Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-12
POLICE SAY TRIO
OF YOUTHS ADMIT
KILLING GROCER
Alleged Confession Tells of
Plot to Rob Storekeeper
in Anacostia.
HE REFUSES TO OBEY
"STICK 'EM UP" COMMAND
Merchant Dies With Money in
Hand-Two of Boys Are
Arrested at Scene.

Three colored youths. who are said to
have embarked on their venture by
taking an oath OF secrecy on the Bible,
were today held on q murder charge
after they are said to have confe3;ed
to the police the shooting to death of
Edward Sinclair. 45-year-old store
keeper. at his little store, at 1920 How
ard road southeast, in Anacostia, last
night when he refused to accede to
their command to stick 'em up" and
turn over to them his wallet, contain
ing nearly $500 in cash.
Sinclair was shot through the heart
and died on the way to Casualty Hos
pital. All three Of the colored youths
were taken into custody shortly after
the shooting, which was brought to the
attention of the police by a sailor who
was PASSING the store at the time. His
identity was not learned.
Admits Firing Shot.
William Butler, 16-year- youth
living at 1924 East Capitol street and
said by police to have admitted firing
the shot that killed the store proprietor,
was arrested at his home by headquar-
tiers detectives within an hour after the
arrest of his two alleged companions,
Edward Stewart, "a years old, OF TAO
Barry road southeast and Loyal
hewitt, %, of 1912 Sumner road south
east, The confession, which police said
was signed by Butler. duplicates the
two other youths as accessories. Stew
art and hewitt were arrested by Pre-
cinct Detectives j. j. Tolson and 5. II.
Miles of the eleventh precinct at the
scene of the shooting.
said they have in their possession, states
that Butler met his two companions
early last night and agreed to go to
Sinclair's store and rob him. Butler is
said to have declared that 1t was ar
ranged that Stewart and hewitt were to
go into the store to make purchase
and were to be followed by Butler
shortly thereafter.
With the arrangements made, accord
ing to Lieut.. Edward j. Kelley, chief OF
the homicide squad, Butler as pre-
cautionary measure, said he produced
the Bible and swore the others to
secrecy as to the ownership OF the gun
to be used.
StOrekeeper Balks.
Butler, police said, stated the plan
worked perfectly, but that when he en-
tered and ordered Sinclair to throw
down an apron and stick EN- up" the
storekeeper refused and Butler fired
once. The bullet took effect in the
mans heart and he fell unconscious to
the floor. Butler and his two COM
panions are said to have fed, Butler
crossing over the tracks under a nearby
railroad bridge and going home and the
two other youths mingling with the
gathering crowds to await the arrival of
police Detective TolSon said this
morning it was the talkativeness Of the
latter two which led to their arrest.
The .38-caliber revolver, in an i'm
provised holster, was found near the
railroad tracks over which Butler said
he crossed and was later identified
police said, as the gun used by the
colored youth in killing Sinclair.
The dead man lived alone in his store
He is said to have brother employed
in the post Office here, but police have
not been able to locate him.