Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-21
HELD ON CHARGE OF MURDER
WILLIAM SMOTHER ACCUSED
OF KILLING SPENCER BARNES.
Accused Leaves the City, But Is Ar
rested in Maryland-Claims
Self-Defense.

William Smother. colored, twenty-six
years of age. is under arrest charged
with stabbing Spencer Barnes. also col
ored. during a row in the latter's house
1923 Half street southwest about 9:45
O'Clock last night Barnes died before
a surgeon reached him. Smother left the
city last night. but was captured at an
early hour this morning near Beltsville.
Prince George county. Md. Detective
Baur. who had worked on the case all
night. went to Beltsville and brought
the prisoner to the city.
1t is the belief of the police that there
had been trouble between the two men
for long time 1T being stated that they
were at odds about a woman. That
Smother had made up his mind to get rio
or Barnes. the police say. is shown oJ ms
conduct last night. Not only did he STAB
MIN to death. it is charged. but ne pre-
viously pushed Barnes overheard, know
was dragged from the deep water near
the garbage wharf, where. it is charged.
Smother tried to drown him. Smother
later went to the house Of Barnes: Inc
latter. it is thought. was made to De-
lieve that the water incident was the re-
suit Of an accident and no particular at
tention was paid to the incident
Penetrates the Heart.
The police were told there were two
women and several men in the Half street
house last night and that they had
rushed the growler."
One cut was across the neck offs Barnes
and there was a stab wound. the blade Of
the knife penetrating the heart or sever
ing one of the larger blood vessels Barnes
died of hemorrhage. When his body was
summed a
found on his chest. probably sustained at
the time he was dragged from the river.
Smother left the Hal1 street house as
soon as the fatal wounds had been in
f1icted. The police of the fourth precinct
and Detectives Baur and Cornwell covered
all railroads and highways leading from
the city being careful to see that the
authorities of the nearby counties in
Maryland and Virginia were given de-
scription of the fugitive. Deputy Sheriff
Thomas Garrison of Prince George county
was one of the first communicated with.
He was found at Hyattsville.
Deputy Sheriff Makes Arrest.
Charles A. Kicks. another deputy. who
lives near Beltsville was out bright and
early this morning searching for Smother.
He had arrested one man on suspicion
when he saw Smother walking along the
road in the direction of Baltimore.
Where are You from?' he asked.
I'm from Baltimore was the response.
Il came down on a freight this morning
to look for work.
Pulling open the colored mans coat,
Kicks observed that he wore a blue
sweater. having been told that Smother
had on such garment at the time the
crime was committed.
Smother was led to the house of the
officer and detained until Detective Baur
arrived. The penknife with which he
killed Barnes was found in his pocket.
The prisoner told Detective Baur he used
the knife in self defense; that Barnes had
thrown lamp and bottle at him before
he stabbed the man.
After being measured and photographed
at police headquarters the prisoner was
taken to the fourth precinct station to
be held until tomorrow morning. Coro-
ner hewitt viewed the body Of Barnes at
the morgue this morning and directed
that jury be summoned for an inquest
tomorrow morning.
Thomas Smother. the accused mans
father, received sentence of thirty years
In prison for a heinous crime COM
mitted in this city a number of years ago