Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-10-30
STABBED To- THE HEART
WITH A AP0CKETKNlFE
Fatal Ending Of an Early Morning
Quarrel Between Two Young
COlOred B0OtblaCkS.
FREDERICK WALKER THE VICTIM
Fatal Wound Was Inflicted by
Edward Lewis.
MURDERER FLED AND is YET AT LARGE

Frederick Walker, colored, aged 26
the employ of william Frisby, also col
orei, about two months, was murdered
Mon lay morning by Edward Lewis,
apea =: years also baotblack in
Frshy's establishment, On Shipley
streev above Front. Lawis stabbed
Walker in quarrel ON Shiplcy street
above Front, Opposite the place where
the men lived and worked, about 3. IL
o'clock, and fed, going in tho direction
Of the west yard. Walker was assisted
into the house by William Epps, col
ored, VINO WAS with him, and several
Others, and Mhen,it Was found thst he
had been seriously injured the police
were notified and tie Noundet man
was taken in tho Phnrix ambulance to
the Delaware Hospital, whore he died
at 4. 80 O'Clock. Lewis had few min
utes start on the police, and as he took
Il dark route, succeeded in escaping or
finding hiding place, and up TO noon
he hal not heen captured.
Walker, Who was regarded as an In
| offensive man, came from West Chester.
| Pa. about two inonthG ago and at about
| tho same time Lewis came from Wash
| ington. Both Nore considered proficient
in the huotblacking business and wore
engaged iy Flsoy, who conducted an
establishment on From. street near
French and al.u on FihiEley street
| above Front. The n,en lived ut tho
latter address, and, so far rs is known,
thefe Lad been no serious trouble until
Manday morning.
| Snr9e Of l'ri5by's employees say that
Lewis wda addicted to the uso of
| cocaine, which, at timn5, appeared to
| nako Aim suriy. Ho was cut the
rfeater part of saturday night and also
sunday night Walker was also out
iaia Sunday night in companywith VII.
Fam Epla, another gne OF Frishy 5
nontblacks, anu several others, and,
| ItLermidnlgnt, accurding to Epls,
Haliier visited "a saloon OH Front street
and had several drinks Epps is of
tEo opinion that Walker became
| slightly intoxicated.
While Walker and Epps were walk
ing along Front street from Market
ton.fl Sn:pley, about 3 o clock Monday
morning, on tho.r way home, they met
Lewis, who accused Walker Of carrying
i.ma about uim to ther employer.
Walker denied that no had done such q
thing and hot words followed. Epts,
who was cool headed, prevented the
men from coming to blows and sfter be
had separated them started off with
Walker t,Ward tho Shipley street
house. Lewis followed and struck
Walker. The latter retaliated and agair
tho men wers separated by Epps, who
again started off with Walker. Lewis
continued to follow them and agair
struck Walker. The latter turnec
around to resent the attack, wher
.-erls plunged knife into Walkers
body in the region of the heart. Levi.
then took to his heels and was soon ou
of sight. He ran out Front street tt
Orange, down Orange to the railroae
and there disappeared.
After Walker had been stabbed b,
fell into Epps' arms and told the latte
that Ae had been cut. Walker wa!
gotten into the house as soon as possi
BILE, his shirt was ripped open and Eppi
soon found a wound near the heart. il
which he could run his little finger
After the wounded man had been takeI
to tho hospital Enps went to bed, bu
shortly afterward he was arrested b,
Sergeants White and McDermott ant
taken to the polico station, where he il
held as witness.
After Walkers death Coroner Fricl
was notified and the body was sent t,
tho morgue. An inquest will be hell
in day or 30. In the meantime il
effort will ba made by the police Il
capture Lewis and the police ant
coroner will cndeavor to learn all o
the facts leading up to the murder.
Lewis is unmarried, as was ais
Walker. The latter had good reputa
tion and was we'll liked. He was
Ernther of lphn Wul.ar tyho lkaapr
restaurant on Fifth street near Walnut
j. B. Smith, West Chester under
taker, came to Wilmington Monda
and removed Walkers body to Wes
, Chester. He had been sent bere b.
i Walkers PARENTS, who are substantial
colored residents of West Chester, an
/: at their request investigated the fact
!. concerning the murder. Through th
courtesy of the police, no was pefmitte
to talk with William Epps, rhe witnes
who is under arrest.