Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-09
HAPPENINGS IN ALEXANDRIA
BURGLAR SUCCUMBs TO HIS IN
JURIES.
Washington Hunters Detained by
Telegram From Richmond
County Sheriff.
Special Correspondence of The Star.


| ALEXANDRIA, Va, November Q. 1905
William O Brien, who was shot in the
head Friday morning last by Philip Rush
while in the act of burg!arizing Rush's
home, 1901 Prince street. died at the
Alexandria Hospital at 2:i0 O'Clock this
| morning. following an operation. His
body was removed to Wheatley's under
taking establishment, where an inquest
will he held by Coroner S. B. Moore at
| 10 O'Clock tomorrow morning.
| The condition of OBrien took turn for
the worse yesterday afternoon. when he
| lost consciousness. DR. Powell the at
| tending physician. deemed an operation
| the only thing which might save O'Brien S
| life, and last evening performed it.removing
one .:2-caliber bullet and part of another
bullet supposed to be of the same calioer
| from O'Brien's head. O'Brien, however.
never regained consciousness. and died
without making a statement.
| 1t was stated at the hospital this morn
ing that while conscious Sunday morning
some one in O'Brien's room remarked
about him burslarzing the house, and
. Brien, overhearing the conversation,
whispered that he was in his own home Il
the time and did not know how he was
injured.
Friday morning about 1880 clock Rush
was aroused by his wife and she told her
husband she thought there was a burglar
in the house. He got up. and after light
ing a lamp and securing Il pistol looked
beneath the bed without seeing any signs
of an intruder. AS he arose and started
toward a closet in the room O'Brien
sprang from the closet and. it is claimed,
endeavored TO attack Rush. AS he did so
Rush fired four shots. two lodging in
OBriens head penetrating the skull.
1t was at first believed that the bullets
had detected: One passed through
0 Brien's derby hat. An alarm was
sounded and the injured man was taken
to the hospital The clothes of O'Brien,
covered with blood, were today taken
from the hospital to police headquarters
by Policeman Bell. They will be used
as eyidnence at the inquest tomorrow.
OBrien was about thirty-eight years of
age. He came to Alexandria about three
years ago from Fredericksburg, Va. and
was a painter by occupation. He has
wife and three children. who reside in
Richmond, Va. 1t is said he has not been
living with his wife for some time past.
While in this city he boarded at the
house of Mrs. Dudley. Wilkes street. No
arrangements have yet been made for the
funeral.
Following the murder of George Curtin,
which occurred nearly three years ago,
o Brien was among those taken in Gus
tody on suspicion of knowing something
of the murder. He gave but little in
formation and was subsequently relea sed
from custody. The matter was brought
to his attention at the hospital Friday
night last. but he maintained that he
knew nothing of the murder, although he
said he knew the murdered man.
A short time ago O'Brien was arrested
on suspicion of robbing a residence in
| Washington. but there being no positive
proof against him he was release
Following the receipt of a telegram
yesterday afternoon from J. r. Connelle
sheriff of Richmond county. Va. request
ing the local authorities to arrest three
hunters. William MCGEE. Edward Steele
and T. NJ. Lewis. all of Washington. were
taken in custody on suspicion of violating
the game laws. Luther Hall. also OF
| Washington. who accompanied the party.
explained things in satisfactory manner
and the men We're released. Following
their release a telegram requesting that
they be released was received from the
sheriff. The hunters were on the steamer
Harry Randall. which arrived here shortly
before ) o'clock.
The preliminary hearing of T. NJ. Bat
ton. charged with shooting William Cor
nell. sixteen years old. which was to have
been heard at 10 o'clock this morning be-
fore Justice Isaac c. Burrell. Alexandria
county. was postponed until 10 o'clock
November IA, at which time 1t Is be-
lieved young Cornell will be able to APP
pear. Cornell was shot Halloween night
during frolic among number of merry
makers. He Is rapidly recovering.