The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-28

Wv Tonight negro and a
white man were shot by
Congressman Thomas j. Heflin, of
Alabama. Thomas Lumby, the negro,
was shot In the head and is In a criti-
cal condition, and Thomas McCreary,
New York horse trainer, is suffering
from wound in the leg. The shooting
OF McCrcary was accidental
Mr.. Heflin was arrested and taken 70
the sixth Police station, where the
charge OF assault with intent to kill
was placed against him. Later he was
released on $1,000 bail.
Negro Drinking on Car.
The shooting occurred shortly after
Z o'clock as the car reached the corner
OF Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth
Street, bound for Capitol HILL Con-
gressman Heflin, accompanied by Con-
gressman Edwin j. Ellerbe. of South
Carolina, had boarded the car t
Twelfth Street and Pennsylvania Ave-
nue.. Mr.. Heflin being on his way TO
deliver temperance lecture at the
Metropolitan Methodist Episcopal
Church, Four and Half Street and
John Marshall Place.
Upon boarding the car he observed
two negro passengers. one of whom
was Thomas I.umby. and who was in
the act of taking "a drink from bot
tie of whiskey. There were a number
OF other passengers, including several
ladies. Mr. Helm says he remonstrat-
ed with Lumby. and asked him to stop
drinking, saying: Don't take that
drink; there are ladies here, and 1t is
not right, 1, is against the law for
you TO do this thing In street car,
and hope you will put that bottle
away"
The other negro. who was sober. at
tempted TO take the bottle away from
his friend, but failed. 1t is said that
I.umby became offended at Mr.. Hefin's
remonstrances and applied vile cpl
thets. AS the car reached Sixth street
and Pennsylvania Avenue, Helm AMI
Lurby were engaged in a desperate
struggle. Mr.. Helm. who is a large.
powerful man. succeeded IN throwing
Iumby off the car as 1t came to a
stand. Most OF the occupants OF the
care hastily al!ghted. including Mr..
and Mrs. McCreary.
Negro Tried to Shoot.
The negro fell to the ground. He
rose and. 1t is said. began cursng Mr..
Hcflin again and made motion for his
hip pocket as ii to draw a weapon,
whereupon Mr.. Heflin fired at him
I
negro and hitting Thomas McCreary,
who was about twenty feet from the
car. Mr.. Heflin fired once or twice
q gain, ono of the shots striking Lumby
in the head above the ear. Lumby.
ran a short distance and fell IN
ambulance was called and he was taken
to the Emergency Hospital. The con-
ductor If the car disappeared and off :
Ger George n. Scriven took charge Of
the car ard ran it to Third and Penn
sylvania Avenue. Thereupon Hefii,,
was escorted by Officer Scriven to the
Capitol Hotel and later was taken to
tho police station in a cab. He was
not locked up.
Mr.. McCreary's wound is not serious.
and after treatment at a hospital he
returned to his apartments. At the
Emergency Hospital 1t was said Lumby,
though badly wounded and unconscious.
has a chance to recover. His skull
unable to ascertain tonight whether
the bullet had entered the head
Permission to Go Armed.
Mr.. Hehin explained at the station
his reason for going armed. He is the
author of a "Jim Crow car law in the
District of Columbia, and says that
since he introduced the measure he
has received many letters of threat
ening character, and secured permis-
sion from the authorities to go armed
Mr. Henin represents the Fifth Alabama
District. in which the Tuskegee Insti-
tute. of which Booker T. Washington
Is at the head, is located