Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-20
Edmonia Jackson's Life Taken in an
Alley Tenement.
EDWARD MITHACCUSED OF THECRIME
The Body Kept in ConceaIment
Since Monday Last.
CASH ACROSS HER THROAT


thirty-three years old. whose husband.
James Jackson, is serving time in Jail for
carrying concealed weapons and assault,
was brutally murdered in the house where
she lived, No. 1914 Madison alley north
west, Monday night, though the crime was
not discovered until yesterday evening. A
Ratchet was the weapon used and terri
BILE cash across. her throat had evidently
produced death almost instantly. Edward
Smith, colored. forty-seven years old, who
had caused trouble in the Jackson family.
is under arrest charged with the murder.
and although he makes a denial of the
charge, Precinct Detective Hartigan is sat
isfied that the circumstantial evidence OBJ
tanned is sufficient to fix the crime on
him.
Smith, who had been intoxicated for sew
eral days, called the attention Of the po-
lice to the case last evening and was imme-
diately locked up.
There was slight fire in the house the
day after the murder was committed and
Smith had been seen in the house only
few minutes before the blaze was discov-
cred. For this reason it is inferred that
the man had sought to burn the dwelling
to hide his crime. The woman's body was
found on the bed in the prisoners room.
Her own room on the second floor had been
ranSacked, and. it is believed was robbed
and additional offense is charged against
Smith
Yesterday afternoon the police at head
quarters were told that coloPed woman
named Jackson was missing. Very little
attention was paid to the report because
the woman who made it was well known
and had made many groundleSs complaints
before. Later Edward Smith called at the
sixth precinct station and inquired for De-
tective Hartigan. Smith was at the time
under the influence of liquor Hartigan
was not in. and the colored man went
away.
Wanted Shrewd Detective.
He returned again about o'clock, how
ever, ana inquired for the officer.
Il want a good. shrewd detective" he
said, land Mr.. Hartigan's my man."
The officer in charge of the station re-
ferred Smith to another officer, but this
did not satisfy him, and he went away
after saying he had an important case on
hand. Being unable to find the detective
Smith met Policeman Cox on the street
about O'Clock and told him there was
dead woman in his house: Smiths con-
dition was such that the policeman thought
1t was hardly necessary to make an inves-
tigation, but to satisfy himself about the
statement he went to the house There
was a sckening odor coming from the
front room on the ground floor. and this
satisfied the officer that Smiths state
mert was correct.
The doors We're locked and the window
shutters closely fastened. Inc curtain was
also drawn. A small boy was called. and,
with his assistance. the door opened,
Policeman Mansfield being in the mean
time summoned from the station.
When a light was made the police saw
a most CHASTITY sight. There was an open
cash in the womans throat Her body
was resting across the bed, the head hang
ing over the side. On the floor was tbs
Ratchet, which revealed how the crime
bad been committed.
What is this woman's body doing here
in your roon? asked one of the officers,
turning to Smith.
He had nothing to say in reply. He turn
ed from the horrible sight and, in charge
of the officers, was returned to the sta
ton.
Hartigan Gets to Work.
Precinct Detective Hartigan was then
called in and he started to work collecting
evidence in the case.
About year ago Smiths wife died and
he took room in the fiat in Madison alley
James Jackson and his wife occupied a
room on the upper floor, but used the kitch-
en- on the ground floor adjoining Smiths
apartment Smith. it appeared, began
paying Jacksons wife so much attention
that the house proved to be too small for
both of them, and about five months ago
the men engaged in a fight. Because of
this row the men were arrested and sent to
Jail. Wednesday afternoon of last week
Smith was released from Jail and he re-
turned to the Madison alley house. Ed
monia jackson was there to meet him and
afterward spent most of her time in his
room. Smith objected to Edmonia's visit
ing her husband. but she continued her
trips to the jail, begun before Smith was
liberated. Monday afternoon friend
named Martha Williams accompanied her
there. They returned shortly before dark
1t is said Smith took Edmonia to task for
having gone down there contrary to his or
ders Martha Williams says her friend had
considerable money in her pocketbook at
this time, for she saw it.
Visits the House.
A witness was also found who said the
prisoner had visited the house Wednesday
after the murder.
HE opened the front door and entered"
this witness ted the officer land then he
opened the shutters and looked out. He
closed them again, and few minutes later
he left the house"
Edmonia Jackson had rot been seen about
the alley since her return from jail Monday
afternoon, ard Martha Williams had made
inquiries of Smith concerning her where
ahouts.
She'll be home tonight" he told her
Thursday, but If you will go to 11l5 llth
street you will see her."
Martha went to the house, but Edmonia
had not been employed there and when she
told Smith the next day that she had gone
In search or her, he said he had made a
mistake in the number.
Yesterday she spoke to him again, and,
in a surprised tone, he answered:
why, Edmcnia's home; didn't you see
ker?'
II Gid not" Martha answered.
YES" he added, "she came home and
was asking about YOU
The Fire Incident.
The finding of the body recalled the fire
incident of Tuesday afternoon. When
smoke was discovered coming from the
house. neighbors went in and found that
the fire had started in a closet in the kitch-
en-, and only a thin partition separated the
woman's body from the fire. Smith, it is
stated, had left the house only about five
minutes before the fire was discovered 1t
is said he went to Rafferty's saloon to get
a drink. messenger sent to tell him about
the fire received the response: D. the
fire; none Of my things amt burning
AS 1t happened, the fire was extinguished
without mourning the necessity of going
in the front room.
When all this had been learned Detective
Hartigan proceeded to the woman's room
on the second floor, only to find that trunks
bureau drawers and tables had been ram