Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-08-04

TIVE RECENT SHOOTING AFFAIR. -
TIE Investigation of the shooting OF
Roter, and Walter POsey by Officer
Weston H. Atkinson, on Thursday
evening. wa held in the Mayors office
at I've o'clock yesterday evening.
Charlie Williams, c)lored, gave good
i evidence for Atkinson, saying that the
q othcer was being beaten and was in
4 bid plight when be fred the shots.
4 William Roberts test fled in substance
q, al the Co;ODer's Inquest.
John Dlnnelly was sworn and told
OF the TOW between the POseys and
Geo. Beard, which led to the affair.
q The men, he said, had been drinking
together to appearances the best OF
tre d., when just as Beard put a glass
= 70 bis lips, Waiter Posey threw him to
the ground and both men Jumped on
n bin. Beard called for help and seem
Il ed to make no Effort to defend himself,
II he, DJnnelly, sent for an officer and
f did Dis best to separate the men, but as
Il fast as be would take one brother
Il away, the other would rush back at
d Beard As 10 the shooting he
kuew nothing, being in BrllPs saloon
oil the time.
Messrs. Frank Harper, Harry Ham
mOnd, Ben Posey and Julian KOight
81 also testified.
Mr.. c. W. Wattles told about the
same as At the inquest yesterday morn
ng the officer struggling until he wes
exhausted before be fired.
joe Mills told of the affair, and Geo
B-'rd testified as to what he knew
Scicn Was DO. much, he having beer
beaten until he lost all knowledge o
events.
Ms Dobie, Miss Mills, Mis- Gems
n'T add Miss Dobie testified, but die
Dol give any material evidence.
Ills closed the examination of wit
-"s'', and after the verdict OF the corO
lei Jury had been given, the Mayo
$50 ,hal IN bis en- ire term OF Ofhc' 81
y'- had arisen which he more deep
ueWored and be regretted it ss nue.
W zoe oihcer's account as on the tamil
Vi Toe men shot Their father be hat
Known well and had esteem d, an
stVed MIN that such fate had b.
A"eu OLD sons. The efficiency of OH
vi Atkinson had not been impaiIe
'ne occurrence, for he la
,.O"A his bravery in sltempin
y arrest the meG single handed,
sUoWd which was friendly towarC
'oen ana which would give him I
support The evidence gwen shows
.la' 'ne officer was almost helpless an
:" q Dad plight before ne used his r
.O.'eI' which was the only course lie
Spe0 10 hlm. That one OF the men hi
yea Killed was unfortunate, an evel
y O' regretted, but which could D.
lave . Deem fOretOld. He thought
1,'uge mat crowd of a hundrt
S,'A'ndriaus could have stood by al
Ave seen tWO men beat into iuseD
~, s,.y d fellow citizen, aud when au OF
", ma SrI'yei and called TOR aid, no
s -o'eu hand to help him, while so,
,,SSOurag ID the men attacking him.
i ~ OF four men, with any manic
- - .uem' had been in the crowd, I
S tS'e affair would have ded 10
,1.leu' manner, aud he held the
sYrpOnsing the crowd to be more
sgs for the death of Robert Pos
0 TS Tue ~ounding of Walter, than v
nv, Atkinson, who fired the she
psmo aua'f was a travesty on the &c
w., W. o' Alexandria and the bravery
Sin There was but one thing
o, M W 10 In the face of the testimc
cbs 'ue witnesses, and that was to {
EAR se Mr., Atkinson, as no jury
tss .,u could ind.ct or convict him.
lb thu ., ordered the release of the off,
snH y nlpathy for whom was shown
Ia .SnI OF persons who came iorw
y cudkl his III