Evening star., 1912-09-02
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Two Alleged SIayers Are Held
Without Bail.
RESULT OF CUTTING AFFRAY
All Parties Are Negroes-New Coun-
Gil Takes Office Tomorrow.
Schools Open Friday.
RESULT OF CUTTING AFFRAY
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

0VAVVAS VpVA GAAV0y.
Special Correspondence Of The Star
ALEXANDRIA, Va.
September 2, 1912
John Bell and William Massie. both
colored, charged with the murder OF Will
liam Ferguson. colored. and also charged
with the stabbing Of Robert Ferguson
brother of the dead man, which occurred
Saturday night last, who were arrested
yesterday afternoon by Policeman Reid
were in the police court this morning
and were committed to Jail until Septem-
Der 10. next, when they will be given
a preliminary hearing. The two prisoners
were remanded without bail.
A coroner's jury which was impaneled
at 10 o'clock yesterday morning met at
Demaines undertaking chapel and view
journed over. A call for the jury to re-
assemble at 10 o'clock Wednesday morn
ing was issued today by the coroner.
The jury is composed Of the following:
A. S. Doniphan, James B. Martin. Charles
s. Adams, Harry II. Newton. John Nc
Cuen and j. E. Legg.
by Policeman Meade. He was taken In
custody at the farm Of Howard Wilker.
son. Fairfax county. below this city
where he is employed as farm hand
He told the officer where Bell could be
found. and Policeman Reid upon reaching
this city went to a house In South Alfred
street between Duke and Wolfe streets
and took in custody Bell. Bell Is forty
years old and he, too, is also employed
by Mr.. Wilkerson as farm hand. Both
xvI,er ar
The body of William Ferguson will be
buried tomorrow afternoon at Gum
Springs, Fairfax county.
Police Find Razors.
Robert Ferguson. brother Of the dead
man, who was badly slashed in the back,
is rapidly recovering from his injuries,
and it is expected that he will be able to
leave the hospital Wednesday and testify
before the coroner's jury.
The. police have in their possession two
razors which were found a short time
after the murder. One was found in
place, and the other was found near
where William Ferguson dropped on
Royal street, after being cut.
Massie Exonerated.
John Bell admitted cutting both OF the
men and he completely exonerates Massie
from all blame. His plea will be self-de-
fense According to a statement made by
Bell to correspondent for The Star, he
met the two Ferguson brothers few
minutes after 10 o'clock Saturday night
in Market alley, and both. with a
curse. remarked. Lets kill him." He
says that William Ferguson had a razor
", nd ho .
pair of brass knuckles in his possession,
and, with the remark mentioned above,
both men jumped upon him. William Fer
guson slashing his coat with the razor.
He exhibited slash in his coat to verify
his statement. At this point of the pro-
ceedings he claims that he whipped out
his big pocket knife and went to work
with 1t on the two brothers.
Bell says that William Ferguson had
been going with his wife, although he
never had any trouble with him about
this matter. He also claims that Massie
had no part In the affair.
Massie stated that he was standing
among crowd in the alley at the time.
He just came out Of nearby saloon.
William Ferguson. the dead man, he
says, struck him and he inquired why he
struck him. whereupon the scrimmage
between the FergusOns and Bell followed.
He denies emphatically that he took any
part in the cutting of the two men.
When the case was called in court this
morning the little courtroom was packed
were apparently anxious to hear the
details Of the case and get a glimpse
of the prisoners. Most of those in the
courtroom were cOlOred.
City council will be formally indicted
Into Office at noon tomorrow With the
induction of council into Office Mayor T.
A. Fisher will appear and make few re-
marks. after which both branches of
council will elect officers for the year. In
the board of aldermen F. F. Marbury
president, will be elected without oppo-
sition.
President Howard W. Smith of the lower
board, 1t is understood. will be opposed
by r. D. Brumback, member Of council
from the second ward. President Smith
has not. 1t is stated. announced as Yet
for reelection.
Luther II. Thompson, clerk of the board
of aldermen, will be elected without op-
position, as will be j. b. Laphen. mes
senger in that board. In the common
council d. r. Stansbury, clerk. will also
be selected without opposition. as will
William Craven, messenger of that board.
The observance of Labor day here was
general. 1t was marked by an out
pouring of citizens for the various pic
mic and excursion resorts. many of whom
left early in the day to escape the in
tense heat. Launch parties proved popu-
lar and the river was dotted with tiny
crafts OF an endless variety.
Business came to complete stop at
the noon hour practically all business
houses closing at that time. The banks.
city and government offices were closed
throughout the day.
The principal attraction is at Luna
Park. where many went this afternoon
A base ball game and athletic sports are
feature Of the program. The speaking
at 4:3O o'clock this afternoon from the
aerodrome will be the principal attraction
and will doubtless draw many from
both this city and Washington
A list OF the speakers slated to deliver
addresses follows: John B. ColpOys, Sec
retary OF the Washington Central Labor
Union; p. j. Conlon, first vice president
OF the International Association Of Ma
chinists, and A. ]. Montague, former Gov
ernor of Virginia
The work Of issuing permits to
white children to attend the public
schools was begun this morning by
Harry d, Kirk. clerk of the city school
board. Owing to the fact that the day
Is a holiday the number issued was no,
very large. The white children viii
| also get permits tomorrow and Wed
nesday. Thursday and Friday has
been set apart for the colored chill.
dren to obtain their permits. Ate,
FRIDAY no more permits will be issued
until September 16 next, in order thai
@ ane schools may be properly organized
studies September 9 next
verdict Of death by suicide was piyer
by coroner's jury summoned by Justice
Kirby of Fairfax county, after investi.
eating the circumstances attending the
death of Joseph Patrick Curtin, who Sat.