Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-27
Government Bonds.
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
SANFORD LYONS ACCUSED OF
NUMEROUS ASSAULT.
Evening Star Bureau,
No, 7O1 King Street,
Bell. Telephone No. II

cd Bell Telephone No. 100.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, October "a, 1902
Sanford Lyons, colored, was arraigned
this morning In the police court on the
charge Of murderous assault, and was COM
mitted to jail for ten days to await the re-
suit of the injuries for which he is alleged
to be responsible. The offense charged is
the shooting of Charles Jones, also col
ored, who is now in critical condition.
When the case was reached on the docket
a long list of witnesses was called. but
only one of them, DR.. ]. NJ. Hopkins. a
colored physician, was examined. He
stated that Jones had been struck by two
balls, one OF which had entered the left
shoulder, the other penetrating the left
side of the abdominal cavity. In the opn-
ion of the doctor the patients condition
is very serious, and his death from the
wounds may result at any time.
A number of colored men charged with
COMPLETELY in the row which resulted in
the shooting were lined up in the dock.
They had been gathered in by several oth-
ers of their race who were witnesses OF
the trouble and who were deputized In
the emergency by Justice of the Peace
Joseph Beach, who happened to reach the
place soon after the shots were fired.
The deputies proved willing officials, ard
soon landed half dozen prisoners In the
station house Their names were John
Goods, William Neal. -Silas Ray, Gus Rut-
ledge, Chester Larkin James Gulick ana
Thomas Ray. The charge against them
was that of disorderly and riotous conduct.
Goods was assessed $40, murderous look
ing pistol being found in his possession.
1t was in vain that he protested that he
had bought the weapon to shoot rabbits
with pistol was also discovered on the
person of Thomas Ray, who attempted no
excuse. but got the usual fine of SO Rut-
ledge and Neal were fined 80 each, ana
the others were dismissed.
Cause Of the Row.
From the statements made 1t appeared
that the whole trouble was caused by Lyons
and several companions becoming too much
at home while on visit at the house of
colored woman named Jennie Gordon, 1913
Princess street, in what is known as the
Petersburg district" yesterday afternoon
about o'clock. Lyons. who was employed
as a laborer on the Southern railroad near
Ravensworth, accompanied by several OF
his fellow-laborers. went to the Gordon
woman's house. where Jones also resides.
Jennie became provoked when Lyons en-
tered the kitchen. She called to Jones, who
confronted the unwelcome visitor, and
scrap followed. 1t Is alleged that Lyons
drew his revolver and fired twice at his
antagonist. both Of the shots taking effect.
The wounded man was then carried back
into the house. Lyons attempted to escape,
but was apprehended by Officers Belts,
Beach and Henderson, who arrived on the
scene at that juncture. When captured the
man was without his pistol, having cast 1t
away as he was crossing a vacant lot 1t
was discovered soon after. two chambers
being empty.
Prisoners Statement.
Another version is related by the prisoner.
He says that after arriving at the house he
was asked by the. proprietress to supply
money for the purchase of beer. He did so,
he states. but his wrath was aroused when
the liquor was passed around in another
room, to which he was denied admission.
Lyons charges that he did not draw his
pistol nor fire until a weapon was displayed
by the other man. Then, according to the
prisoner statement. he fired He admitted
having killed a man in Richmond about
five years ago, for which he served term
The shooting, he said, was done in self
defense. The prisoner is from Richmond.
When searched at the station house knife
and a razor Were found on his person.