Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-06

avenue open trolley car when Philip
Davidson, who says he is a fruit dealer,
jumped on the running board and fired
the fatal shot.
Davidson leaped from the car and ran
away. but was caught, pistol in hand. He
admitted the shooting, and declared it
was for revenge, the police say. Accord
ing to the prisoner, Zelig had held him
up at the point of a revolver late today
in an east side hallway, and robbed him
Of 800
Investigate Story Of Lure.
The police were at loss whether to be-
lieve Davidson's story, and at a late hour
reports that Zelig had been lured to the
scene of the shooting by telephone mes
sage were being investigated.
Patrons of I'd avenue restaurant some
distance away said that Zelig, who was in
that neighborhood earlier In the evening,
had r ,ceived a telephone call from some
one |ho made an appointment to meet
him at 14th street and I'd avenue. Zelig
jumped on a car, the story ran, and q
few moments later word flashed back to
the restaurant that he had been shot.
Died in Ambulance.
Zelig, mortally wounded. was rushed
to Bellevue Hospital. but before the am
bulance reached that institution he was
dead. On his body, the police say, only
$2.34 was found. although a we'll dressed
woman, whose identity was not learned.
visited the Bellevue morgue not long
after Zeligs death and asked the authori-
ties to turn over to her $500 which she
said Zelig had In his possession when he
was shot. The woman was detained by
the morgue authorities. they stated. The
police also detained Hyman Giverth, an
East Side resident, as a material witness.
Giverth says he saw the shooting.
Came From Peekshill.
Little is known about Davidson. He
told the police, they say, that he came
to this city from Peekskill, n. Y, five
or six days ago. He had been a fruit
dealer. he said. but was not now in
any business.
Only one shot was fired at Zelig. The
bullet took effect back of the gang lead
er's right ear. Davidson explained at
police headquarters that after he had
been robbed he went to Jersey City.
bought a revolver, and, after making
several Intellectual efforts to get his mOn-
ey back. chased Zeiig aboard the car
and shot him.
Whitman Acts at Once.
District Attorney Whitman. who is to
conduct the Becker trial. interested him.
self in the Zelig murder as soon as he
was notified. He telephoned at once to
police headquarters that he would be
there directly. Meanwhile he requested
that the questioning Of the prisoners be
deferred until he arrived. Immediately
after reaching headquarters he began to
interrogate them.
Letters From Alleged Murderers.
On Zelig's body several letters were
found. including one signed Whitley
from the prison where Whitley Lewis
and other prospective Becker trial wit
nesses are confined Frank. Louis and
Gyp send regards to you,' post
script to hte letter read, II want you to
stop worrying about u.s." was another
cause. I'VE are only up here on very
short vacation to have a good rest and
fatten us up"
Gamblers Faith in Him.
Another letter was signed Harry" and
still a..cther was from Louie The
dates were as recent as today. This was
the Whitley letter. The fourth and
last letter was signed Frank Cirofici, u
the real name of "Dago Frank" and
bore no date. II know what a true pal
you are."- Cirofici wrote. Better days
coming" was postscript expression
BE cheerful. Jack, there is not a bit OF
worrying with the four of us; If I have
SO much faith in you 1 am sure the
rest Of the boys have the same," was
another clause in the letter.
Furnished Gunmen's Names.
Zelig's name came into the Rosenthal
murder investigation in Its early stages
According to testimony Jack Rose is
reported to have given before the grand
jury. big jack was the man who fur
nished the names of the four gunmer
charged with the murder OF the gambler
These men, "Gyp, the Blood Lefty
Frank Cirofici. were all well known in
the underworld as members of Zehg
gang Of gun fighters
Zelig Was Out on Bail.
Rose said that as an emissary Of Po
lice Lieutenant Charles Becker he went
lieutenant wanted Rosenthal gotten ou
of the way. Zelig at that time was ou
on bail on charge Of carrying con
cealed weapon. which two members o
Becker's strong arm squad. Detectives
him. In return for supplying the gun
men who would kill ROsenthal, Becke
promised. according to Rose. to have th'
gun-carrying charge against Zelil
dropped. Zelig was on $4,000 bail on thi
charge.