Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-02
NEWS Of ROCKVILLE
AND THE COUNTY
Joseph Prather, CoIored, Con-
viCted of Second Degree
Murder.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

ROCKVILLE. Md, December ., 1911.
Joseph. alias ''Bootsey," Prather, a
young negro. indicted for the murder of
his cousin. Alfred Prather, near Goshen
this county, the night of November Is.
was found guilty of murder in the second
degree by jury in the circuit court here
about o'clock last night. The case was
given to the jury about o'clock, after
q trial that consumed the greater part
OF the day. The penalty is from five to
eighteen years in the penitentiary. The
defendant was sentenced today to i'm
prissonment for twelve years.
According to the testimony, the two
Prathers attended an oyster supper and
cider drinking at the home of Ed Lyias,
near Goshen. and while the festivity was
in progress Alfred and another man be-
came engaged in a tussle. Joseph, it is
said. took hold of his cousin as if to pull
him away. and almost Immediately after
ward the shot was fired.
Defendants Statement.
The prisoner and his mother were the
only witnesses placed on the stand by
the defense. Prather apparently made no
effort to conceal anything and frankly
told the jury how he came to shoot his
cousin. He said that when he tried to
separate the men his cousin turned on
him. struck at him and rushed MIN, and
that he then drew his revolver and fired,
the bullet entering Alfreds abdomen. /.
The wounded man was taken to
Washington hospital, where he died the
following night. Joseph made no attemp
to escape and the morning following the
shooting was found at his home and
placed under arrest by Deputy Sheriff j.
Melvin Etchison.
The prosecution was conducted by
States Attorney Bowie F. Waters. and
Alexander Kilgour appeared for the pris-
oner.
John II. Gassaway's Will Probated.
The will of John Fl. Gassaway, VINO
died recently at his home in Rock
Vile, has been admitted to probate in
the orphans court at this place. 1t
aisposes of an estate valued at about
$4,000, and names Robert B. Peter
Of Rockville and Alexander Muncaster
OF Washington as executors and truss
tees.
To the testator's son. Alexander Gas
saway, is bequeathed stock in various
corporations. and interest in the per-
sonal estate on farm in Washington
county. and to Robert b. Peter is left
gold watch and chain. To the trustees
Is left the money from life insurance
two daughters. Helen and Rosalie Gas
saway, and the will directs that the
residue of the estate be converted into
cash, the proceeds to afford an income
for the wife and daughters. When the
daughters reach the age of twenty-one
years the estate, exclusive of Mrs.
Gassaway's interest, is to be divided
between them.
Modern Woodmen Camp Organized.
a camp of the Modern Woodmen of
America has been organized at Gathers
burg. with a large membership and the
following officers: Consul commander
Roland n. Walker: adviser lieutenant,
Claude W. Owen: banker. j. G. Ward !;
clerk and physician. DIR. Carleton n.
Etchison: escort, Jesse Briggs: watch
man. Herman &. Briggs; sentry, Ollie
Smith: deputy. DIR. Bates Etchison.
ROckville's foot ball team defeated the
Kensington eleven, 10 to :. Thanksgiving
day. The first game was won by Ken
sinston TO :, the second resulted in a
tie. neither side being able to score. The
final game will be played at Rockville.
Edmund Gilmore Dudley, who died in
Washington at the age of seventy-eight
years, was buried in Rockville cemetery
yesterday afternoon. Mr. Duley was a
native and for many years resident of
Montgomery county, Md. His death was
due to heart failure. He was the father
Of Gilmore and Harry Dudley. both now
residents Of Washington.