The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-08
Policeman Had Chronic
Heart Disease, Glaze
brook TeStifleS.
DIED OF LOSS OF BLOOD
The Companions of Prisoner
Tell Story of the
Tragedy.

At the Coroner's inquest. held this
morning. over the body of Policeman
John Jacob Smith, the testimony
| brought out some unusually interesting
points, which win doubtless figure con-
spicuously when Private Samuel r.
Young, Of Troop II. Fifteenth United
States alavry, appears before the grand
| jury. for which he was held by the Cor
oner's jury.
There are points both for and against
the unfortunate young cavalryman. who.
on the night Of July 4. while intoxicated,
fired a shot or shots at Policeman Smith
on Aqueduct Bridge.
There were only four witnesses exara-
ined by Coroner hewitt. They were Ser
geant tsewart z. Hall and Private
Charles J. LittlefeId, of Young's troop,
both with Young when the tragedy &C
CURED; Deputy Coroner Glazebrook,
who performed the autopsy on smith
yesterday. and Lieut.. w. w. Jordan, of
the Seventh precinct station
Dr. Glazebrook's Opinion.
DR.. Glazebrook, In his testimony, gave
it as his opinion that Smith came to his
death as the result OF loss of blood in
cident to the shock he had received He
also said he had found Smiths heart in
condition which indicated that he suf-
fered from chronic disease
No wounds other than bruises were 10
be found on the body of the dead DO
liceman. From this it is possible that
jury might come to a conclusion. that,
had Smith been well man. the effect
Of the wad. or whatever the missile was
that struck him. would not have result
ed fatally.
1t was in the testimony II Young's
companions and Lieutenant Jordan.
however, that the really important
points were brought TO light The sol
diers said they thought Young fired
three shots. When asked If Il were pos
sible that he might not have fired more
than one, they answered in the afirma-
tive.
They explained that at the time the
shooting occurred the bridge was
thronged with people. and that many
hrecrackers and other explosive fire.
works were being let of II might have
been that two Of the reports they heard
came from those.
Ihls line Of questioning was brought
out by the condition Of the army re-
Nolver found in the sewer at the corner
OF pennsylvania Avenue and Thirty
NTH Street this morning. This was
turned over 10 Lieutenant Jorian and
produced at the inquest
According TO the testimony of tba
lieutenant the revolver, when found
contained five blank cartridges and ono
absolutely empty chamber. There was
no shell in this chamber 10 indicate
that the revolver had been fred. Al
other cartridges were blank
This would indicate that there is M
real way of proving whether or not
there was a ball cartridge in Younp.s
revolver, for the weapon found was evi
deEtly his.
II Young fired only one shot ana that
one took effect on Smith. what became
Of the bullet? If Young fred three
shots. was one of them with a loaded
cartridge and did that shot miss? Did
he, fire three shots and then attempt 10
take the empty shells out and reload
the revolver with blanks before throw
INK II into the sewer Did he unOn
dong so, find that he had only two
blank shells in his pocket. thus being
forced TO leave one chamber abso9
lutely empty?
Fired Blank Shells.
His companions testified that they had
seen him firing with blank shells at the
barracks earlier in the day. Did he have
extra blank cartridges IN his pockets
when he left the barracks? The condi-
tiOn Of the revolver when found is DIFF
ferent from what Il must necessarily
have been Immediately after the shoot
ing whether he fired three shots or only
one. The empty chamber testifies to
this.
The theory that he fired only one shot
Is borne out by the fact that a police
man found one empty shell OI the same
calDer or the revolver on the side of
the canal along which Young ran after
the shooting. AT the same time both
loung companies testified voluntarily
that they heard Young fire three shots.
Shortly before il o'clock the hour set
Tor the inquest. Young was brought into
the little court room of the new mUrRue
on the river front. He was accompanied
Py police Ulcers and his attorney,
James 3. Mclaughlin
The cavalryman was dressed In khaki
cavalry "a trousers and leggings and a bluo
shlrt OF similar material. He had no
coat. as he had thrown this garment
INTO The canal before he was found.
During the course Of the inquest he
sat with his elbows on his knees and
his forehead resting on a folded hand |
kerchiet which he held in his hands. |
with the handkerchief he wiped his |
torecad and eyes from time TO time
In appearance Young has absolutely |
nothing Of the tough about him. His
face is frank and his features far more
refined and sensitive than those Of the |
average soldier Of the regular army. HiA
eyes are gray. clear. and steady. Hi,
hair Is dark brown.
lie appeared TO be in a state of almost
utter collapse. Tears frequently veIled /
up IN his eyes as the testimony went on |
giving evidence Of the terrible rnenta, /
st~cSs BE was laboring under.
No bravado, no cunning, no malice |
- lCQQliaHsd QR Second Pagel -. i