Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-11
4 BLOODY ARRAY
TWO BROTHERS SLASH EACH
OTHER WITH RAzoRs..
Both in Hospital Suffering From Their
Wounds-Woman Assaulted
by Her Friend.

With the charge of assault with intent to
kill opposite their names on the police blot
ter, John and Philip Coleback, two brothers,
occupy cots at the Georgetown University
Hospital, suffering from serious wounds In
ficted by the use of razors. A bloody duel
was enacted late last night in small room
at the Coleback home, at 1910 32d street
northwest. Rivalry In love is supposed to
have been the cause of the battle. Al
though both men are in critical condition,
the surgeons at the hospital are hopeful of
their recovery.
Philip, who is twenty nine years DID, is a
timer, while his brother and opponent in
the duel is two years his senior and fol-
lows the trade of bricklayer. There were
various rumors as to the origin of the
trouble. The police learned that the two
brothers left home early yesterday evening
for a trip down town. They parted, how
ever, soon after leaving home and visited
several drinking establishments. Philip, 1T
is said, arrived at home first and retired.
Several hours later John came in. He was
in an ugly mood, and the fact that his
brother his rival in love came to his
mind. 1t is said that the young woman
about whom the quarrel occurred had been
partial to Philip, much to the discontinue
of John. Philip. it is said, was accused of
not playing fair
Philip resented the accusation and at
tempted to show his brother that he had
been unjust in making such charge, when
a hot discussion enSued. One word led to
another. and 1t is said, the two brothers
were soon plugging at each other with their
fists. This method of warfare did not ap-
pease the desire of one of the combatants,
and, by shrewd move. he quickly secured
a razor from bureau drawer
The Battle With Razors.
This act was a signal for a struggle to
the end. AS quick as flash the other
brother managed to get his razor in hand.
Blood Immediately began to flow. Philips
razor came in contact with Johns chin
when the former made slash at his broth
ers neck. The fight was comparatively a
quiet one, the men slashing at each other
at every opportunity and with all the might
they could muster. John became desperate
upon receiving the cut on the chin and
rushed at Philip. The latter threw up his
arm and the keen edge of the weapon pass
ed across the wrist. inficting a cut to the
bone and severing every tendon. In the
clinch John grabbed his brothers weapon
but 1T slipped through his fingers, cutting
each one of the fingers and the thumb
John weakened the fight proceeded
Philip slashed him again, the weapon MAX
ing deep cash in his neck and almost cut
ting the jugular vein.
AT this juncture the occupants of the low
er portion of the house We're awakened by
the noise in the room in which the battle
was being fought. The cry of murder
rent the air. and the police were soon on
the scene. Some difficulty was encountered
in opening the door of the ROOM but this
being accomplished, the duelists were parted
and the patrol wagon of the seventh pre-
cinct station was summoned. Both men
were suffering from the loss of blood and
1t was realized that a delay In receiving
medical treatment might prove fatal Both
men were conveyed to the hospital with all
possible haste. The tendons and nerves in
Philips arm were sewed together, as were
the muscles in Johns neck. Both were re-
ported to be resting easily this morning
Another Call for Police Action.
The police had not entirely recovered from
the excitement incident to the Coleback
duel when cries of murder and police"
were heard to issue from 26O9 o street. In
vestigation developed the fact that Blanche
Williams, colored, twenty-one years old,
who resides at that number, and her friend,
William Chase, also colored, had been
quarreling. and to make his argument ina
pressive he grabbed up a frying pan and
with 1t struck Blanche in the back of the
head, intiicting serious scalp wound. Will
lam beat a hasty retreat, while Blanche
was conveyed to the GEORGETOWN University