Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-19
Posse Searches Fields in
Fairfax County for
Carl Crockett. |
SLAIN OFFICER HAD
WRIT FOR FUGITIVE
Another Suspect Is Held in Dis
trict After Attempt to
Shoot Way Free.

tuuEt6 ana FdlT13X counties were
searching the fields about a lonely
farmhouse near Baileys Crossroads in
Fairfax County early this morning for
Carl Crockett. 20. wanted for question
ing IN connection with the mysterious
Staying Friday night of Sergt. Elton B.
Hummer of the Alexandria police force
An attempt by the owner of the
farmhouse, the hunted mans brother
in-law, to get him to come out Of a
nearby field, where the police were GER
tain he was hiding, and surrender him
self proved futile. No one answered
the calls. but police were sure he is still
in hiding at the place.
Police of Fairfax and Arlington
Counties and Washington authorities
assisted the Alexandria officers all day
yesterday and all last night in their ef-
forts to find the youth,
Named in Writ.
A capias for the return to Jail of
Crockett, who was wanted by Fairfax
County authorities on a statutory
charge. was in Hummer's pocket at the
time he was killed Three warrants
also were found upon his person, but
they were for the arrest of colored men
on minor offcnses, each of whom have
been found by the police. who say they
are satisfied they know nothing of
Hummer's death.
An inquest into the shooting was
held last night at 7:30 o'clock in Alex
andria by Coroner E. M Jones, but no
new evidence was brought forth.
Miss Lena Shapiro was the star wit
ness. She took the stand and testified
that she was lying in bed reading in
her room, which overlooks the spot
where Hummer was killed, when She
heard two men talking on the street
below her window. After several min
utes OF angry discussion, she said, she
heard one voice say,
won't stand for that any longer.
won't bother with you again"
Then one shot rang out. the girl de-
clared followed in quick succession by
two more.
Search by Air.
She said she saw heavily built man
IN dark coat and cap running from
the scene, and grasping his right side
as II ne had been shot. r. B. Hender-
son. who lives nearby. corroborated the
girl testimony, as did Frank P Lud-
low, another neighbor.
new feature was brought into the
hunt for the fugitive yesterday after
noon when Fairfax County police,
headed by Capt. H. J. Durer. started in
an airplane from the Groveton fivine
neld and searched the Holmes River
Swamp from the air The swamp.
which Is about 3 miles south Of Alex
andrla, had been rendered inaccessible
oy the recent rainStorin.
Those officers who were surrounding
the farmhouse included Capt. Durer'
Walter Mitchell, Henry MCCARTHY and
virgil Williams of the Fairfax County
police force. and Detective Sergt. Ed
gar Sims and Sergt, c. r. McClary of
the Alexandria police.
Fails in Escape.
After vainly attempting to shoot his
way to freedom from the ninth pre-
cinct police station late yesterday after
noon, where he had been taken on a
charge of intoxication. Thomas Vance
colored, 3S, Of $50 L street. was held AT
the station for investigation in con-
nection with the Hummer slaying.
Vance was overpowered by Pvt. J. NJ
Horten and other officers in the sta
ton after brief struggle.
The pistol and shells carried by Vance
we're similar IN size and type to those
determined by police to have been used
in the killing Of Sergt Hummer.
Chief OF Police w. W. Campbell ARD
City Manager Paul Morton of Alex
andria, when notified of the arrest here.
went TO the ninth precinct station to
question Vance. but obtained no infor-
nation connecting him with the Hum
ner case. police reported Vance de-
MED any connection with the Hummer
shooting
AIeXandria authorities, ii vas said.
planned to again question Vance tomor-
row. 1t also was planned to have Biz
rcau OF Standards experts make a study
or the pistol and shells carried bv
Vance and the bullets and shells used
III the killing of Hummer to determine
II there is positive likeness
Tried TO Draw Gun.
Vance who said he was employed as
laborer III a Washington business
house, was arrested at Eighth and II
streets northeast by Oficer A. f. Moore
When taken into the station house for
routine questioning and while being
searched by Pvt. Horton. the prisoner
suddenly attempted to draw the AS
caliber Army pistol hidden under the
belt OF his trousers. polkce report
Horten seized his hand and, with
other officers. quickly subdued the col
ored man. The prisoner. who suffered
lacerations on the scalp In the battle
with the police. was taken to Casualty
Hospital for treatment. and later was
returned 10 the station.
He was booked for Investigation. and
charged with intoxication and carving
a concealed weapon.
An examination OF the shells found
on the scene OF the murder by Army
officers at Fort Humphreys definitely