Evening star., 1900-09-28
MAYOR ASSAULTED
Police Captain Webster's Son Knocks
Down Alexandria's Executive.
BLOWS NEARLY STUNNED VICTIM
AssaiIant Will Be Charged With
Murderous Assault.
POLICE LOOKING FOR HIM
Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
ALEXANDRIA, Va, September 2s.-
Mayor George l.. Simpson was assaulted
ard Knocked down the street this morn
ing on his way to hold court at the police
station The assailant was William Web
ster son of Capt James Webster, chief of
the police force. At police headquarters
few minutes later Mayor Simpson related
the details of the assault to a reporter for
The Star. He stated that he was passing
down Cameron street about o'clock when
Webster accosted him near St. Asaph
street The man stepped up and in grutf
tones demanded why the mayor perse-
cuted his CWebster's) father. He alluded
t. charges made against Chief Webster in
statements made public by Mayor Simpson
yesterday afternoon. Mayor Simpson re-
piled that Chief Webster had made state
nents to the board of police commissioners
that necessitated an answer. Having made
this remark to Webster, Mayor simpson
started to move on. He had scarcely turn
ed his back, however. before Webster
struck him a violent blow on the head
The mayor fell on the sidewalk ana al
tampted to rise. The blow had stunned
him and he moved in a dazed condition
He believes that his assailant struck him
again as he regained his feet. for there
was another wound on MIS- neau over lHe
left eye
Webster Runs Away.
The mayor staggered to the steps Of Mr..
Richard Windsor's residence, nearby MI.
Windsor was coming out, having caught
a glimpse of what transpiring. The
mayor asked him for a pistol. but Mr.
Windsor was not armed and had no weapon
nearby lie went to the mayors side but
by that time Webster had made on. lie
ran as hard as he could up ST. Asaph street
in the direction of Washington.
Mr. Windsor assisted the wounded mayor
10 his steps. After he had recovered
strength he pursued his way TO the station
house accompanied by Mr.. Windsor. IN
the mayors office Captain WEBSTER was
seated. preparing the docket for the morn
ing court. Up to that time he had not
heard Of his sons rash act. Mayor Slmp-
son related the account and instructed the
captain to draw up warrant for Wen
ster's arrest. The officers a the station
house were notified OF the affair and in
structed to arrest the fugitive on slght
The police department in Washington was
also notified IL being believed that Webster
had made his way to that city. Chief Web
ster was instructed to lock his son up as
soon as he was produced at the station
house and not to release him on any col
lateral II apprehended before tomorrow
morning Webster will be tried then before
a magistrate. The charge will be that OF
murderous assault. made out on a state
warrant. Upon his arrival at the police
station. looking pale and ILL., the mayor was
at once surrounded by group of indignant
and sympathetic officers. Dire things were
muttered against the man who had assault
ed the city's chief executive.
Mayor SimpsOn's Comment.
Although looking worn, the mayor was
calm and collected. His uncovered head
showed a great knot where he had been
struck He said 1t gave him pain. but he
was not complaining. Only a few minutes
past the usual hour he took his seat in the
court room and proceeded 10 try several
petty cases. just II nothing out Of the
ordinary had occurred.
Commenting on the assault Mayor Simp-
said that the conditions in Alexandria
were now clearly outlined. 1T is a light"
said the mayor between the good and
laws abiding citizens and the hoodlum and
blackleg element.
After police court DIR. William NJ. Smith
arrived and examined the mayors injuries.
They were found to be we're, but not nee
essariy serious. After careful inspection
DR.. Smith gave 1T as his opinion that the
blow on the back of the head rad been in
ficted by dull instrument He was. of
course. not able to say what the weapon
was.
Origin of the Trouble.
Ii is easy to trace the trouble that cuImf-
mated this morning in the attack on Mayor
Simpsons person. For long time Capt.
Webster has been holding grievances
the board OF police commissioners Tuesday
night these were fully aired as reported in
The Star. These statements occasioned the
letter from the mayor given out yesterday.
and which fired the Webster faction to des-
peration
In his letter Mayor Simpson used the fol-
lowing language in relation to Chief Web
ster:
station exceedingly easy one.
but evidently not easy enough, for time
after time | have endeavored to reach him
al the station house without success, and,
OF course. when officer Is not at head
quarters barely four hours In day my or
ders had to he transacted through others
who were there. He would rarely ever get
up 70 answer the telephone and some one
OF course would have to take the message
for him. and all this he probably considered
insubordination- His complaints recall
things to which have paid hut little atten-
ton. for oftentimes when l went to the
station house he would frequently fail to
II axe any reply to my salutations, and /
quite sure that if any OF the men had
been thus deficient in order poiteness
hc would have been the readiest 10 treas
ure up this great wrong. Indeed, his recent
actions In reporting complaints to the COM
missioners instead OF TO the mayor evil
dences his thorough contempt for the head
OF the city and for rules laid down for his
government L read one of these rules:
The captain and lieutenant must carefully
note and impartially report to the mayor
every case Of misconduct neglect of duty
OF the part af the men, He has not only
fatly violated this rule, but he has permit
ted the lieutenant to do the same as I see
from the papers"
Great Excitement In Alexandria,
As the affair became known this
morning II created great excitement over
town Outside OF those people dominated
by bitter factional spirit against the mayor,
The expression of sorrow and indignation
was unanimous. Citizens are remarking
the Inference from physical view point
OF the mayor and Webster. Mayor Simpson
i about nifty years OF age. Although very
active in his movements and remarkably
energetic. his head is entirely gray Web
ster IS comparatively young man and is
Of muscular build
Local Police Notified.
Policemen Roberts and Ferguson of the
Alexandria police force called at police