Evening star., 1920-03-20
ALEXANDRA.

Crazed by jealousy following a violent
quarrel, Henry Johnson, colored, about
twenty eight years old. who lived at
GIG South Fairfax street. shortly be-
fore 6 o'clock last night shot and
killed Mary McPhearson. colored, fif-
tean years old, and badly wounded
the girls mother, Bette McPhearson,
about thirty-four. and. thinking he
had killed both. he shot and killed
himself.
The shooting took place in the street
in front of the little shack they oc-
cupied at 616 South Fairfax street
The girl died instantly after he had
fired two bullets from a .3S-caliber
pistol into her body. The mother of
the girl received two bullet wounds.
The crazed man quickly returned to
the house. reloaded his pistol. ran into
the street and fred a bullet through
his mouth. dying instantly.
The shooting created excitement in
that neighborhood. and crowd of 500
persons gathered. The crowd stood
around the bodies until the arrival
of Coroner T. NJ. Jones.
The police were summoned. and
Sergt. Campbell and Policemen Mag
ner and Lunsford arrived and began
an investigation. From what they
learned the McPhearson woman and
her daughter and johnson all lived in
the same house. Johnson, arriving
home from his work as laborer at the
plant Of the Virginia Shipbuilding
Corporation, accused the woman of
the charge and accused Johnson of
misconduct. Johnson at this juncture
remarked he intended to kill" He
proceeded to bureau drawer and Sc
cured the pistol. The woman ran from
the house and her daughter followed,
the daughter endeavoring to protect
her mother from the infuriated man.
because of this Johnson killed her
nrst, and then followed the mother.
snootihg her a minute afterward. The
eIaer woman fell at the first shot and
ieigned dead, otherwise the police be-
heve Johnson would have fired again.
MRS. McPhearson was rushed to the
Aiexandria Hospital and treated by
wound in the arm and also had re-
ceived a shot in the chest. The hos
pital attaches think she has a fighting
chance for recovery.
coroner 7. NJ. Jones today held at
inquest at -Wheatley's mortuary
chapel. The testimony of six wit
nesses was heard, but they threw no
light on the cause Of the shooting
In the case of Mary Mcpherson. the
jury gave verdict that she came to
inflicted by Henry Johnson. This jury
foreman; James w. Reed, Harvey
Henshaw. E. Ashby Warfeld, ]. r.
= z n.
In the case of johnson the Jury
gave a verdict to the effect that he
came to his death from a gunshot
wound inflicted by himself This jury
was composed Of Thomas Chauncey,
Themas w. Robinsonss winsa!e E. suyaa
Edwin B. Garth and H. B'riedlander
johnson came here about two years
ago from Columbia, Va, and it is
reported that on numerous occasions
Ia &r
Pherson girl.
The will of the late Charles E.
Churchman was sustained by a jury
IN the corporation court. The verdict
sustaining the will. involving an es-
tate valued at about $4,000. was
brought in by a jury at five minutes
before midnight last night in the
corporation court. A. D. Brockett was
foreman. The jury was out an hour
and twenty-five minutes.
The verdict ended four-day battle
to break the will of Churchman. 1t
was short and to the point. reading
as follows:s I'VE. the jury on the
issue joined, find that the within
paper writing dated November IL,
1907, is the true and last will and
testament of Charles E. Churchman."
Bequests made in the will follow:
To George e. Warfield, $4,000 for
valuable services and advice given in
the management of his business af-
fairs; to Lycurgus E. Uhler, $1,000
for services given in connection with
his business affairs; to Mrs. Emma
Owens, $4,000; to his friend. Charles
r. Howison of Washington, $4,000,
and to Samuel Napper, for faithful
services. $500. The remainder of the
estate from the sale of his truck farm
he bequeaths to the trustees of Grace
Episcopal Church.
The contestants, Golden E. Church
man and Miss Agnes Maxwell, were
was defended by Attorneys ]. r. Ca
ton & Son and Judge ]. K. NJ. Norton.
Deeds Of conveyance for the follow
ing pieces of property have just been