Evening star., 1900-08-03
ALEXANDRIA, AFFAIRS
Shooting ARRAY Investigated by the
City Cosoner.
Two BROTHERS ATTACK POLICEMAN
Both Shot and One Dies Of His
Wounds:
VERDICT OF THE JURY
VERDICT OF THE JURY
Evening Star Bureau,
No. T01 King Street,
Bell TeicphCne No. 10t,

Evening Star Bureau,
No. To1 King Street,
Bell Telephone No. 10t,
ALEXANDRIA. Va, August 3, 1900
A corcner's jury, summoned by DR.. " nj
lam K. Purvis, city coroner, met at IL
o CLOCK this morning at B. Wheatleys un-
dertaking rooms on King street to investi-
gate the circumstances attending the death
or Robert Posey, who was shot shortly be-
fore o'clock last evening by Officer Wes-
ton Atkinson while attempting his arrest
on the wharf at the foot of Prince street.
Walter Posey, brother of the deceased, also
fell before the officers aim. shot through
the right lung. He lies this morning at his
home, No. 107 Prince street, in a critical
condition. Walter was KEPT in ignorance of
his brothers fate. and his recovery is con-
sidered very doubtful.
The coroner viewed Robert Posey's uead
body this morning at his late residence on
Prince street. where the deceased was con-
Yeyed Immediately after the fatal shooting.
me me jury was composed OF the following:
George Bryan, foreman; G. William Ram
say, John f. Tackett, Samuel H. Lunt, d.
Harrison Appich and Henry F. Robertson.
Dr. William NJ. Smith, who performed the
autopsy, was the first witness called. He
testified that the deceased had been struck
IN the region of the abdomen by pistol
ball, rupturing liver and portal vein and
causing death by hemorrhage, The ball
hdi IoiioWeu an upward course, coming
out several inches higher on the opposite
side OF the body. The doctor had dlscov-
cred powder marks a the bullet entrance,
indicating discharge at close range.
An Eyc-Witness.
Mr. c. w. Wattles took the stand and
gave a complete story of the affray He
saw the two Poseys walk out from King
street toward the Norfolk wharf.
Witness few seconds later noticed Off
AJklnSOn ADnrnaph ha and
parently somewhat out of breath. AS the
officer approached Walter was seen to
step out into the street. Atkinson placed
him under arrest and the prisoner resisted
A scuffie followed, when Robert Posey
went to his brothers assistance. Both the
PoseyS were batterng the officer when
me latter called for help A man named
Roberts, a wagon driver, went to his as
sistance. Witness also responded to the
call and the two rescuers took ho'd of
Robert Pcsey and attempted to draw him
and continued his assault ON the police
man. Witness stated that while Walter
Posey held Atkinson from behind, appar-
emily choking him, his brother pounded
the officer reach arohnd and draw his
pistol. He shot Robert Posey first and he
fell Atkinson, the witness thought,
on his feet at the first fire. A moment later
witness saw Atkinson on the ground. He
had staggered back and fallen. In this
posture he fired again, and this time the
ball struck Walter rs In reply to inquiries
from jurors Mr.. Wattles said he thought
that the policeman's, billy had been forced
from him in the scufiie. Is
beginning of the Trouble.
Joseph Mills was placed on the stand and
testified as to the beginning of the trouble
He was passing Jake Briil's saloon shortly
after 6 o'clock when he heard a commotion
inside. He entered and found the Posey
brothers and man named George Beard
engaged In a rough-and- tumble fight Wit
ness tried to part the sombatants, but was
unable to do so. He went out and found
that the police department had been noti-
fled. Witness also told of what he saw
when the battle ground had been trans
ferIed from the saloon to the street. 1t was
testified that George Beard was badly
beaten up in the fight. Witness said he
heard Officer Atkinson call repeatedly for
help while he was being assailed by the
Posey boys. He saw no one attempt to
render assistance except Mr.. Wattles and
Mr.. Roberts.
Mr.. F. E. Mattingly who lives in Mary
land, was next called. His evidence tray-
ersed the ground that had been covered
by the previous witness. What he saw led
him to believe that the officer had acted en-
tirely in self-defense. He said Atkinson had
been terribly handled, and that his repeated
cries for help seemed to fall on deaf ears
Several other witnesses testified, their evil
dence not differing substantially from that
already heard.
liceman's condition after the fight. He was
conducted to Mr.. Reardons office and the
latter thought his condition wretched. His
face showed evidence of a terrible pound
ing, and witness thought he was nearing a
state Of collapse.
The coroners jury investigating the death
of Robert Posey reached a verdict shortly
after l o'clock finding that the deceased
had come to his death by a bullet fired by1
Policeman Atkinson the officer being in
the fearless and faithful discharge of his
duty.
officer Atkinson's Version
The statement which Officer Atkinson
made at the station house after the affair
was borne out, substantially, by the evil
dence before the coroners jury. He said he
responded to the alarm call, and in arrest
Ing the PoseyS was murderousy assaulted
by them. and that as g. last resort he was
compelled to use his revolver in defense of
his own life Mayor Simpson placed him
in custody and detailed officer Roberts to
stay by his bed side last night. The shoot
ing will be investigated in the mayors
court, probably this afternoon. During the
investigation before the coroners Jury At
torney S. G. Brent represented Common
wealth Attorney Marbury, who was out of
town, and Attorney John NJ. Johnson ap-
peared In behalf of officer Atkinson
The two PoSeys were young and unmar-
ried men, and well-known river men They
were the sons Of the late Thomas Posev.
a well-known citizen.
The affair at the time caused much ey
element, and the general opinion seems to
be that the officers action was justified.
Meeting of School Board,
There was a full attendance at the Au-
gust meeting of the city school board
which was held last night in Peabody Hall.
Mr.. Francis l.. Smith was, in the chair. The
annual statement, the summary of which
given in The Star yesterday was rea6