Evening star., 1937-06-13
THE SUNDAY STAR WASHINGTON D.


able grass growing on Devaughan's
place and the fields were overrun
with briers, and there could have been
no serious objection to the trespass-
ing which occurred on Sunday, three
days before the homicide took place.
According to an old account, "a
number OF boys went in search of
blackberries, among them three sons
OF Mr.. Martin. They were pursued
by Devaughan. when all made their
escape but one of the boys, about
IA years of age, son of Mr.. Martin
who was caught and roughly handled
by Devaughan. The hat and basket
OF young Martin were taken from
him, with the declaration that they
should be retained until some money
was paid for their redemption.
On Monday, Mr.. Martin sent
note to Devaughan requesting him
to return the hat and basket. De-
vaughan was not at home, and no
answer was received. On Wednesday,
Mr.. and Mrs. Martin walked out
cheerfully together for exercise, and
walked out as far as Devaughan's
place. in hopes of persuading him
to give up the hat and basket. On
going to the house they civilly re-
quested Devaughan to return the
articles. They were rudely answered,
and, on Mr.. Martins expostulating
with Devaughan, his sharp and
furious dogs were set upon the un-
offending couple. Mr.. and Mrs. Martin
were endeavoring to escape, when one
OF the dogs, having seized Mr.. Mar
tins coat, he had turned round
to defend himself against it. and
at that moment received load of
Slugs in his breast from a musket
deliberately aimed and fired at him
by DeVaughan, who exclaimed. Take
that, you rascal. and rum Mr.. Mar
TN turned to his wife, exclaiming, I
am dead man. and taking her hand
bidding her affectioately farewell,
he soon breathed his last The poor
widow made the best of her way
home. herself the bearer of the sad
intelligence.
Several neighbors Immediately
proceeded to the spot. The murderer.
IN the meantime, had undressed for
ped, but hearing the tramp of horses,
Jumped over the fence into a lane.
taking his musket with him. which
he fired at the party as they came up,
without effect, and made his escape.
DeVaughan was apprehended on the
3oth and committed to jail The grand
jury having indicted him, his trial
was set for the 2lst day of December,
~hen the venue was changed to Alex
andrla, where he was tried, convicted
OF murder in the first degree, and
on the 5th day of May. 1927, sentenced
to be hanged on the Nast Wednesday,
9th Of June, 1927, on which dav he
explated his crime on the scaffold.
just one year from the commission of
the fatal deed"
HE case was tried before Chief
Justice Cranch, The witnesses
included, besides the widow, Mr..
Dashiel and a Mr.. Beall. The execu-
ton took place about half mile north
of the town of Alexandria, In the
presence Of an immense crowd, at 2
O'Clock in the afternoon.
A contributor to the Intelligencer.
signing himself 'Rezenebe,' celebrat-
ed the execution with 10-verse poem,
not badly written, entitled The Male
factor"
Today, what was once Moores lane,
and the estate of Mrs Beale, together
with st. Patrick's burial ground, COM
prise what is generally known as
Bloomlngdale, name taken from the
home of Mrs Beale, that stood near
the southwest corner of North Capitol
and Randolph streets. facing south.
1t was Of brick and is said to have
been stately old house, "at one time
encompassed by village OF outbuild-
ines and magnificent grounds lighted
with radiant flower beds and borders
and shaded with majestic trees, which
in the main were oaks"
Mrs. Beale had resided at Blooming
dale many years prior to her death