Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-12-10
STIFF MAKES A STATEMENT.

U. Stlf, VINO was fatally wounded 81
Oak Grove, last Tuesday night, and
who is slowly dying at the Emergency
Hospital, Washington, from the effects
of being shot through the neck by Her.
bert Marx, made an ante.mortem
statement last night to DR.. James Stiff,
bis brother, and DR.. w. Wallace Wash.
Dgton. An attorney and q newspaper
man were also present and the state
meDt was taken down 10 shorthand.
Stiff gave clear and complete version
OF the affair, so far as he was concerned
10 1t. and told the story Of ell the oc.
currences, as he knew them, from the
time he was first approached by Taylor
until he was shot down In the doorway
OF the Marx home. His mind has been
perfectly clear since the shooting, and
be remembered every detail OF the
events OF that terrible night.
Mr.. Stiff in a low, but cleartone,
alleged that the cause Of the attack on
young Marx was a story told by J. O.
Franklin OF what he said he had seen
during an entertainment at the Jr. o.
U. A. NJ. Hall, Oak Grove, on Novem.
Der %. given by the auxiliary of 81.
Peters Church, of that place. Mr.. Stiff
said that Franklin reported at the
store OF F. W. Stiff & Co., to Mr.. w. w.
Stiff, that during the entertainment he
had seen couple come out of the hall
and go near a stable, where they con.
verssd quietly. Franklin said he heard
the girl saying: "Let me 60; won't
CO."
Franklin reported that the couple
then continued their walk and that he
followed them. In the short time be
met the oolored preacher, BYRD, who
asked him whether or not he witnessed
the action OF the couple. Franklin re-.
piled that he did, and asked who they
were, whereupon Byrd, according to
Franklin. replied that they were Her
bert Marx and Rosie Tayloe. Franklin
cautioned the negro not to repeat the
names OF the couple to anybody, az 1t
might cause trouble.
franklin then, according to Mr.. Stiff,
continued to follow the couple until
they appeared In the light Of T. W.
Stiff & Co.'S store, "where be recognized
Marx by his shoes" and the girl. who
Mr.. Stiff says, Ia about II years old, by
her short dress.
Mr.. stiff said that Franklin reported
that he followed the pair by the store
to depression on the Episcopal Churcl
yard, where they again conversed.
1t was at this point that franklin
went 10 the store and told Mr.. W, W.
Stiff what he had seen aud heard,
Mr.. Stif then gave the details of the
preparation for going to MARKS house
on Monday and continuing said.
"At the house we found that the lights
had been put out, and although Rigsin, one
Of the party, offered himself in the role Of q
lost drummer, Marx would not come out.
We felt our purpose thwarted and retrsced
our steps, but resolved upon another effort
Tuesday night and TO start earlier. We left
Riggin at Colonial Beach, taking Mr.. Doug
las 10 his place. We Tesched Marks house on
night, there being in the party
Tsyloe, Thompson, Hedin, Douglas and my
self, taking with us a sack OF straw, bottle
Of coal oil and a bundle Of oil.satursted rags.
IT, yloe took can OF turpentine and TAR for
the purpose OF smesring 1t on MARKS head.
We also hsd the whip and stick shsrpened
At both ends. We intended, II necessary, to
put the stick in the ground, jsb the bag OF
straw and other stuf over 1t and light il for
the purpose Of frightening him out Of the
house. No intentions we're expressed By any
member Of the party OF doing him fatal In.
Jury. We we're mssked because We didn't
want it known who did the whipping, for
bad that been known the matter would have
been traced back and the girls name would
have been involved in the talk. Upon ar
irving in the Marx yard we found the lights |
Burning in the house. l satisfied myselftbat /
be- was there. crashed 9 window cash with |
ny arm. succeeded In getting entirely |
nto the room before shot had been fired, |
md advanced upon Marx, who was ct the |
ioor, intending TO overcome him without the |
lss Of my pistol. He fred and fell helpless.
out conscious. he went ont the front door.