Evening star., 1919-02-23

Although a negro is being held for
investigation in the Alexandria county
Jail, the county authorities declared
last night that they have failed so far
TO establish the identity of the man
who shot and killed Prohibition In
spector William E Payne at Rosslyn
Friday night.
Wesley Jackson, about twenty five
years old, of Rosslyn, the man being
detained for questioning, says he was
at a motion picture show in George
town Friday evening and protests he
knows nothing of the crime. Jackson
told Sheriff Howard Fields Friday
nignt, it is said, that he heard his
name had been mentioned in connec-
ton with the case and that he had
come to explain his innocence.
Catherine Jackson. coIored, whose
home is only a short distance from
where Payne was shot to death, is be-
lieved to be the only witness to the
tragedy. Catherine Jackson, it was
stated, is not related to Wesley.
Saw Fatal Struggle.
Although the county authorities
MOI ulSCuSS the VI IiC-i
work yesterday, Catherine is said to
have told them that she saw Payne
struggling with another man out in
the roadway, that she heard the re-
port of pistol and saw the ofhcer
fall.
the authorities that when Payne fell
the other man started toward her
house and that she shut her door and
looked II. When taken to the jail
yesterday the colored woman, it was
learned. told the authorities that
Wesley is not the man she saw
struggling with the prohibition
officer
Search OF Wesley Jackson's home
!. yesterday revealed a .38-caliber re-
vofver, from which. it is said. two
: shots were missing.
Wife's Awful Experience.
Mrs. Payne was suffering last night
from the shock of having found her
husband lying mortally wounded in
the road near the Rosslyn Bank. Her
seven-year-old son, William z. Payne,
jr., was with her when she discov-
cred her husband dying.
Inspector Payne was taking his
wife and child home in his automo-
bile about o'clock Friday evening.
He told them to wait at a store on
the main street of Rosslyn while he
went around the corner Shortly
thereafter Mrs. Payne, hearing a shot,
went 70 see what had happened.
Horrified sar her discovery, she
picked up her husbands hat in the
roadway and hurried on a little far
ther and stumbled upon the PROSTATE
form of the inspector in the road.
Mrs. Payne did not collapse. but
screamed for help.
Whisky in Payne Car.
Men who responded to Mrs. Payne's
cries secured the vicinity, but found
no trace of the assailant. Inspector
Payne's automobile was found at the
curbing with the engine running and
a bundle of several quarts of whicky
in the tonneau- This led the authori-
ties to believe that Payne had arrest
ed the man he followed. and that the
prisoner got away as the officer was
preparing 10 drive him to Jail in the
machine.
Payne, 1t is presumed, pursued the
fugitive to the point in the road where
the struggle and killing took place
Commonw ealth Attorney Frank l..
Bail and Sheriff Field reached the
scene shortly after the crime was
committed and Immediately began a
i. search of the county. They continued
: to follow clues until late last night
Washington Police Give Aid.
Detectives Kelly and Scrivener of
the Washington police department as
sisted the Virginia authorities in their
Investigations all day yesterday.
Lewis Payne. brother of the slain
officer, who is a sergeant in the Home
Defense League of Washington, also
is taking part in the hunt for the as
saiIant.
The killing Of Inspector Payne was
the chief topic of conversation
throughout Alexandra county yester-
day. Payne had won the admiration
of the state officials and residents Of
: his county for his diligence in enforc-
ing the prohibition law.
Although his friends have long fear
ed that he would meet foul play in the
performance of his duty. Payne never
seemed to entertain fears for his
safety.
Inspector Payne will be buried at 4
o'clock tomorrow afternoon in the
new cemetery near Alexandria County
Court House. There will be a religious
service at the home