Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-01-04
NEGROES ACCUSED
OF USING GUN IN
ROBBERY ATTEMPT
Edward Mcdonnell Beaten and
John Twin Shot; Both
Robbed.
THREE SUSPECTS ARRESTED

Attacked by three burly Negro ban
otis about s o'clock last night in their
cabin at Pine Tree. n small settlement
near Townsend. one man was shot In
the neck and another badly beaten
when they put UP n fight. After they
had overpowerod their victims, the
bandits searched the house and stole
S2S.
Two suspects were arrested shortly
after midnight near Odessa by state
Detective John Moore and City De-
tective Samuel Gamble and brought to
the police station here. Edward Me-
Donnell. % years, who was the man
beaten. said he positively identified
the two prisoners ms members of the
robher trio when brought to the police
station where he was given sholter for
the night.
A third Negro, alleged to have fred
the shot which struck Mcdonnell, was
taken into custody about 1910 o'clock
by State Detective Moore and Com
stable J. Il. Timmons in the house OF
his alleged sweetheart. near State
Road station. The officers made n
search OF tho house and falling to find
the man there. madc a search OF the
premises Attempting 10 open the door
Of an clubhouse they found Il was lock
ed The constable drew his revolver
and fred in the air. at the same time
/ shouting for anyone In the building
to como out. At the sound of tho shot
the door opened and the Negro Jump
7 cd out. He gave the name OF William
/ Brown. He was identified by McDon-
3 III a. l..
/ John Twin. so years old. who was
shot in the Jaw with .45 cRlihre re-
volver in the hands of one of tho rob
bers. is In the Delaware Hospital I'm
serious condition from the loss of
blood. He is expected 20 recover, how
ever
The cabin is located at n lonely spot
some distance from the State road
Both men are employees OF the Key
stone Construction Co, engaged in
road work in that vicinity. Monday
was pay day and Il is believed that
the Negroes planned the robbery with
the expectation OF getting more
money. One stood guard outside OF
the cabin. while two entered through
the front door. Twin and Mcdonnell
We're preparing the evening meal.
Hands mp or III shoot, you" com
manded one OF the Negroes. drawing
a revolver Although caught by sur.
prise Twin and Mcdonnell put up 3
fight. AZ Twin Jumped AT the armed
bandit, the latter pointed the gun ir
his face and fred. Twin fen to tn.
floor and both Negroes turned on Nc.
Donnell and easily overpowered him
The bandits quickly ransacked IN,
clothing of tho men and made n hastS
search of the house. taking 81 from
Twin and sll from Mcdonnell.
After the Negroes had fed McDon,
nell called for help. attracting the at,
tention OF several workmen on thei,
way to Townsend DIR. J. ID. Niles o.
Townsend was summoned and aftet
giving first aid treatment sent IN,
man 10 the Delaware Hospital, In thi.
city.
4 posse of farmers was quickly or
ganized and started a search for tn,
outlaws. Word was sent from Odesss
To this city that two Negroes wer,
on their way to Wilmington on
truck and detectives were stationed
Al all the roads leading to this city
The two men were taken into custody
hut later released when il was fount
that they did not resemble the de
scription of the bandits.
The other two suspects were in be,
when the detectives arrested them an,
denied that they had been out of tn
house that evening. Both men ar
six feet tall and heavy set. AS sooi
as Twins condition permits Detectiv
Moore will take the suspects 70 tn
Delaware Hospital