Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-24
AAGAA RESPONSIBLE
Charged With Causing Death
Of Walt}r DICKSON.
THE CoRoNER'S VERDICT
WITNESSES TELL : STORY OF
TRAGEDY ENACTED YESTERDAY.
The Accused Man Committed to Jail to
Await the Action of the
Grand Jury.

on the head with a hammer Yesterday
afternoon while working on the Hamilton
road, Anacostia, as published in yester-
days Star, died at Providence Hospital
little more than two hours after the blow
was struck. Joseph Hagan, also colored,
who dealt the fatal blow remained about
the scene Of the homicide until the arrival
of the police. He had no idea of the seri-
BUSINESS of the wound he had inflicted and
was surprised when he learned of the
death of his victim. After he had used
the hammer on Jackson's head and
knocked the latter unconscious he was
kept in conversation. by the foreman on
the works until the police reached the
scene. Jackson. as stated in The Star yes
terday, was driving horse attached to a
dirt cart and Hagan was breaking stone
for use on the road. The animal Jackson
was driving is owned by Hagan's mother
in-law
The prisoner was taken to police head
quarters this morning and photographed
for the gallery. Later he was conveyed to
the sixth precinct, where he was present
at an inquest held over Jackson's remains
Hagan was held responsible for the death
and was committed to Jail to await the
action OF the grand jury. Several witnesses
who were examined told of the circum-
stances under which the blow was struck
Assistant District Attorney Peyton Gordon
represented Tic prosecution ana Attorney
Darlington was present for the prisoner.
Sergeant Anderson's Testimony.
Sergeant Anderson, who has charge of
the Anacostia police district, was the first
witness examined. He told the jury that
he was in the station yesterday. when a
message was received telling Of a serious
assault having been committed at the juno
ton of the Hamilton road and Stanton ave-
scene of the difficulty, he said, distance of
one and one-half miles, in five minutes
Upon his arrival there Hagan was pointed
out as the assailant of the wounded man
then lying on the ground. Hagan told wit
ness that Jackson had struck him three
times before he used the hammer on him.
sergeant Anderson said he was unable to
There was no time lost in getting the
wounded man to the hospital
Charles Tuge, resident of Prince
Georges county. Md. was next examined
road for the District. Yesterday afternoon
Jackson came to the scene of the trouble
on on his Sc cart: After. his arrival there the
men had some words and Hagan struck
Jackson. The men had had some words
earlier in the day, witness said, and Jack
son had cut stick to use when he re-
turned. After jackson was struck. wit
ness stated, he got off the cart and the
men fought along the road Then they re-
turned to the cart, where the hammer
was used. ~ th.
Il want you to stop slanging me-"
Hagan dropped his hammer as soon as
ne had used 1t and resumed the work of
loading the cart. 80 Witness saw nobody
make an effort to part the men. .'-" q
Quarrel Ensues. @; 4s
James T. Howard, co1ored, resident of
Hillsdale. testified that he was working
nd H. I'll 49, -,
ing cart. Hagan spoke to Jackson about
the manner in which he had been driving
and the latter cursed Hagan. Hagan said
he was going to report him to Mrs Small
wood the owner of the horse for beating
the animal.
Witness said that Jackson cut a hickory
stick to use on Hagan and said he saw him
knock Hagan down with It. When Hagan
returned to his work Jackson appeared and
made an effort to use the stick him.
Then 1t was. the witness stated, that the
fatal blow was struck
James. Allen testified that he saw the
men striking at each other. He saw jack
son knock Hagan down. The row was ap-
parently over when Jackson renewed the
fight and was knocked down with the ham,
mer. AT the time the fatal blow was struck
Jackson had the heavy hickory stick in his
hand.
Ernest Jones, fcolored was also examined
He witnessed only part of the affair, and
did not see Jackson when he knocked Ha-
gan down. There was no effort made to
prevent the fight.
Henry Matthews and Wallace Taylor
cart drivers. also gave testimony.
Surgeons Statement.
Dr. Ransdell, resident surgeon at Provi-
dence Hospital. testified that the victim Of
the assault was in a semi-conscious con-
dition when he reached the hospital. There
were two wounds on the back of his head
and an eighth of an inch depression. The
brain was torn. Death occurred before the
operation was finished.
DR.. L. w. Glazebrook. deputy coroner
was the last witness examined. Jackson,
he said, was a remarkably well-developed
man. Witness told of the wounds of the
skull which had injured the brain and
caused death. The skull was fractured in
three places. He found the brain tissue
torn and lacerated. His death was caused
by hemorrhage of the brain following the
injury to the skull.