The Washington times., 1902-06-26
Large Force Thoroughly
Effect Work of De-
molltlon.
WOUNDED C0MRADE AVENGED
Result Of Attack on Private Pancoast,
Shot From Ambush Night Before
Bottles, Slot Machines, and Register
Smashed-Suspects in Guardhouse.

night, when several hundred soldiers
from Fort Myer wrecked small saloon
on the main turnpike of the village. a
number of shots were fired by the SOL
diers, but there was no bloodshed
The affair last night is said to have
been the result OF feud which began
on the previous night. Several soldiers
saloon in question. and Private Harry
C. Pancoast, one of the elected parties.
was shot three times in the back and
beaten into insensibiity. The men sta
toned at the Virginia fort heard of the
affair OF Tuesday night. and, it is said.
determined to avenge their comrade.
Last nights demonstration did not
greatly surprise the inhabitants of the
village, as it was rumored around dur
ing the forenoon that something of the
sort was going to happen.
Tuesday Nights Incident.
The saloon which was visited last
night by the marauding party was for
merly run by James Geary, who lives
at 1862 Valley Street. Georgetown.
On Tuesday night the Old Dominion
Pleasure Club, Of Rosslyn. gave ball
at the saloon. About II O'Clock, when
things began to get lively, number
of soldiers, who, IL Is said, were unin-
vited guests, entered the place, went
to the dancing pavilion. and raised a
disturbance, The proprietor of the
place requested them to be more or
derly, but his request was ignored
AS a last resort. Geary secured the
services of Constable Mill Birch and
elected the soldiers. The latter massed
on the outside of the saloon and were
in an ugly mood. When the constable
left the place after the ball they fol-
lowed him down the road
The constable returned to the saloon
to guard it. Two OF the soldiers threat
ened to make trouble, and Birch was
about to lock them up when friend in
terceded for them and they were re-
leased. The entire gang of soldiers
then returned to the saloon and a num-
Der vt shots were fired by both sides,
although no one was seriously hurt
Afte- the shooting, nearly all of the
soldiers went off in the direction of the
fort. about an hour afterward Private
Pancoaat was assaulted By an ambus-
cade party, and received three shots in
the bach and number of ugly wounds
about the face and head.
On the top Of his head there was
large lump, which looked as II 1t had
been inflicted by the butt end of a gun.
His face was badly SCARED as the re-
suit of having been dragged across the
road into the weeds.
He was picked up and sent to the hos
pital at the fort. where 1t was thought
f,g,-
more favorable reports were given out
regarding his condition, and the doctors
do not anticipate fatal result.
Vengeance Sworn.
Yesterday morning. when the soldiers
went to their breakfast, it was rumored
around from one company to another
that one of their comrades had been
waylaid Straightway they swore ven
geance upon those who had committed
the deed. Early yesterday morning, re
ports reached Rosslyn that the soldiers,
headed by a certain sergeant, were go
irg to raid the Geary saloon.
About O'Clock last night Charles II.
johnson, who attends to the Geary bar.
was sitting in the doorway listening TO
the music of a band which was playing
on the veranda, when he discovered a
number OF soldiers creeping up close to
the fence on the opposite side of the
road. and also saw number of them
90 toward the rear of the saloon.
Suddenly there was a terrific yell. and
loud command Of "Charga." At this
signal which is supposed to have come
from the sergeant. the leader. 200 or
more soldiers rushed across the road.
firing, as they ran, a tremendous volley
directly into the window OF the saloon.
Large cobblestones, half bricks, and
sticks were hurled into the large as
sortment OF bottles and glasses on the
shelves.
Johnson lost no time in getting cut Of
the back door, and the soldiers were
equally as eager in entering the place.
The butt ends OF their guns were used
&c batter 10 pieces a number OF slot
machines. The money which they con-
tained amounted possibly to sixty cents.
The machines are valued at SSj each.
and are completely wrecked.
a number of the soldiers made col
lections of various brands OF whskey,
wine. ales and braniics kept on the
shelves. Stones were hurled through
the windows. Every bottle in the place
was smashed. To complete the work of
demolition the cash register, containing
si5 or 90, was smashed.
Bullets flew thick and fast and the
walls and ice chests were perforated
After completing the damage the sol
diers retired and disappeared along the
road. The news of the wreckln2 was
hastily sent TO Fort Myer. and de-
tachment OF soldiers from the Fourth
Battery field artillery was sent down
to guard the saloon and prevent any
further breach of the peace.
Captain Foote commanded the detach-
ment, and there was no further disor-
der The detail returned to the fort
during the early hours of the morning.
and private watchrncn guarded the
wrecked saloon. The commanding Of
flcers of Fort Myer will make a private
investigation OF the affair. and place tho
blame where it belongs.
Eleven suspected soldiers were placed
In the gua-dhouse OF the fort last night.
No charges Will be entered against
them until the Investigation is con-
cluded
The damage to the saloon IS said to
be very great Although the proprietor
could not estimate his less last night,
1t will probably amount TO several thou
sand dollars 1t was stated last night
that the proprietor would bring suit
against the United States Government,