Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-06
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Arrest of William Johnson at
Harrisburg, Pa.
REQUlSITION PAPERS SENT
Prisoner Accused Of Murder Of Charles
7. Smith.
SUCCESSOR OF JUDGE NICOL
Other General and Personal News Of
the City Across the Potomac
River.
UCCEss0R OF JUDGE NIC0L
pecial Correspondence of The Star.

son of Lieut.. James Smith of the Alexandria
police force, were today forwarded to Gov.
Swanson by Attorney r. D. Brumback.
who Is acting for Commonwealth Attorney
Samuel G. Brent, who is indisposed. The
papers will probably reach the governor
late this afternoon and be returned some
time tomorrow. An officer will be at once
dispatched to Harrisburg, Pa, where the
accused is held. While 1t has not yet been
fully decided which officer will be sent to
the Pennsylvania city. it is understood that
Policeman Beach will be sent.
The first news of the arrest Of Johnson
was received here yesterday afternoon
shortly after o'clock. Chief Goods was
handed a letter accompanied by several
photographs of the suspect from ]. B.
Hutchinson, chief Of police of Harrisburg
Pa
The photographs were shortly afterward
Identified by Wash. Jackson, coloreu, where
Johnson boarded: Richard Burnett, who
could Identify the accused. Afterward the
photographs were identified by Johnson's
wife. who Is serving six months sentence
In the city Jail for an assault on Policeman
Nicholson. which occurred about an hour
prior to the murder. Gertrude Robinson,
who Is also serving a term Of six months in
jail in connection with the assault on
Policeman Nicholson. also positively identi-
fed the photograph as being that of john
Admissions by Prisoner.
Mayor Par last night communicated with
the chief Of police Of Harrisburg, by long
distance telephone, and was informed that
Johnson admitted having been in Alex
andrta the night Of the murder. but stated
that he ran away from a crowd which
pursued him. and that q member of the
crowd fired the shot that killed Smith. He
also, 1t Is stated. said that he had q pistol
Of .3S-caliber, but that the bullet that killed
Smith was .44-caliber. It was ascertained
by the Harrisburg authorities he had
several 44-caliber bullets in his pockets
The bullet that ended the life Of Smith was
of A-caliber.
The Harrisburg chief also told Mayor
PAN that the arrest of Johnson was made
from a circular letter, bearing a photo
graph of the man wanted, which was sent
out from this city shortly after the muir
der. johnson informed the Harrisburg au-
thorities that he would not return to Alex
andria without requisition papers. claiming
that he would not secure fair trial in this
city. 1t was also learned that the accused
is wanted in the state where he Is held on
a charge of murder.
The news Of the arrest of Johnson was
received with qualification in this city and
was the cause of considerable discussion.
It had been taken for granted that the ac-
cused would never be captured, notwith-
standing the fact that every effort possible
haa been made to apprehend him
Homicide Last October.
The murder Of Smith occurred just op-
posite the old fair grounds during the
progress of a circus the night Of October
20. 1908. A grand jury indicted the ac-
cused December 10, 1893.
A companion Of johnson. known as Frank
Minor. alias Frank Robinson. colored. is
also wanted here on a charge of assault
with intent to kill Policeman A. ]. Nichol-
son. He made his escape at the time of
the murder, and has not yet been appre-
hended. Minor Is also indicted, and the
authorities here believe that when John
son 10 brought here he can give informa-
ton which may possibly lead to Minors
capture.
When Smith was murdered he was as
sisting Policeman Frederick Garvey In ar
resting johnson. The officer and Smith
were on the south side of King street op-
posite the old fair grounds, and Smith. IT
is stated, had been deputfzed by Policeman
Garvey to assist In the arrest of Johnson,
who was suspected of being implicated In
the assault on Policeman Nicholson. The
officer and Smith had johnson in custody
and were proceeding directly west, toward
the Hotel Jackson. which Is half a block
away from where the arrest occurred, for
the purpose of searching the accused. As
soon as Smith placed his hand on johnson
the latter whipped revolver from his
pocket and fired the fatal shot. He at once
ran in a westerly direction, and was pur-
sued by several hundred boys and men.
Since that time the police here have re-
ceived several clues, all OF which proved
futile.
Railway Appointment.
Capt. A. p. Cone, who has been appoint
ed superintendent of the Richmond divt-
sion of the Southern Railway Company, to
succeed the late Capt. W. T. West of that
city, was assistant superintendent of the
Washington division of the road, with Of
fees here. Capt. West Is now in Richmond,
having taken charge of his new office. His
family will soon move to Richmond.
For q while Capt. Cone was a train dis
patcher in the Richmond Office Of the
Southern company. He was then promoted
to the position of master Of transportation,
with headquarters at Greensboro. Later
he was made assistant superintendent of
the Washington division, with headquarters
here.
Il is understood that Eve of the former
employees Of the city electric light works
refused to accept warrants for half a
months pay, which were rendered them on
the first Of this month. The men. 1t Is
said. claim that lney are entitled to full
II seems that February Is last the city
ceased to use the electric light plant. and
the proper officials also Informed the en-
ployes that their services would not be
longer required. The men. however. 1t Is
stated, said that they were not notified, and
in view OF that fact demanded full
months pay, nOtWlIhStan0lh8 tne lacI tnat
they discontinued work February Is. Up
to the present time the men have not ac-
cepted their pay. and 1t Is more than prob
able that they win request the city council
to give them a full months salary. IT is
stated that the majority Of the men have
since that time either been employed at
the city gas works or at the new electric
light plant
Successor to Judge Nicol.
Pending the appointment to NIL the va
cancy caused by the resignation OF Judge
Charles e. Nicoi. Governor Swanson has
decided. II 10 understood. to designate
Judge Louis C. Barley Of this city to
temporarily iii the place. Judge Barley
now holds the position Of Judge OF the
corporation court Of this city.
Funeral services over the remains OF
Miss Edith A. Stansbury. whose death
occurred yesterday. morning. viii take
place at II O'Clock Tomorrow morning. at
the residence Of her father, Mr.. d. r.
Stansbury, 2O7 North Columbus street.
Rev J. n. Sewer. pastor Of the Second
Presbyterian Church. win ofhciate. The
<cTormrfuw unrva ma llboaf0FR. q. III.