Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-03-28
SHOOTING ON A STREET CAR.


on Pennsylvania avenue, Washington,
last night, negro and white man we're
shot by Congressman Thomas j. HeAin,
of Alabama. Thomas Lumby, the
negro, was shot in the head and is In
critical condition, and Thomas Nc
Creary, New York horse trader, is
suffering from a wound In the leg. The
shooting of McCreRry was accidental.
Mr.. Heain was arrested and taken 10
the Sixth police precinct station, where
the charge OF assault 10 kill was placed
against him. Later he was released on
IS, 900 bail.
The shooting occurred shortly after Z
O'Clock as the Car reached the corner OF
Pennsylvania avenue and Sixth s!reeT,
bound for Capitol Hill. Congressman
Hef1in, accompanied BY Congressman
Edwin ]. Ellerbe, OF South Carolina,
bad boarded the traction car at Twelfth
street and Ponnsylvsnis avenue, Mr..
Helm being ON his wsy to deliver a
tenn persnce lecture at the Metropolitan
Methodist Episcopal Church, -Four and
Half street aud John Marshall Place.
Upon boarding the car he observed
two negro passengers, one of whom was
Thomas Lumby, and who was 10 the
act of taking a drink from bottle OF
whisky. There were a number Of other
passengers, including several ladies'.
Mr.. Hefin says he demonstrated with
Lumby and asked hims to stop drinking,
saying: ~ ia
"Don't take that drink; there are
ladies here, and 1t is not right. Il is
sgainst the law for you to DO this thing
10 street car, and | hope you will put
that bottle away" The other negro,
who was sober, attempted TO take the
bottle away from his friend, but failed.
1t is said that Lumby became offended
at Mr.. Helms remonstraDces and sp.
piled vile epitheIs.
Then the colored man, it.is ssiI J, at
tackled the Congressman.
As the car reached Sixth street aud
Pennsy lania avenue Helm aod Lumby
we're engaged in a desperate Struggle.
Mr.. Helm, who is large, powerful mao,
succeeded in throwing Lumby cf the car
as it came to q stop. Most of the &C.
cupanls of the car hastily alighted, in
GLIDING Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas McClesrY.
The negro fell 10 the ground on being
pushed of the car. He rose and, 1t ia
said, began cursing Mr.. Hehn again.
and made a motion for his hip pocket as
if to draw a weapon, whereupon Mr..
Helm fred at him though The car
window, missing the negro and hitting
Thomas McOleary, who was about 20
feet from the car.
Mr.. Helm fred once or twice again,
one of the shots striking Lumby 10 the
head above the ear. Lnmby ran a short
distance and fell. Mr.. Htan was later
arrested and released on bail.
At the Emergency Hospital it was ssid
Lumby, though badly wounded and uu-
conscious, has chance to recover. H's
skull was fractured, but the surgeons
were unable to ascertain whether the
bullet entered The head.
News of the sfl sir spread quickly over
the city, and 10 half an hour Mr.. Htain
was surrounded by scores of cougressmen
from uthern States. Congressman
Gaines Of Tennessee and Clayton Of Ala
bama found bondsmeD, but 1t was long
after 9 o'clock before the bonding Office
could be located.
Mr. Helm explained that he Is not 10
the habit Vt carrying sreyolver. Abou!
three weeks ago, when tie House was
considering the bill 10 extend The street
car tracks to the new Union station, Mr..
Helm offered sn amendment establish
fishing jimcrow regulations on The street
cars. Since that time he has received so
many anonymous letters threatening his
life that he recently was given permission
by the authorities to carry revolver.
Senator Tillmsn has received similar
letters.
al wss clearly justified 10 what did, I"
said Mr.. Helm, on The floor OF the
House in discussing the shooting with
friends. 81 have since learned that the
negro was dangerous character with q
bad court record" Mr.. Helm gave
out some of the threatening letters be
said he had received regarding bis pro-
p,sil of "Jim Grow" cars in the d s Iict
of Columbia, ard which led him to go
armed.
"Prepsre to meet your G d. go guard
ed nisht and day from nov on until
your death, fear and trembIe, there is
not step between you and death, vile
wretoh. Every person who fesIs God
and loves justice ia against you because
you would sd to the already uDiustly
oppressed. Go guarded and well armed.
Patience has ceased to be virtue. The
South is the property of the colOred
man."
Mr.. Heain appeared at the district
attorneys JfIice today, accompanied by
Representative Clayton ADD number
of other Congressman. he asked that
his case in police court be continued,
to give him time TO get counsel, which
was granted. The date of the prelimi-
nary hearing will be decided upon Mon
day.
II was said at the Emergency Hospital
this morning that the negro's condition
Was not serious and that he would prob
ably be able to leave the hospital today.
Representative Htain was given
cordial reception by his sonthern COL
leagues when he appeared on sthe floor
OF the House, just after that body con-
vened today.
He spent the first half hour in private
conversation with Representative Eller-
be (dem., s. o., who witnessed the
greater part of the fight last night.
Mr.. Htfin, it will be remembered,
was one of the speakers at the banquet
given by Alexandria Washington Il dge
e Al Il al II