New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-26
BOLD CRIMES AT KEY WEST.
TWO BRUTAL MURDERS COMMITTED ON
TUESDAY NIGHT.
DIsoRDERLY AND CRIMINAL ELEMENT IN Pos
SESSION OF THE TowN-MARTIAL LAW
LIKELY 10 RE DECLARED

SESSION OF THE TowN-MARTIAL LAW
LIKELY TO BE DECLARED.
Key West Fla May 25-Key West is suffering
from a reign Of terror. Two murders
mitted last night, and the best citizens feel that
unless the town Is promptly put under martial law
a state OF riot may prevail at any moment. The
police force consists OF three men, with grievances
Of their own. and the streets and grogshops be-
ing infested with negroes and roughs Of many
classes. the danger the respectable classes II
great. In consequence OF last nights bloodshed
Commander Forsythe has already asked for .
guard OF twenty-five marines TO protect the naval
station and Government dock, and strong efforts
being made by citizens 10 have martial law
declared.
While William Carnc a the auxiliary
gunboat Morrill,. and Vladimir Ichnitsk, a Russian
sailor. OF another gunboat. sitting in Cuban
coree-shop last night Charles Kitchen. a negro.
approached. bearing rifle his shoulder. and
without a word OF warning aimed 1t at the sailors
and fred. One sho, struck the Russian in the
back Of the neck. innicting a wound from which
he died at the hospital few hours later. second
shot grazed Carne's forehead AS the latter leaped
TO his feet the negro closed in upon him and beat
him the head with the butt OF his rife until he
broke the stock OF the weapon and the sailor lay
senseless. The crowd that witnessed the ARRAY
made attempt TO interfere and Kitchen escaped
Sheriff Knight organized a posse and spent the
night in pursuit OF Kitchen He found in a
escaped through the house and had not been
captured up TO 10 o'clock this morning. The exact
cause OF the shooting is uncertain, but II is said
10 have been actuated by Kitchens jealousy OF his
negro wife.
The victim OF the SECOND crime was John j. Dor.
sey. reputable machini:t. OF Manatee. Fla. about
ffty-hvo years old He found dead early this
morning in a vacant lot the Key West Hotel
There were boodstains on his head and bruises on
his face and neck. Dorsey man of family.
and owned orange grove al Manatee. His son
is an oiler on the Marblehead and he himself came
here and secured Government job. He was paid
of yesterday and after settling his board bill had
8 or IS in his possession. After a lively drink
ing bout in few yards from the lot
where his body found Dorsey left the place
He was followed by Charles Wallace. coachnan
and leader OF the Bottle Gang" organization
Of young Key West toughs Nothing more was
seen OF the two men until the body found this
morning with the money gone. Wallace was soon
afterward arrested.
The employees Of the hotel say they heard a shot.
and a revolver with chamber empty was found
on Wallace He denied any knowledge OF the
killing. but said the Sheriff: You needn't be
afraid the old shot He was choked to
death" Further examination or the BODY showed
that this probably true.
The municipal conditions here are grotesqu~
They first became manifest soon after the arrival
here OF two companies OF the colored 18th Infantry
One Of these soldiers became involved In shoot
ing affair on the street and lodged In the
county jail Half an hour later body OF his COM
rades with rifles. marched on the jail and forcioly
liberated him. the Sheriff being powerless to pre-
vent them from doing So
There are several free-and-easy saloons mere.
crowded night after night with tackles" and with
rowdlss OF all classes One night this week a gen.
eral fight occurred in one OF these taverns botties
and billiard balls were sent crashing tnrouHn
glass doors and mirrors and no less than TOUT
Sailors suffered broken heads. The police force q
three men the whole AFFAIR. but or course couio
Within the last month three so-called peace
ruardians'' have resigned Office. complaining that
they have long been paid in city scrip at the rate
Of only $50 per month. which is discounted az one,
half Three new policemen were obtained, ana
these now show signs OF rebellion declaring ina!
they are suffering under like disadvantages ana
will resign , . ,L..o Ma h..r
much talk OF martial law for the town but no
steps 10 this end were taken. There Is little DOUBT
now however that martial law VIII soon De
fact. 49,, ...s 80, O..
the iail tonight and demanded the murderer OF
Carne whom they intended 10 lynch. The Sherin
alked them out OF II. however. few minutes
later another mob appeared at the gates OF the
Jail This crowd was not so easily mollined. ana
thsy promptly told Sheriff knight that they would
have the man they sought or make trouble After
pareying a few minutes with the rlngleaders. Mr..
knight permitted delegation OF three TO go
through the jail This delegation failed TO find the
their companions the crowd dispersed