Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-27
DIES OF HIS WOUNDS
BERNARD MATHEWS, COLoRED,
VICTIM OF PISTOL SHOT.
Was Under Arrest for Base Crime
Against Child and Attempt
ed to Escape.

Bernard Matthews, colored, died at the
Emergency Hospital this morning about
1880 clock. His death was due to bull
let wound of the abdomen received about
1918 O'Clock last night, while he was under
arrest in South Washington for an alleged
attempted felonious assault on Estella
Churchill, ten-year-old colored girl. Mat
thews also received a bullet in each arm,
and was somewhat disfgured by a police
mans club Policemen Donovan and Fetch
er, who had the man under arrest when he
was wounded, are detained at the fourth
precinct police station. They will be pres
ent at the inquest. which will probably be
held at the sixth precinct station tomor-
row morning.
Matthews was about thirty years old. and
lived at 1925 Nolan's court. while the
childs home is at 800 Aliens court. The
girl appears to be younger than she really
is. She attended a social gathering In
South Washington last night and was on
her way home when the big colored man
approached her on the N street bridge over
the James Creek canal and made an indie
cent proposal, which she repealed Grabbing
hold of the rail of the bridge, the child did
her best to keep out of Matthews clutches
but her efforts were not successful From
the bridge she was carried and dragged to
an open space near the canal She made
an cutlery, and her appeals for help were
noise on their way to the girls assistance
and surprised the colored man. who was
standing over her. He made an effort to
get away as soon as he saw the police
men, and the girl, who was badly fright
ened, also started to run.
Resists Arrest.
Policeman Fletcher took charge of the
girl in order that she should be on hand to
make complaint against the man when
they reached the station, while his brother
officer looked after Matthews Matthews
had no idea of going to the station, and
without any hesitation he resisted arrest
Policeman Donovan's revolver dropped
from his pocket, and Matthews struggled
for possession of it.
IF / get that pistol" he said, III fix
you
Donovan did not intend that he should
get the weapon II he could help it, but he
got it. nevertheless. Fletcher turned and
| succeeded in getting the weapon from the
| prisoners hand by using his club. A pedes-
trian who had been attracted to the scene
picked up the revolver and handed it ovel
! to Fletcher.
| pointing the revolver at the colored man.
struggle followed, and the weapon
was discharged. 1t was then that Mat
| thews received the fatal wound in the alb
domen. Although mortally wounded Mat
thews broke away from the officer and ran
| He took refuge in an alley behind q car
1 and attempted to assault the policeman
| with piece of board.
! Two shots were then fred and the leader
| missiles lodged in Matthews arm After
| these shots had been fired the wounded
| man managed to enter shed and get ou
| of sight of the policeman. After remainin:
| there few seconds he came out and re
| marked:
| I'm shot and Ill give up
The ambulance was summoned, and Mat
| thews was conveyed to the hospital TIL,
1 pjr To- "A no cta
| she was removed to the house of detention
| to be held a witness
| The Officers Detained