Evening star., 1902-02-07
CAUSED BY JEALOUSY
Tragedy Enacted at Dwelling on B
Street Northwest.
NEPFIE CARTER INSTANTLY KILLED
Henry SiIas Placed Under Arrest
Charged With Murder.
NEFFIE CARTER INSTANTLY KILLED
AN ALLEGED ACCIDENT

A charge OF murder was preferred against
Henry Silas, young colored man, who was
arrested last night by Sergeant Williams
of the third precinct. He is alleged to
have shot and instantly killed Nettfe Carter,
also colored at her home, No. 1926 H street
northwest. The affair occurred about 10:43
o'clock and an hour later Silas was under
arrest. He admitted ownership of the
weapon and also said he was in the room
at the time the shot was fired.
According to his version of the affair the
woman either shot herself accidentally or
committed suicide. The police allege that
he fired the fatal shot, but as the man
and woman were the only ones in the room
at the time. it may be difficult for them
to substantiate their claim. The bullet from
the weapon penetrated the woman's right
temple and forced the right eye from it's
socket. She was found lying on the floor
near the door, and there was pool of
blood near her. SilaS was arrested after
he had gone home and changed his clothing.
He was with his father when Sergeant
Williams met him, and his statement was
that he was on his way to the police sta
ton to surrender. Silas says be was en-
gagged to be married TO the woman and
had been visiting her almost nightly for
three or four months.
They had a quarrel last night he admit
ted to the officers, and it was his idea that
the woman either killed herself or that the
weapon was accidentally discharged while
they were struggling for possession OF it.
The Woman's Jealousy.
1t was about o'clock last night when he
called at the house. he stated, and Nettie
displayed signs of jealousy. because he had
a letter in his pocket. Nettie alleged that
the letter had been sent him by a woman.
Henry succeeded in easing her mind about
the letter, and the woman then suggested
that they get something to drink. Leaving
the house he said, he went to a neighbor-
ing saloon and purchased a bottle of
whisky. On his way back to the house he
stopped at S23 2ith street, where club meet
fngs are held He evidently found agreea-
BILE company there for he remained so long
that his sweetheart had to go in search of
him When she found him at the club he
willingly left the company assembled there
and accompanied Nettie to her home. What
occurred after reaching there the police
only know from what the prisoner told
them.
The quarrel about the letter was re-
newed, it is alleged, and the woman went
to her room and got Henrys hat and coat
for him. These garments were placed on
chair in the parlOr, and the quarrel was
continued. Then the fatal shot was fired.
The pistol had been left in the room Slas
states, and when he picked it up to carry
II away with him the woman objected to
his leaving. She grabbed him, according
to his statement. and while they were
engaged in the scuffle the weapon was
discharged.
Nettie fell to the floor. and without
waiting TO ascertain the extent of her in
jury Henry closed and locked the door
He then went away. leaving his coat and
nat behind. The noise in the room had
been heard by the girls sister and others
who were on the upper floor, and when
her dead body was found friends went in
pursuit of Silas. 1t is claimed that he was
pursued in the direction of GEORGETOWN
1t is known that he went to his home at
ZIG Virginia avenue although the police
failed to find him there when they first
visited the house.
The position in which the body was found
near the door indicated that the woman
was about to leave the room when she was
shot. A brother of the Jsictim who was in
the house heard part of the conversation
between the participants to the tragedy
He heard Henry ask the girl:
Amt you going for it?'
Her response was:
NO. I amt going" and then the shot
was fired.
The Cause of the Quarrel.
The letter about which the trouble Is
supposed to have occurred was picked up
In the room. 1t was signed Hattie Maury,"
and addressed its recipient as Mr.. Silas"
The writer was not profuse In the use of
endearing terms. She did say to him that
1t was pleasure to meet him at the club
and informed him: