Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-06
POLICEMAN SHOOTS
HIS CAPTAIN DEAD
William H. Mathews Slain by
Private Collier.
FIVE SHOTS IN HIS BODY
Killed as He Sat in Office at Fifth
Precinct.
HAD REPRIMANDED SLAYER
Prisoner Admits Killing, But Re-
fuses to Make Statement of Cause.
Held by Coroner's Jury.
HAD REPRIMANDED SLAYER

Capt. William II. Mathews, one of the
oldest members of the police force, and in
command of the fifth precinct, was shot
and killed last night while seated in his
office in the police station, 9TH and E
streets southeast, by Private ]. w. Collier
who had been a member of his command
since November 1 last. The policeman
emptied the five loaded chambers of his
blue steel revolver and the appearance of
the body indicates that all the shots took
effect, four of them and probably all five,
lodging in the head. Nearly dozen police
men were within fifty feet of the spot
when the shots were fired, but so rapidly
did Collier fire that they were unable to
reach him before he had finished his
CHASTITY work. Lieut.. Sprinkle, Detective
Baur and others made efforts to get a
statement from the prisoner last night,
but all he would say was that things
would turn out all right for him when he
told all.
This morning Coroner hewitt conducted
an inquest at the morgue over the re-
mains of the dead captain. Witnesses
We're heard and the jury held Collier to
answer for the killing. Shortly after the
verdict was returned he was placed in
the patrol wagon and taken to Jail.
The killing of Capt. Mathews means the
taking away of one Of the most competent
officials of the police department, and
caused genuine sorrow to a host of
friends and admirers Collier is not SO
well known. Last night he declined to
discuss the killing to the extent of giving
his brother officers an idea of the causes
which led to the shooting. but the latter
surmise that il was because the captain
insisted upon his giving strict attention
to duty and probably had reprimanded
him.
Absent From Reserve Duty.
Private Collier had been reported for
absence from reserve this week, and it is
said Capt Mathews had directed that
charges be preferred against him. After
absenting himself from reserve yesterday
the police say, Collier talked over the
telephone with Capt Mathews and a
stormy interview between them was an
ticipated, although nobody in the station
had the slightest idea that a tragedy
was impending. Collier did admit last
night that he had taken several drinks
yesterday. but his appearance last night
was not that of an intoxicated man, and
he said to other officers that he was So
Der and not excited his manner seeming
10 indicate that he felt justified in what
he had done.
Capt. Mathews was seated in his office
conversing with members of his command
when Collier entered the station, about
40 oclocF. last night. Capt. Mathews
discussed the inaugural parade and said
he felt little tired after the strenuous
work Collier paced the floor until the
captain had concluded his conversation
with others and then he entered the room
Persons who heard the reports of the
weapon say Collier was hardly in the
room long enough TO pass any words with
his intended victim before the shooting
began.
There was pause after the first shot
said one OF the men, land then came the
noise caused by the captain falling to the
floor. Then the four additional shots
were fired
Saw Collier Shoot.
Lieut.. Sprinkle and Policeman Cullnane
were the first TO reach the room. Guilt
name who was in the lead. reached there
in time to see Collier standing over the
PROSTATE form OF his victim and send the
last of the five bullets into his body. He
grabbed the slayer and held him, while
Lieut.. Sprinkle disarmed him. The other
men in the station were upon the scene
about that time. but there was moth
Ing they could do. While some of the
men were escorting Collier to a cell
Lieut.. Sprinkle was attending the wound
cd man. He held his head off the floor
opened his collar and called for water.
but before the water could be brought
Capt. Mathews died.
Just after the first shot had been fired
the officers In the office and squadroom
heard Capt. Mathews make an cutlery. He