The times., 1901-04-29
In THE DISTRICT COURTS
The Trial of Charles Williams for
the Murder of Mary Brown.

Potomac Flats Cases to BE Reopened
TomOrrow-Justice CIabaugh's Or
der Regarding the Preparation
of Cases in Circuit Court No. Z.
Charles Williams colored, will be put
on trial today in Criminal Court No. /
for the murder of Mary Brown, also col
ored. about two months ago. Justice Bar
nard will preside and the prosecution will
be personally conducted by Thomas II.
Anderson. United States District Attor-
ney. assisted by Thomas c. Taylor. 1t
is expected that the trial will continue Tor
two days, and will be the last time MT
Anderson will appear in the District
courts as prosecutor, as it is expected thaI
on May ! he will take the oath OF OF
fee as an Associate Justice of the Su-
preme Court of the District, to which hs
was recently appointed to succeed Charles
c. Cole, resigned.
The crime for which Williams is to be
tried was committed at 1G2 Fourteenth
Street southeast. where he and the wo-
man whom he is charged with killing had
lived for some time. According to the
report of the affair made at the time of its
occurrence. Williams became jealous OF
the woman and taunted her with receiV-
ing the attentions of another man. This
the woman denied, and words ensued
which resulted in a fight. In his anger
it is said, Williams struck Mary
Brown on the head with chair. lie
placed the woman on a bed in the ROOM
and then retired himself. AT an early
hour in the morning he awaked, ana
found his companion was dead. He then
went out and informed a policeman that
there was woman dead in the house, IN
dicating l02 Fourteenth Street. Ihe po-
liceman entered the house, ana louhu
Mary Brown lying on the bed Ihe Cor
oner was notified and at an inquest the
next day Williams was held responsive
for the woman's death He was arrested
| hv the police of the Fifth precinct
Steps will be taken by the Government
| tomorrow before Justice Hagner, presiding
| in the District branch of the Supreme
Court of the District looking to the re-
opening of what is commonly known as
! the Potomac Flats cases for the pur-
| nose of determining the valuation of the
wharf property along the river front
within the District. The proceedings Will
| be conducted on behalf of the United
! States by Charles c, Cole, who, on Satur-
day. was appointed special attorney for
| the Government by Attorney General
Knox. on the recommendation of District
| Attorney Anderson.
II was the intention of Mr.. Anderson
! to bring this matter to issue some weeks
| ago but the continued illness of Justice
Hagner caused it to be postponed. Mr.
| Anderson has, however, already sent no
| tices to all the owners and lessees OF
wharf property informing them that the
matter would be taken up with a view
i l., Esx.v, g he
erty When the matter is called up to-
morrow ex-Judge Cole will file a petition
! supplementary to that already filed by
Mr. Anderson, asking the court to require
all persons who claim any of the property
in dispute TO file their claims stating the
nature of property of which they claim
ownership and the amount of damages
estimated by them
The coming week is expected to be a
| busy one in Circuit Court No. 2, over
which Justice Clabaugh spresides. On
Tuesday last, although there were twelve
cases on the assignment, when they were
! called it was discovered that DOT a single
| one of them was ready for triad This did
not please Justice Clabaugh, and he an
nounced that hereafter cases placed upon
! the assignment will be tried or continued
until the following term of the court,
which means delay of at least thirty
udyS. III dbultiOH 10 liiiS ne Iislf ucleu
/ the clerk of Circuit Court No. 2 to post
| fifty cases. numbered from 151 TO 201 in
! elusive. on the call for this morning, and
| TO notify the attorneys interested. In this
way it will be determined which cases
/ upon the calendar for the month of April
are ready for trial. The cases ready for
! hearing VIII be assigned for trial and all
others will be continued to the next term
/ of court. a.t
! In Equity Court No. 2l2 the hearing
! in the suit of Admiral Sampson, his Off
! GERS, and men regarding certain Spanish
/ vessels and stores captured IN the battle of
sumed before Justice Bradley, sitting for
admiralty business.
| 1t Is expected that Justice Hagner. who
/ has been i'll for some time, will today re-
sumo his judicial duties in Equity Court
| No. l.