Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-19
STRONG PUBLIC FEELING
Authorities Ridicule the Talk of
Mob Violence.
PRISONERS NOW SAFE IN JAIL
Expected That Special Grand Jury
Will Be Summoned to Con-
slider the Crime.
Special Correspondence Of Tho Star.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, March ID, 1900.
The story of the brutal murder of Wall
ter +. Schultz. as told in the inquest yes
terday. is the principal topic of CONVEX
sation here. Many persons have already
expressed themselves as favoring sending
all four men to the electric chair, al
though it is predicted that the states at
torney will recommend leniency in the
case of Smith. owing to the fact that it
was on his confession that the others
were apprehended.
The authorities are congratulating them
selves on having sent out of the city
James Dorsey, Dick Pines and Calvin
johnson, negroes held for the murder of
Schultz. They are now safely confined in
the Fairfax county Jail. while Walter
Smith, colored who turned states evil
dence is in one of the strongest cells in
the city JAIL
The local officials believe some overt act
might have been made against the three
first named men had they been confined in
the city Jail, and as matter of precau-
ton against a possible attempt to escape
their removal was also deemed espedlent.
Talk Of Mob Violence Ridiculed.
The authorities ridcule the idea OF
mob starting from this city to Fairfax
with a view of taking the law in its own
hands against the men. To begin with
the distance-twelve miles-Would prove q
strong encouragement to those contem-
plating such move.
The officials of the Fairfax Jail last night
kept close guard over the prisoners. il
view of the rumors regarding the inten
tons of a mob. but there was no sign OF
Nos
practically dead. Nor was there any talk
in this city of a mob going to Fairfax.
The prisoners in the Fairfax Jail have
been separated, although Pines expressed q
wish that he be placed in cell with Dor
sey. None of the prisoners showed any
signs of being afraid Of mob, as they
felt secure from mob violence. Johnson
appeared to be low spirited. and the ordeal
that he has gone through is rapidly telling
on him. Before being taken to the jail
yesterday afternoon he complained of be-
ing i'll, and his looks indicated that he was
extremely nervous.
Chief Goods today denied the story al
legged to have been told by Pines to the
effect that II he confessed he would be
given his freedom. The chief declared
he made no promises to any of the pris-
oners.
Smith Is apparently the worst frighten-
ed man of the lot His apprehension is
that the three other negroes Will be able
TO OutSWeaf MIN ana prove an dIlDl. as lie
we'll knows that it is a case of three
against one. In view of the fact that the
police claim to have such a strong case
against the others, coupled with the in
ability Of the men to prove alibis as TO
their whereabouts the night of the MUIR
der, 1t is asserted that Smiths apprehen-
| sion is needless.
Special Grand Jury Expected.
In view of the fact that the next regu-
| lar grand jury term of the corporation
court will not convene until June it is
expected that special grand jury will
be impaneled 10 indict the men. This will
probably be done early next month. Com
monwealth Attorney Brent, when seen
this morning, said he was unable 10 tell
when it would be convened, although he
ventured that il would be done at an
early date.
Since the four negroes were arrested
and the revolving details of the crime
have become known there have been all
sorts CT rumors in circulation about the
murder of George Curtin, whose body was
found in the Potomac several years ago.
One assertion is to the effect that Pines
could throw some light on the mystery.
In the opinion of the police this is mere
talk, as it is claimed that the murder OF
Curtin was committed by three white
men, although the police have never been
able to get sufficient evidence against the
men to obtain conviction.