Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-16
EUGENERUTHERF0RD KILLED
Deceased Was Stabbed in Chest With
Butcher Knife.
JEALOUSY WAS THE CAUSE
Cutting Occurred Last Night, But
Body Was Not Found Until
This Morning.

Held for investigation" was written OPP
posite the name Of Gilbert Lewis. colored. a
driver, who was detained at the seventh pre-
cinct police station last night. Policeman
s. I, Young arrested him because he was
told that Lewis had stabbed Eugene Ruther-
ford, colored. a barber, during row in the
house of Robert Jones. 1924 9th street. The
barber could not be located, and Lewis was
about to be discharged from custody this
morning when the police were informed that
the body Of Rutherford had been found in
the yard in the rear Of the home of Thomas
Studs, 1920 9th street. He had been
stabbed In the chest with butcher knife.
and had probably died short while after
he reached the yard. A. charge Of murder
was then preferred against Lewis, and an
inquest Is to be held over the remains OF
Rutherford at the morgue tomorrow morn
ing.
Jealousy on the part Of Lewis. It is stated,
caused the tragedy. He says Rutherford had
with his wife, and that he had also told his
wife not to go with Rutherford. The wife
denies that she had been in the habit of
going with Rutherford, saying She had only
met him once before the fatal meeting last
night. Lewis, who came to this city from
Lynchburg, Va. when he was a boy, was
married about three years ago. He and his
wife did not get along well together, 1t is
stated, and upon one occasion the wife had
to resort to the Police Court for protection.
Her husband was sentenced to three months
in jail for assaulting her, but before his
term of imprisonment had expired she paid
his fine and had him released.
Plunged Almost Through Body.
While Lewis was employed as a driver
about the Center market more than year
ago he was given a butcher knife. 1t was
that implement that he plunged almost en-
tirely through the body of the barber last
night. Leaving his home. 1915 31st street,
shortly after 10 o'clock, Lewis proceeded
to the house of Robert Jones and his wife.
He knocked upon the door and was ad-
mitted by the occupant Entering the
parlor of the Jones home he saw his wife
and Rutherford seated upon. sofa en-
gagged in conversation and looking at the
photograph Of young colored woman
He walked to the sofa, caught hold Of
his wife, and said:
"Get up from here; you know you have
no business here.
Lewis had told Rutherford he would hurt
him If he caught him with Mrs. Lewis,
the barber would be armed. 1t turned out
that Rutherford had a razor in his pocket
ready for action, and he made an effort
to use 1t upon the driver. but only sue
ceeded in cutting his coat sleeve.
Fortunately for Lewis. the razor handle
broke and left Rutherford without
weapon. That afforded Lewis an oppor-
tunity to use his knife without his own
life being In danger. Rutherford, 1t Is
stated got behind Mrs. Lewis when he
saw that there was going to be trouble,
but the sight of the long blade OF the
butcher knife frightened Mrs. Lewis, and
she ran from the house.
The fatal encounter was soon over, Rntn-
erford leaving by way Of the back door
and Lewis walking quietly out the front
way. During the short struggle an oil
lamp was overturned and fire started
Jones saw that his home was in danger OF
being destroyed, and he returned to the
house to extinguish the blaze. He threw
the blazing lamp and sofa cushion from
the house, attracting the attention Of the
policeman. Upon reaching the house the
policeman was told that there had been a
row and that Rutherford had been cut by
Lewis. He went in search Of Lewis. and
found him on Jefferson street. The colored
driver was ignorant Of the result of the
encounter and he had made no effort to
escape.
Unable to Find Wounded Man.
When Lewis had been placed behind the
bars the police reserves under Lieut..
Shilling made an effort to locate the
wounded man, but were unable to find any
trace of him. There was no blood stain
found in or about the house, and the search