Evening star., 1903-07-04
Richard Patton Of Washing
ton Killed by Cars.
FRIENDS NOTIFIED
BROTHER OF DEAD MAN TAKES
CHARGE OF BODY.
Verdict of Murder in Second Degree
helm - General Matters.
Evening Star Bureau,
701 King Street,

Evening Star Bureau,
701 King Street,
Bell Telephone 106.
ALEXANDRIA. Va, July 4, l9o3.
The decapitated body of man who
proved to be Richard L. Patton of Wash
ington was found early this morning lying
between the rails of the track used for
southbound trains on the Pennsylvania
road, near st. Asaphs Junction, a mile
north Of this city. Justice of the Peace
Isaac c. Burrell Of Jefferson district, Al
exandria county, acting coroner. was not-
fed and viewed the remains about o'clock.
He deemed an inquest unnecessary and or
dered the body removed to the undertaking
establishment of B. Wheatley in this city.
In the pockets of the dead man two let
ters were found. one addressed to Richard
Patton and the other to r. L. Patton. 521
8th street southwest Washington. Both
were written from Fredericksburg, Va,
June 26 last. and were postmarked as hav-
ing been received in Washington the follow
ing day. One bore the signature of J. B.
Colbert and was written from a pool and
billiard parlor. and the other was from E.
w. Mills. the letterhead showing that the
writer was connected with a grocery and
change and an Employers Relief Associa-
ton excursion ticket to River View, July
10, were found In his pockets. The man
was dressed in a serviceable black suit
When discovered by some railroad en-
ployes the headless body was lying between
the rails and the head was short dis
tance away between the double tracks. The
features were scarcely dtsfgured and the
skull was not crushed at all. The head had
been several by cut which was as clean as
though 1t had been done by an ak. The body
was considerably bruised but, excepting
one Of the feet. was not mangled. The
facts gathered by Coronel Burrell about
the mans death were to the effect that he
had been run over this morning about 2
o'clock by a southbound freight train in
charge of Conductor Watkins. with Engi-
neer W. H. Burrier in the cab of the engine,
which was No. 1889. Shortly after the
train struck Patton his body was found by
some brakemen in the position above men
toned. The coroner was satisfied that the
facts pointed to an accidental death with
out blame to the railroad company. 1t was
supposed by the coroner that the man had
been a pedestrian and that he had fallen
asleep across the rails.
His Brother Notified.
The Identification of the remains was
confirmed this morning when a reporter
for The Star called at 521 Sth street, and
was informed by Mr.. Harry Patton that
brother It was the first information that
Mr.. Patton had received of the sad acci-
dent, and he was very much affected by
the news
Mr. Patton stated that his brother had
left Washington last night for Fredericks-
burg Va, where he expected to spend the
Fourth with his father.
The unfortunate man was twenty-five
years of age and unmarried. He was en-
ployed at Whites iron foundry in Wash
ington.
Murder in the Second Degree.
A verdict of murder in the second degree,
with punishment fixed at eighteen years in
the penitentiary, was reported last night
shortly after IL o'clock by the jury in the
corporation court in the case of Thomas
II. Blandheim, colored. charged with the
murder of John Green, also colored. When
the verdict was announced counsel for the
defense moved that it be set aside and that
a new trial be granted. Owing to the late
ness of the hour the motion not
argued, but Attorney Machen indicated
that his side might be ready to take it up
some day next week. An arrest of judS-
ment granted, in order to give time
for the consideration for the motion. Com
monwealth Attorney Brent stated to the
court that there was really no case against
William Thomas, colored, charged with
being an accomplice of Blandheim in the
murder. ana the Juryrnen, without ledVlnS
their seats, reported verdict of not guilty,
the prisoner was discharged.
After The Star account Of the trial Of
Blandheim closed yesterday afternoon the
defendant was put on the stand to testify
in his own behalf. He stated that he had
shot Green after seeing him draw some
thing that looked like knife from his hip
pocket A portion of this testimony was
corroborated by Thomas. After an ad-
journment for an hour court reconvened at
o'clock, and the final arguments were
commenced. attorney Harry B. Cation
rehearsed the evidence adduced in
Lewis H Machen, delivered a
forceful argument in behalf of his client.
Commemorative Attorney Brent closed
with a recital of the evidence for the state
and a strong appeal to the jury to convict
the prisoner of murder in the first degree.
When the speaking began the court room
filled up with spectators, many of them be-
Ing prominent citizens who had gathered
out of interest in the final efforts of the at
torneys. They all received fattering COM
pliments for their respective addresses.
The case was given to the jury about 1918
and an hour later Foreman l.. Kraft an
nounced the verdict.
Brief Mention.
The Fourth of July is being observed in
in the customary manner The
public offices, banks and other business
houses are closed and business in general
is practically suspended. Large numbers
have left the city in excursion parties, and
several went to Culpeper this morning to
attend the second days events at the an
nual horse show and racing exhibition at
that town.
In the corporation court yesterday the
will of the late charles Lozano was ad-
mitted to probate. Mrs Susan P Lozano.
his widow, qualified as Administrative, Civ
IL bond in the sum of 5000. The de-
ceased left the bulk of his estate to his
widow.
Announcement is made of the marriage of
Miss Edna Mai Cook Of this city and Mr..
Walter Scott PaSsmore of Birmingham
Ala, which will take place Wednesday
evening, July 8, in this city
An entertainment was given last evening
In the lecture room of the Methodist Pro-
testant Church under the auspices Of the
young people of the church Mr. Nevelle