The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-14
In Pursuit of Treasury
Cafe RObber.
TOOK MONEY FROM CASHIER
Crowd Pursues Charles Smith, Who Is
Captured by c. NJ Edwards After
Hard Fight.

Philip E. steuart. cashier OF the
Treasury Cafe, at 100 G. Street north
west. was closing the cafe about $40
O'Clock last nie;t, when he was held UP
at the point OF a gun and forced TO de-
liver the late receipts. amounting 10
IS The highwayman fed. and was pur-
sued by several policemen, Two of whom
he shot as he ran. He was finally cap
tured. and now two charges of assault
with intent TO kill and one Of robbery
are lodged against him. He proved TO
be Charles Smith, an eighteen-year-old
negro. who was discharged from the
~ ednes lay last.
Smith had been employed as a dish
washer in the cafe. which is owned by
J ". Bowling. Tor about three months.
and was familiar with the habits of
those employed there. He, therefore,
knew that. at about this hour. Steuart
would be alone. and would take the cash
from the register just before locking up.
Another custom was for Steuart 60 take
look through the kitchen to see that
all was right before leaving
Closing the Cafe.
Everything came or according to pro-
gram last night. and Smith was watch
ing the progress of events from outside.
Steuart took out the cash and placed
it in a little channels bag. and then
went TO the kitchen for his final inspec-
ton Just then he heard some one come
in the front door. He returned TO the
front room TO see who was entering
after the lights had been turned down.
and came face to face with a masked
negro. who leveled a IS caliber pistol
at him and said. I want that money"
With more than usual nerve Steuart
pushed the gun aside, thinking that the
man would weaken Instead he again
demanded the money, and Steuart was
forced 10 give 1t up Here the man turn
ed ard fec TO the street, but Steuart
followed him closely and blew his police
whistle. TIE negro had turned west on q
Street and BY the time he reached the
corner of Fifteenth Street. Crossing
Policeman G. v. Osburn, stationed at
Fifteenth Street and New York Avenue.
hearing, the whistle, had also reached
that corner. He tried 10 intercept the
fleeing negro. and came near doing so.
when Smith drew a revolver and fired
a Osburn. who fell instantly. and so
fast was he running that he rolled over
after striking the pavement. 1t was
afterward found that the ball had
fractured the Eone OF the leg just above
the knee. and the fall had made the
fracture a compound one.
Crowd Follows Him.
BY the time Smith turned into New /
York Avenue frndreds of pedestrians {
wbs-fiad witnessed the shooting of the I,
policeman. and supposed lin dead. had
Joined in the chase Frank O Parker. or
SCI F Street northwest. was the closest /
to him. when Saith again whirled and
fred point blank at Parker. but this
bullet went wild. BY this time Crossing
Policeman c. NJ. Edwards, who is sta
TONED at Fourteenth Street and New
York Avenue, saw the runner and pur-
suers approaching and ran TO meet them
He came up with Smith at the opening
Of the blind alley on the north side Of
New YORK avenue half way between
fourtsanth and Fifteenth Streets. in the
rear Of the Oxford Hotel
When Edwards was ten feet away. /
Smith fred his third and last shot, which
struck Edwards Just oveF the heart |
mat this shot Was not instantly fatal
is due only 10 the fact that Edwards |
had in his pocket a folded newspaper |
and two memorandum books. which !
b-oke the force Of the bullet so that It /
only grazed the skin. Edwards was stag
gered, but did not abandon the pursuit !
a
alley came up with his man. There was
a fierce struggle. in which Smith was
disarmed, and overpowered. When the /
pistol was recovered il was found that 4
1t contained no lnc-e charges.
By this time Policeman Bursey, and /
Crossing Policemen J. C McCravey. /
from Fourteenth and G Streets. and J. |
P Barrett, from Fourteenth and + !
Streets. had reached the scene. and II /
was well they did so, cor the infuriated /
crowd was but a few feet behind them. /
and cries Of lynch him" and the Ike /
were freely heard. and IL was only by a /
stir fight that Ihe negro was protected 1
until The arrival Of the patrol wagon. /
All the officers agree that, had t'is
wagon been a moment later, II might /
have been impossible 10 protect him.
Smiths Rambling Tale.
At the seationhouse II was found that
Smith still hal the money on him. and
that the mask he used was one OF the
napkins which he had taken from the
restaurant while working there He /
told a long and rambling story at head |
quarters this morning OF a white man /
named Tommy Brown, a h tbitue Of the 4
Union Mission. who had met him at the /
corner Of Fourteenth and G Streets, had I
shown him the pistol. and proposed that /
he rob Steuart. for which was to get
SO. When Smith hesitated. Brown had /
threatened 10 make him eat the gun"
II he did not comply. Smith lives at /
1I09 New Jersey Avenue southeast. with .
his father. who is a hod-carrier. His /
mother Is dead.