Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-28
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
JOHN WILLIAMS CONVICTED OF
MURDER IN FIRST DEGREE.
Sentenced to Eighteen Years in the
State acknowledgement
and Personal Notes.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. January %, 100.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
ALEXANDRIA. Va. January %, 1904.
A verdict of murder in the first degree,
fixing the punishment at term of eighteen
years in the state penitentiaTy. was rem
dered about IL o'clock last night by the
jury in the Alexandria county court in the
case of John Will inns, colored, CA ge with
shooting to death Joseph Johnson, also col
ored near this city the night of November
% A motion for a new trial was not made.
and the sentence of the court will probably
be carried into effect without other legal
processes. The hearing of testimony in be-
half of the defense concluded in the evening
when Commonwealth Attorney Crandali
Mackey finished the cross-examination of
the prisoner He was placed on the stand
late in the afternoon after the examination
of Martha Johnson. widow of the murdered
man md the only eyewitness to the tragedy.
Williams admitted having killed Johnson.
but states that he had acted in defense of
the woman, who, he stated, was about to
be murdered with a razor by her husband.
The witness stated that he was attracted
to the place by the screams of the woman.
and that upon nearing the couple he saw
Johnson apparently in the act of attempting
to cut his wifeS throat. Attorney Mackey
subjected the prisoner to rigid cross-ex-
animation, which materially strengthened
the case of the commonwealth Late in the
Mackey for the state and Attorney Richard
C. L. Moncure for the defense. Desiring
that the verdict should be reached as soon
as possible. the court sent the jurymen to
their room and after considerable delib-
GRAFTON the report of the foreman was made.
Mr.. Mackey. the new commonwealth at
torney, made his first appearance In that
capacity in this case. At the conclusion he
received the compliments of his friends for
the manner in which the case for the state
had been conducted. This trial will doubt
less be the last of any moment In the annals
of the Alexandria county court, as under
the new state laws the institution goes out
of existence February 1, to be succeeded by
the circuit court over which Judge Charles
E. Ncol of Manassas presides. Judge
James NJ Love of Fairfax, the retiring jur-
list has received many expressions OF ad-
miration and esteem from the members OF
the Alexandria county bar and the court
officials
Murtaugh- Thompson Nuptials.
The home of Mrs. Annie Murtaugh, 1923
Duke street, was the scene of quiet but
pretty wedding last evening when her
daughter, Miss Winifred Margaret Muir
laugh became the bride of Mr. John w.
Thompson of Cincinnati, Ohio. Only rela-
tives and intimate friends of the two fami
lies witnessed the marriage. Rev. Father
H. j. Cutler of St. Marys Catholic Church
OBLIGATED. The bride was becomingiy at
tired in dark gray cloth travelling gown
and carried white carnations. She was at
tended by her sister, Miss Mamie Muir |
laugh and Mr.. Charles A. Van Zandt of
Cincinnati acted as best man. Following |
the ceremony a reception was held at the !
residence of Mrs Murtaugh after which |
Mr.. and Mrs. Thompson left for a western |
trip which will include Cincinnati and Chi |
cage. They will make their future home in |
Fort Worth, Tex, where MIR. Thompson Is
Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railroad !;
Company.
Mr.. Bryan to Speak Here.
If plans now being discussed are con-
summated Mr. William Jennings Bryan
will deliver an address in this city Monday |
evening, February s. for the benefit of r. |
E. Lee Camp, Confederate Veterans. Mr.. /
Bryan was requested by Mrs. A. c. Wyck-
off. president of the Woman's Auxiliary OF /
Lee Camp, last November to deliver a lee
ture here for the benefit of the camp, but
at that time his engagements were such
that he could not comply. But yesterday Il
letter was received from Mr.. Bryan by his
cousin. Mr.. George W. Drewry, formerly If
this city but now of Washington in which
the writer stated that he had not forgotten
the request, and that If suitable arrange !
ments could be made he would be glad to
address the veterans ON the occasion men,
toned. In order that as many people as
possible may be present he requests that
one-haf the seats in the hall be free.
Regulars to Go to Alexandria.
Lieut.. Gen. Chaffee, as chief of staff, |
has acceded to the request of the citizens
of Alexandria. in charge of the
ceremonies IN commemorations of Wash ng-
IONS birthday, and has ordered the fol-
owing United States troops to report to
for assignment to a place in
he procession in Alexandria, February %:
One troop of the 18th Cavalry. stationed
It Fort Myer, the same to be selected by
col. Wallace, commanding the post. and
he 4th Light Battery from the same post.
Also the sd Company of Coast Artillery
rom Fort Hunt, Va.
General Matters.
Miss Lula e. Crump cf this city and Mr..
Arthur b. Penn, formerly of Alexandria,
tut now of Pueblo, Col. were quietly mar 1