Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-24
NEARLY A TRAGEDY
Narrow Escape Of Mr.. Howe Totem
This Morning.
HIS CALLER WAS ARMED
Leonidas Schoofey, the AssaiIant, in
a Station Cell.
Elk EXPLANATION LACKING

There came near being tragedy enacted
in the office of Colonel Enoch Totten, in
the Columbia law building, on 9Th street
northwest, opposite the city hall, this morn
ing. and the cries of 'police!' attracted a
crowd of several hundred people, including
a score of policemen and as many lawyers
and clerks from the city hall and District
building. When the crowd arrived the doors
were closed, and only few persons were
admitted. None of the parties to the affair
would give any definite story of why Leoni-
das Schoofey had drawn a loaded revolver
on Howe Totten. who is associated in bust
ness with his father 1t is fact, how
ever that he did draw the weapon and
was pressing it against Totten's stomach
when parties in the office reached the room
in response to cries of help" The affair
caused considerable excitement and the
mystery surrounding the affair only added
interest to the case. When Star reporter
reached the scene Mr.. Howe Totten was
having a talk with Miss Willie Lonsdale
who is a sister-in-law of Schoofey's, while
the man who had been diSarmed was IN
custody of Precinct Detective Hartigan and
Sergeant Hamilton.
II do not care to say anything about the
affair."" said Mr.. Schoofey. I'VE had trou-
will give you"
Afterward he said: 1--WE had personal
troubles about money Matters
Behind the Bars.
There was nothing about the room "a
that time to indicate that there had been
much of a struggle. There were a few
books on the floor and the velvet cape
worn by Miss Lonsdaie was OH one desk,
while her parasol, purse, package of
papers and a linen handkerchief were on
snother. More than half an hour elapsed
tItN a1,p ter.
sault was taken to the sixth police station
after visit to police headquarters, and
he wanted to conceal his identity as far
as possible by giving his name Frank
Black, but this he was not permitted to
do -Four cartridges were taken from his
pocket in addition to those that were in
the pistol, ard lie was locked up. He sent
a dispatch to ex-Representative Franklin
Bartlett of New York asking him TO come
here from New York at once, as he was
In deep trouble. 1t is stated that he was
Mr. Bartletts secretary at the time the
New Yorker was in Congress.
The Visit.
1t was learned that when Mr. Schoofey
called at the law building Miss Ionsdale
was with him. Appearing at the office
door he inquired: rs Mr.. Totten in?"
Which Mr. Totten do you mean:" asked
Mr.. j. S. Flannery, who is associated in
business with Mr.. Totten. DO you mean
the cclonel?"
mo, SIR was Mr.. Schoofey's response
Il mean young Mr.. Totem"
Mr.. Howe Totem was reading over some
testimony at the time, and putting aside
his work he led the man and young woman
into mis- private office. Totten went first
and was followed by Miss Lonsdaie, School,
ley bringing up the rear. He pulled the
door to as he entered, and this excited
the suspicious of those who We're seated in
the office, and when the lock clicked one
OF them remarked. That won't do
Mr.. Schoofey was very much excited
when he appeared at the Office and one
OF these who saw him said he detected the
odor Of liquor en- his breath. 1t was be-
cause of his condition that something
wrong was suspected. There was a short
conversation inside the room, ard presently
SchoCfey's voice could be heard above those
OF the young lady ana the young attorney.
You're liar" Schoofey was heard to
say and an instant later he shouted, 'Then
I'll kill you"
Broke the Door. {
Two young attorneys. J. S. Flannery and
w. c. johnson, with Paul Hines, the base
ball player ard ]. H. Cathen who were
in the main room. thereupon broke open
the door. When these gentlemen entered
Schoofey had his thirty eigft-caliber re-
Volver pressed against Totteu's stomach.
while the latter was holding it in a man
her to prevent its berg used. Mr. Elan
merry and Mr.. Johnson seized Schoofcy
wine MI. hines ana Mr. Cathell wreStad
the weapon from him. Detective Hart!gan
came in almost Immediately, and placed
Schoofey under arrest
At the Station.
This afternoon Star reporter called on
the prisoner at the police station, and
found Miss Lonsdale talking to him
through the bars. Schoofey repeated his
statement that the trouble was about
money matters, but afterward stated that
he was only 'jollying.'' He declared that
Miss Lonsdale had nothing whatever to do
with the affair, and that she only happen
ed to be with him accidentally Col. Tot
ten, his son and Mr.. Johnson were also at
the station. The prisoner IS well known
about tie Capitol, where, /: IS said, he did
some newspaper work, in addition to being
Rt preventative Bartletts secretary
1t was stated this afternoon that Miss
Lcnsdale really had no connection with
the affair other than being present Bond
may be given this afternoon for Schoofey's
aupearapce