The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1908-04-02
shot COLORED MAN
Congressman fiefIin Uues His
Pistol on Darkey
AN UNFORTUNATE OCCURRENCE
Alabama Representative proupfiy
Attacks Negro Who Resents Hls
Kind Admoniiion 10 Cease Driak-
ing in the Presence Of Ladies

Washington. u. c. Special-In a
desperate affry on pennxslyania ave
nue. ear Friday night a negro and .
white man were shot by Congressman
Thomas j. Helm, Of Alabama. Thos.
Lumby, the negro, was shot in the
head and is IN a critical condition
and Thomas MeCreary, q New York
horse trainer. is suffering from a
wound in the leg. The shooting Of
McCreary was accidental Mr.. lief
lin was arrested and taken TO the
sixth police precinct station, where
the charge of assault with intent TO
Kill was placed against him. Later
he was released on $1,000 bail.
The shooting occurred shortly after
7 O'Clock as the car reached the cor
ner of Pennsylvania avenue and
Sixth street, bound for Capitol Hill
Congressman Henin, accompanied
by Congressman Edwin J. Eilerbe. Of
South Carolina, had boarded the car
at Twelfth street and Pennsylvania
avenue, Mr.. Hefiin being on his way
TO deliver a temperance lecture at
the Metropolitan Methodist Episco-
pal church, Four-and-a-half street
and John Marshall Place Upon
boarding the ear he observed two
negro passengers. one of whom was
Thomas Lumby, and who was in the
act of taking a drink from a bottle
of whiskey. There was a number Of
other passengers, including several la
dies. Mr.. Hehin says he remonstrat-
ed with Lumby. and asked him 10
stop drinking. saying: "Don't take
that drink. there are ladies here and
II is not right. It is against the law
for you to do this thing in a street
car and l hope YOU will put that
bottle away The other negro. who
was sober. attempted to take the
bottle away from his friend. but fail
Cd. It is said that Lumby became Of
Tended at Mr. Hcfin's remonstrances
and applied vile epithets. AS the car
reached Sixth street and Pcnnsylva-
MIA avenua Mr. Hefin and Lumby
wcrC engaged IN a desperate struggle.
NJ" Heflin. who is q large, powerful
man. succeeded in throwing LumbE
of the car rs it came to n stop. Mos
Of The occupants Of the ear hastilf
alichted, including Mr.. and Mrs. Ne
Crcary. The negro fel to the ground
on being pushed off the car, He arose
and it is. said began cursing Mr.. IIef-
In again and made a motion for his
hip pocket as if to draw a weapon.
WheycuDon Mr.. Hehin fred at him
through the car window. missing the
negro and hitting |horlas McCreary.
WHO was about 20 feet from the car
Mr.. Hefin fred once or twice again.
one of the shots striking Lumby in
the head above the ear. Lumby
ran short distance and fell. An
ambulance was called and he was
taken TO the Emergency Hospital. The
conductor Of TIE car disappeared and
Offrer George n. Scriven took
charge Of the ear and ran it to Third
and Pennsylvania avenue.
There Representativ Heflin was
escorted Nv Officer Scriven to the
Capitol Hotel and later was taken to
the police station in a cab.
He was not locked up.
Mr.. Heflin explained at the station
his reason fer going armed. He is
author Of "Jim Grow" car law IN
the District of Columbia and saws
that since he introduced the measure
he has received many letters of a
threatening character, and secured
permission from the authorities to go
armed.
Mr.. Hefin represents the fifth Ala
bama district in which the Turke-
gee Institute. of which Booker t.
Wash: :ngton is at the head, is located