr. Costello
Gtes not sell to boys. Witness said he did
not buy whisky for Arnold Wednesday
night. but he had bought liquor for him on
previous occasiCrs. He repeated that he
bought the pistol because Arnold said he
was going On a bicycle trip to Baltimore
and again denied that he boush. whisky fer
him Wednt sday.
Ernest Harding. friend IF the deceased
testified that he met Arnold on the street
about. noon Monday. and that Arnold want
ed To borrow 80. He pleaded for the loan
OF the money, and said if he didn't get IL
something would happen. Arnold added:
Il don't like 10 go home without any
money
Witness said he had known of Arnold's
borrowing money from other boys. On one
occasion he borrowed 81 and paid IS for ii
the following pay day.
Other Witnesses.
Special Officer Harry Hand told the Jury
the part he took in the investigation. and
j. b. Baker testified that he heard the shot
fired about twelve minutes after 11so'clock