The Washington herald., 1906-10-21
WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU,
(Ben Telephone No. 49,

Corner Prince and Royal Streets.
Alexandra, Va. Oct. @.-Charles II.
Smith, about thirty-five years OF age, son
OF Lieut.. James Smith of the Alexandria
police force. was shot and instantly killed
this evening. shortly after o'clock, near
the corner Of King and Peyton streets. by
a negro whose name IS said to be vii
liam johnson. Smith was shot through
the left temple at close range. the ball,
which was of large caiiber, passing al
most Though the head.
The negro. who was under arrest at
the time, bolted and succeeded in getting
away, although he was twice fired upon
by "a policeman. A big crowd, attending
the circus at the fair grounds, started
in pursuit, but the fugitive, with about
fifty yards lead, managed to dodge
around buildings until he had gotten into
an open field adjacent 10 a swamp on the
outskirts Of the city. where he eluded
his pursuers. The chase was hindered
by wire fences.
Policemen Join in Hunt.
Within a few minutes after the shoot
ing a squad of policemen were operating
on the scene under the direction of Chief
Goods. Smith died almost instantly.
Coroner Samuel B. Moore was notified.
The body was taken TO the rooms of B.
Wheatleys undertaking establishment. on
King street, where an inquest viii be held
tomorrow morning at 3 o'clock.
The police lost no time in making a
vigorous and thorough search of the
grounds and premises near by, where
there was reason TO suspect the murderer
might have gone to hide An effort was
made TO track the fugitive, but after he
had once gotten out OF sight in the I'M
deBbrush that task seemed hopeless in
the darkness and was abandoned for the
time. His coat, which he had thrown off
in his dash for liberty, was found on the
sidewalk. The search i'm negro houses
near the scene was barren Of results.
Assisted Brother OmeeF.
Smith met his death while assisting Of
fcer Garvey to place the negro under
arrest. There had been some disorder
among a lot of colored men and women
hanging around one of the sideshows Of
the Rollins circus, which was giving an
exhibition on the grounds and Officer
Nicholson had endeavored to arrest two
of the offenders They. resisted. ana one
a. the men, said ia be johnson. grappled
With thc officer. who knocked his assail
ant down and struck him several times
over the head with q blackjack Several
negro women. however. rushed i'm and
assisted Johnson to his feet when he sue
cecded in striking Officer Nicholson across
the forehead with a stick BE then ran,
and the officer was deferred from firing
SCR fear Of hitting some Of the bystanders.
During the struggle the policeman blew
bis whistle and "a citizen named Thomas
McCucn went Co his assistance. When
Johnson ran. officer Garvey. who had
tbeu come up, joined IN the pursuit.
lodged Up an Alley.
Tho man cscaDed int" au alley. but "a
short time later. officer Garvey. accou-
panied bv Smith, noticed Johnson lWk-
fg behind big boiler across King
street Going over, they placed him under
arrest and s.arted 10 take him 10 the
house of Washington jackson. where he
bearded. As Mr.. Smith placed his hand
ml the negroes arm. tho latter Grew a
pistol said 10 be- H-calIber. and fired
IS Smith fClL bis body knocked Officer
Carney pistol from his hand. and the
uegro after "a scUfIle with the officer. I'm
which both were struck over the head.
broke loose and ran In the direction of
Feyton street. As ne ran. officer GIN.