Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-23
ARREST BY DETECTIVE O'DEA
Disarms Colored Bootblack, Who
Handles Weapon.
CRAP GAME CAUSE OF TROUBLE
Alleged Use Of Crooked Bones" Ends
in a Row-Has Marrow
Escape.

Five shots from a revolver stampeded
the noon-time crowd on F street near 10th
today. Frightened women hurried into
the nearest shops and nervous men sought
cover. The pistol was fired by Harry H.
Wilson, a colored bootback, whose stand
is just below the corner of the two streets.
He was shooting at Frank Jackson, also
colored who declares that Wilson shouted
''Tll kill a hundred nggers for a hundred
dollarsr'
jackson was not hit
When the pistol shots rang out--two in
rapid succession-and then, after a pause,
three more close together-the throng on F
street, composed Of shoppers and clerks
hurrying to their lunch, was thrown into
confusion. 1t was impossible to see who
was firing the pistol, and no one was GER
tain that the bullets were not headed in his
direction. Those near the corner of 10th
street could see the flashes from ths re-
volver, but they were no easier in their
minds, for all that, and everybody was
hunting cover.
Cause for Alarm.
Revolver shooting on one of the busiest
thCrOughfares in the city, at a rush hour,
Is sufficient ca use for alarm, and the small
panic that started Immediately was grow
ing fast when 1t was brought to an end
as suddenly as 1t began, for Detective
Larry O'Dea, who was passing on an F
street car, swung to the ground. rushed to
the bootblack and caught him Just after
the fifth shot had been fired.
Then the excited crowd Gained down and
went on it's way.
Wilson was taken to police headquarters
where he was charged with having at
tempted to kill Jackson. He was unable to
give bond and was locked up in the sixth
precinct station, after consulting with At.
torney Truitt.
Crap shooting, the thirst of other colored
men for the money Wilson makes by black
ing boots and a row over game yester-
day afternoon are said to be at the bottom
of the shooting.
Statement by Wilson.
Wilson, who lives at 1922 H street. where
he has a wife and child. told a Star re-
porter that he had been unable to attend
properly to his business recently on account
OF a crowd of colored men running after
him to get his money from him in Gran
games, and fearing trouble with them to-
day he purchased a pistol yesterday after
noon.
A subsequent investigation of the trouble
showed that Wilson was engaged In a row
yesterday afternoon about a game of craps
in which, 1t is Said crooked bones were
used. At that time he drew weapon on
one OF the men who participated in the
game and the latter took the revolver from
him, requiring him to pay 81 for its return.
Il was afraid they were coming after
me again today, and had the gun to pro-
tect myself said the prisoner.
According to the statements of the sew
eral interested persons game of craps has
attracted number of young coored men
to a stable near 18th and E streets at fire.
quent intervals of late, Wilson being one of
those who usually lost lively game was
in progress yesterday afternoon the par
fTin yrh hn ,h.r
made that crooked dice We're being
used-dice which are SO spotted that the
winning numbers cannot be thrown-and
the game broke up in row. The pistol
play was made and Wilson was disarmed
He managed to get his weapon returned.
however, and when he went home, he says,
he had resolved that he would play no more
craps. He had done his share of gambling,
and had reached the conclusion that he
could not beat another mans game.
Ends in a Row.
The police were given the names of a
number of those who have patronized the
game, including those VINO were there yes
terday when Wilson made the gun play.
There was the usual come seben' and
come 'leben' shouted by the men who
were fading but the thrower knew there
was not the slightest possibility of either
number coming and that there was nothing
but to win the money, so far as he was
concerned The game broke up in a row
when the crooked dice was discovered, and
the only thing that prevented a possible
tragedy at the time was the quick move
made W hen Wilson drew the weapon. Feel
ing that he had not been properly treated
and fearing a repetition of the treatment,
Wilson left the party of gamblers and re-
turned to his place of business, goini; home
later at night.
Il didn't get up Until about 10 o'clock this
morning" he said. "as l had man to open
my place and start the business for the
day. When l went to my shop l thought
l would have trouble. There were six col
and the other being seated on the chair
outside the Shop
Waiting in the Shop.
Not being in the habit of waiting upon
colored people in his establishment, Wilson
said he tod the six men he wanted them to
leave. They wanted him to go with them
and have game, he said, but he told them
he had no money and would not accompany
them. He said he ordered them from the
place and they refused to go. Jackson he
sad, produced pair of brass knuckles.
He said he did not intend to get hurt with
the knuckles and began firing
Jackson" the prisoner added went to
F street and returned. l shot at him. and
after he ran into the house 1 fired three
Shots
The. intended victim OF the bootblack ran
into the side entrance of house SIS 10th
street and was in there when three of the
shots were fired. How he managed to es-
cape being hit he is unable to understand
He was greatly relieved, however when
he saw the detective grab Wilson and place
him under arrest.
Wilson said he had not been drinking
and that his excited condition was not the
result of alcoholic stimulants. He ex-
planned that he took one drink early this
morning. 1t was his claim that the gam
blers had been running after him until they
had made his life miserable, and the shoot
ing, he thought, had been done in s7lf-
defense. Jackson tells an entirely different
story of the affair He knew all about the
crap game, he admitted, but he declared he
was not one of the players in the game yes
terday. He said ne stopped at wilson's
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