The Washington herald., 1910-07-22
SOLDIERS ADMIT
SHOOTING NEGRO
Declare Their Action Was
in Self-defense.
BREAK DOWN BEFORE POLICE
troopers say Three Men Assaulted
Them Before Gun Was Drawn.
Taken from Fort Myer by Detec-
tiyes, Priyases own to Guilt at
Headquarters-smith Improved.

After maintaining a stolid Indifference
for three days. Thomas J. Mollyneaux
and Clifford L. Feldheim. the two Fiji
tenth Cavalry troopers arrested upon
the charge of shooting William L. Smith.
a negro. on the Aqueduct Bridge Mon
day night, broke down yesterday after
noon and admitted their guilt
Their story differs but. little from that
told by the negro, except that they as
sert that the ARRAY was started by the
negroes and that the shot was fred in
self-defense. The TWO men are held at
the Second precinct station pending ex-
animation.
Following investigation Of the case by
Headquarters Detectives Warren. Mullin
Burlngame. and Weldon. the men were
placed in the guard house at Fort Myer
on Wednesday night.
Detectives Warren and Burlingame Wis
tied the barracks yesterday and brought
Nollyneaux and Feldheim to the city.
"Thfrd Degree" Not Used.
They were brought before Capt Board
man for examination. There was an en-
tire absence Of the so-called third de-
gree methods.
Private Mollyneaux said Feldhefm and
himself had left Washington for the
fort about 1870 o'clock Monday. At the
Georgetown end Of the bridge they were
approached by three negroes, all OF
them under the influence of liquor. One
OF them cursed the soldiers. and was
ordered away by Policeman Short, Of
the Seventh precinct.
At this. Mollyneaux said. he and Field
helm went down the steps TO the tow
path, and later started across the bridge.
When about fifty yards from the Virginia
end they met the negroes again. The
soldiers were about to pass by when one
Of them sprang at Mollyneaux. The
soldier hit him, and the negro Smith.
fell. AS he rose from the ground. Mol
lyneaux says Smith attempted 70 draw
a revolver. but the soldier knocked the
weapon to the roadway.
Aids His Companion.
The two other negroes had assaulted
Feldheim. and MOllyneaux ran to his as
sistance. AS he did so Smith again at
tempted TO graphic with him. Mollyneaux
fell to the roadway within a few feet OF
the AShDkNCAs TIC cc41SQ IL anu 4iEE4 al
Smith. AS the negro fell wounded the
two other negroes ran for the George
town end OF the bridge. Molyneaux
threw the gun into the river and started
for the car. Both men state that they
did not think the negro seriously hurt, as
he rose TO his feet and walked aftel
them
The men said they had not confessed
sooner because the reports that had
reached the fort indicated that the negro
was In a dying condition. and they were
afraid OF an instant court-martiaL
If the negro RECEIVERS. the soldiers will
face charges of assault with deadly
weapons In Police Court Should the
negro die, however, the case passes out
of the hands OF the District police into
those of Coroner hewitt His jury, i'm
paneled upon the case. would fix the
charge and hold the men for trial.
Reports from the Georgetown Univer.
sity Hospital last night stated that the
negroes condition is favorable. Two oper-
atoms were performed upon the wound
but the effect viii not be known for some
days yet. The intestines were punctured
in four places, and the closing of the cuts
is delicate operation. Smith has made
no statement to either the hospital au,
thorities or to the police concerning the
case.