Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-24
POLICE WITHOUT A ctoE
SEARCH FOR THE ASSAILANT OF
GEORGE v. GAMBLER.
Reward of 800 offered for Informa-
tion-The Suspects Held at
the Police Station.

George " Gambler, the Virginian who was
shot through the head and so severely
wounded by an unknown colored man on
the Long bridge Tuesday night, Is holding
his own, although according to the reports
today, he is by no means out OF danger
Major Sylvester announced last night that
reward of 500 would be paid for infor-
nation leading to the arrest OF the colored
highwayman. The several suspects who
were arrested yesterday are still held at
the first precinct station, but the detectives
have not succeeded in connecting any OF
them with the dastardly crime.
Joseph E. Durham of Winnsboro', S. C.,
was arrested last night by Policemen Aud
and Yoe of the first precinct. and he proved
to be one of the three men who crossed the
bridge some time after 10 o'clock Tuesday
night and discovered the pool of blood and
the hat and dashboard belonging to the
victim. With him was John Williams
who was arrested Tuesday night by the
detectives. There was a third man with
them who answers to some extent the de-
scription given of the one who did the
shooting, but he has not yet been appre-
hended. The men under arrest say they do
not know his name.
and Durham they met near the north end
of the Long bridge Tuesday night. Both
were going to Jackson City. Williams said
he was afraid to go alone, Durham per-
The latter said he had crossed the bridge
alone several times at a late hour and lad
not been disturbed.
The Third Man Appears.
Before reaching the approach to the
bridge, they said, the third man, tall
colored man, wearing a SLOUGH hat, Joined
them. 1t was this tall unknown man, the
prisoners say, who found the hat that had
been knocked off Gamblers head during the
struggle. He struck a match, and when
they saw the blood on the bridge they con-
cluded they would let the hat remain there.
When they reached Jackson City, they say,
they told of having found the hat and pool
of blood. Durham says it was about 1890
o'clock when he started for Jackson City,
while Walter Brim, who is also under ar
rest, says he was at the other end of the
bridge and saw Durham and Williams
about 1910 o'clock. The prisoners insist
they know nothing about the case except
that they found the evidences of the crime
the bridge
When the detectives started out on the
case again this morning they were without
a positive clue to the whereabouts or iden-
tity of the three men wanted for the crime.
They regarded it advisable to hold the
prisoners at the first precinct, in the hope
that one of them, if not all. will be able to
render some assistance before the investi-
cation is concluded.
Bridge Not Lighted.
Had the bridge been lighted, the police
say. and protected by policemen or watch
men, things would have been different,
and perhaps the shooting would not have
occurred. The question of protecting the
bridge has been discussed by the local
authorities on more than one occasion.
It is because of the insufficient number
of policemen that Major Sylvester has
not had men detailed on the bridge. Some
of the local officials of the opinion
that the railroad people should see to the
policing of the bridge, as it is owned by
them.
1t is suggested by some of the policemen
that there are too many details. Some
officers on duty at places. they say.
officers are detailed at the Police Court
chain gang, and there are other details
which. it is believed, could be reduced.
Relatives of the wounded man came to
the city again this morning and We're told
that they could see him during the after
noon unless there should be a decided
change in his condition
Rhided the Flats.
The detectives raided the flats yesterday
afternoon and found two colored men liv
ing in huts they had constructed of branches
of trees and mud. A colored woman was
also found there. The police knew the men
and did not arrest them. This afternoon
the detectives are continuing the search on
both sides of the river and it was stated at
police headquarters at late hour that moth
ing new had developed.