The Washington herald., 1915-10-05
JURY IS unable TO FIX
BLAME IN CRAVEN Case
Verdict Leaves Doubt as to Real
Cause of Death Of Alex
andrian.

Alexandria. Va, Oct. L-"George T.
raven came to his death by being struck
on the head with a blunt instrument in
tne nands Of person unknown to the
Jury or from injuries sustained In a
tal. This was the substance of a YER
oict given at IL o'clock tonight by a
coroners jury summoned by Dr. T. NJ.
Jones. coroner. which met at WheatIey's
Undertaking chapel. The jury questioned
eieVen witnesses in connection with the
hnding Of Craven's body Sunday morning
al the northeast corner Of Wolfe and
Royal streets.
Attorney John M johnson. who ap-
peared for the four young men held by
the police. Henry Beach, William T. Tom
hn' george Monroe and Joseph NJ Mon.
roe. 5r.. asked for their release imme-
diately following the verdict.
Commonwealths Attorney g. G. Brent
declined to grant their release until the
men are given preliminary hearing in
the police court at o'clock tomorrow
morning, when all of the witnesses who
were summoned tonight will again be
called upon to testify
mere was no evidence before the, cor
oners jury to show that any of the young
men had done violence to Craven. The
only evidence introduced was 70 the ef-
rect That Beach had showed or pushed
craven. directing him to go home.
"A crowd OF fully 1000 people stood
In front of the undertaking establish
ment while the jury was celebrating
ana many remained until the verdict
was given
Dr. Jones. coroner, testified that
ne made post mortem examination
and that the skull was not fractured,
but was lacerated. apparently with
some blunt instrument The wound
might have been caused by a fall. he
said. Witness believed Craven died
quickly after the wound was sustained
The jury was composed of S. w. Pitts,
foreman; F. F. Marbury. T. G. Hen
shaw. George H. Robinson. J. D.
Brown and c. A. Connell.
The first of the young men held by
the police to testify was George Mon
roe. His testimony was to the effect
that he and Joseph Monroe, jr.. at
midnight started for a lunchroom at
King street, between Royal and Fair
fax street. and they met Henry Beach
and William T. Tomlin. While on
Royal street, near Wolfe street, they
met Craven and one of the boys re-
marked. why don't you 60 home"
him to go home. Craven. he said.
staggered. and fell sometime after
ward. They subsequently returned and
Joseph Monroe turned Craven over.
They disbandcd at Duke and Pitt
streets.
William r Tomlin told the Jury
Beach caught hold of Craven and told
him to go home. but witness never saw
Beach strike him.
Joseph NJ. Monroe. jr.. testified that
Beach gave Craven a shove. Witness
was unable to remember whether Cra-
ven fell or not, and neither did he re-
member touching Craven.
According to Bach, Craven kept ar
guing and they told him to go home
Witness said he started Craven toward
Fairfax street. but had no recollection
of showing him. short time after
ward George Monroe. looking back, re-
marked that Craven fell
Chief of Police Goods and Sergt
Scott testified of having worked on the
case Sunday morning. taking in GUS
tody the four young man. and of state
ments made by them at police head
quarters.
Policemen B. T. Young and Raymond
Sr:ith described the finding Of the
body. They were notified by Lawrence
Padgett. an automobile driver
Persons living in the neighborhood
who testified to being awakened in
cluded Mrs. Mamie Norris. Maude |
Wright, and Emma Wilson. Others to |
testify included Louis Raneas. Law
renee Padgett. Arthur Burns. and Will |
lam Lyons.
Alexandria has taken on holiday dress |
for the annual State convention of the |
Benevolent and Protective Order OF Elks, |
which will convene at 10:30 o'clock Tues |
day morning in the auditorium of the |
Elks' Home. King street, from Fairfax |
to Washington streets and Royal street,
from King to Prince streets, a distance
of five squares. have carnival appear
ance, the cross wires being decorated
with flags and pennants and the Elks'
colors. purple and white.
and were met by members of the Alex
andria Lodge upon arriving at the Elks'
home. The majority Of the delegates will
not arrive until tomorrow morning.
The convention will be opened with an
address of welcome by Mayor Fisher and
a welcoming address on behalf of Alex
andria Lodge by Representative c. C.
Carlin.
The convention will be called to order
by Robert S. Barrett, chairman Of the
local committee of arrangements. and its
sessions will be presided over by w. T.
Baugh. president of the State association.
Petersburg. Va. At 1 o'clock the Elks
will go to Mount Vernon and have lunch
con at the cafe of T. F. Ellis at 1:3o
clock. after which they will inspect
Mount Vernon. returning home at 4:30
o'clock
A feature at night will be a big social