Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-15
ON TRIAL FOR HIS LIFE
George Ashton Faces Jury on Charge of
Murder.
Indicted for Causing Death of Ida
JohBston-JeaI0usy Alleged
as the Cause.

George Ashton, indicted for the murder
of Ida Jackson the 9th of last November,
was placed on trial today before Justice
Clabaugh. In Criminal Court No. 1. At
torneys Thomas L. Jones and Representa-
tive w. D. Daily of New Jersey appear for
the defendant. the government being rep
resented by Assistant United States Attor-
ney Gould.
Jealousy is the cause attributed by the
police for the murder Of the Jackson woman
at 40 10Th street shortly before o'clock
the afternoon of November q.
Ashton. who surrendered to the police
made statement TO the officers in which
he admitted the killing. He also made an
effort to justify his conduct.
As Ashton surrendered so soon after the
deed was committed there was nothing for
the officers to do except TO get the evidence
together and fix the crime on the prisoner.
1t developed that Ashton after leaving the
scene of the murder entered a saloon and
took drink. He also bought two cigars
and was smoking one of them when he
entered the police station. 1t was several
minutes after he appeared at the station
before he intimated that he had committed
crime.
Evidence Discovered.
When the officers reached the house on
10Th street in response to call for help
they found the woman was dead. Blood
and one of his cuff buttons was picked up
on the floor. The woman's body showed
the evidences of kicks as well as of injuries
inflicted by some heavy weapon. Cuts and
bruises about her face. head and body were
numerous.
Ashton and man named William Reed
had been in the habit of calling on the
Jackson woman. and the afternoon of the
crime while Ashton there Reed ap-
DparpS a drink suggested. and Reed
went for a pitcher of beer. He returned
with the beer and when this was gone he
made a second trip to the saloon
When he returned to the house the last
time he stopped on the lower floor. and
while he was there he heard loud noises
upstairs. He realized that fight was in
pleading with Ashton. asking him not to
kill her, he got on his wagon and drove
away. He did this. he said, because he
thought the police would come, and he did
not want his employer to know he had
been there. Reed did not know OF the MUIR
der until he was found by the detectives
at his employers place Of business
Statement of William Reed.
According to william Reed, who was at
the house on 10th street between Il and l
o'clock the day Of the killing, when he
called on Ida Jackson he saw Ashton seat
ed at the table drinking beer with the
woman. Ida, so says Reed. offered him
her beer but he refused and went out with
a pitcher to get a supply Upon his return
to the house he stopped on the lower floor
ard conversed with Kate Shorter. He stop
ped there because he said. Ashton and Ida
jackson were apparently having trouble.
Reed heard the man using profane Ian
guage. While he drinking O. glass Of
beer in Miss Shorters room he heard Ida
jackson call "nlurder.'' Then he got on
his wagon and went in search of an officer.
Reed says he heard the woman say.
Don't beat me. George"
There was no trouble IN the room before
Reed left to get the beer.
The panel was exhausted before a Jury
was secured, so an adjournment of court
was taken until tomorrow morning at 10
O'Clock In the meantime the marshal will
summon thirty additional talesmer.