Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-17
Po|ice'Dig Up
Revolver Used
To Kill Grocer
Weapon Was Buried
In Yard of Friend
Of Accused Slayer

Police today unfolded the story
of the hand-to-hand passing of
the revolver they said was used
in the hold-up murder of Harry
Honikman last Thursday night.
Assistant Chief of Detectives
jeremiah F. Flaherty, reporting
the recovery of the weapon, said
two men had disclosed their part
in the attempted concealment
of the SO caliber revolver.
Willie Lee Stewart, 80, is be-
ing held without bond in the
murder of the IS = year old
grocer. Police said he had made
no admissions.
Three Admit Details.
1t. Lawrence A. Hartnett of
the Homicide Squad, however,
reported these admissions:
Mrs. Annie Lee Stewart, 26,
Of AIS A street NE, wife of the
accused slayer, last night adj
mitted she had burned the
clothing used by her husband
the night of the murder.
Willis Daniels, q, Stewards
brother-in-law and resident at
the A street address, has adj
mitted the revolver belonged to
him, that Stewart returned it
to him Friday morning with the
admonition it was "hot," and
that he passed it to a friend.
James E. Williams, 81, of 1015
Third street NE. has admitted
he buried the weapon in his
backyard.
1t. Hartnett said police had
been trying since Stewards ar
rest Saturday to get the re-
volver. Detectives had already
talked with family and friends
Saturday, but last night they
tried again.
Women Drop Hints.
They brought in four women
Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Daniels and
two other relatives. The women
were told police believed they
were not telling the truth. AS
time passed, the women started
dropping hints.
Police then went to Daniels
who, 1t. Hartnett said, unfold
ed this story:
Stewart had borrowed Daniels
revolver some time previously
and returned it on Friday morn
ing. When Stewart told him
the revolver was "hot" and had
been used in a shooting, Daniels
replied, Jaw. you're kidding"
Stewart insisted it was no joke
and went out and bought
newspaper to prove it.
Daniels put the weapon in
his pocket and left the house
in the cab he drives nights to
pick up Williams, a fellow brick
layer. AS the men drove to the
scene of a construction job to
pick up their weeks pay, DAN
iels gave Williams the revolver
and told him, too, he didn't
want it any more. He did not
mention that the weapon might
be connected with a killing.
But Williams read the paper,
too. and fastened back to
Daniels.
II don't want any part of that
gum" he said.
Daniels asked him what he
had done with it and Williams
told him it was buried in the
back yard.
You better leave it there"
Daniels advised him. You see
how hot that gun is and you'll
be just as hot"
Revolver Located.
With that information, police
decided to pay a visit to Will
liams. Two detectives were
placed in the back of the house,
CWO III Tie 1TOnC DuC OUT OF
sight.
Daniels went to the door alone,
identified himself and walked in.
1t. Hartnett and another de-
tective were right behind him.
"I've come to get that package
gave you the other day."
Daniels told Williams.
What package you talking
about, boy?" Williams wanted to
know.
1t. Hartnett told Williams to
stop Stalling and get a spade.
Williams, Daniels and Mrs.
Stewart were held overnight by
police to be taken today to the
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