The Washington herald., 1906-10-22
HUNT SMITHS SLAYER
Alexandria Police Put Sur
rounding Towns on Guard.
AID FOR WIDOW OF VICTIM
Testimony at Inquest shows How
william johnson shot Police
Chiefs Son-Ceroner's Jury Returns
Verdict-AIexandria Light Infantry
to Prevent Lynebing OF Fugitive.
WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU.

WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU.
BELL Telephone No 49,
Corner Prince and Royal Streets.
Alexandria. Va. Oct efforts to
capture William Johnson. the negro who
shot and instantly killed Charles T..
Smith. on upper King street last even
ing have been unsuccessful Up TO late
hour tonight. The principal towns and
cities on the railway lines Immediately
south OF Alexandria have been eommu-
nicated with and a fun description of the
murderer has been furnished the au-
thorities in each case. but nothing but
vague rumors as 10 the whereabouts of
the fugitive has reached the local police.
A coroner's jury met this morning at
2 o'clock. at the undertaking rooms Of
B. Wheatley. on King street, and held
an inquest over the remains Of Mr.. Smith.
returning a verdict to the effect that he
came to his death by pistol wound in
the head inflicted by George Midget alias
William Johnson.
. Throughout the day the police have
e been busiIy engaged in a systematic
search for cleWs which might lead to the
scrutiny has been kept on all houses Oc-
cupied by colored people who. it is
thought. might know something about
the movements Of the fugitive The
camps Of eolored railroad labOreTS near
Poorhouse lane. in Alexandria County,
where Johnson was said to have been en-
ployed. were thoroughly searched by a
squad of officers, but without result
With this exception, however, the local
policemen had not. up To this evening,
gone into the country adjoining Alex
andria in their efforts to fnd trace Of
the man; such an attempt IL IS stated
having been regarded as hopeless last
night on account OF the dense darkness.
and as useless to-day owing 10 the likeli-
hood that the negro made sOOd use Of
the time in putting as much distance as
possible between himself and Alexandra.
Outside Points watched.
The police department to-day has been
in active teIephonic communication with
cities and towns on the lines of the
Richmond, fredericksburg and Potomac
and the Southern railroads Among the
places where the authorities were ~fur-
nished with q description OF the negro
and asked to keep a sharp lookout Tor
him were AccOtink, Quantico, Fredericks-
burg. Fairfax Courthouse, Culpeper,
Bafeys Crossroads. and Richmond. In
view OF the statement that Johnson had
lived at one time at Quantico. an Unsuc-
crssfuI effort was made last night TO
reach that place by telephone.
Mayor Frederick J. PAT and Common
wealth's Attorney Samuel q. Brent held
a conference to-day i'm regard to the best
course TO follow in conducting the inves-
rTrs--
10 be employed in protecting the man,
should he be captured. from possible mob
violence. While the excitement following
the shooting has never taken the form
OF disorder, there have been many jndi-
cations that in the event Of the capture
of the murderer and his removal 10 this
city. he would be in danger OF lynchng-
Ia such ease il is understood chat the
mayor will call ont the Alexandria Light
Infantry. numbering about sixty men. for
the protection of Ihe prisoner. The in
fdntry is always in ii state Of readiness
Tor such IN cveEtuality-
Inquest Is Begun.
Coroner Samuel 3. Moore conducted the
inquest this morning. and the following
composed the jury Robert Graham. fore
man: Paul Hulfsh. George D. Hopkins.
William Poss, Broders Moore, and ". W.
Bauenger. Officer Garyey Frederick
Brooks, Walter eaton, and Sarah A.
Johnson were the witnesses examined.
Their testimony covered substantially
the ground stated in The Herald this
morning officer Garvey told of having
his pistol knocked out Of his hand by the
falling body Of Smith after the latter
had been shot and OF having fred sew
eral times at the retreating form OF the
negro. He also struck the latter over the
head in the scuffie. Brooks and the Off
Ger described the manner in which Smith
had been shot After he had grabbed the
negro. they stated, Johnson drew his pis-
to- with his right hand and fred over his
head, performing what is called . swing
shot. He fired twice, the second bullet
taking effect
The testimony Of Mr. Cation and of the
Johnson woman, who. according TO her
statement, is the wife Of the accused
man. concerned the trouble NJ the fair
grounds when Officer Nicholson was
wounded in a fight with Johnson and his
companion, Frank Robertson, prior 10 the
fatal shooting. The woman cIaimed that
she had attempted 10 take q pistol away
from one Of the men IN the stufle. 10
was stated that Johnson had come TO this
section from Columbus Ohio.
IT NdS SHOWN nF an Inspection or the
bullet removed from the head Of the vic
tim that the weapon used by johnson was
of the -A-caliber type In the coat dis
Carded by the man as he ran were found
several cartridges of that size
Aid for smiths Widow.
Arrangements for the funeral of the I'M
fortunate man have not yet been COM
pleted- Much sympathy has been ex-
pressed for his widow and little children.
Tangible evidence of this has found ex-
preston in movement to collect funds
FOR the widow Papers for that purpose
viii be left al the Alexandria Gazette Of
fee. The Herald bureau. corner of Prince
and Royal streets. and AT the stores of
Mr.. Ruben. A. s Doniphan. r /. Carne
and r. Z. Knight on King street where
subscriptions will he received. Lieut..
Smith, the father Of the murdered man.
has been almost Frustrated with grief
\ report was received at police head
quarters late tonight. stating that en-
ployes Of the Washington. Alexandria and
Mt Vernon Electric Road had seen two
negroes. one OF them being cCatlesS. walk
ing on The track in the direction OF -Four
Mile Run. Officers Belts ana Nichol-
son were dispatched to the scene. hut
their search was lruitless
Alexandria News Briefs.
Exercises marking the annual reunion