Evening star., 1899-03-16
ALLEGED HIGH w AY ME- N
Trial Of Two Men Accused of Robbing Frank
- Jones.

James Riley and Henry c. Gawler, the
young white men arrested a few days ago
at Benning and indicted yesterday for
daring case of highway robbery, were
placed on trial before Justice Cole at 2
o'clock this afternoon. Attorney s. D.
IruitJ appeared for the defendants, Assist
ant District Attorney Shillington represent
ing the government.
In his opening address to the jury the as
sistant district attorney explained that the
10th instant, SO the government would at
tempt to prove, the defendants made an as
sault on one Frank Jones, put him in fear
of his life and robbed him of an overcoat,
and the same day assaulted Thomas Hick-
man. -..r
Early during the morning Of the 10th in
stant, explained Mr.. Shillngton Mr. Hlck-
man passed along II street eastward from
he noticed two, men standing near the curb
Mr.. Hickman paid no particular attention
to the men. When in front of 91T III street
he heard the men rapidly approaching him
from the rear. Mr.. Hickman was grabbed
thrown to the ground, struck and robbed
of watch and other property. When he
called for assistance his assailants threat
ened to shoot him. Upon being released
disappeared in the neighborhood of 10th
street and Grant place before he could
overtake them.
Other Allegations.
Late at night the same day, MIR. Shilling
ton went on to say, Mr.. Jones, while walk
ing along 18th street near U street was as
saulted by two men. who went through his
pockets, but, finding nothing of value, re-
lieved him of his overcoat. The same night
a Mr.. Mcdowell was held UP while on
Massachusetts avenue near the Louise
Home. -, v--
The defendants. it was explained, were
arrested the Glowing night as suspicious
characters, as they were about to board
freight train at Benning. Some of the
stolen property was found in their posses
sion.
The first witness was Mr. Hickman. He
described the assault upon him, substan-
TALLY as related by the assistant district
attorney. The men struck him time and,
again, said ,the witness. The affair oc-
Cured within 100 feet of the electric arc
light at 9th and H streets. He was stran-
gled and bleeainga
After his assailaats, had relieved him of a
gold watch and s4r they told him to get up
and run. After releasing him the men ran
toward 10th street. He followed them to
Grant place Wherh they disappeared. Mr.
Hickman met a letter carrier, who blew a
police whistle, to which two policemen re-
sponded, but1 the nen could not be traced.
Mr. aiekmap paS,tvely e identified one of
and added that he was almost positive the
other defendant was the second man en-
gagged in the robbery.
Mrf Johes Testifles.
Frank Jonsy, next called to the stand,
stated that he is sixteen years of age
About 10 o'clock the night of Friday, March
TO- he saids he was walking northward
along 18th street. from the neighborhood
of Iowa circle. Two men were walking be-
hind him. IIe. was grabbed suddenly by
one of the men. while the other went
through his pockets. Finding nothing, the
men took his overcoat and left him. turn
ing into a side street. The witness made
no resistance, as he had nothing of value
with him, and concluded the safest plan
was to submit quietly
Mr.. Jones identified the coat in court as
the one stolen from him, and declared that
Gawler was the man VINO went through his
pockets.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Jones' testimony
the trial was adjourned until tomorrow
morning at 10 O'Clock.