Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-18
Lack Definite Clue to Identity
of MickIe's Slayer.
MAN SEEN RUNNING AWAY
Described as of Medium Size, Wear
ing Dark Mustache.
FURNISH ALIBIS; SET FREE
Police Convinced Two Men Taken
Into Custody Had No Connection
With the Crime. >,

Although nearly forty-eight hours have
elapsed since William III. MickIc. tobac-
conist. was struck down in his shop at
lHa eth street. the police have not yet
secured a definite clue to the identity OF
the murderer. Even a motive for the
crime has not been established TO the
satisfaction of the authorities though
the relatives of the dead man are firm
in the assertion that Mickle was robbed
Of a roll OF money containing probably
800
clue. which tho police believe shows
conciusively that white man murdered
Mickle. was given the police this after
man run from the store at G:26 o'clock
Thursday evening. few moments after
the murder was committed. This man
nearly ran into the man who gave the
clue. the latter being at the corner OF
7th street and New York avenue where
he was waiting for a street car.
The running man, after passing the
man on the corner turned east into
New York avenue. AS there was no
signs Of excitement i'm the neighborhood
at the time. the murder not then hav-
ing been discovered. the man on tho
corner made no effort to closely scru-
tinize tho runner. but was nevertheless
able to furnish the authorities with 4
fair description OF the fleeing man.
Fleeing Man Described.
He was of medium size. had a small
dark moustache. wore a black overcoat
and derby hat.
Another clue which the police are fol-
lowing is the statement by a man that
about a week ago he was asked for 10
cents by man whom he says stated
he had to leave Roanoke, Va. because
he assaulted a man there with a wrench.
The police are now looking for the man
who wanted the 10 cents. The man said
he had been in Washington only about
a week.
Two men were detained by the police
last night in connection with the crime.
and they were at the second precinct for
several hours and closely questioned. but
tRt the efsd-of the examination both proved
satisfactory alibis and were released
One clue upon which the central Office
detectives are working with greatest
| vigor today has been furnished by the
paper in which the wrench was wrapped
with which Mickle was beaten to death.
Trying to Trace Paper.
The wrench was old, but the paper.
which was brown in color. evidently never
had been used before. Figuring that the
assailant either may have purchased the
wrench during the day or that the MUIR
derer may have secured paper and string
from a store. the detectives are canvass
ing all of the secondhand stores in tho
city. and, in addition are seeking I'd find
some clue to any unidentified man VINO
may have secured wrapping paper from
any mercantile establishment in the
city.
Mai Sylvester, chief of police, and IN
spector Boardman, chief of detectives,
are both working with the detectives in
an effort to solve the murder Both OF
them were out until late Thursday night
and again last night endeavorins to Sc
cure some clue To the person VINO COM
mitted the crime.
Although no reward has as yet been
offered by the police department through
Maj Sylvester for the arrest OF the per
son who committed the murder. he IS
willing to pay lfperally for any informi-
ton which might lead to the arrest "a
the person.
Both Taken in Custody.
Joseph Miles, thrty-two years old and
Christopher C. Dice, sixty-one years old.
were taken to the second precinct po-
knew, if anything, about the Mickle mur-
der and after thorough examination
were permitted TO depart this morning.
Miles is plumbers helper and re-
sides at Hoy's Hotel, 9th street and
Louisiana avenue. Dice is A carpenter.
whose address is given as 6l street
northwest. He is the man whose re
mark about Joseph Miles trying to sell :.
wrench on eth street last Thursday lei
the police to believe they might have a
clew Miles said there is positively no
truth in the statement
Both men were located last night on IN
forma ton obtained by Precinct DetectiNe
roreeney Miles entered a vigorous de
NAL OF the statements made by Dice, VINO
had known him since his boyhood uaS =
but Dice repeated this morning his state
ment about the wrench.
Offer to Sell Wrench.
Miles met me at the northeast corner
of 7th and l. streets Thursday evening,
said Dice and offered me wrench tor
IL cents | told him not to sell his tools.
that when he wanted to go to worl no
would not have any tools 10 work with.
"He cursed me, said Dice, and walked
across to the west side of 9TH street AM
started south.
Dice told the police that he worked a.
Ist and V streets northwest Thursday
painting house: that he left there about
40 o clock and stopped at 2CJ ~ street.
where he collected ~ cents for some
work he had done, and he then WalAed
through - street 10 1th
Reaching 9Th street. he stated. he
stopped III several saloons aud draufA
several glasses OF beer. although hc uid
not become intoxicated, and lac mas
standing at 7th and l. streets. ne said.
when Miles wanted 10 sell him the
wrench.
Dice was asked why he had stated In
n number OF saloons yesterday tnat Miles
had offered to sell him a wrench. and his
response was: Il did not do il TO injure
him, and didn't know what all this was
about until this morning"
First Heard Of Murder.
When did you first learn OF the MUIR
der?' he was asked.