Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
TRIAL OF HOWARD BANKS
OTHER NEWS MATTERS.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence OF The Star
ALEXANDRIA, Va. October ID, 1906,
The case of Howard Banks, colored, &C
cused of the murder of Thomas Elzey, also
colored which was begun in the corpora
ton court before Judge Barley yesterday
morning was resumed this morning. A
large number of witnesses were examined
Banks at 4 o'clock this afternoon was
placed upon the stand in his own defense.
The prisoner was put through severe
cross-examination by Commonwealth At
torney Brent. His statements were not,
however, materially shaken. Banks stated
that he was twenty-one years of age. and
had known Elzey for the past nine years.
He told the court that he purchased the
pistol with which he did the shooting from
a colored man AIMED Joseph Harris He had
no object in view, he stated, when he pur-
chased the gun. Banks also told the court
that on the night of the affair he and two
other colored men repaired to the upper
story Of the saloon where the tragedy oc-
CURED and consumed several pints OF gin
and a dozen bottles of beer. Prior to the
drinking he said, he had become charged
with cocaine. The prisoner also related to
the court that he used cocaine two or three
times a week. The dope" gin and beer.
he said, made him crazy, and he had abso-
lutely no recollection Of what happened ar
ter the shooting
The jury reported verdict of murder In
the first degree at 1926 o'clock tonight.
This is the first verdict of that character
returned in Alexandria in fifteen years.
Counsel for the defense moved for new
trial. on the grounds that the verdict was
contrary to the evidence, and October -
was fixed for argument on the motion.
The shooting of Elzey by Banks occurred
the night of October In saloon in the
northeastern section of the city. Banks
made his escape after the, shooting, and the
following morning surrendered himself to
the police. He was indicted that day, fol-
lowing a preliminary hearing. Banks Is
cure, and the prosecution by Common
wealth Attorney Brent, assisted by Attor-
ney r. D. Brumback.
Alleged Blocking Of Streets.
The work Of building fence around the
property of the Southern Railway Com
pany, near the machine shops. in the south
western section Of the city, was this after
noon stopped by the police at the instance
of City Engineer Dunn. 1t is claimed that
the Southern company In building the fence
contemplates blocking street, in alleged
violation Of the law.
A colored man who says his name is John
Smith Is locked up at police headquarters
tonight on the charge of stealing two com
forts from dry goods store on King street
and bicycle from in front of saloon on
North Fairfax street. The wheel is the
Smith will be given a preliminary hearing
in the police court Monday.
In the Corporation Court.
In the corporation court this morning the
will of the late Susan C. Webster was ad-
mitted to probate. The estate is valued at
5000. Charles F. Webster qualified as adj
mlnistrator. The testatrix divided her
estate as follows: Fifty dollars to Annie
on nd or
south side Of Wilkes street between Pitt
and Royal streets to her grandchildren,
Mary P. Webster and Annie l.. Webster;
house and lot 210 South Lee street, to
her son, Charles F. Webster. The residue
of her property is divided equally between
Charles F., Mary P. and Annie L.
Webster.
A guard from the Richmond penitentiary
arrived here this afternoon and conducted
Jbhn Ennis, Temple Houser and John
Smith, the last named colored, to that in
stitution. Houser was recently sentenced
to serve a term for burglary, as were also
Ennis and Smith.
Mr. J. T. Preston, formerly agent for
the Southern Railway Company in this
city, has been chosen secretary of the
chamber Of commerce recently organized
here.
Brief Mention.
Mount Vernon Chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution, has elected the fol-
lowing delegates and alternates to the state
convention Of that organization in Rich
mond, Va, next month: Mrs. ]. Steward
Jameson, regents alternate; Mrs. Dabney
Herndon, delegate; Mrs. L. w. Reid. alter
nate.
A lot with a frame house thereon on the
north side of Wilkes street between Lee
and Fairfax streets was sold at public
auction today by s. H. Hunt, auctioneer,
for M. B. Harlow, trustee, to Mr.. E. D.
Byrne for $500.
The work of grading and paving Fairfax
street between King and Cameron streets
has been awarded by City Engineer Dunn
to R. A. Wallace The work will be COM
menced at an early date.
The game Of foot ball played this after
noon by the Episcopal High School team
and the Central High School Of Washing
ton resulted in score Of o to 0. The game
was interesting throughout. Many of the
Episcopalians were knocked OUT long be-
fore the conclusion of the game and their
places were filled by members Of the second
team.