Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-14
SUSPECTED aoF MURDER
Two Colored Men Make Desperate strug-
gle forsLiberty.
A Lively Fight With Detectives-Do
Not TallyfWith the Men They
Were SUPPOSED to BE.

Peter Mickens and Abraham Lee, colored.
from Virginia, were arrested last night by
Detectives Lacy and Herndon on suspicion
that they were the murderers of Rabbi
Louis Ginsburg at Binghamton, N. Y, on
the 4th OF this month. The men were land
cd behlnd the bars after desperate strug-
gle, during which somebody would prob
ably have been killed had not the weapons
OF Detective Lacy and the prisoner Mick
ems missed fire. After the men were taken
to police headquarters and their statements
were heard the officers were satisfied that
the prisoners were not the men wanted for
the murder. Inspector Boardman received
a card from Sheriff Wales of Binghamton
last night offering a reward of $500 for the
arrest of Robert Russell for the fatal stab
bling of the rabbi and 500 for the capture
of Robert Wade, an alleged accessory to
the crime. This circular was read to the
detectives at their o'clock meeting. Shortly
afterward Detectives Herndon and Lacy
received information that two strange col
ored men answering the descriptions given
of the men wanted in New York were stop
ping in house in Marble alley, south of
Pennsylvania avenue between AZ and 9th
streets.
1t was about II o'clock when the officers
went to the house to arrest the men.
Details of the Encounters.
The room occupied by them was visited,
and after the usual ceremony of announc-
ing they were officers, the detectives and
others entered. There was no disposition
shown by the occupants to surrender, and
rush was made to take them. Mickens,
who was lying on the bed in the little attic
room, picked up an old revolver and snap
ped 1T at Detective Lacy. The latter did
likewise with his pistol, but neither was in
working order, and no one was injured.
About the time the officers pistol was ex-
n w
climbed over brick wall and made his
way to the Baltimore and Potomac depot.
Lee did not show fight until he reached the
street. Then he struggled with Detective
Herndon and slightly injured the latter's
back.
Neither Meets Descriptions.
Both prisoners were taken to police head
quarters this morning, where they were in
tervtewed by Inspector Boardman.
The descriptions of the men do not tally
with the descriptions given of the men
wanted in New York. According to their
statements, they came here on an excursion
from Rapidan, Va. Lee, who is native of
North Carolina, and has worked In Dan
Vile, says he came here to work. Mickens
says that he belongs near Barboursville
Va, where he owns a small farm. Since
the death of his wife, four years ago, he
has worked on farms and in brickyards.
The police are satisfied that the prisoners
are countrymen whose conduct was the re-
suit OF fright. inspector Boardman has
telegraphed to Virginia for Information
about the men before deciding what action
he will take.
II was scared pretty nigh unto DEATH"
Mickens said tor a Star reporter. when I
went into dat houss5 de man promised me
a quiet night sleep, but, man, when dose
big men canned In dhr bout midnight with
a lamp I didn't know what kind a place
was in. My pistol was on de fio and I
grabbed 1t, butiI was scared dat 1 fell
out de window and went over to de depot,
whar dar was Hight AID people,"
Mtckens may be charged with carrying
concealed weapons. O