Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-10
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Confession Made by Smith,
Convicted Murderer.
ITS NATURE WITHHELD
It Is Said That It May Save the
Negroes Found Guilty.
MANY CONFERENCES HELD
Reported That He Admitted Making
False Assertions When He I'm
plicated Others in Crime.
rs NATURE WITHHELD
ANY CONFERENCES HELD
Correspondence of The Star.

| Special Correspondence of The Star.
| ALEXANDRIA. Va, January 10. 1910.
! Henry Smith, the negro who turned
states evidence in the Schultz murder
case and who was convicted of the muir
der in the corporation court Friday last.
| has made a confession, which may save
the three negroes convicted of the crime
from the electric chair Friday next.
| Rumors have been numerous as to the
statements in the confession but their
nature has not officially been given out.
| The confession was made to Attorney
| Frederick p. Russell, who represents
Smith.
Attorney Russell this morning would not
deny that Smith had made a confession
but intimated that its nature might not
be disclosed for day or two
| According to reports the confession may
| clear the three men-Calvin Johnson,
Richard Pines and Eugene Dorsey-now
| in the shadow of the electric chair they
| being sentenced to die Friday next
| One apparently we'll founded report is
| to the effect that Smith confessed that
the statement made by him in which he
| implicated the three men convicted of the
murder was an untruth and was told fol-
| lowing a ''sweating.' 1t is said Smith
failed to tell who did murder Schultz,
| claiming he did not know
What Court Officials Say.
| Commonwealth Attorney Brent this
morning said that he had heard the
rufnors concerning confession by
Smith. but he could not say what the
confession was.
| Judge l.. G. Barley of the corporation
court, who acted as trial judge also add
mitted that he had heard the rumors
about the confession. His conversation
| seemed to Indicate that he placed con-
siderable credance in the report. If re-
ports are true the confession made by
| Smith Is of such a startling nature that
| it was deemed expedient to withhold 1t
until Smith is sentenced and removed
| from the city.
1t is believed that Smith will he sem
| fenced within the next twenty-fOur
hours. Judge Barley this morning, when
! asked when he would sentence Smith
said he had not made up his mind. He
was uncertain whether not he would
| sentence the condemned man today.
! Smith will, it is understood, be taken
out of the city this afternoon.
| Smith wrote letter to Judge Barley
| Saturday, in which he said that he did
| not desire his case to be taken to the
state court of appeals. He asked that he
| be sentenced at once and taken out of
| the city.
SoOIlle DeleVe tndt sinful Is AFRAID tfldl
| he might be a victim of mob violence
| If he IS not taken promptly from the city,
; having made a confession.
Conferences Held.
| Throughout the day the attorneys in
terested in the case, together with vari-
GUS court officials. have been holding con-
ferences. All shook their heads when
asked as to the nature of these confer
ences. There was a conference between
the chief of police and the states at
torney early this morning, and it is said
to have been over the reported confess
sion. Attorneys Russell and Brumback
| representing Smith. also held a confer
! ence this morning
| Attorney Lewis Fl. Machen, represent
| ing Calvin Johnson, said he had heard
about the rumors of confession He
appeared anxious to learn the truth OF
the report. believing 1t may clear John
| son as we'll as the other two convicted
men. Mr.. Machen. in the event nothing
further develops within the next twenty
| four hours expects to go to Richmond,
| Va, and see the governor about the case.
In the meantime the publication of the
| confession is awaited with great interest.
| Smith appears to be much easier of
| mind since he made the last confession.
| He. however, will be glad when he is
taken away. He will probably be placed
in the Alexandria county Jail.
Alexandria Notes.
| Owing to the cold weather the work of
| laying the vitrified brick roadway on up
| per King street from the city's limits
westward to the union passenger railway
| station has been postponed until April
The work of laying the grooved rails over
| u part of that thoroughfare by the Wash
! ington. Alexandria and Mount Vernon
HALLWAY will hppin
Gus Robinson and William Oehlert, ar
rested on suspicion of knowing something
concerning the alleged theft of So. IS
from William Wade Saturday night, We're
acquitted this morning.
The. trial of Henry Smith for jury serv-
ice cost $341 which included the cost of
transportation of thrty-five talesmen
from Charlottesville. the board and lodg-
in. Of the twelve men selected and the
pay for their services.
Revival services at the Trinity Metho-
dist Episcopal Church tonight will be con-
Quoted by Rev. j. r. Sewer.
The field day services yesterday by the
.Inti-Saloon League were largely at
tended
Frank Payne, colored, died yesterday
morning at his home, 416 North Royal
street
The January term of the corporation
court convened today.
The case of William Taylor, charged
with cutting John letters Saturday night
was continued today for ten. days owing
| to the inability of LETTERS to appear.
Funeral services for Mrs. Bette A.
| WEIGH. who died Saturday night, were
held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at her
| home, 1909 Duke street. Rev. c. d. Bulla
pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church
1 1.e., A~.1 s,H