Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-10
EXCITEMENT AT LORTON.
Citizens Declare Leanto Was a Desper
ate Man.
SpecIal Dlspntch to The EVENING Star.

ate MAIL.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
LORTON, Va, April 1O.-The little COM
munty of Lorton, Fairfax county, is ex
cited over the international sequel which
the Investigation here by the italian en-
bassy in Washington has given to the
tragic shooting of George A. Malcolm a
deputy sheriff and school teacher of this
place. and Joseph Leanto an Italian lab
orer, near Lorton station last Thursday.
The nervous tension which followed the
first exchange of shots has continued in
more less degree, with marked accentu-
alton over the action taken by the Italian
representative to this country. Apprehen-
sion of further trouble while expressed as
the view of many citizens, is giving less
concern than at first, but the people as
community are anxious to be fully relieved
OF any odium which might have attached
to them as the result of published state
ments attributing the death of the Italian
to the work of armed mob.
Declarations made by the leading people
of the place to a Star correspondent this
afternoon are that Leanto came to his
death while resisting arrest by the deputy
sheriff and lawfully deputized posse. The
citizens court the fullest investigation
They believe the italian representatives,
unless misinformed will be brought to the
same conclusion. but it is a matter of COM
ment here that acting Consul Ravalon, VINO
came to Lorton Saturday evening from
statements of the residents who were par
Elephants or eyewtnesses in the affair. So
far as known here the consul had no con-
versation with any of the townspeopie be-
yond asking the location of the home OF
Deputy Sheriff James Haislip, who was in
charge of the posse The consul however,
left on the evening train for Washington
without seeing the deputy sheriff.
Mr. Springman's Statement.
Mr.. j. NJ Springman. merchant of this
place who was a member of the posse, this
afternoon gave a vivid recital of the trag-
edy. According to his account. the posse
organized Friday morning about s o'clock.
1t consisted of himself. John Plaskett, ST.,
/ Lindsey Dawson, Peter Elmer, Maltby r.
Bayliss George Bayliss, a. w. Grimsley
and r. l. Narrower, all prominent citizens.
Going to the commissary department of H.
NJ. Quigg & Co, where Leanto was en-
ployed the posse secured possession of the
Italian, who made no resistance. The latter
asked permission to return to the commits
sary department to fix up his accounts
which was granted, but when Leanto re-
manned in the a half hour the posse
became impatient. Deputy Haislip and
Messrs Sprngman PlaSkett. and Dawson
entered the car to see what he was doing, he
parleyed for more time and finding his be-
havior suspicious Mr.. Springman rushed
upon him from the rear, Selling both arms
The Italian had time to draw heavy re-
volver. with which he attempted to shoot
over his head at Mr.. SprEgman. fear
full scuffie was on, in which the two men
danced around the floor until Leanto APP
parently thought he had a chance to hit
his captor. The Italian fired. but the ball
went crashing through his own brain. The
two combatants had whirled around in i
took a shot at the Italian at a venture
the ball lodging in the abdomen. 1t was
not. however, until he had shot himself
that Leanto was overcome.
Mr. SDrinPman declared that "a
perate character of the Italian was alone
responsible for his death. No harsh meas
ures were used. he said, until 1t became
evident that Leanto had used the respite
allowed him for arming himself to defy the
officers. This statement was fully borne
out by others acquainted with the facts
The idea of his death being suicidal was
not entertained by the deputies. His con-
duct, they said, stamped him as a most
dangerous man.
Excitement over the affair Is accom-
panied by feeling of sympathy for young
Malcolm. who enjoyed a high reputa ton
in this county.
His Courage Commended.
Malcolm's courage and solicitude in The
| protection Of his scholars is widely COM
| mended, but 1t is said he erred In prudence
in attempting to serve the warrant 1t APP
| pears that Leanto, who knew Malcolm IS
| school teacher questioned his right 10
|
| tempt Malcolm had driven Leanto away
| from the Lorton valley school house, where
| his alleged insulting conduct toward some
| of the girl students had been reported 10
| the teacher.
| The funeral of the unfortunate young
man occurred yesterday afternoon from
Old Pohick Church. near LortOn, Rev.
| Everard Meade. the rector, conducting the
services. The unusually large attendance of
people from all over the county attested
| the popularity of the young man and the
general sorrow in Fairfax over the tragedy.
| The remains were inferred in Pohick ceme-
terry. There were not wanting representa-
| tive people here who fully believed that
| Leanto was suffering from temporary
mania when he received his mortal wound
| He had been foreman here for Quigg IL
| Co. only short time but his peculiar ac-
| tons had been commented upon by the peo-
| pie of the town. One of the wounds Lee
anto's body bore was said to have been re-
| ceived In the duel with Malcolm. The sew
| eral Italian railroad camps near this place
| are quiet and orderly.