The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-11-24

testimony is not nearly so important as
that of Charles Davis. who asserts he
actually saw Smith in the shop talking
to MiCkle a short time before the to-
baccOnist was struck down.
Davis saw picture OF Smith yesterday,
and went at once to the Second precinct
station, where he revealed his Informal
ton to Capt. Charles Peck. The state
ment of Davis was considered so impor-
tent that he was removed in the auto
mobile patrol to the Ninth precinct sta
ton. accompanied by Precinct Detective
H. w. Fortney.
AS Davis and FOrtney entered the sta
ton. James Smith was leaving in the
custody of detectives to go to Casualty
Hospital. where II was reported that
Morris Bennett. the grocer. was expect
ed to regain consciousness and might be
able to repeat his identification of Smith
as the assailant. Charles Davis watched
Smith as he left the station. and. turn
ing to Detective Fortney, said, without
hesitation:
1.-THE Man Saw"
THAT is the man I saw in the shop
with MickIe. There is no doubt about it."
Davis waited until Smith returned from
the hospital and scanned the prisoners
features as he entered the station. Davis
repeated his assertion that he was posi-
tive Smith was the man he had seen
talking to MickIe just before the murder.
Smith was locked in his cell and Davis
escorted TO the cell door. Davis looked
through the bars at Smith for several
seconds. and, pointing a finger at the
prisoner, said:
You are the man / saw talking with
Mickle. I saw you in the store when I
went in to get a package OF cigarettes,
and you stood near the front door while
l talked with Mr.. MiCkle."
Smith seemed almost speechless for a
moment and then he denied the assertion
OF Davis. Smith finally admitted he might
have been near the store, but declared he
did not enter the shop. Davis continued:
There's no use talking like that You
know / saw you in the store. When I
went out I saw another fellow standing
at the curb, who seemed to be waiting
for you"
Davis remained at the cell door but A
few minutes, and was then removed to
the Second precinct station. where he
was examined by Capt. Peck before be-
ing allowed to return to his home, at
1911 Ninth street northwest. Davis gave
the police a description of the man he
saw at the curb, and an effort is being
made to locate this man. who. the police
believe. knows much about the murder.
Look for Companion.
Charles Davis. according to the police,
has enjoyed a good reputation for years,
and has a reputation for veracity. Davis
first became known to the police on
April 10. 1902, when he captured John
Sinclair, alias John Thomas. n colored
shoemaker, who later was hanged for
shooting n colored girl. Davis was pass
ing the girls house when he heard a
shot and saw Sinclair trying to escape.
Davis, after a fistic encounter with Sim
clair. subdued the fugitive and held him
until the arrival of Policemen Stenhouse
and Shipley.
why Davis Waited.
When asked why he had not revealed
his information until nearly a week
after the murder. Davis replied: well,
the police were investigating the case
and seemed to be making progress. so
1 saw no reason of 'butting in as 1
was not certain the man 1 had seen IN
the store was James Smith. But when
1 saw Smiths picture l was certain he
was the man l had seen, and 1 realized
the information was too important to
be withheld longer"
While detectives are searching the city
for evidence to present against Smith in
the Bennett and Mckle cases, kilograms
are being flashed to other cities in an
effort to procure Smiths police record
and connect him with crimes which have
gone unpublished.
Chief of Detectives Boardman has sent
the classification of Smiths finger prints
to the Chicago police to learn If Smith
is John Kabusta, who is wanted in that
city for murder. Experts at the War
and Navy departments who have seen
finger prints assert they are
identical with those of Smith. Inspector
Boardman will receive a telegram to-day
from the Chicago police, either Identify
ing Smith as Kabusta or clearing Smith
OF suspicion of the Chicago crime.
Criminal at Large.
John Kabusta, according to the Chi
cago police, is one of the most dangerous
criminals who has been at large during
the last four years. He is wanted in
for two murders committed
nearly four years ago, he having escaped
the Chicago police after one of the most
spectacular battles they ever engaged in
and second only to the fight put up by the
car barn bandits.
On the night OF June s. 1908, Kabusta,
in company with Adam Tobias and
Charles Shavers, entered the store of
Frederick Felardo. Noble and Division
streets, and, pointing revolvers at the
latter demanded that he turn over to
hem the contents of his cash register
Felardo, instead OF complying with their
demand, reached underline counter for
MS own revolver As he Strengthened
ID all three of the robbers fired at him.
Tobias and Shaver fired one shot each
md Kabusta fired two.
The groceryman fell to the floor dead, |
III the bullets having found their mark. |
rhe robbers then looted the cash regis |