The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-16

Mr. Canty- holding the revolver IN MS
hand. started to walk ont in the street
as the crowd began to gather. and when
approached by an eyewitness said:
''Oh. never mind. I'm not going 90 run
away and stood while the crowd was
gathering around him until the officer
placed him under arrest.
Another Version.
Another story Of the affair is that when
MI Rye approached Mr. "anty ne held
in his hand an open knife. with which he
had threatened him on the previous day.
and that Mr.. Canty, to defend himself |
drew his revolver and fired. 1t is said
that the knife was seen to drop from the
wounded mans hand as he was ricked up.
bat the man who claims that he was the
first TO go 10 the aid Of Mr.. t-ye says
that he saw no knife A number of other
eye-witHesses also say that they saw no
knife, but the gentleman with whom Mr..
Canty was talking just a few seconds
prior to his meeting Rye claims that Rye
was the agEressor, and came across the
street with the open knife in his hand. as
though TO attack Mr. Canty. When he
drew close enough to become dangerous
Nir. Canty. without word. drew his re-
volver and fired. paused, then fired three
more shots as rapidly as he could pun
The rrigger Of his self-actng revolver.
Shortly after the tragedy a man handed
The policeman on the beat a new clasp
knife with a hve-inch blade, which he
said he found open near the corner Of the
Elbitt House, and this weapon is in the
possession of the police.
At the morgue the body Of the dead
man was searched and a diamond stud
taken from his tie and Sl07.09 in money
found in his pockets. No weapons were
found upon him.
Particulars Hard TO Get.
1t was only a few moments after q
O'Clock when all the clerks from the
business houses and the departments in
the Vicinity were going out for their noon
day lunch thar the shooting occurred, but
up 10 late hour in the afternoon crowds
remained about the corner discussing the
affair, and many persons who had heard
OF the homicide gathered there 10 Try and
learn further particulars. At first every
one was willing TO talk about the affair.
but after the excitement had died down
but few could be found who had seen
any E'a4 4 u Al4E AIGBE2A ana WOulQ Ialk
about il. The employees Of the Western
Union Telegraph Company rushed out of
the building at the sounds of the shots.
and several messenger boys who were
standing outside were eye-witnesses. 9th
er persons who were standing near took
fright and sought places Of safety, and
the man who was nearest the two men
when Mr. Canty drew his revolver ran
hastily across the street and was so bad
ly frightened that he was unable 10 tell
anything OF the occurrence after it was
over Lieut.. Amiss and Sergt Moore of
the First Precinct, were among those to
arrive quickly upon the scene, and they
circulated among the throng. followed by
a curious crowd, gathering evidence and
taking The names of witnesses They
made an Intellectual attempt to find any
one who had seen a knife fall from the
wounded mans hands or anyone who had
seen such a weapon.
Many women were passing along the
street al the time, and one was very
close 10 the two men when the shooting
began, but they exhibited less curiosity
than the men, and hurried away as soon
as they learned the cause for the gath
ering 0f the crowd.
IN the brokers offices along + Street
ana in that vicinity the news of the affair
created intense excitement. as both men
were well known in all the offices. and
most or the employees Of the places aban-
dOnsd their work TO hasten TO the scene
OF the shooting. Most Of them knew of
the trouble between the two men. and as
both are well liked only expressions of
-17.-
heard.
Cause OF the Trouble.
The cause of the trouble. as explained
by some OF the brokers. was a promissory
note given by Canty TO Rye al the time
Of the failure Of his firm for an amount
sin due, according 10 Ryes calculations.
Rye disposed Of the note and IL after
wards went 10 protest. Since that time
n has been worrying Canty about the
amount. and on Monday demanded the
money on the plea that he was going 20
return 10 New York There was quar-
rel between the men. Rye charging that
CaHty had caused him to lose thousands
Of dollars
Sro"ln@ more aggressive as his temper
rose. il is said he backed Canty against
The wan and, drawing d knife held him
there and made threats upon his life
Canty acted or this occasion as an un-
armed man would when threatened by an
armed man. and after Rye had partly ex-
hausted his wrath walked out of his Of
fee. and was followed 10y Rye. who con-
tiuued his TRADE Of abuse upon the street
and said that he would let Canty know
what he thought about him every time
they met I'm the streets.
The news Of this quarrel gained wide
circulation, and very many persons who
did not know the principals very well had
heard Of the difficulty, and were keeping
q close watch on the men to note the
possible outcome.
Mr. Cauty is "a large man. dresses fash
ionably. and is considered quite hand
some. 4e was dressed in a black frock
coat of fashionable cut yesterday and
wore silk hat He is almost forty.
and has a wife. who Is confined 10 her
home by Illness. lis partner in ihe firm
which failed was Herman Van Scnden
formerly private secretary 10 ex-Secre-
iary Carlisle 0I Kentucky
Mr- Rye was also well known in this
city and especially along T Street. as he
was q large dealer IN the various stocks.
and has made some successful specula-
tions. lie was born in Arkansas about
Is54 He was married, and his eldest son. a
E8uul man sfg0..r ry-clr W 7v,-a z-..ars old