Evening journal., 1908-03-28
HELM TO PLEAD
SELF-DEFENCE
Alabama Congressman Shot a
Negro and a White Man
During Alteration
HAD ROW IN A STREET CAR
By United Press Leased Special Wire.

By United Press Leased Special Wire.
WASHINGTON. March 2s.-self-de-
tense win be the plea Of Representa-
tive ]. Thomas Hefin, OF Alabama,
when put on trial for the shooting Of
Louis Lundy. a negro with whom he
had an alteration on a street car last
night The statements OF those who
witnessed the affair coincide with
those of Hehin, that Lundy had grab
bed him by the coat lapel, and made
motion toward the hip pocket be-
fore Helm fired.
The negro was resting quietly this
morning with a bullet hole IN his head.
The probable outcome cannot be de-
termined until the N-rays are brought
into use to locate the bullet
Thomas McCreery, the horse trainer,
who accidentally, WIS shot in the Les
by Hefin was only slightly wounded.
He declares, however, that he win pro-
secute the congressman.
Helm came very near having 10
spend the night in the station house.
The greatest difficulty was encountered
In locating a bondsman who could quail
ify under the peculiar laws OF the Dis
trict. The bond was finally put up
by George Dryver. a saloon keeper.
who was the only man that could be
found at the time who possessed OF
unencumbercd real estate IN the Dis
trict In his own right.
Liquor Man Hefin's Bondsman.
The occupation OF the bondsman oc-
casioned some comment in washing
ton today, inasmuch as Hefiin was on
his way to deliver a temperance lee.
ture at the Metropolitan NJ. y. Church
when the affair happened.
Helms own story OF the shooting is
as follows:
Il boarded the car in front OF the
Raleigh hotel with my friend Con-
gresham Ellerbee. We had ridden Ia
Seventh street when two negroes en-
tered the car. One OF them pulled 4
flask from his pocket and started 1,
drink.
I told him it was against the Law
and asked him TO desist. He replie,
with an oath. and said he would drini
it anyhow.
HIS companion tried TO take tn
bottle away from him. He then jump
ed up and started to drink.
got up to demonstrate with him
He grabbed me by the lapels OF m,
coat and made a gesture toward hi
hip pocket.
I thought he had a gun and null
ed my own, reached out and grabbed
about the neck and shot He wrenchet
away and I heard a scream. I shovcs
MN TO the platform and kicked him of
DO not know whether I hit him owe,
the head with my gun or not. I ma,
have
When the negro reached the stree,
he began to curse Angered bevond m
reason, reached through the window
ana shot at him. I do not know
whether hit him that time or mott
Reason For Carrying a Gun.
Helm says he had ben authorize.
to carry revolver after threats has
been made against his life. foliowios
MS putting an amendment before m,
House to provide "Jim Crow cars ir
the District of Columbia. He ravo mi.
as a reason for carrying the u,eanon
McCreery who stopped one OF m,
bullets intended for the negro wa.
standing in the street at the time wiz
his wife, waiting to board the car
Congressman Hehin Is welI-lsnoUr
among the Democrats OF this citv. ~,
was one Of the speakers at the receni
Democratic League dinner IN homo,
OF Bryan and has spoken here severa
times. % q