The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-17
ARTHUR HARRIS RECORD
The Alleged Slayer of Policeman
Thorpe Long Fugitive.
For Nearly Three Years Local Au-
thorities Have Wanted Him for an
Newman ia Washington-His Yer
sion of the New York Tragedy.

Not until requisition papers arrive vii
the police permit the removal of Arthur
Harris, colored. twenty-five years of age
10 New York City. where he is wanted OF
E charge of murder. The negro was arrest
ed yesterday at the home of his mother, 322
Street southeast, and is lodged at the
Fifth precinct station. Four detectives
from New York. and one from Newark, n.
J., arrived here last night. They are Ser
geants Weller. Peabody, Graves. and OPP
penheimer, of New York, and Detective
Davis. of Newark. All will remain hsre
pending the receipt of requisition papers
for Harris. which are expected from Albany
on Monday next Harris admits stabbing
Policeman Robert ]. Thorpe. of the New
York police force, last Sunday night.
Thorpe disd of his wounds.
There is a local end to the story not be-
fore told. Since September 20, 1897, De-
tectiye Iyser. of this city. has had war
rant for Harris, charging assault with in
tent to kill. On that night. about O'Clock,
Harris and Charles Newman, a negro Hy
ting In Southeast Washington, quarreled at
the corner OF Third Street and Pennsyl-
yania Avenue southeast. The difficulty was
over money, and Newman was Stabbed ovzr
the left eye and dangerously wounded. He
was sent to the Emergency Hospital, where
he remained several weeks. A warrant for
the arrest of Harris was sworn out the fol-
lowing morning. Harris left the city, but
returned here October 8, 1888. The police
learned Of his presence and attempted to
capture him, but Harris again fed. New
man finally recovered, enlisted in the navy.
served two years, and is now living in this
city.
The arrest of Harris WIS accomplish d
yesterday by Sergeant iulhau and Police
men Dent, McLucas. Foster. Owens, ard
Haycock, all of the Fifth precinct station.
It resulted from a descriptive circular re-
eeived here from the New York p3l.ce.
About 3 o'clock yesterday morning Harris
reached this city. He went to the home OF
his mother at once. He was seen by sew
eral old acquaintances. Policeman McLu-
cas- was on the watch for the negro. He
learned OF his arrival. and communicated
with Sergeant Mulhall. then in charge o.
the station. TIE reserve vas called out
and the house was surrounded This v as
shortly before daylight.
When the policemen tried the front docr
ii was unlocked. They entered ulan-
nounced and went upstairs Harris was ly
ing In bed. The negro denied. his identity,
he was employed at the brick :iIds in
Southeast Washington. But his description
rs received from New York was produ,s d.
He answered the circular in every respect,
being twenty-eight years old, five feet len
inches. medium build, smooth face, with
large lips, and scar on the right leg
caused by a knife" Without further ado
Harris was hustled out OF bed and removed
to the station in the patrol wagon He
fref tn no tterIt. ht,. Ed
the policemen too many for him, he sub
mitted- To Sergeant Mulhall the negro
then told the story of how he met a woman
be claims as his wife at the corner of For
ty-hrst Street and Eighth Avenue. New
York, last Sunday night, and the trouble
With Policeman Thorpe.
Harris stated that he left his wife and
entered a saloon near Eighth Avenue to
get some cigars. He tarried longer than
he expected and upon leaving the place
found the policeman, whom he did not
know, in company with his wife He re-
monstrated with the policeman, claiming
the woman as his WIFE and then, Harris
says, he was attacked by Thorpe, who
used his club, striking him over the head.
peck. and shoulders. Finally he was
knocked down, and then he used his knife
upon the policeman, stabbing him fatally
The knife was cheap affair, with three
inch blade and is now in the possession
Of the New York police.
Following the killing OF Policeman
Thorpe riot Of serious proportions broke
out In New York. This trouble occurred
Wednesday night, caused the arrest of
many negroes and threatened for a time
10 equal the famous race riot in New Or
leans not long since. Chief Devery. with
300 policemen, finally restored quiet. Po-
liceman Kennedy, of the West Thirty
seventh Street station was stabbed dur
ing the trouble, and Lloyd Lee. colored.
was arrested charged with this crime
reporter visited Harris last night at
the Fifth precinct station. The prisoner
seems to realize his position. He is an in
telligent negro, talks fairly well. and
willingly spoke of the tragedy. He began
by saying that he was born in this city.
October 49, 1879. For several years, he
said, he attended the public schools OF
this city. For one year he attended the
Colored High School Later, he said, he
secured position in New York where
he lived several years. When first ar
rested Harris did not know Of the death
OF Thorpe. He was surprised. and said
he regretted the trouble very much The
prisoner stated that he would have coun-
sci and expressed a wish for fair trial
He said be was willing to return to New
York without awaiting requisition papers
Detective Sergeants Weller, Peabody.
and Graves. accompanied by Detective
Muller, Of this city, visited Harris last