Evening star., 1905-11-06
HELD FOR GRAND JURY
EDWARD LACY BEFORE A CoRON-
ERs INQUEST.
for the Death Of Frank A
Merrill in August
Last.

Edward Lacey, seventeen years old, who
shot and fatally injured Frank Alvin Mer-
rfll the 23d day of August last, as hereto
fore printed in The Star, was held for the
action of the grand jury at an inquest at
the morgue this morning. Lacey. who was
rearrested Friday night when 1t was thought
Merrill was dying. was at the inquest this
morning with counsel. Attorney Albert Sill
ers. His father was also present at the
hearing Edward Maxwell. who was with
Lacey the night the shooting occurred. was
an important witness In the case. He ex-
planned to the jury how Merrill had tried to
start fight when he met the witness, Lacey
and two young ladies at dance given at
Beucheler's garden. on the Bladensburg
road. He also told the coroner and jury OF
how the police prevented fight and OF how
Lacey tried to get SO far away from Merrill
that the latter could not assault him. Max
well told of a second meeting at Chinese
restaurant on 9th street and OF the part
policeman took in the affair there. Merrill,
he stated, was started toward his home py
a policeman. but instead of going nome ne
hurried around the corner, overlook them
at 9th and d streets and renewed the nght
that resulted in his death. Deputy Coroner
Glazebrook explained that death was caused
by an injury to the brain, small piece Oh
the skull having penetrated the brain mat.
ter. Dr. White, the resident physician at
the Emergency Hospital, told of the wound
ed man being under treatment at the nos
pital three times. The last time he was
there he died. His condition indicated that
he was suffering from depression.
Elmer Houch, GA 18th street northeast
testified that he had known Merrill sincs
March last. but did not know Lacey prior
to the night the trouble occurred. Whlie
at the park ON the Bladensburg road he
stated Merrill tried to start hght WltH
Lacey and his companion. Merrill was Or
dered out of the place by policeman, ana
It was as much as witness could DO TO get
him out. Merrill told witness that he (Mer-
rilD was looking for trouble, and that II ne
met the men outside he would give them aii
that was coming to them. Witness SAID
they came to the city on wagon ana got
something to drink.
"Do you know Rose Davis?" the coroner
asked witness.
'Yes, SIR" he answered II know her
from meeting her at the dancing school,.
'And do you know Edith fost?
''Yes, SIR he answered, Il knew her in
the same way.
Met at Chinese Restaurant.
Witness explained that the party met at
Chinese restaurant on 9th street, where
they had words and Merrill struck Rose
Davis. A policeman prevented further
trouble there and ordered the party to dis
perse. Merrill said TO witness: I'm going
to get that fellow, and if you are friend
Of mine you'll stick to me-"
merrill Inen ran around Stn street anu
headed off Lacey Maxwell and the two
girls at 9th and d streets. He said 10 Max
well: You are with my girl and struck
him. Then he went after Lacey and the
latter shot him. Houck told the Jury that
the police arrested Maxwell, and when wit
ness told him he had the wrong nan the
policeman struck at him with his club,
and told him he wanted no 'butting in
Edith Yost, living at No. 10 Minnesota
avenue. told of her visit to the dance at
Beuchelers Garden and of the trouble Mer-
rill had there. He spoke to Rose Davis
about picture, she said, and when trouble
started the police sent them out Witness
told of what happened from then until the
time they reached the Chinese restaurant
There Merrill renewed the trouble and the
police again took a hand in 1t. She related
the story of the meeting at 9th and D
streets. While in front of the Chinese res
taurant, she stated. Lacey exhibited a re-
volyer and said he thought that would pre-
vent trouble Witness left the party at
Pennsylvania avenue and 9th street and had
started home when she heard the reports
of two pistol shots.
Rose Davis, 316 Lincoln street, Anacostia,
gave similar testimony.
Merrill didn't go with me-" she stated,
in response to a question asked by the
coroner, but I knew him long time ago
when he lived near the cemetery on 18th
street"
Witness said she and her companion,
Edith Yost, had become acquainted with
Lacey and Maxwell on Pennsylvania ave-
hue the nlSnL before the SEOOllnS occurred.
She was surprised when they appeared at
the dance the next night. Merrill was at
the dance and had a girl with him. Trouble
started in the park because Merrill wanted
TO fight Lacey and Maxwell
Was he jealous?" she was asked
No, SIR
What was the troube?'
TT was just his disposition
Miss Davis told of the conduct of Mer-
rill the several times he came up and tried
to cause trouble, and said that Merrill show
ed the revolver in front of the Chinese res
taurant. He said he thought that might pre-
vent trouble. She said she had left the party
when the last row started and did not see
the shooting, but heard the reports of the
weapon. This closed the testimony and the
case was submitted. Merrilps body was re-
moved to the home of his parents, 500 9th
street northwest, from where the funeral
will take place tomorrow morning