The Washington times., 1922-06-20
WIFE SAYS.
He TOLD D'OF'
HIS CRIME

Tormented by Spirit, He Re-
yealed Details of Tragedy.
Held by Police.
Alleged to have confessed to his
wife thar he and his brother,
George. had stabbed to death and
robbed Henry w. Reid, former
saloonkeeper, in front of his place
of business at North Capitol and
+ streets, on January 25, 1908,
Samuel Brown, colored. forty
years old. of 234 Second street
northeast. is held by the police
today.
Talked in His Sleep.
Suspicion fell on Brown through
his wife, who claims that since sne
had been married to him two years
ago he had abused her. Several
nights ago. according to the woman,
while Brown was asleep, he talked
Of having killed man. Without
awakening him, his wife questioned
him as he lay asleep.
''who did YOU kiln" asked the wife.
"A bartender named Reid" replied
the negro, there's his ghost? and
with a ghastly shrek, the negro
frantically at the spirit" Of the
slain saloon keeper.
Claims He Confessed
Later In the day Brown was gazing
from the window of his home appar.
entity In a stupor. He was asked by
his wife II II were true that he had
killed man.
40, don't bother met exclaimed
Brown. The wife insisted on know
ing. promising secrecy. She alleges
that Brown then admitted to her
that he had hacked Mr.. Reid to
death after he had closed his saloon
on the night of the brutal staying.
|'If you tell anyone I'll kill you"
he shouted, after unloading from his
mind the secret she says he has held
for fourteen years. He seemed
greatly relieved, his wife asserted,
after telling of his participation In
the staying. But he implicated his
brother, George, who also Is being
sought today -.,.e4 ,...-
"For q long time suspected
there was something serious on my
husbands mind" said the woman.
"Frequently when he was feeding
his horse In the stable In back Of
our house heard him say: $50
away Reid-go away; leave me
alone, for Gods sake asked him
several times what he meant, but
he told me to mind my own busi-
ness. certain il scared Of that
man and want to get away from
him." .s...s
Information that Brown had con-
Reid yesterday reached Detective
Sergt. Joe Morgan, chief assistant
to Inspector Of Detectives Clifford
l.. Grant.
Tells Of Assault.
Detective Morgan learned that the
negro's wife had appealed to Miss
Mae L. McKeever. a bailiff of the
Juvenile Court, for a warrant charg-
ing her husband with nonsupport
and assault. She told Miss Nc
Keever, in applying for the warrant.
that on Friday her husband brutal
clnred she was afraid Brown would
kill her, as 'he told me he had
killed a bartender, named Reid"
Officials of the court Immediately
notified the police, with the result
that Detective Sergt. Arthur B.
Scrivener, of the Central Office, was
sent to find the woman.
E t.... Admits Confession.
Learning that the woman was in
Police Court, Detective Sergeant
geant Arthur b. Scrivener to take
the woman In custody. When
brought to Police Headquarters she
admitted Brown had confessed the
slaying Of Mr.. Reid to her and gave
the details Of the crime as stated by
her husband. a aa
A trap was then laid for Brown.
When he returned to his home at
2 o'clock this morning he was con-
fronted by Detectives Scrivener,
Mullen and Messer, and Night In
spector Of Detectives Fred Corn
well. The negro. taken unawares,
was unable to put up a fight and
In a flash the detectives had hand
cuffed him and he was hustled to
Police Headquarters and questioned.
He denies making the confession to
his wife. as well as having any
connection with the staying Of Reid.
Detectives Were Baffled.
The brutal staying of Reid as he
left his saloon shortly after mid
night to go to his home at New
Jersey avenue and E street has
since baffled detectives. After days
and weeks of investigation. the de-
tectives gave up the case as one of
those that would 60 down I'm the
annals of unsolved crimes.
Refd was found dead In snow
hank, with twenty-nine stab wounds
In his head and breast. A money
sack In which the saloon keeper
carried his days receipts to his
home was found empty near his
body. A blood-covered oyster knife
and pair Of gloves were found
near by. It was stated that the
slsyers of the saloon keeper got
approximately $500 from him.
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