The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-29
KEEPERS FEAR WELDON
MAY COMMIT SUICIDE
Alleged Murderer Closely
Watched in Jail.
CALM THOUGHT UNNATURAL
Accused Gloomily Awaits Day of His
Trial-Refers Visitors to
His Attorney.

Nonhned within the walls OF cell Nc.
s. Murderers' Row. i'm the south wing of
the District jail. Andrew Weldon, nifty
eight years of age. charged with the
murder of Mrs. Rachel Ann Beall his
stepmother. gloomily awaits the day of
his trial
Few quieter prisoners have been in
carcerated in the District Jail but de-
spite that fact Weedon's every move
is watched. his Keepers fearing the re o
suit of the prisoners unnatural calm
There have been cases before where
prisoners of this sort have attempted to
take their own lives With convicted
murdcrers in the cells closely adjoining
his. and constantly hearing the sounds
of their voices. and sometimes their
moaning. Weedon's surroundings are
anything but cheerful. and the incar-
ceration seems to have had an especial
" depressing effect on the occupant OF
cell No. s.
A Picture of Woe.
Seated on the side Of his small iron
bed. looking detected and woebegone, a
reporter for The Times found Weldon
yesterday. In his hands the prisoner
held a book He raised his eyes list
lessly from the printed page as the re-
porter stopped in front OF his cell. but
IL was dark inside. and evidently the
prisoner was more occupied with his
own thoughts than with the contents of
the volume.
He is not laxative, and. besides. in
justice 20 himself and his attorney. we
cannot allow him to be interviewed"
Warden Harris remarked; but the warn
ing was scarcely needed, in view of the
prisoners remarkable taciturnity.
I'd NJ no o
OF the warden. and. with his hand rest
ing on the iron bars. he remained per-
fectly still. while he stared at his VS.
itors with impassive features. he
lurched as he walked, and in appear
ance he was gaunt and stoop- shoulderej-
In response to a question as to how
he had enjoyed Christmas. Weedon's
eyes lighted for moment and he re-
piled:
How could enjoy Christmas in such
a hole as this. OF course. didn't haze
a happy Christmas
Referred to Attorney.
Any further information as to his
life at the Jail the prisoner did not
care to vouchsafe. To all queries he
made the reply. You will have to see
my lawyer, Mr.. Mitchell" AS tie re-
Weldon dropped the book which Ac had
unconsciously held in his hands irto a
chair and stretched himself on mis- bed
face downward.
The Jail employees say that Weldon
has not given them the slightest trOu-
BILE He is model prisoner so far as
that is concerned. and Tor that reason
is accorded special privileges. He is al
lowed to take q walk in the corridors
once i'm while. and has books TO read
Weldon was an inveterate whisky
drinker. but he has been denied drink
since his incarceration.
He was sent TO the Jail on
Monday. December Il. when the coro-
ners jury which investigated the death
of Mrs. BeaD held him responsible.
A Brutal Crime.
The crime for which the prisoner is to
be tried was a most brutal one. COM
mitted on Friday. December IL. at the
home of Mrs. Jessie Oelrich, 1874 H
Street northeast.
Bun Weldon. as he was called, is
alleged to have made threats against
members Of the family. According to
testimony introduced at the coroner's
inquest he had a revolver with which
he was won't TO practice In the rear yard
OF his home.
II was testified by Detective Brown.
o. the Ninth precinct. at the coroner's
inquest. that Mrs. Oelrichs accused
Bun" Weldon OF the crime. Mrs. Beali
vas shot three times. Evidences showed
that she had struggled with the muir
derer. old and feeble as she was After
she fell the murderer kicked the body
under the stove in the kitchen.