Evening star., 1900-04-07

SHOT BI DEPUTY SHERIFF,



Joseph Fletcher, colored, of this city. who
recently re-enlisted in Troop F. 9th United
States Cavalry, and started from here
Thursday night to join the command was
shot and killed yesterday by Deputy Sheriff
Dawson at Staunton. Va. 1t is stated that
Fletcher had been drinking when he board
ed the train Thursday night. and before he
reached Staunton he became very drunk.
He caused a disturbance in the car and
drew bowie knife, and the trainmen bound
him hand and foot.
Upon the arrival Of the train at Staunton
the prisoner was turned over to the police.
AS soon as the rope was taken from him he
became violent, and when he made an ee-
fort to assault the deputy sheriff the latter
shot him. The coroner's jury found that
the soldier was killed by the officer while
the latter was discharging his duty
Fletcher was twenty-six years old and
was native of Maryland. 1t was stated
that his family lived at No. 1871 Rhode Is
land avenue, but there Is no such number
on the avenue mentioned.
Adjutant General Corbtn has received a
telegram from gentleman named F. 4.
Ware at Staunton, Va, saying briefly that
Joseph Fletcher of Troop F, 9th Cavalry
was killed at that place yesterday morning
by county officer, and asking what dis
position is to be made of the remains. The
officials Of the War Department are in
somewhat of Quandary as to what shall
the records of the department shows that
Joseph Fletcher of Troop F, 9th Cavalry,
was born in Petersville Md, and enlisted
in the army at Washington, D. c.. March
10, 1897. Troop F is stationed at Fort
Huachuca, Ariz., and Fletcner's presence at
Staunton, Va, is taken to mean that his
term of enlistment had expired and that
he had been discharged from the service.
That question cannot be properly deter
mined, however, until the arrival of the
regfmental returns for the present quarter.
Beyond the fact that Fletcher was for
meriy employed in this city as janitor
nothing is known of his history or family
relations. If he was in the army at the
time of his death the War Department will
forward his remains to any place his near
est relatives may designate If he had been
discharged, however. and had not re-enist-
ed the War Department Is not legally au-
thoriZed to take any action with regard to
the disposition Of his remains.
Visiting Nurse Society Proposed.
A meeting was held today at the house
Of Mrs. Lucius Tuckerman to further the
establishment of an obstructive Visiting
Nurse Society" in Washington Short ad-
dresses were made by Miss Wightman. su-
perintendent of the Philadelphia society of
the same name: Mr. Wilson Of the Asso-
ciated Charities, and others. The object
Of the meeting was to draw the attention
of the audience to the good work which
has been done in other cities by similar So
cieties. in the hope that sufficient interest
will be aroused to establish visiting
nurses here. The plan proposed Is to ask
for annual subscriptions Each nurse will
cost about $500 year. which gives her
SO a month salary, and pays her expenses,
car fares. uniform. etc. Should a number
OF persons club together and unite in large
sums, $50 year and upward, they would
be added to the board of control meeting
once 4 year, and voting on the permanent
management. . But smaller sums regularly
pledged will be gratefully received The
expenses of the nurse already employed, 1t
was stated, are guaranteed for one year In
the hope that the society, by that time, will
be able to assume her charge, Mrs Henry
Cabot Lodge has consented to be the first
president of the Instructive Visiting Nurse
Society here. Mrs. Beale will act as
treasurer and will acknowledge subscrip-
tions, Miss Mary Hopkins Is the secretary.