Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-12
GRAND Jury |ND|CTS
Holds PhiIbrooks for Murder
of Frederick Springmann.
INQUEST AT HIS HOME
Physicians Tell Of Marks on Throat
.- of Dead Man.
pH1LBRooKs. ADMITS FIGHTING
But Declares He Was Forced to
Choke Employer, Who Had
Attacked Him.

The grand Jury at Upper Marlboro late
this afternoon indicted Harry w. Phil
brooks for the murder of Frederick
Springmann Philbrooks will be ar
raigned tomorrow morning.
1t Is the contention of the state that
Springmann was choked to death. There
was no autopsy, but the physicians at
the inquest yesterday afternoon told
of marks on his throat and of his
tongue having protruded. Philbrooks
contends that he merely grabbed his
employer by the throat to break the
latter's hold upon him.
Il think the struggle must have been
too much for him. Philbrooks told a
Star reporter. "and that excitement af-
fected his heart"
Mrs. Mary A. Springmann and Miss
Frances Springmann, wife and daughter
Of the deceased; were the most important
witnesses at the inquest. Nobody wit
messed the fatal meeting, and only the
version Of the prisoner was heard by
county officers as to just what occurred
in the barn, but the widow and daughter
repeated to the jury statement they
said Philbrooks made when he came to
the house.
Il have killed Mr.. Springmann: I choked
him to DEATH" was what they told the
jury the defendant said in telling of the
Said He Could Kill Him, Is Report.
Tuesday. during an argument between
employer and employe, the jurors were
told. Philbrooks made the remark: II
could kill you.''
The dispute between them Tuesday
started when the hired man was given
direction about marking sacks of pears
Mr.. Springmann wanting the hand-picked
fruit separated from the pears that fell
from the trees.
How am going to mark them?" Phil
BROOKS says he asked his employer, the
latter responding: There's one of your
foolish questions
Philbrooks yesterday morning objected
70 throwing down hay for the stack, say
ing he had not done such work before,
and later Springmann was heard to warn
him about smoking in the barn. 1t was
shortly after the warning was given that
employer and employe engaged in the
conflict In the barn which ended In the
death OF the former and the arres. of the
latter.
PhiIbrooks says his employer picked IN
q long stick and raised It as ii ne were
going to strike him. He paid but little
attention to him, he stated, not thinking
the stick would be used, but when he
turned his head the stick struck him on
his shoulder. Then 1t was, he stated, that
they ciinched and he found 1t necessary
to strike Springmann with hts first. ac-
counting for the injury over his eye.
Shortly afterward, he said. he found it
necessary to grab his employer by the
throat to make him release the hold he
had upon him. After letting 20 his
throat. he said, words passed between
them. Mr.. Springmann asking him if he
was going to be good boy He respond
ed that he was not a bad boy, and a few
seconds after that Mr.. Springmann fell
dead.
Daughter Summons Physicians.
Il thought Mr.. Springmann had only
tainted" said Philbrooks, 80 I got some
water and put on his face and cut his
shirts open. I didn't know whether to go
for Mr.. Magruder, neighbor. or to tell
Mrs. Springmann SO she could get a doc
tor. 1 finally concluded to go to the
house and tell the family"
Miss Frances Springmann drove to Ben
ming for DR.. r. A. Schoonover, but life
was extinct when the physician reached
the Springmann farm. Later DR.. John E.
Sansbury was summoned from Forest
Vile, and both physicians were at the in
quest. The prisoner, who had been in the
lookup at the District line during the
day. was taken to Upper Marlboro by
Sheriff Samuel e. Sweeney. He was not
at the inquest. .At
N. Hampton Magruder, states attorney,
conducted the inquest before Magistrate
.'ohn =. Weast and jury. Benjamin w.