Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-21
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
WILMER STEEL BADLY WOUNDED
BY A CONSTABLE.
His Chance for Recovery Regarded as
Uncertain-City Police Com
missioner Elected.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star
ALEXANDRIA. Va. June q, 1904.
Wilmer Steel Of Jefferson district. Alex
andria county, was conveyed to the Alex
andria Hospital last evening In a critical
condition from a bullet wound in the abb
domen. 1t was stated this morning that
his chances for recovery were very uncer-
tain. He gave only brief account OF the
circumstances connected with the shooting
but stated that the wound was inflicted by
Constable John Cornell Of st. Asaph. who
was attempting to arrest him on a warrant
sworn out by Justice Of the Peace Burr'H.
charging him with using abusive language
toward a neighbor.
The constable could not be found at his
home in the county this morning, but MS
wife stated that he had left there soma
hours before to visit Commonwealth AT
torney Crandall Mackey at his once IN
Washington to confer with him about the
affair Mrs. Cornell said that her husDano
had been given the warrant by Justice
Burrill the afternoon before. ConstaDie
Cornell left home toward evening 10 arlts'
Steel. Upon returning after prler ap
serce Mrs. Cornell stated. he told her re
had found Steel and had attempted to take
him into custody when he ran. The con-
stable followed and. 1t was stated, nreo nus
pistol in the air. Continuing the pursuit
he came almost up with the fugitive, wfo.
1t was asserted. made some threatening 2nd
defiant declarations. whereupon, 1t was
said. the officer fired toward him. The ball
entered Steels body. but he continued u
run.
Dodges the Officer.
Some negro railroad hands saw him
dodge out of the officers sight and secrete
himself behind a clump of bushes There
he remained for some time until his means
led the colored hands who had witnessed
his retreat to Investigate his condition.
Upon learning of the seriousness OF his
wound they informed Officer Cornell of his
whereabouts. Soon thereafter he was re-
moved to the Alexandria Hospital. 1t was
discovered that the bullet had passed al
most through the abdomen, being LOGGED
under the skin the anterior surface.
Later Constable Cornell reported the mat
ter to Justice Burrill. stating that he had
acted in the discharge of his duty.
Steel is about twenty-three years Of age.
and was employed as a section hand on the
Southern railroad. He is we'll known in
Jefferson district and his associats declare
that he bore a good reputation.
Steel had some difficulty with one of his
neighbors a few days ago, growing out of
a statement that he had smacked one of
her children, which led to her procuring
the warrant against him. Mr.. John Steel
father of the wounded man, resides in
Prince William county, and efforts have
been made to communicate with him.
Election of Police Commissioner
At the first meeting of the city council in
July a police commissioner for the first
ward will be elected at joint session of
the board of aldermen and the common
council. Mr.. Zore Hill, the incumbent. it
is understood, will be candidate for re-
election. Up to the present there have been
no other candidates for the position an
nounced The term is for four years.
Death of Unidentified Man.
An unidentified colored man, who was
struck yesterday by train on the South
ern railroad near Culpeper. died last night
at the Alexandria Hospital, where he was
taken several hours after the accident. He
was employed the force engaged in
double-trackng the road and was so badly
crushed that he was unable to give any
account Of himself at the hospital The
remains were turned over to Undertaken B.
Wheatley this morning for burial
General Matters.
Prof. L. NJ. Blackboard, Mr.. Wythe Kim
solving. Mr.. Amber Blackboard, Mr. Thos.
Nelson, Mr.. Angus and Mr. M. D. Crawford.
all OF Seminary Hill, near this city, have
left for New York, whence they sail today
for Europe to spend the summer in travel
Messrs. George E. Markell, Robert w.
Arnold and Frank l.. Slaymaker We're
chosen deacons of the Second Presbyterian
Church at congregational meeting of that
church Sunday morning.
Mr.. Carroll w. Ashby of this city has
been appointed assistant cashier of the
Southern Railroad Company at the general
office in Washington. Mr.. Ashby has been
connected with the treasurer's office of the
company for a number of years.
The Braddock Heights base ball team Is
maintaining It's good reputation this season
In close game here Saturday afternoon
the visiting nine won from the Junior Alex
andrians by score of 10 to 8. The Brad
dock Heights lineup was as follows: E.
Lindsey pitcher: N. Peake, short stop; J.
BChlager, second base; H. Bryan. left field;
B. Bryan. catcher; w. Trimyer. center field;
G. Zachary. first base; J. Duncan, third
base, and E. Bohlayer, center field
Miss Daisy Boon Marshall and Mr. Rob-
ert H. Love were quietly married Saturday
at the rectory of Christ Episcopal Church,
Rev. William ]. Morton officiating.