Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-08-03


crsl times during the struggle, was In a
deplorabIe plight. One ear was badly
acerated, an eye was almost closed,
blood was flowing from the bites on his
cheek. and the severe kicking he bad re-
ceiyed had almost Frustrated him,
while his clothing, full of dust, was
nearly torn from his body. He was in
pitiable condition, the struggle, excite
ment and reaction almost rendering
him frantic.
Robert Posey, who was 10 dying
condition, was conveyed 10 MIR. Davls's
house, on Prince street, about half
square away, where Walter was also
soon carrier. Medical aid was sum-
moned and Dire. Nj. w. O'BrieD, T. M.
Jones and Z A. German responded.
1t was seen that Robert was beyond
human help. The ball had passed just
below the breast bone, severing an i'm
portsnt artery, and internal hemorrhage
caused his death about three-quarters
OF an hour after be was shot. Walters
wound was diagnosed as of very SER
ious nature, but not necessarily fatal.
The ball had passed into the breast
near the heart, had ploughed its way
through the right lung and lodged some"
where in the back. He expectorated
blood after he had been taken to Mr..
D4vis's and although he later smoked
C gsrettes, used unconventional language
aud assumed bold front his condition is
believed to be critical. Extreme unc-
ton was administered to Robert Posey
b fore be expired by Rev. r. l.. Carne
who had bsen summoned to his side.
r ,bert Posey was 80 years old. His
brother is 20. Neither the dead man nor
hi3 brother are married. Both are well
Known river men.
Mr.. Atkinson was removed to his
b me, where he was attended by DIR.
Smith.
The Mayor after the death of Posey
D aced Officer Atkinson in charge OF
tie police at Atkinson's home where
tire disabled officer was confined to his
81 d. Later in the night Lieutenant
Nth telephoned TO the Mayor that he
ID warrant from the Coroner to re-
move the officer to the station house,
out the Mayor directed him to inform
tne Coroner that he, the Mayor, was
ne only one to issue warrants in Grim.
,nal cases and that Mr.. Atkinson was
t. stay where he was in the custody OF
ihe police until an inquest was held.
The law under which the Mayor acts
reads as follows "A judge of a circuit
or corporation court in vacation as well
p ) in term, or justice, may Issue pro-
c5sses for the arrest of a person charged
with an ofense; provided, that 10 cities
an towns in which there is police
lstice OF mayor who exercises the
powers of justice of the peace in GRIM
nal matters, no such process shall be
f. sued by any other justice unless such
mayor or police justice shall be absent
rom the city," &c.
The cOroner's inquest over the re-
usins of Robert Posey was held at
1920 o'clock this morning at Wheat
.eys undertaker's establishment. A
rye number OF witnesses of the
ragedy had been summoned and some
lelay was caused by waiting for their
rival.
The Jury consisted OF Geo. Bryan.
foreman. and G. w. Ramsay, J. F.
rsckett, H. F. Robertson, s. II. Luut
and d. H. Appicb.
Officer Atkinson was summoned and
a about 1870 the inquest began.
DR.. w. NJ. Smith, who conducted the
utOpsy last night, was fret put on the
-tand, and testified that the shot enter.
n the abdomen above the navel and
-evered the portal vein, taking al
upward course and to the right, coming
ut behind just above the fifth rib. The
Odominsl cavity was filled with blood
and death resulted from hemorrhage.
Mr.. G. w. Wa ties was called and
testified as to The whole trouble. When
Atkinson fred the shots Walter Posey
was choking him, while Robert was
pounding him from behind. The first
hot struck Ro ert and the second struck
Walter. Atkinson's billy had been
AIKEN from him in the struggle, and he
,eemed to be 10 dangerous situation
when he fired.
Joe Mills was sworn and stated that
although Officer Atkinson deputized
,eversl men none OF them came to his
assistance. He put Walter Posey under
,rrest for beatiog George Beard, when
Roberts went to his brothers.
aid and offered to take Wal
ier home and put him to bed.
When this was refused both men at
lacked Atkinson, and although about |
100 men were standing around none
stirred hand to help him. He thought
that Atkinson drew his pistol and fired |
from behind. Both men were hanging
On to the officer and held to him until
the fatal shots were fred, when they
both fell. A man named VIM. Roberts, |
who had started to the officers aid
had been driven Oft by Robert Posey |
md compelled to get into wagon.
F. Z. Msttingly was put on the stand. |
During the struggle, he said, Atkinson
was nearly overpowered, and at one
line was almost PROSTATE. He thought |
the officer was in helpless condition,
and although he called for help, those |
sanding around seemed careless as to |
be result, some even going 80 far as to |
ncourage the Poseys.
Harry Hammond thought that Akin
son was lying on his right side with |
one of the men on top OF him when the |
shots were fired. He did not think |
b mself justified in goiIg the officers |
aid, as the men were larger than be.
and would likely have injured him.
George W. Beard, the man who was
beaten by the Poseys, was then sworn,
He presented frightful appearance,
ais face being almost unrecognizable.
AS 20 the shooting he knew nothing.
did not even know where he was when
1t occurred, and his appearance bore out