Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-10-23
The Search for johnson.

Many reports we're circulated 10 .nis
city late Yesterday evening aud ast nigns
concerning the alleged whcreao 'o's OF
Wm. johnson, alias George Midge's,
who shot and killed Charles I. smith on
MINER King street last Saturday nignt'
Thew were to the effect that ne had been
captured in Alexandria county, at FAILS
Church. Fairfax, Culpeper, aud other
points in Northern Virginia. They are
all baseless.
The rumor which gained extensive
circulation early this morning, and
which for time was generally credited,
was 10 the effect that certain parties
who had been searching for the fugitive
had surrounded him in house near
Bsiley's cross roads. A telephone mes
sage was sent from the Theological Sem
ipary to the station house in this CITY
aud several officers repaired to the
neighborbood, but after diligent search
extending throughout the night 'ney
we're compelled to return to this city
without the object of their search.
Frederick Brooks, al English sailor,
who witnessed the killing Of Smith and
who started to run after johnson, but
fell into the sewer trench, has manifest
ed an eagerness to capture the murderer.
He searched for him Saturday night and
has since continu ed the search.
Brooks has always asserted that he
obtained a good look at the neero's lace
when he shot Smith, and would be able
to eick him out from hundred negroes.
He said that last night be saw the fugi-
tive proceed from the direction OF the
new union depot aud take northwesterly
course toward Shooters Hill road; that
he managed to get within fifty yards
of the negro when he ordered him to
halt. The darkey refused to OBEY tne
command, and Brooks shot at him. The
negro returned the fire and fed In a
westerly direction towards Baiiey's cross
roads. Other shots were exchanged
between the negro and bis. pursuer, until
the former disappeared.
Brooks was convinced that the negro
had taken refuge in house near the
cross roads, and he having in the mean
time been joined by several residents OF
the neighborhOod, it was determlne1 10
telephone from the High School to the
station house 10 this city.
Chief Goods directed Officers Lyles,
Jones and Nicholson to proceed to the
scene s1d later started out himself. The
chief at midnight corroborated the
statement made by Brooks that be had
engaged in a running duel with negro,
and that Brooks believed the man to be
the one wanted, but the officers and those
who accompanied him made a diligent
but fruitless search.
Officer Beach this morning brough: to
the station house a light overcoat be-
lieved tu have been discarded by Johnson
or Robinson, his partner. 1t was found
in an alley running from Payne to West
street, near the house where the men
are said to have lived while in Alexandra.
THINK THEY HAVE THE MURDERER
The Rockville, Nd, authorities today
arrested man answering the description
of johnson. The description tallies with
that given of the negro. The Alexan.
dria authorities were notified and Chief
Goods and Officer Garvey went immedi-
stely to Rockville TO, if possible, identify
the man.
At o'clock this evening Mayor PAT
received message from Chief Goods at
Rockville stating that the man who had
been arrested there was not the man
wanted for the murder Of Charles L.
Smith.
All sorts of rumors have been on the
street this evening concerning the muir
derer, but at o'clock nothing definite
had been heard of him.