Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-21

dered man while the funeeal service was
in progress yesterday afternoon, and at
that moment an automobile, in which
Smith, alleged assailant of Morris Ben
nett. Precinct Detectives Smith and BIZ
cycle Policeman Ben Williams were scat
ed, drew alongside the curbing at the
corner.
1t soon became known that Smith was
one of the occupants Of the vehicle, and
he drew attention from the funeral party.
Hes the man who killed poor Billy
MCKEE was the murmur which ran
through the crowd.
Then" one of the merchants said, we
ought to lynch him"
Funeral Test Fails.
There was no show of excitement about
the automobile, however. and Smith
was whisked away before the body of
M.ckle, carried by six of his Masonic
friends, was brought from the house to
the hearse.
Smith had been taken to the Mickle fu-
neral on the chance that he might break
down and indicate guilty knowledge OF
the crime, but in this the police were Us
appointed. Being in the vicinity of the
taken of having Ralph Pines get look
at him. Pines said he had never seen
Smith before.
Several merchants in the neighborhood
looked at Smith and said they had never
seen him in that neighborhood.
They couldn't have seen me there"
Smith said, Il was not there"
II can't think Smith murdered MCKEE !"
said Coroner hewitt this morning. so
far as 1 have learned there seems to be
no connection there at all. 1t is true that
in each instance a tool was used, but
that is about ALL" DIR. hewitt said he be-
lieved the murder of Mickle was done for
robbery. and that 1t probably was done
by some one who was familiar with the
surroundings.
Mai Sylvester said this morning that
he believed the crime was committed by
some person for the purpose Of robbery
And If an insane man committed the
crime he added, he may have done SO
for the purpose Of robbery"
May Have Seen Money.
Mai. Sylvester pointed out that NIickle
had changed a bill only a short time be-
fore he was murdered. His roll of bills
may have been seen by some person from
the street and the latter entered the
store, engaged the merchant in converse
tion and lured him to the back room,
where he killed him.
ut frequently happens said Chief Syl-
vester. that mysterious crimes are COM
mitted by insane people. and 1t also is
true that such persons often are cunning
enough not to leave any clue to their
identity"
Mai. Sylvester admitted that the mys-
terry had completely baffied the police. It
the members of the force dc not accom-
plish something by tomorrow. he stated,
he probably will offer reward for in
formation leading to the arrest and con-
| 1.fr nf 10 QlroAQy
announced that he will pay substantial
sum of money for such information, but
no definite sum has been stated.
Five days have elapsed since the to-
scores Of pedestrians, and today the po-
lice admit they are without single clue
which promises to solve the mystery.
Confusion Of Clues.
! Confusing clues have marked the in
vestigation Of the mystery. Miss Rena
| Livingston, daughter of a merchant In
7th street, told the detectives Of having
seen blonde man with light curly hair,
while the man whose conduct has seemed
most mysterious is described as de-
cided brunette.
| Miss Livingston and her father fix the
time Of her reaching the cigar store al
aoout sos o'clock, fifteen minutes before
l 6alpO f1meS tOlu Oh having seen a Iiidu al
the store. witnessing Mr.. Mickle giving
gymnastic exercises. as was his habit
| In seeking to reduce his weight.
| The statement of Miss Livingston was
that she heard voices in the back room
| when she went to the store to get a
nickel changed, but the detectives are
| not willing to believe that more than one
man was implicated In the murder. They
say it is possible that several men Were
went there and that they might easily
thave left shortly after she went back to
her fathers store.