Evening star., 1952-05-21
One Boy Held,
Another Sought
In nS|ayiing Here
15-Yeur-OId Named
By Friend as Killer
Of Night Wotchmon

Police today had one teen-aged
suspect in custody on a murder
charge and were searching for an
other in the killing of a night
watchman May 4.
They said a 13-year-old boy
arrested Monday admitted break
ing into the Elks Club Columbia
Lodge at 301 Rhode Island avenue
NV. but named a 15-year-old
|accomplice as the actual slayer.
Both are colored.
The watchman, James (Falky)
Ford. 81. colored, was found shot
to death outside the lodge.
Capt. Richard Felber of the
Homicide Squad said the suspect
was picked up in connection with
the theft Of some pistols and linked
to the shooting through intensive
questioning by officers of the Ju-
lvenile Squad.
Re-enacts Crime.
Police were convinced he was
involved after he accompanied
them to the scene and re-enacted
the crime, Capt. Felber said. He
also has been charged with house,
breaking.
Inspector Edger E. Scott, chief
of detectives, said the other youth.
who has. been the object of a city,
wide search since the Staying. is
still lat large.
Capt. Felber said the older boy
has not been home since May 4.
There have been numerous tips
on his whereabouts, including Ave
yesterday, but all have proved
fruitless so far.
Both boys have juvenile records
and the younger one escaped from
the Blue Plains Industrial Home
School five times between April
% and May 18, Capt. Felber dis
closed.
officials explained that the
Blue Plains home is an open"
institution. It has no fences or
detention rooms, and escape is
little more than walking away.
The 13-year-old told police he
and his friend broke into the
lodge and removed the contents Of
"a jukebox, which amounted to
about SIT each. They also forced
1open a refrigerator there, and ate
some shrimp and chicken, police
said.
Boy Describes Shooting.
When MIR. Ford discovered
them, Capt. Felber related, the
13-year-old said his companion
pulled out q gun and fired six
wild shots, one of which hit the
watchman in the back and an
! other in the hand. A trail of
blood led from the kitchen ia
where Mr.. Ford's body was dis
covered.
The story about the food, and
other details known only to po-
lice. convinced them the boy was
telling the truth, Capt. Felber said.
The young suspect was arrested
Monday in connection with the
theft Of some guns from store
at 1900 Benning road NE. OIL
q Saturday. Police picked him up
q at a theater at First street and
y Rhode Island avenue NE, while
trying to sell one of the guns,
Same Officer Arrests Boy.
Ironically, the officer who made
this arrest, Pvt. Edward A. Smith
of No. Is precinct, was the same
who discovered Mr.. Ford's body
while making his rounds May 4
However, it was during question
ing by Detective Sergts. Jane.
Bryant, Francis D. Smith anc
Charles Calderwood of the juve.
nile squad, in connection with hi.
eScape from Blue Plains, that his
part in the shooting was revealed
=" Capt. Felber said that, although
a the younger boys arrest was un.
expected, they had been looking
# for his accomplice ever since thu
crime.
Inspector Scott said that pend.
;" ing disposition of the case BY
la Juvenile Court, they will seek tt
d have him committed to the Ma.
tional Training School.