Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-20
Lovelace Brown, Colored Farmer,
Shoots His Son to Death.
TEE Two HADPaEVIOUSLY QUhRRELED
Brown Arestedby Alexandra Police
and Lodged in Station.
GENERAL AND PERSONAL
Evening Star Bureau.
$40 King Street.
Bell Telephone 1O6,


ALEXANDRIA, Va, january 20, 1898.
News reached this city shortly after Z
O'Clock last night that a horrible murder
had been committed at Gum Spring. in
Fa1rfax county, about six miles south of
this city, at ten minutes past o'clock yes
terday afternoon, when a well-known col
ored farmer named Lovelace Brown shot
and almost instantly killed hts son, De-
hcious Brown, with a revolver. The bullet
struck young Brown just below the heart
and he only lived fifteen minutes.
From what can be learned of the affair, it
appears that father and son had a quarrel
during the afternoon over some trivial mat
ter, and Brown. senior, claims that the son
struck him on the head with a stick, in
ficting painful wound. At any rate, 1t
appears from the meager facts learned Of
the affair that the father Immediately went
to his home nearby. where he procured a
revolver and started after his son. who was
at that time working on-the road opposite
the blacksmith shop of a man named
George Bartles. On his way to where his
son was working. it is said. Brown fired
the revolver off once to test it's shooting
qualities and to see that 1t was in condi-
ton to do the deadly work that he contem-
plated
Arriving at the place where his son was
at work, and before those near by realized
what he was about to do, he raised the re-
velver to a level, took deliberate aim and
tired. His son dropped to the ground and
those who were working with him rushed
to his side picked him up and carried him
into the blacksmith shop and sought to
make him comfortable, but he was beyond
the power of human aid, and in fifteen min
utes he died.
Brown then got on his horse and rode off
in the direction of his home. On the way
he was met by gentleman from this city,
VINO told The Star reporter of the shoot
WI m RI mot ict 10 how,
mentioned This gentleman had heard the
shot, he said, and asked Brown If he had
been shooting rabbits. Mo- responded
Brown. 81 have just shot and killed my
son.. He struck me on the head with a
stick" Brown, it Is said. appeared per-
fectly cool and talked of the shooting in a
don't care" way.
Alexandria Police Summoned.
About T:30 o'clock Superintendent Dodge
of Mount Vernon, who is justice of the
peace, telephoned to police headquarters
in this city aad asked that an officer be
sent down tf1epe to arrest Brown and take
him to Alexandria for Imprisonment. Ser
geant Smith, who was on duty, secured
permission from Mayor Simpson to go,
and, accompanied by Officer knight. he
went at once to the scene of the shooting.
On arriving al Nero Post Office the Off
GERS found j. Owen Kirby, J. p, and
crowd of excited PEOPLE discussing the af
geant Smith 10 make the arrest. and he,
with Officer Knight, went to Browns house.
They found him at home. Sergeant Smith
raped at the door and Brown answered
him and asked what he wanted Upon be-
ing told his -errand Brown Immediately
opened the tfupr and the officers entered
without resistance. and Brown was placed
under arrest and brought to this city, JUS
tice Kirby having in the meantime made
out q warrant. u. l5n
The oH1csrs reached Alanandria with the
prisoner about II O'CLOCK. +
When Brown was seen by a Star reporter
he at first refused ottalk of the shooting,
and said his lawyers would have to be
consulted on the subject Finally, how
ever, he stated that his son had struck
him and knocked him down three times
with a board and that he had shot in self
defense, not intending to shoot to kill. He
did not show any grief at his sons death,
nor did he express any sorrow at the shoot
ing.
Browns Version of the Affair.
To Officer Knight Brown said he went
after his son to get SO with which to pay
some taxes on his farm, and that his son
said to him, in anger:
eff you don't let me alone, G. d you,
I will kill you
Afterward he said, the son had struck
him three four times with board, and
he had been compelled to shoot in self-de-
Tense.
Brown was locked up at police head
quarters, to be held for the Fairfax au-
thorities, and will be sent to the Jail at
Fairfax Court House, where his trial will
take place.
Both of the Browns. so far as can be
learned, have always borne good reputa-
tons, and the elder is seemingly prosper
Gus. He owns small farm.
The son leaves widow. Brown says his
plea will be self-defense. and that he will
engage Mr.. John M. johnson of this city
and Mr.. r. Walton Moore of Fairfax to
defend him.
Sudden Death.
Mr.. Middleton Davis, a well-known car
penter, died suddenly at his home in the
third ward yesterday morning. Mr. Davis
served during the civil war in a Georgia
regiment.
Lee Camp Banquet.
The banquet of R. E. Lee Camp, Confed-