Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-19
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Testimony Taken in the
Tramp Camp Murder.
NOlEN HELD FOR HEARING
Many Witnesses Are Heard in Case
of Robert Murphy, Slain Near
Rosemont Station.
'pecial Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA,, Va. June IS. 1910.
After examining thirteen witnesses,
four of whom are regarded material.
a coroners jury summoned by DR.. S. B.
Moore, with j. H. Trimver as foreman,
| this afternoon met at Domains undertake
! ing parlOrs and returned a verdict that
Robert Murphy, jr., came to his death by
having his throat cut with a knife in
| the hands of Michael A. Nolen the even
ing of June Il, near ROsemont station,
Alexandria county, Va.
The examination of witnesses occupied
| nearly two hours. Nolen was present
and heard all of the testimony, although
he was not permitted to testify before the
jury. on one occasion he asked to be
permitted to crOsS-eXamine a witness.
This was. however. denied.
The jury was composed of John r.
Trimyer. foreman; j. Il. Fitzgerald. Con-
rad Johnson. James 3. Martin Thomas
Chauncey and r. F. Knox.
NOlen will be given preliminary hear
ing at the Alexandria county courthouse
Monday. June %. a am. Hennacke,
Williams and Allen. men who were with
him at the time. were also held as ma
terial witnesses, as was Arthur Il. Car
ter. who was taken into custody after
ward. and all were taken to the county
where tney are DelnS nelO.
Cause of the Quarrel.
1t is expected that when court meets
Monday Commonwealth Attorney Gran
dial Mackey may have a special grand
jury summoned TO indict Nolen.
The essence of the testimony given
dollar bill. Murphy was suspected of
getting it. This precipitated a quarrel
Murphy was one of the first to volunteer
TO be searched. The money was not
found, and Murphy became angry, went
away, procured shotgun. and, upon
returning, threatened the men. finally
striking Nolen and afterward Williams
with il. NOlen. seeing his chance to get
at Murphy, attacked him from behind |
with his pocket knife, severing the jugu- |
lar vein.
Frederick s. Hennack OF Washington |
who was with the party of tramps at the |
time. was the first witness to testify. |
He stated that two men who were not |
present at the time were the first to- ar
rive at the tramps' camp. Subsequently |
Murphy made his appearance, and volun-
teered TO purchase beer. man named
Carter. he said. lost 81, and there was
the money. Murphy upon departing said |
he would return. and he did so. bringing
with him d gun. Witness said he fell |
into ditch because he was frightened.
scene NOlen and Williams were return
ing with beer. Murphy without ceremony
told Nolen and Williams TO hold up their |
hands. According to witness Murphy |
afterward hit Nolen on the back of the |
head with the gun, and NOlen fell to the |
ground as result of the blow. He then |
struck Williams. In the meantime Will |
lams and Murphy scuffied for the posses |
sion of the gun. During the progress of |
the scuff1e NOlen rose to his feet. Wit |
ness had in the meantime decamped from |
the scene.
In few minutes afterward Murphy |
ran past witness with blood squirting |
from his wound. Witness returned where |
the men were gathered and Nolen said |
he was going to notify the police of the |
occurrence. Witness said he concluded |
TO accompany him and the two others |
and they got on and came to |
Alexandria and were going to headquar- |
tiers when taken into custody.
Hennacke also added in conclusion that |
Murphy threatened to shoot all. Finally |
Murphy shot one load in the ground |
Each man in the party, witness said, drank |
four bottles Of beer and they had |
consumed one quart of whisky and had |
another quart left.