Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-23
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Bloody Bill Bell Killed by
Special Policeman.
THEDEAD MAN'SRECORD
HAD THREATENED LIVES OF
NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
Fatal Shot Fired in Time to Prevent
Murder-The Officer Exonerat-
ed-General News.
THEDEAD MAN'SRECORD
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Ca; saved Officer j. Chris. Gill OF the police
force from being murdered, and brought to
a close what is described as a brief but
startling career of desperate lawlessness
entered upon by Bell In this city about 4
o'clock yesterday afternoon. After firing
on one man on Princess street, woundng
another on the outskirts of the city, and
keeping crowd at bay on the Mushpot
road, the desperate fell, pierced through
with a rifle bullet fired by Richard Pines. a
local colored man, who had been deputized
for the occasion. The shot was fired just in
time to save the life of Officer Gill
Bell had suddenly emerged from house
in which he had taken refuge and had COW
cred the officer with a musket loaded with
shot A moment or two later, in all like
lihood, the latter would have been riddled
with the heavy charge at close range, but
on the instant Pines, from position be-
hind a shrub a hundred yards distant fired
with deadly aim, and the musket fell from
Bells hands. He sank to the ground, ex-
piring in few minutes
Started Out for Trouble.
Bell had evidently started out for trouble
yesterday afternoon. He had armed him.
self with two heavy pistols and had sup
piled his pockets with plenty of cartridges.
Reaching Princess street. between Royal
and Fairfax streets he met Charles jack
son, colored, whose coat he demanded.
Upon the refusal of Jackson to give up the
garment Bell drew both pistols and fired
once, but the ball flew wide of it's intended
mark. Bell then hastily left that locality.
Mr.. Herbert Beach, who was in his place
of business nearby at the time, saw the
man shoot and noticed his desperate ap-
pearance. Suspecting that he would create
further trouble, Mr.. Beach secured a large
magazine rifle, and, getting into a buggy,
drove after the negro. Meanwhile Officer
Gill, who was patroling his beat in the Sec
ond ward, was attracted to the scene by the
report of the pistol. Seeing the retreating
negro, he gave chase and was fired upon
several times but without being struck
Entering vehicle, Officer Gill followed
the fleeing man through the northwestern
section of the city.
For a short time Bell succeeded in eyad-
ing his pursuers, but a crowd of men and
boys had Joined in the pursuit, and he was
discovered in the vicinity of Pendleton
street. From there he retreated in the
direction of Braddock Heights, being fol-
lowed at short distance by the crowd
which gradually increased in numbers Bell
was being brought to close quarters when
he reached place known as Mushpot bot
tom, nearly mile from this city.
Converted House Into Fortress.
On the side of the road is a small house
which is the home of an old lady named
Lloyd. Into this domicile Bell rushed, i'm
mediately driving the owner out and bar
ring the door against his pursuers. He at
once climbed to the attic, where he kicked
the plastering off the wall and. with the
butt end of his pistols, burst knot holes in
the Misunderstanding. Through these small
openings he fired from time to time when
the besiegers showed themselves in an ex-
posed position near his improvised fort By
that time the house was surrounded on all
sides.
Pines, who has a reputation for being
good shot, was deputiZed by the officer and
Mr.. Beach intrusted him with his rife
Pines selected a spot behind small bush
about hundred yards in front of the door
of the house. At length Officer Gill decided
to make an attempt to enter the house. hut
he was forced to retreat by the continuous
hrlng Kept up by Bell from his elevated DO
sltion: In snort time thereafter the negro
was heard to return to the ground floor.
The officer again determined upon entering
the building and was advancing to the door
when Bell appeared on the threshold with
.ne loaded musket in his hands. The nu-
merous onlookers expected to witness the
murder Of the policeman, when Pines rife
sounded and the desperate fell
Officer Ferguson Also Endangered.
ohcer William Ferguson, who had been
informed OF the trouble and who had hur-
fieo 10 the scene, was drawing near to the
emerged
from the door. Being somewhat in line
with Officer Gill and the negro his position
vas also extremely critical until the man
was shot. Within a short time after HE
ueath the remains of Bell were brought to
.ht uhaertaking rooms of B. WheatIey, In
G 1nis CITY, Where they were viewed by
coroner William r. Purvis JJpon learning
or the circumstances of the Shooting the
coroner deemed an inquest unnecessary.
ii IN was detained at the station house
untll go o clock, when Police Justice Cation
conducted an investigation of the affair
Several witnesses. among whom were OH
GERS Gil and Ferguson, Mr. Herbert Reach
MI. Herbert Pelton, Charles Jackson, col
ot n ana a rev others testified to the facts
above stated. Officer Gill expressed the con-
V,ct1on that he would have been a dead
man but for the timely shot fired by Pines
1t was stated that William Thomas. a col
Bell, had received slight bullet wound In
the thigh. He was treated at the Alley
andria Hospital.
Pines gave a brief narrative of the Dir
e cur saying that he had withheld his
nre until ne was sure that the officer was
about to be killed. After hearing all The
evidence Justice Cation dismissed Pines an
nouncing that the case was evidently one
OF Justiha bic homicide A large crowd had
gathered to hear the details of the AFFAIR
and the dismissal of Pines was greeted will
loud cheers. wen
Bell was apparently about TWENTY-FIVE
- o6S- nc IS SdlO 10 nave been
railroad laborer and had been in Alexandrta
only a short time. Lawrence Bennett an.
other negro, who was said to have been a
companion OF Bell. was arrested near the
place where Bell was killed He was faken
into custody by Officer Gill and Mr.. Her
bert Beach. and the charge Of having con-
ceaied weapons on his person was lodged
against him at the station house.
Bells Companion on the Rack.
In the police court this morning Law
renee Bennett, colored. was given an exam
nation before Justice Cation on the charge
OF carrying concealed weapon. Bennett
stated that he was with the negro Bell who
was killed yesterday afternoon and that
Bell had started out with the intention of
doing violence. Bennett said that pistol
which belonged to him had been taken by
Bell, which, with his own, accounted for
his having two in his possession. The pris-
oner denied that he had any responsibility
IN the murderous course which ended in the
shooting of his companion. The case was
continued In order to give time for securing
further evidence.
General Matters.
The first foot ball game of the season in
this city will be played this afternoon at
4:30 O'Clock on the old fair grounds, when