Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-15
Mollie Harris, Colored, Accused of
Killing Her Rival.
JEALOUSY ALLEGED As CAUSE OF ROW
Failure to Secure Jury Causes
Adjournment Until Tomorrow
PARTICULARS OF THE CRIME

Molie Harris, colored, indicted by the
grand jury for the murder of Alice Quee-
nan, also colored, the 9th of last October,
was called for trial today before Justice
Clabaugh in Criminal Court No. /. Assist
ant United States Attorney Gould appeared
for the government, the defense being rep
resented by Attorneys Turner and Mitchell.
The regular jury panel was exhausted be-
fore twelve men satisfactory to both sides
were secured. and an adjournment until to-
morrow morning was ordered. In the in
term the United States marshal will sum-
nun additional talesmen to report at that
time.
The homicide was the result, 1t is al
legged. of jealousy over a colored man
named Thomas Smoot, who drives lum-
Der wagon.
For several years, it is stated, he lived as
the common law husband of Alive Quee-
nan in South Washington. Three months
before the killing, according to reports,
Moiiie Harris, alias Sadie Williams, alien
ated Shoots affections. She came here
from Hunters station, Alexandra county,
Va, where she has relatives. She declares,
however, her home is in Frederick, Md.
Mollie walked through Cullinane's alley
about O'Clock the night of October with
Smoot. The Queenan woman and friends
attempted to take the man from the wo-
man. The result was that a knife was
used, it is alleged. by the Harris woman,
a stab through Alice Queenan's heart fol-
lowing.
Policemen Headley, Cowne and Dyer ar
rested the Harris woman at her room in
Nolan's court later in the night and locked
her up.
Character of the Wound.
SThe ound inflicted was about one-half
inch long and made, it is said, by a
long, thin instrument The weapon used
cut through the third rib and lung and
penetrated the left side of the heart
Hemorrhage following the wound caused
death.
According to Mary Stewart. colored, of
I15 Burke'S alley, she called at Alice
Queenan's house the night in question
about o'clock, and while there she heard
some one say: Good night, Mr.. and Mrs.
Smoot." and looking she saw Tom Smoot
and Moiiie Harris. whom she had known as
Sadie" Alice Queenan looked out and
said: There's my Tommy
There was much profanity and obscene
language used. Alice Queenan held to the
man and said: "All want is my Tommy"
All Alice did was to pass the woman and
grab the man.
Mollie Harris called her an obscene name
and told her to let go the man. Then,
Mary Stewart says. Mollfe stabbed Alice.
Thomas Shoots Statement.
Thomas Smoot the man referred to- made
q SldteHieHl tHe udy lOllOWlnS the Killing,
setting forth IL at he was present at the
time of the killing, but he did not see who
did the cutting.
What We're you doing all this timer" he
was asked.
Il wasn't doing nothing" he answered,
but the women were pulling and hauling
at me-"
What women were they?'
Mary Stewart and Alice Queenan.'
why We're they pulling at your
They wanted me to go to Alice Quee-
mans"
Did you want to go?'
NO. sir. Me and her was walking out
together"
He pointed toward the prisoner as the
one who was with him.
What's her Nance" Smoot was asked.
"Mollie."
"Mollie what?'
Tell you the truth" said Smoot, Il can't
just remember the last part of her name"
He said that when Alice fell she ex-
claimed, I'm cut"
The defendant has also made state
nent regarding the killing. Twice dur
ing the two weeks preceding the killing,
she says, Alice Queenan had ASA ulted
her. The night of the killing she had
four women attacked her. Both Alice and
herself wore red waists. and this. she
thinks, accounts for the death of the for
mer.
done by the women, she says and her cape
and waist were cut. The blow that Alice
received, Mollie thinks. was intended for
her. She explains that when she saw that
Della Dyson to help her, and the latter
said she would stick to her till she died.
During the fight she gave Della her cape,
which was returned to her afterward. 1t
was her idea that the knife was put in the
lining of her cape while the Dyson woman
had it.