Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-10-23

SHOT BY A CoLoBED MAN.-Con-
siderable excitement was caused
throughout the city early last night by
a report which rapidly spread to the
effect that Wilmer L. Griffin, WELL
known Young man, son OF Policeman
james Griffin, had committed suicide.
/. was soon learned. however, that such
was not the case. but that he had prob
ably been fatally SHOT by colored man
named Robert Hopkins, Waterman at
the John Hay Industrial School, 10 the
extreme northero part Of the city, and
that toe shooting Was the result OF an
attack made on Hopkios by Griffin at
the southeast corner OF Duke and Wash
ineton s;reefs. Griffin has been OF late
addicted to periodical sprees, and yes
terday il is said be WAS drinking at iD-
teryaIs all day. Shortly before z
o'clock he left the house OF bis mother
in.law, Mrs. Turner, 424 south Wash
jpeton street. with Samuel Cuvilier aud
youth named Joseph Lswler. When
Griffin was 10 front Of the Washington
Public School he discarded his coat,
and upon srriving at the intersection OF
Washington aud Duke streets be met
HOPKINS. Without aDy appay ant cause
he became aggressive, DENIAL fling Hop
kins' name and occupation. Hopkins
told his name and stated that he was
the Waterman at the John Hay School.
Griffin then struck him violent blow
which Knocked him down and stunned
him for about two minutes. Hopkins
revived and regsined his feet when
Griffin followed him up. Hopkins
claims he threatened to Kill him
and CRITICS compauions attempt
ei TO take him away. He broke
from them aud again ran at
hopkins, who drew pistol and tired.
HOPKINS then left the scene OF the
frscas, going to the home OF Msgnus
Rob uson 90 south Washington street.
Critic was Immediately picked up by
several people who happened to be 10
the vicinity and was taken into me ONCE
occupied by the late o. G. WhiItleseys
The police station was at once notihed
bV telephone of the shooting and 20.
lceman Belts was shortly atterWard
on the scene. Awsgon was summoned
and Griffin was placed in the wagon
and conveyed TO the infirmary. AT tie
Iofrmary DR.. Purvis probed for the
bullet but was unable to locate 1t. The
wound was baDdsged up and the pa
tent was placed under the influence OF
druss. The ball was 38'cali0re, and
the doctor thinks that 10 S course 1t
MERGED the stomach. Griffin was 10 q
dsssd condition when shot, and did not
seem TO know who shot him. DE al
Arst told several conflicting stories. He
did not give very clear account OF the
affair. Mr.. Griffin is twenty eight years
of age and conducts dairy at the
northwest corner of Prince and Fayette
streets. He IL son OF Policeman Jas.
Critic and is well known 10 this city.
He lives at the above named corner
with his wife. Hopkins Is about fifty
fy- years of age aud is weil-known 10
this city. He is considered harmless
and inoffensive. J. d. Damoran nd 3.
c. CriiLsr, who board at Mrs. Turner's,
424 south Washington street, corroboaie
the account given above. These two
men were nearby when the shooting oc-
Cured.
A crowd gathered at the station
house this morning when il was sup
posed the MAYOR would examine into
the matter. Material witnesses, how
ever, were absent and at the request OF
Cant. G. A. Mushbach, counsel for
HOPKINS. the examination was post
poned TO November 2.
Grfin's condition was unchanged this
morning.