Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-23
LEXANDR|A AFFAIRS
Search for Alleged Murderer
Unsuccessful.
POLICE WERE OUT ALL NIGHT
Statement by an Eyewitness of the
Killing.
FUNERAL OF CHARLES T. SMITH
Hearing of Charge of Violating "Jim
Grow" Law-Said to Be
Test Case.
FUNERAL OF CHARLES T. SMITH
pecial Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star
ALEXANDRIA, Va, October %, 1906
After fruitless all-night search, extend
ing nearly to Bailey's Cross Roaas, in the
effort to find William Johnson alias George
Midget, colored, the alleged murderer of
Charles T. Smith, the police returned to this
city this morning much disappointed. Up
to a late hour this afternoon nothing def
mite concerning the whereabouts of the
fugitive had been learned. 1t is supposed,
however. that Midget is in close proximity
to this city, that, 1t is stated, being
strengthened by the fact hat the wife of
the murderer is now in Jail for ten days
awaiting the outcome of an investigation
being made by tie police regarding the as
sailant of Policeman Nicholson.
In response to a telephone message re-
ceived at police headquarters at 1890
o'clock last night Chief Goods detailed
Policemen Jones, Nicholson and Lyles to
take carriage, and proceed to the Episco-
pal Theological Seminary. three miles west
of this city, as it had been stated that a
man answering the description OF Midget
had been seen lurking in the woods near
the seminary. The policemen departed
about II o'clock. and shor,iy thereafter
Chief Goods proceeded to the seminary to
assist them in the search. The police were
accompanied by fully one hundred citizens
many armed Some of them were in car
riages and many on horseback.
I Upon arriing at the seminary a search
was made but owing to the intense dark
ness the officers worked under difficulties
and by instruction of Chief Goods, the
policemen remained in the woods through
out the night and resumed the search this
morning. number of pistol shots were
fifired, but the police say that they saw no
trace Of the fugitive.
The search was made upon information
furnished by Frederick Brookkes. The lat
ter, who was an eyewitness to the murder
of Mr.. Smith, has been one of the most
active workers in searching for the
fugitive.
Statement by Eyewitness.
Mr.. Brookes says he saw johnson early
last evening near the new union depot,
directly west of here, and that he succeeded
in getting two volunteers to accompany
him on the trail. and traced him as far as
the seminary. Brookes also states that the
man fired at him several times some of the
bullets coming in close proximity to his
head, and that he exchanged shots with
the suspect, but owing to the darkness the
bullets went wide of the mark. He also
claims that the man was attacked by dog
during the progress Of the search, and
that many shots were fired.
1t was rumored at 1 o'clock this morning
that Johnson had been captured by the
police and would be brought to the station
house in a closed carriage The rumor was
given credence. a large crowd gathered. and
every carriage entering the city was closely
scrutinized.
It Is understood that a reward will be
offered by the city council tonight for the
apprehension Of Johnson.
Cause Of False Report.
fine of $50 was imposed on c. c. Hurley
in the police court today, the charge being
carrying concealed weapons. A blackjack
was the weapon, it was testified, Hurley
carried. He had trouble yesterday afternoon
with another man and was arrested by
Policeman Sherwood.
The arrest Of Hurley gave rise. to a report
that the murderer of Charles T. Smith had
been captured, and by the time the prisoner
reached the police station a large crowd
had assembled.
Funeral Of Charles T. Smith.
The funeral Of the late Charles T. Smith
occurred at o'clock this afternoon from
his late home. The services were conducted
by Rev. P. P. Phillips, rector Of st. Paul's>
Protestant Episcopal Church, assisted by
Rev. Charles D. Bulla, pastor of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church South. The inter-
ment was in Bethel cemetery. Messrs. Sam
uel Smith, Robert E. Gronau, J. T. Ballen-
ger, George Cogan, William Norris and
VIM. F. Webster served as pallbearers.
"Jim Grow" Case on Hearing.
Additional evidence in the case of Bar
bara E. Pope, colored. charged with vio-
lating the Jim Crow law, was heard this
afternoon by Judge Nicol, in the circuit
court for Alexandra county. The trial had
not been concluded at a late hour. The
hearing was commenced yesterday. The
defendant, 1t was testified, was passenger
on a train on the Bluemont division of the
Southern railway and declined to comply
with the regulations requiring white and
colored passengers to occupy seats in diff
nnc nf Shn rryoc TOD
on complaint of Capt. King, the conductor
in charge of the train, and was given a
hearing before Mayor Hawxhurst Of Falls
Church. who imposed fine of S. The case
was taken to the circuit court on appeal
It is understood that the defendant pro-
poses to test the constitutionality of the
Jim Crow law. Commonwealth Attorney
Crandall Mackey represents the state at
the hearing.
General Matters.
1t is understood that the suit of W. J.
Blake against the Washington, Alexandria
and Mount Vernon Railway Company to
recover damages in the sum of $4,000 for
alleged personal injuries sustained by the
plaintiff in collision at Spring Park, has
been settled out Of court. The terms of
the agreement, however, have not been an
nounced. The case was to have been called
in the Alexandria county circuit court for
trial today Attorney L. P. Harlow ap-
peared for the plaintiff, and the railway
company was represented by Attorneys r.
Walton Moore and James r. Cation.
in the corporation court today the will Of
Rachel v. Padgett was admitted to probate
and Frank ]. Pollard qualified as executor
of the estate. The deceased, after making
a few minor requests, left the bulk Of her
estate, consisting Of store and dwelling
on King street, to Mary E. Damn and Sarah
J. Taylor.
Announcement has just been made of the
marriage of Miss Grace E. Steele and Mr..
Frederick M. Schiller, both of this city.
The ceremony occurred August 8 last, at
the rectory of St. Marys Catholic Church,
and was performed by Rev. Father Kelly,
assistant pastor.
Police Trial Board Change.
In order that every member of the board
which will try Capt Mathews and Lieut..
Mulhall of the fourth police precinct, who