The Washington herald., 1908-03-16

Charles Davis, twenty-three years old,
was shot four times in the head by Miss
Willie Mothershead. twenty-one years old,
at North Capitol and r streets al nlO
o'clock last night Davis was taken to
Freedman's Hospital. where it was said
he may die.
Il shot him because he won my con-
fdence and then refused TO marry me-
declared Miss Mothershead 70 Capt.
Doyle, Of the Eighth precinct station.
after her arrest. I intended TO kill him
and then myself" she continued.
Davis and Miss Mothershead met by
appointment at 1 o'clock yesterday after
noon at the home Of Miss Mary Riley. at
PAP Brightwood avenue. The meeting was
the result of Miss Mothershead telling a
story of her wrongs 20 Miss RAey's
mother. asking her TO prevent Davis from
marrying her daughter. After a -conversa-
ton. during which Miss Riley was not
present. Davis and Miss AIothershead left
the Riley home and walked out Bright
wood avenue.
The couple walked about for nearly
three hours after leaving the Riley home
and then started TO return toward Davis
home, at 1925 North Capitol street. When
they had almost reached Seventh street
and Florida avenue they began 10 quarrel
so as to attract attention
They walked to Florida avenue and
turned into T street. later walking out r
street AT the corner Of North CAPITOL
and r streets. Miss Mothershead says
that Davis finally and positively refused
TO marry her.
Fired Five shots.
Driven almost to madness by his re-
fusal Of marriage. she says. she drew
her revolver. -22-caliber weapon that
she bought Friday. and fred fve times
in quick succession.
Davis fell 10 the pavement with three
bulletholes beneath his left eve and A
hole in the rear OF his right ear. at the
base Of the brain. The girl then turned
the gun on herself. and would have fred
had not her arm been grabbed by W
Alexander Long. who witnessed the
shooting He wrested the gun from her
and held her until the arrival Of police
men.
Both I'm Patrol Wagon
DR.. A. C. Miller. living at Lincoln ave
nue. and Q street. carried the unconscious
man into his Office, and cared for him
until the arrival OF the patrol wagon.
Davis was placed in the patrol wagon
and Miss Mothershead seated beside him.
Gazing on the form OF the man she pro-
fessed to love, the girl broke down and
sobbed Historically.
Miss Mothershead was taken from the
wagon at Seventh street and Florida
avenue and walked TO the police station
and Davis was hurried 10 Freedman's
Hospital, where he was placed on the
operating table.
At late hour last night physicians
said that one bullet had been extracted
but that the wound at the base Of the
brain might cause death.
Came from Virginia.
Miss Mothershead told Capt. Doyle that
she met Davis at the home OF her mother
st Tidwell. Westmoreland County. Va
She said he lived at her mothers home
and was very attentive to her for the
two years that he lived there.
Two years ago, she said. he came 10
and she followed within a
short time. He treated her well here m
I'll year ago, when he began to show
signs of waning affection. A short time
ater she learned that he was paying at
-ention TO Miss Mary Riley, an employe Of
he Government Printing Office. SHE said
she asked him to give the girl up. but he
refused.
Becoming Desperate she said. 'I re-
solved to see Mrs. Riley and tell her nv
story l went to his home, at 1895 North
Capitol street, but he was not az home
Then l went TO Miss Riley's home and
saw her mother. told her of nv rela-
ions with Davis, and she said that ne
would be there Sunday afternoon. and
that I call at that time I did
50. and We had a long talk. Miss Riley
vas not present, and no definite under
standing was reached
Intended to Kill Herself.
1--WE left the Riley home and walked in
he vicinity of Brightwood for about
three hours, and then returned TO the
,ity. we quarreled. and 1 reached the
INIT of human endurance when he
wanted to put me on a street car at
North Capitol and r streets. 1 then
lrew my revolver and shot him. / fully
Intended TO shoot him and then myself"
Policeman J. E. Boyle said that he was
standing at the corner of Seventh street
md Florida avenue when the couple
'assed by. A young boy followed them
nd told MIN that they had uuarreIed
'iolently and that the man had tried
o force the girl into several alleys The
f1cer said he followed the couple into
n alley on Florida avenue near T street
hey We're struggling, but stopped when |
e approached. The girl. he said. begged
he man not 10 have her arrested. and
e replied, II won't; respect you and |
our mother too much" As they prom
'ed to behave, the policeman did not
rrest either, and they walked east on /
street.
Miss Mothershead is employed in the |
ity, and lives at 27S2 Twelfth street
ortheast She was taken TO the House