Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-16
| MURDER MYSTERY
POLICE INVESTIGATE DEATH OF
ALBERT BECKWITH.
Body Found on Street With Trousers
Pockets Turned Inside Out,
Indicating Robbery.

Cant Roardruan had several members OF
his staff of detectives busy yesterday and
last night working on what promised TO De
as mysterious a murder as the crimes OF
recent years that remain unsoived- Inc
victim in this case was Albert Beckw1th,
colored laboring man. and. while 1t IS SAID
he had but little money on him prior to
the time of his death, the motive appears
to have been robbery. Whether the man
was killed where his body was found on
the street or in a house. and his body car
ried to the street. there is nothing to show
The body was found at the southeast
corner of 18th and 3 streets northwest
about 6 o'clock yesterday morning. Edw
Maher, living at GD street southwest,
discovered 1t while he on his way to
work. William f. Thomas. a hackman
was then attracted to the scene. and ne
moved the arm of the body to see II ne
could detect any sign of life. He found
the body was rigid, and 1t was evident
that death had occurred several hours De
fore. Because of the fact that life mad
been extinct so long time the suggestion
was made that the man was killed IN
house and his body afterward carried TO
the street and left.
There was a wound over the left ear. Be
meath this injury there was severe frac-
ture OF the skull and injury to the brain:
The mans face was Scared. as n ne had
been thrown upon his face. When the
ground, with the arms outstretched. The
head rested on the grass, while the rect
were on the tagging of which the pave
ment to the west of the Agricultural De-
partment Is constructed. On the grass near
the head was blood spot, while short
distance away was piece of brick. 1t was
supposed the piece of brick had been used
as the weapon with which Beckwith was
killed. but there was no stain upon It, Inc
missile was taken to the first precinct sta
tion where it is held as possible evidence
i'll the case.
Beckwith was seen with small amount
of money at an early hour Sunday morn
ing, but when his clothes were searched
the police found only about twenty-five
cents. The pockets of the dead man
trousers had been turned inside out. Sucn
were the conditions found by the police
after Mr.. Maher had reported the discovery
of the body. Capt. Boardman learned or
the affair as soon he reached headqudf-
ers, and detailed Detectives Helan. Pratt.
Hartigan and Peck to devote their entire
time to the investigation.
With Friends Saturday Night.
Beckwith came here few months ago
from his home at Sugarland. Md, and had
lived at No 4 South street, Georgetown.
He worked for the Crawford Paving Com
pany until about week ago. when he went
to work at the arsenal. Saturday night he
was with his brother and friends until after
o'clock. He then made his way to the
section of the city south of Pennsylvania
avenue When he reached the house of
George Reed on street he was some
what under the influence of liquor He
paid four visits to the house between 10
o'clock Saturday night and LEO o'clock Sum
day morning. On the occasion of his last
visit he remained in the house until about
1:45 o'clock. The mans identity not
known AT the time his body was found but
letter found in his pocket that he had
ceived from his mother gave his name and
address.
Precinct Detective Clifford Grant of the
first precinct made an early start on the
case and worked with the headquarters de-
tectives later in the day. Last night the de-
tectives locked up two colored men sus-
pected of being able to give some informa-
ton which would assist them in the solu-
ton OF the mystery. One of them, William
Iandon. lives near Maryland avenue and
18th street northeast. The other, Frederick
Cole, gave his address as st. James court
in the same section.
Suspicious Circumstances.
1t is alleged that the men under arrest
were seen in front of the house of the Reed
woman about the time Beckwith left there
the last time. One hour later 1t Is claimed
one of them returned to the house and
SppmaH al