Evening star., 1925-03-26
HOPED TO Be SLAIN,
DRUG ADDICT SAYS
Holds Up Drug Store to Get
Narcotics-Taken by Po-
IiCeman After Chase.

Holding up the drug store OF DR..
Harry H. Lantz, 323 Seventh street
southwest, yesterday afternoon and
fleeing after he met opposition. Herman
Covington Davis, "a years old, 1880
Massachusetts avenue, a drug addict,
sought to have a pursuing policeman
kill him after he was cornered in an
alley near Twelfth and C streets south
west, by feigning an attack on the
officer with a pistol. Davis, charged
with robbery. waived preliminary
hearing in Police Court today. en-
tered a plea OF not guilty, and was
held by Judge Mcmahon for the
action of the grand jury. Bond was
fixed at $4,000.
Davis appeared in the drug store
Of DR. Lantz, which was occupied at
the time by the proprietor and two
clerks, displayed q pistol and de-
manded narcotics. Told ne couio
help himself the bandid said he pre-
ferred to have the druggist hand
him a supply, and after he had re-
ceiyed IL Davis started to open the
cash register. At that moment his
weapon was lowered and DIR. Lantz
attacked In the ensuing struggle
for possession of the revolver Davis
ran from the store into waiting
taxicab.
Hoped to BE Killed.
As the taxicab drove on four shots
were fred at it by DR.. lantz, anu
Policeman Harry G. Bauer or the
fourth precinct appeared on the scene
and started to arrest the druggist.
After receiving a hasty explanation,
Bauer boarded a passing automobile
l. . Il nt
c streets southwest where Davis ran
into an alley. Turning and facing the
policeman, Davis put his hand to his
hip pocket, as If to draw a weapon.
He explained later he made the move
in the hope the policeman would kill
him Bauer fired at the man three
times, but scored no hits. Submit
ting to arrest Davis was taken to
the drug store for Identification and
then to the fourth precinct
Joseph Hoffman, driver of the cab.
told Bauer he was ordered to wait
fer Davis and, hearing shots as he
drove away, was informed that col
ored men were shooting at tho car.
At the fourth precinct Davis, in
an extremely nervous condition, COM
planned of a pain in his leg, and at
Emergency Hospital. where he was
taken, DT. G.allsrd removed a piece
of a hypodermic needle that had
broken off some time ago and caused
an Infection.
Charged With Burglary.
An investigation by the police af
ter his arrest disclosed that Davis
had been released from the reforma-
tory at Lorton, Va, about four months
ago, having served a term fer viola
ton of the narcotic law. Police also
had him identified as the person seen
in the drug store of DR.. John 3imp-
son, 701 Rhode Island avenue, on the
morning of March 8, when, it is
was stolen. After Identification by
Special Policeman Linton, Davis was
formerly charged with the burglary
1t was not until seen by Detective
r. A. Sanders, in charge of the police
narcotic squad, that the prisoners
identity was revealed as he gave
Fictitious name when arrested. San
ders said he had arrested the young
man on four previous occasions, but
only one case was disposed Of in
court. In that instance, he entered
a plea of guilty and was sentenced to
one year in the reIormatory.
The prisoner told Policeman Bauer
today that he was overseas during
the World War with the SD French
Division. He was taken sick, he said,
and was treated a. a base hospital
in Germany where morphine was
given him. That was my first expert
ence with morphine" he said, but
it's no excuse for MY having con-
tracted the habit"
Asked by Detective 2s>.G.i-s why he
had held up the druggist, Davis re-
piled: II had no meSscine srd just
had to get some"
The prisoner is mas" .ez anu his wife
was a resident of ...a,,x.ndria at the
time Of their marriage. Davis, how
ever, has resided 1T the home of his