Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-21
SOLUTION OF MYSTERY
Disappearance of Philip WiIkin-
son Explained.
STORY TOLD BY A WOMAN
Says Missing Man Was Murdered by
Companion.
GRUESOME DETAILS GIVEN
Accused Man in Jail for Minor Of.
fense-Virginia Authorities to
Investigate.

III tllN al NSl VI Lula '>A u
Colored woman, who claims to
have intimate knowledge of the
murder OF negro named Philip
Wilkinson, in Fairfax county near
the boundary line of Alexandria
county, last September, the Virgil
MIA authorities believe they have
been placed in possession of
knowledge which will result in
solving a mystery and unearthing
crime of sensational character.
Further developments areexpected
today, and it is probable that be-
fore many hours the man suspect
ed of being the principal in the
murder will be placed in jail in
Fairfax county.
When Lula Tyler, colored, was taken from
her home in Willow Tree alley southwest
Yesterday afternoon by a policeman from
the fourth precinct it occasioned no little
speculation among her neighbors Later
the neighbors heard that her arrest had
been made because she had claimed she
knew something interesting about the DIS
appearance of Philip Wilkinson colored
who lived at or near Balls HILL about eight
miles from the Virginia end of the Chain
bridge.
Lula had been in custody but short time
before she made the statement that Philip
Wilkinson had been foully dealt with anu
that his body occupies a. grave in the rocks
on the river shore. Her arrest it is stated
was brought about by Lieut.. Mathews OF
the fourth precinct and some of the mem
bers of his command who had heard OF
statements the woman Is reported to have
made. To Lieut.. Mathews and Crandei
Mackey, the commemorative attorney or
Alexandria county, Va, the woman made
statement giving the details of the
tragedy. Her statement placed the crime
upon a cOlored man named Joseph Leavell
who Is now serving year in the District
Jail for assault. He has not yet been in
tervlewed by the authorities. She also To-
Gated the murder in Fairfax county. and
the attorney for that county, C. Vernon
Ford, will take up the investigation today.
He will accompany the colored woman,
Lula Tyler, and others to the spot where.
she says, the body was buried.
Woman's Statement.
According to Lulas story TO the police,
she went 10 Balls Hill about the 25th of
August and it was about three weeks later
that Wilkinson disappeared She says that
Wilkinson and his wife were keeping
house for man named Harris and that
she and LeavelI went there. LeaveH and
Wilkinson. she declared went out cunning
together. but only Leavell and the dogs
returned. Leavell, she says confessed to
having killed Wilkinson after the two had
consumed most of a quart bottle of wfs-
key and that his body was buried about
one-quarter mile from the house
NelghDOrS made so many INQUIRIES about
the whereabouts of Wilkinson, the woman
says. that those who knew of the murder
became frightened and eXhumed the body
and, conveying 1t TO the river. threw it
overheard, but it failed TO sink and washed
ashore. 1t then became necessary for them
10 dispose of ii in some other manner and
Il was accordingly wrapped in blankets and
placed in grave near the river shore.
There are so many ragged rocks in that
locality that people seldom go near where
the grave is located
Can you find the spot where the body
was buried?' Lulu was asked
Il can that" was her emphatic response
Agrees to Locate Grave
She told the police that she will today
go with the officers and point out Just
where the body was last Inferred Common
wealth Attorney c. Vernon Ford of Fair
fax county notified of the case and he
is expected here with the county sheriff
about noon today. The party will go to
the body will be made.
Lula Tyler is held at the fourth precinct
station. The police made every effort to
keep her arrest quiet and her friends were
not admitted to her cell unless accompanied
by an officer. She will be closely guarded
until the arrival of the Virginia authorities
II is the intention of the police 10 make an
effort TO get Leayell released from Jail In
order that he may also be taken there with
the woman Should the body be found
arrangements will be made for the holding
of nYr o{rh rhnr
burytng place or at the county seat
Sticks to Her Story.
Upon learning that Lula Tyler was locked
up In the fourth precinct station on a petty
charge. Commonwealth Attorney Crandal
Mackey of Alexandria county came to
Washington yesterday afternoon and inter
viewed the woman. Though she was caught
in several apparently conflicting state
ments she stuck to the story that she knew
all about the killing of the man
According to her account Wilkinson was
shot in cold blood and II was the result of
a dispute which occurred earlier in the day
When Mr.. Mackey questioned her the wom-
an named and minutey described the man
whom she charged with having committed
the crime. but when the commemorative :
attorney was communicated with late last
night at his home in Alexandria county he
declined 10 give the name of the man i'm
plica ted. giving as the reason the fact that
IL was desired TO get statement from the
accused negro before he knew he was sus-
pected OF the murder He planned to have
him examined as soon as possible.
Gruesome Details
Lula Tyler gave Mr.. Mackey a gruesome
description of the murder. She stated that
Wilkinson was shot while he and the ac-
cused man were in the woods about 8
o'clock one night early In September and
that an attempt was made TO conceal the
crime. Becoming fearful that the grave
neighborhood the murderer decided to re-
move the corpse to the river where an
attempt was made to sink IT. hut that fall
ing, the remains were placed In a shallow
hole on the river shore and covered with a
pile OF stones. Her statement to Mr. Mac