The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-15

Shot through the heart while walking
along a path in a patch Of woods at
Fifteenth and Adams streets northeast,
yesterday morning, Joseph c. Squires'
sixty-seven years old, veteran emplOye OF
the Pension Office. fell and died almost
Instantly
II is believed the shot was lodged In
Soures' breast by accident, and the
theory that he was a victim OF an as
sassln's weapon is secuted by the police.
who have been investigating the case.
Persons IN the vicinity heard shots
fired at intervals Of a few minutes I'm
the morning. and II was supposed there
were men in the woods at target practice.
Little attention was given the men and
their identity was not learned.
Bonrded in Adams street.
squires boarded at I7ol Adams street
About II o'clock he left the house and
started through the woods 10 the Wine
view Club. where II is said he stabbed
a horse and buggy. 1t IS thought the
aged man intended taking a drive in the
afternoon and was on the way 70 get his
team.
He entered the woods and proceeded
along the path for several hundred
yards. AS he was walking brlskly, there
was a shot With cry. Squires reeled
and fell. William Sarton. fourteen years
old. Of 1s46 Franklin street northeast
was walking a few hundred yards I'm
the rear Of Squires The bog heard the
shot. and the cry OF the MORALLY wound
ed man. Looking through the under
brush. the lad saw squires fall. and ran
20 his side. Squires was unconscious.
and apparently dying. Sarton ran for
helo. and in a short time the police were
notified.
Before persons sarton had summoned
reached the body OF Squires the aged
man was dead. and the persons who shot
him had disappeared When police OF
the Ninth precinct reached the woods q
search was made but the gunners had
disappeared. Il Is believed the wound
was inflicted with a rifle, although 1t is
possible the men were shooting with a
revolver.
The bullet entered the left chest, and
probably passed through the heart II
aid not go through the body. and the
hole in the chest was the only wound
found when the body was examined by
physicians.
Believing Il possible SQuires was killed
with intent, the police notified Inspector
BOardman. and Detectives Burllngame.
O'Byleu, and Springinan were detailed 20
the case As a consequence Of the In
vestigauon. the theory that Squires was
accidentally killed was strengthened.
Coroner hewitt was notified and ordered
the body removed 20 the morgue Al
though the coroner IS Of the opinion
Squires met his death by accident. Il IS
probable an inquest viii be held. The
police are searching for the men believed
10 have fired the fatal shot. Two youths
who lit descriptions were taken in Gus
tody by police of the Ninth precinct last
night and released shortly after. The
police were satisfied the boys knew moth
ing Of the shooting.
Saw Two Young Men.
Sar,on told the police he saw tive
young men in the vicinity Of the shoot
ing shortly before Squircs was killed
He described them as follows: One about
eighteen years old. five feet seven inches
in height. Weighing about 40 pounds
smooth face. blue shirt. light felt hat
black trousers and coat, carrying coat
on arm. white suspenders. black low
shoes. and brown socks; the other about
nineteen years old. five feet eight inches
I'm height. Weighing about 1856 pounds
black trousers. blue serge golf cap. blue
shirt. and no coat
The police say n the killing was acct
dental. the men who fred the shot will
probably make known their identity Ia a
short time.
Squlres IS survived by n brother, who
lives I'm Philadelphia. His wife died sew
Cral years ago, and the veteran clerl
had no children. lie had been employed
in tho Pension Office for nearly forty
years.