Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-23
WORCESTERSHIRE
Investigation Of the Death of
Frank DeLane.
BODY FOUND SUNDAY
BESIDE RAILWAY TRACKS IN
ALEXANDRIA COUNTY.
Dead Man Was Robbed and Was Last
Seen in Company of
Negro.

Commemorative Attorney Crandal Mackey
and Sheriff Palmer of Alexandria county.
Va, are conducting a careful investigation
of the circumstances attending the death of
Frank DeLane, the Del Ray baker, whose
headless body was found upon the railroad
tracks near Brick Haven last Sunday
morning as stated in The Star at the time.
Both county officials seem to think that
DeLane was murdered, robbed Of his
money and watch and his body placed
upon the car tracks to conceal the crime.
Last night Sheriff Palmer called upon Capt
Boardman at police headquarters In this
city and conferred with him about the
case. Capt. Board:nan heard the sheriff's
story of the circumstances so far he
had learned them and feels confident that
DeLane was either murdered and robbed
or his dead body was robbed after he had
been decapttated by railroad train. While
the sheriff was in this city making an
effort to interest the local police in the
case Attorney Mackey was in the vicinity
of Brick Haven interviewing witnesses and
to the coroner's jury at the hearing to-
morrow afternoon.
In the City Saturday.
1t is admitted that Frank DeLane was
in this city Saturday night and that he
was drinking. something unusual for him
to do and that he was seen here as late
as l o'clock Sunday morning. short
time before he was killed he told friend
that he had engaged in a fight with man
on Pennsylvania avenue between John
Marshall place and 9th street and showed
how his hand had been hurt. Nothing
was seen of him in this city after l O'Clock
He was next seen when he stopped at the
house of w. d. Edmonston near Brick
Haven. 1t was then a few minutes after
NJ a1,i he Dol h1
companied by a strange colored man, who
also appeared as if he had been drinking.
What time is ita' was asked of De Lane
Just after he reached Mr.. Edmonston's
house and aroused the occupant.
Its a quarter past 3 O'clock" De Lane
answered, looking at his watch.
It's only ten minutes after said Mr..
Edmonston who looked over the shoulders
of his early morning caller
De Lane complained that he felt chilly.
and Mr.. Edmonston suggested that he would
Dulid a fire. his caller did not want a fire,
saying: II must go home tonight" He told
his friend that he had walked over the
Bridge from this city, and his remarks In
Ci"afed that he was afraid to go home with
out something to protect him. In response
, MS lnquny or .ur. Edmonston the latter
told him he had several shotguns there to
lend him. While he was in Mr.. Edmonstons
mouse he threw away a railroad ticket,
his return ticket on the electric road. The
ticket was picked up by the strange colored
away. Before going away from Mr.. Ed
monston's house he made remark that he
was not afraid. 1t was then about 3:45
o'clock, and that was the last time that
DE Lane was seen alive
Negro With De Lane.
Mr.. Edmonston, who is acquainted with
most OF the colored men in his part of the
county, Is satisfied that the one who was
with De Lane does not belong there. The
fnl ,ae
ing while he was in the house and appeared
anxious to have De Lane go with him.
commemorative Attorney Mackey was tod
by Mr.. Edmonston that the colored man
sad he was employed by a physician in
this city and that he had holiday on Sun
days A good description was given of the
colored man, and copy Of 1t was furnish
ed the local police today. 1t was imposs-
pie to get the number of the watch that is
missing, but the attorney hopes he will be
able TO get it later and thinks it may have
been pawned or otherwise disposed of in
this city.
torney called upon Captain Boardman and
recited the facts in the case He also ask
ed that the local police render what assist
ance they could in the matter The de-
scrIption furnished of the colored man who
Is wanted gives his age at about twenty
five Years. He is described as being about
five feet seven inches tall and weighing
about 100 pounds. The man is said to have
scar about one-half inch long on his right
cheek, and has kinky hair, but no beard,
except that he appeared as If he had not
been shaved for several days
De Lane claimed that he met him on the
works at the Highway bridge and that he
told him he was going to Brick Haven At
the time De Lane left from the house of
his friend the colored man told him to
hurry, that he was only going as far as
Brick Haven. De Lane said he was glad
he had met the stranger, as he did not care
TO walk the road alone at so late an hour
in the night.