Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-16
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
Thomas Elsey Charged With Murder of His
Cousin.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 727 King Street,
Rali Telenhopa No 10e

| ALEXANDRIA, Va, September Is, 1892
Thomas Elsey. colored, aged about twenty
years, occupied the dock in Mayor Simp-
sons police court this morning charged
| with the murder Of William Pnkney, also
colored. The crime of which Elsey was
accused occurred about 10 o'clock last
| night near the old stone bridge leading
to West End. But one shot was fired. and
Pinkney fell on the sidewalk. where he
died in few minutes, without uttering a
word.
Ofhcer Ferguson was nearby and ran to
the scene. reaching the PROSTATE form as
death occurred. The crowd Of colored peo-
pie standing about seemed terror stricken
and would not or could not give the officer
any information concerning the shooting.
At venture Officer Ferguson jumped in
buggy and drove to West End but without
discovering the fugitive. Sergeant Smith,
with Officers Hall, Howson and Young
shortly thereafter arrived and conveyed the
dead man to Demaine's undertaking rooms
ElSey was captured about l clock this
morning at his mothers home, on North
Pitt street. near Portner's brewery. He
made no resistance, and was lodged in the
station house.
Lieut.. Smith was the first to give testt-
mony in court this morning He told of
having arrested Walter Elsey, a brother
OF the accused. on receiving wrong infor-
Eiseys home with Officer knight and found
Oficers Belts and Beach shadowing the
place They surrounded the house and
called for Eisey. He surrendered without
protest, saying he was responsible for Pink
ney's death. but alleging that the shooting
was accidental. Other officers testified CON
According to Officer Belts the prisoner
when at the station house. told several
stories about the disposition of his pistol
1t was finally discovered at some distance
from the stone bridge in bon nd
kerchief and buried under piece of tim
Der.
The pistol was a thirty-two caliber, of
Smith & Wesson make. and contained four
loaded cartridges. one chamber being emp
ty. 1t was pronounced to be an excellent
weapon.
Testimony of Eye-Witness.
William Dade colored, testified to having
seen Elsey and the murdered man walking
together in front Of Richard Burnett's
saloon. The witness heard no angry words,
but stated that the prisoner without warn
ing, pulled his gun and fired, taking DELHI
crate aim. He then ran off. the witness
stated. and was lost sight Of in the dark
ness After being shot Pinkney staggered
across the street. witness said, and fell on
the pavement, where he expired without a
word.
The evidence of this witness, that he had
informed Officer Ferguson as to who did
the shooting and where he went was de-
MED by that officer, who stated that none
of those present would give him any infor-
nation.
After hearing the evidence Mayor Simp-
son decided to continue the case until Mon
day morning, in order to hear the result of
a post-mortem examina ton and the cor
oEer's verdict.
AT IL o'clock this morning DR.. T. NJ
jones made an examination of the BODY
and Immediately after DR.. Purvis impan-
eled coroner's jury.
The coroner's jury, consisting of George |
ri
Summers. Avery Rittenour E Warfield. |
Jr., and Frank Warfield. summoned to con- |
sloer the circumstances attending the death |
or William Pinkney, reached a verdict at 1 |
o'clock this afternoon. finding that Pink |
ney came to his death by gunshot wound |
near the heart inflicted by Thomas Elsey