Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-17
Six Prisoners Confined in the
District Jail.
ATROCIOUS CRIMES
JOHN HENSON HELD FOR DEATH
OF LOUIS GOzMAN.
Storekeeper Whose Life Was Sacrificed
by Robber - The Case Of
August Shaffer

James Henson has been confined in the
District Jail more than nine months upon
charge of murder, and is said to be weary
of the laws delay in his case. Henson is
the young colored man who was charged
with the murder of Louis Gozman Deem
her 80 of last year. Five other persons are
confined in jaid awaiting trial on charges
of murder. IT is believed that most of
these cases will be called for trial shortly
after the vacancy in the Supreme Court of
the District is filed.
The murder of Louis Gozman has been
described as one of the most atrocious
crimes committed in this city in many
years. The victim of the tragedy con-
Quoted a small store at 619 Gordon avenue
northeast. Between 3 and o'clock in the
afternoon of the day named he was muir
dered and his store was robbed. The strug-
gle he had with his slayer was a desperate
one. 1t commenced in a rear room and
was continued through the store until the
keeper of the store finally fell exhausted
from loss of blood. A Ratchet was the
weapon used and cleaver in the store had
the appearance of also having been brought
into requisition. A week after the tragedy
was committed Henson was arrested and
the showing made at the coroners inquest
was such that he was held for the action
of the grand jury. The testimony against
the prisoner was by no means conclusive,
and he has always denied that he had any.
thing to do with the case.
Case of August L. Shaffer.
Another case to be investigated is that
of August l.. Shaffer, the young man who
killed his divorced wife. This was also a
particularly atrocious crime, and there is
no question as to who committed it. Shat
fer was seen to cut at the woman's throat
oI~
severed from her body, and he admitted
his guilt. He offered an explanation. with
the statement: Il never thought / would
come to this.
1t was during the latter part Of August
when Shaffer committed the crime near the
corner of Massachusetts avenue and 4th
street. The two children of the couple are
living with the mother of the murdered
woman. Shaffer, it was shown at the in
quest, had lotered about the place for a
week prior to the night that he took the
life of the mother of his children The de-
tense in the case, 1t is stated, is to be in
sanity The prisoner has been examined in
jail by insanity experts. The government
is preparing to meet the claim that the
prisoner was insane at the time the OffenSe
was committed.
Man Charged With Killing Stepfather.
James Butler, colored, eighteen years old,
Is alleged to have killed Joseph Green, his
stepfather, four months ago. The killing OF
Green was committed at his home in South
east Washington. and was the result 1t Is
said, of the treatment Of the boys mother
by Green. The accused man and his wife
had not had a pleasant married life. The
morning of the day the tragedy was enact
ed he told his wife she might sell some rags
that had accumulated In the house. She
sold them in order to raise the price of
ticket to an outing, and he then, it is said,
told her she had no right to sell them. This
fn1
went to his mothers rescue with club.
He used the club on Green's head, and the
following day the death occurred SYM
pathy was with the boy at the time the in
quest was held but the jurors held him
and he has been indicted.
Butler entered plea of guilty when ar
raigned but the court set the plea aside
and ordered a trial Of the case.
Three Other Gases.
Thomas, alias Vacuum" Joyce, colored.
is to be tried for his life for the alleged
murder of Walter Wright. There was a
row in Logan court early in July. and
knife was used on Wright with deadly eff
feet. No trouble was experienced by the
police in arrestng Joyce. He entered
plea of guilty when arraigned, but the
court declined to accept 1t.
Another case of alleged murder involves
the killing of Buck Austin, colored. by
George Howard, also colored. There was
Observation-Disclosures
count of a board bill and Howard is alleged
to have declared he would kill the man who
owed him money. 1t was about the middle
of July when Howard met Austin, and the
charge is he killed him with stone. The
crime was committed near 9th and l.
streets.
Walter Wright, colored, Is to be tried for
his life for the alleged unlawful killing of
Henry Town. His victim was carpenter
and was working at the Trumbull street
pumping station the 18th of June. Town
and the colored man had a dispute, and, 1t
is charged, hammer was used on Towns
head by the colored man. He was treated
at Freedman's Hospital and was able to
walk home. He became worse and was re-
moved to the Sibley Hospital where he
died. Self-defense, it is thought will be the
plea.
Regarded as Model Prisoners.
The six men who are to face jur.es with
the possibility of being condemned TO de on
the scaffold are regarded by the jail officials
as model prisoners. 1t is believed that all
have gained flesh since they reached the
prison and their conduct indicates that they
are about as contented as men could rea-
sonably be under the circumstances. Some
of them read books and others spend their
time on their cots, when they are not enjoy
ing walks through the corridor. Sundays
most of them attend the religious exercises
and seem to enjoy the change.
Prisoners charged with murder, 1t is sad,
seldom require much attention from the
Jail officials. although Frank Funk and
executed, were somewhat troublesome to
the guards. Edward Smith, colored, at
tempted suicide by cutting his throat. This
was done a few weeks before his execution.
The Result