Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-10-22
MURDER SATURDAY NIGHT.
Charles I. smith Shot and Instantly
Killed on Upper King street-Escape
of the Murderer.

Shortly after O'Clock last Saturday
night there was slight ripple of excite
men. on King street rs Officer Nicholson
escorted three colored women 70 the
station house--one of whom was prison
err the others had been taken in custody
as witnesses. They had been arrested
on the old fair grounds where circus
company was performing. William
johnson and Frank Robinson had en-
gagged in fight 10 one of the side shows
and Officer Nicholson had placed both
under arrest. When the officer got as
far as the outside of the tent with them,
one Of the prisoners suddenly turned and
struck him violent blow In the face.
Officer Nicholson pulled his blackjack
from his pocket, but before he had an
opportunity to use it, third negro, who
was in the crowd, seiz d the weapon and
ran away, while colored woman
struck the officer with stones. Before
Nicholson could regain his feet, the two
negroes he had had under arrest had
fed, one of them leaving his hat and
light Overcoat behind.
Several bystaDders came TO the off,
GERS assistance and Cora Conner, Ger
trude Robinson and Sarah A. johnson
were arrested, and, as stated above, taken
to the station house.
Officer Nicholson was not seriously
injured, although he had been handled
roughly.
Such incidents are common aud the
matter would soon have ceased 10 at
tract attention, but the fight between the
negroes, the assault on the officer and
the arrest of the women proved to be the
first act in a tragedy which occurred
about an hour later in which Charles 7.
Smith, well-kDown bricklsyer of this
city, son of Lieutenant Smith, of the
police force, was shot and instantly killed
by desperate negro believed to be
Johnson, one of the men who had es-
capped from Officer Nicholson. The un-
fortunate man had been one of the citi-
zens who had gone to the assistance of
the officer and who had later attempted
to arrest johnson.
The scene had shifted to the side walk
on the south side of King street, be-
tween West aud Peyton, when the cur
tain rose on the second act. Officer
Garvey with Mr.. Smith was searching
for Officer Nicholson's ASSISTANTS and
was in close proximity to the boiler aud
anc.na Al. bioh 10 lnoo tod ~, tho anuara So
the purpose of pumping water from the
trench where sewer is being construct
ed. The shadow of the houses darkened
the square, while the passageway is
necessarily narrow by reason of the OBJ
structions now on the sidewalk.
While the officer and Mr.. Smith were
engaged in scrutinizing negroes they en-
countered, Mr.. Garvey saw a colored
man who he sfterward learned was
Johnson or Midgets, name he is also
known by, and followed him. The ne
gro acted so suspic:ously that the officer
finally beca ne convinced he was one of
he men wanted. Mr.. Garvey saw that
johnson kept his right hand 10 his over
coat pocket all the time, and feeling
sure that his hand was on a pistol, the
officer told number OF people to watch
Tor trouble and prevent the negro's es-
cape when be was placed under arrest
Approaching the negro, Officer Gar
vey asked him if he boarded at Wash
Jsckson's hotel, and the man, in re-
spectful tone, replied he did not and was
not acquainted with Jackson. The of
fcer informed the man that he would
like to prove that statement, and asked
him to accompany him to the hotel,
which the negro seemed willing to do.
By reason Of the narrow passsgewsy Of
ficer Carney was walking behind the
negro, holding his pistol in his right
hand and watching the negro's right
hand, when Mr.. Smith came forward to
assist him, and caught the negro by the
arm.
In an instant the negro pulled away
from Mr.. Smith. turnel around and
fired at Mr.. Smiths face, and the latter
fell into the officers arms, knocking his
revolver from his hand. Before the ne
gro could shoe. again Garvey re.
sorted to his night stick and struck him
two stunning blows across the face. He
failed, however, TO knock him down and
the murderer disappeared in a vacant
lot before the officer could reco yer his
revolver, but when he finally secured it
he shot three times in the direction the
negro had taken.
A bullet fred at the fleeing negro
struck the door frame OF the old Virginia
House, now conducted by Wash. Jack
son, colored.
The negro before running away fred
his pistol at Officer Gsryey and when be |
saw the bullet missed its mark he struck |
the officer with the butt end of his pistol |
The fugitive discarded bis coat as be ran.
Frederick Brooks, an English sailor,
who witnessed the shooting, endeavored
to capture johnson, but in running after
the fugitive he fell into the sewer trench
and before he could emerge the negro
had run into Peyton street, climbed a
fence und escaped to the fields southwe
Of the scene of his crime.
The greatest excitement followed the
killing Of Mr.. Smith, and as the news
spread throughout the city many citizens
armed themselves and gathered in the
streets. The performance in the circus
.snt was almost brought to 8 close as the
news was spread Throughout! the audience.
The crowd that had gathered around
he dead body of Mr.. Smith was greatly
excited The body lay in pool Of
blood and it was with difficulty that the
police kept the surging crowd from
over it. The ball from the