Newspaper Page Text
V
The SMjftE Republican.
VOL. VIII.
IVIorrscill rwigSoUrl, Priolcty JDeconrker 30 1SS.
NO. 14
3IIX0 CASK CONTINUKl).
Proceecllngn In Trill of J. W. Ming Be'
fore Justice feirll.
The preliminary trial of J V.
Ming, which was to have been
continued on Tuesday, but was
ost)oncd on account of the nec
essary absence of Attorney Dug.
gins ol the defense, was taken up
nt to o'clock Thursday morning,
in the County Court Room, jus
tices Kcrrll and Hawlcy presiding.
Long before the opening of the
trial, the crowd began to gather
and at the time the defendant en
tercd the room, the seating capaci
ty of the house was filled. The
case has attracted gicat interest
throughout the county as was
evidenced by the attention tin
large crowds attending the trial,
have paid to even the unimportant
details of the examination. The
defendant has borne himself very
coolly throughout the trial, with n
look of total freencss from cither
the pangs of an accusing guilt or
the dread of threatening judgment
The widow of the muruerctl man
came into court about 0:30 wearing
a heavy veil, the gaib of mourn
Ing, which was drawn down over
her face, making it one of con
ccalmcut as well, from the in
qulsitlvc eyes of alt those, who
take such a keen Interest In the
parties to the affair. The defend
ant dozed until a very late hour (at
least this is the rcorted cause of
. his tardiness) and did not enter
the court room until 9:4 ". He was
followed soon after by all the
witnesses. The House was now
packed and the doorway thronged
with a restless crowd that endeav
ored to gain admittance.
Court was opened and the fol
lowing witnesses: Dr. Smith, I)r,
(lore, 15. J. Craddock, C. C. Crad
dock, Pat Uryan and Muse Wilson
were duly sworn by Justice Haw
ley. Dr. Ming was then sworn.
Mosc Wilson was the first wit
ness to be examined, who stated
that previous to the last five
mouths he had lived near Miami.
Mr, Wilson occupies the second
door from Ming's and told of the
entrance from the barber shop
through a back, door into the
billiard room of Ming's hotel
Witness stated that he went Into
the hotel through this entrance in
to the hall of Ming's hotel between
10 and 11 o'clock on sand of De
cember, to sec some friends, in
cluding Hiram Winning, l'at
llryau and others. He remained
here In the hall about 2b minutes,
and during tbis time while stand
lug there, saw the defendant. J. W,
Ming. Witness beard Ming cuss
lug the negroes for not doing their
business; called Ashby up and
'asked him why he didn't attend to
his business, to which Ashby re
plied that he had done the bust'
ucss he had sent him to do and
had railed Kmmctt up. Ming
called Ashby and told him that if
he thought they (the negroes)
could run the hotel, he would
show them; said they were dealing
with "JJucl-i Jimtnit" now and
not l'hil. Ming drew a revolver
on him and said he had a notion
to shoot him, but the negro put
up a great speel and got away
Ming then turned and tvent into
the pool room, Craddock at this
time came in and went in wash
room. Ming ought htm us be re
turned and asked him- why he
didn't attend to his business,
which he replied that he was.
Craddock offered to quit and Miug
told him that was what he wanted
and ordered him out. They
walked on; stopping again, Ming
told Craddock that he had scut for
him nu hour ago; to which Crad
dock said he was mistaken. Ming
called him a liar and said he could
prove It; called Ashby and asked
if bis statement was not correct.
shby slid he (Ming) had sent for
him, but just how long ago, he
couldn't say. Parties walked on
in, stopping by the counter: Mini:
ordered Kmmcft to leave scvtr.1l
times, and as Kmmelt leaned over
on the counter with lits right
hand upturned asking his pa)',
Ming fired the shot. Witness
saw Ming draw pistol on Ashby nt
least twice.
Dugglns opened cross-examination
with questions concerning his
visit to the hall, again bringing
out the facts of the direct examina
tion. Witness stated that he paid
little attention to Ming while talk
lug to his friends and was stand
lug in the cast part of the hall just
west of the saloon door- W itness
stated that he was within four or
five feet of Ming when he was
talking to Ashhy and was then
standing near the hotel office
Stated he did not sec Ming with
his pistol after coming from the
pool room, but thought hi! carried
his cane. Witnc-s dated that
Craddock, after Ming had called
him a liar, spoke In n very calm
tone of voice; also that the con
vcrsation with Lewis Ashby was
loud and noisy and that with
Craddock was not so much so.
Witness stated mat Ming was
between himself and Craddock
when before the counter in the
main hall, when Craddock demand'
ed his pay, and didn't remember
liow many times Crauilock was
ordered, to leave. Evidence was
introduced to show that the de
ceased laid his hand 011 the conn
ter open faced when demanding
his pay. Witness neither saw
Craddock pull his coat back nor
place his hand 011 rock but testified
that the shot was fired the Instant
the deceased placed his baud on
the counter and that the pistol
was fired without aim, just as he
pulled It up, Witness had not seen
the pistol before this wliich was
fired just nt the time he saw it.
Didn't remember the dress of
Kmmctt Craddock, but stated that
he was within 8 or 10 steps or
yards from Miug at the time of the
shot. Witness, in answer to a
question, did not remember having
shaved attorney Dugglns, but did
remember talking to Dugglns in
front of Schlucter's. Stated, how
ever he did not say that Craddock'
tlirtie his hand dowu upon the
counter, but remembered saying
the pistol was fired just at this
time. After a short redirect ex
amination and questions by Justice
Hawley as to the relative positions
of parties and oljects, the witness
was.cxcuscd.
l'at llryatit was next witness call
ed upon by attorneys for the stnte,
who said that be lived 3 miles
south of Miami and knew Tlios.
Chllcott, Hiram Winning and Mosc
Wilson. Met them at Ming's
Hotel and was there at the time of
the shooting, but did not see it;
was standing in back hall between
saloon door and billiard hall door
and had been there for about 5
minutes; noticed Ming talking to a
darkey ij minutes before the
shooting, but it was not Craddock.
e heard Ming call this negro a
liar, who sid he would be back;
as soon as he could j saw Ming
with a revolver but couldn't under
stand what he said; witness saw
Craddock come In and after this
Miug came tip to the pool room
door, but couldn't understand
much of what they said; from a
distance he could sec Ming and
Craddock when talking before the
counter, but did not see the pistol
shut, ns he was not looking in that
direction nt the time Witness
was disr.ii.isvd without cross
examination. Hiram Winning was first witness
called after dinner and In answer
to ttorncy Reynold's questions,
told the following story: I had
Ikvii III the hotel about five
imtiutcs when Ming came in, talk
ing to Mosc Wilson, l'at llryau
and olhciii, and didn't pay much
attention to what Ming .said, He
n-ki'd Ashby if he had told Km
uh'tt Craddock to come to him;
continuing, - witness stated that
Miug was talking louder than he
usually did; Ashby'was talking In
little louder lone .and slid be
j told Kmiiutt what he told
, him to: then Ming turned around
! Alul walked off. n wns onlv n few
minutes before witness saw Crad
dock and Ming together at the door
entering the billiard hall. Ming was
heard by the witness to ask why
Kmmctt didu t come when he call
cd for him, to which Craddock re
plied that he was busv; witness
did not remember other conversa
tion but saw '.hem pass over to
south entrance letwecii main
office and saloon. The only con
vcrsation heard, was when witness
looked nrouud and saw Ming take
hold of l-ipcl ,'f Crnddock's cmt
and said ''you've got on .clothes
now that I gave you." The next
time witness noticed them, they
were in main office ju.st In front of
cigar stand, but couldTfiit hear the
conversation; the third time wit
ness looked around, he heard
Ming snv "get out of the house
and as he said that, took hold of
Crnddock's coat and pulled him
tnwaid the door. "It looked to
me men , said tlie witnes. "like
he thriw his hand out and shoved
Miug back and then put his hand
dowu on the counter". Witness
looked away just at this time and
was talking to Chllcott when the
shot was (fired. Ming was between
the willies' nndjliiuinctl Craddock,
when first in the office. The wit
ness staled tint he stood near the
stairway dining the entile time
and was sine that Craddock wore
n coat of bluish gray. After hear
iug the pistol shot, witness stated
he started toward Miug and Miug
toward him, when they met; wit
ness took hold of him and also Dr,
Smith, the city marshal, at the
ramc time. The witness then
took the1 pistol nut of Ming's
pocket and placed it In his own,
Mick Montague and the witness
then took Miug to Ills room, The
pistol was h 32 old fashioned
Smith & Wesson, rim fire. Dr.
Smith started toward Craddock,
but witness knew nothing of who
took charge of him, Pistol iden
tified mid introduced In the trial as
evidence.
Cross examination of the witness
followed, but no additional evi
dence 011 the conversations In the
halls was secured, Witness heard
Miug order Craddock from' the
house when In front of the counter.
Repeated his testimony of Ming
taking hold of Craddock' coat
and motioning to the door. "He
looked," Mi'd the witness, "as
though he shoved Ming back and
took oue step forward."' AVitacsf
stated that he has known Ming for
a long time and that the defendant
had a cork leg; knew Craddock' to
be n strong man and cr.s wry
young, comparatively speaking.
Redirect examination resumed;
witness stated he had known Km
mctt Craddock for j or 6 years as
porter at the hotol and repeated
other evidence.
Dr. Smith was the next witness
called and stated that he was at
Ming's hotel at thetlme of the
shooting In the saloon room. Wlt
ucss stated that he heard bolster
ous talking as he came in the sa
loon door from the street, near the
the office door leading Into the
hall. Kccognircd the voice of las.
Ming. When ins attention was
attracted by this loud talking, he
walked to door of saloon where he
could sec through a screen door,
the turtles to the dispute, but
could not hear what was said. As
the screen door was thrown back,
witness saw Ming throw .up his
hand and shoot. Mr. Miug, after
the shot, turned and then facing
cast ante towards him. Smith
asked. "What's the trouble with
you t'ncle Jllnlnlc.', To which
the reply came, "I ullow 110 G
d nigRcr to talk back to me'
Dr. Smith said to him "You havi
shot Craddock nud you must now
consider yourself under nrrcst."
As witness reached out, he said
''No" and moved up toward the
stairway. Witness then took hold
of his left hand and Hiram Win
niug hold of his right; then took
his revolver from him. Smith
told him he would turn him over
to the sheriff and at that time Win
ning said "I'll take charge of him.
Smith then went to sec Craddock
and found him lying down on floor
with head toward the southwest
Lr.nlitock asked Dr. Smith to
please raise him up. which he did
and took htm to Dr. Hall's office
ossified by J.ick Patterson Wit
ness stated Craddock was bleeding
profusely nt the time. Cross ex
nmiuatioii begun by attorneys for
defense and witness stated he
knew nothing of the difficulty
lending up to the shooting. Stated
Mr. Ming was very much excited
when atrestcd.
K. J. Craddock, a brother of the
deceased was the next witness
called to the stand, who was in
formed of the shooting at 11. 25
and saw his brother nt the office of
Drs. Hall & Core in the jacket
produced in court.
II. Winning was recalled and
examined us to the correctness of
the plot, showing the hotel halls
and passages. Dr. I). C. Core,
the last witness for the state not
being present, court adjourned to
0 11. 111. I'riday morning.
The proceedings of last Satur
day In this case can be found on
the 7II1 page.
t DIV0B0E CASE.
Mrs. Martha Graham, through
her attorney S. Smithloii of Wxv
crly, has filed suit In the circuit
couit of this county for divorce
from her present husband, alleg
ing that he has never supported
her and praying the court to re
store her maiden name of Martha
Smith. Their home to north of
Grand Vass and have only been
married for a year or two. The
marriage in the first place was un
der very unhappy circumstances
and the divorce will be no sur-
prise to those who know theJ;elng given by the Masons there
parties. I during every Christina's1 stoAta.
A CHRISTMAS PART
A BnrprlM .Tendered Mr. T. J, HoberUea
nt His melifilor Bust Heat Mt,
Lecntrd.
One of the most novel, yet at
the sauj'j time most delightful
pleasantries of the past week was
the surprise given to an amiable
and agreeable old backclor of West
Sallnc.Mr. T. J. Robertson.
The host was taken unawares by
a party of 120 friends, but proved
equal to the emergency In treating
his guests with a hospitality
and grace that people who read
nove's, would never thluk of re
ceiving in a bachelor's home. The
home of Mr. Kobcitson is an ele
gant old country place and on this
night was soon adapted to th
scenes of mirth and pleasure that
followed the arrival of so many
jolly guests.
Dancing, catd playing and other
games were indulged In by the
members of the patty, who crowd
ed more pleasure in a few short
hours than often falls to one's lot
In the long months of n winter
season. Music was furnished by
the Cordcr String Hand aud was of
such a character that It was ap
preciated and enjoyed by all its
hearers. Mrs. llaker aud Mrs.
Joe Robertson chaperoned the
party, and to them is due the credit
for the perfect tiriangcmcnts made
and the pleasant way in which
their plans were carried out, for
making the evening an enjoyable
one.
Ui'lriMiNmpiila u,n ...,.il t
midnight, but the merriment ol
the evening continued until 3:30
In the morning, when the young
people there, having spent several
hours that in after life with could
be ever recalled the most vivid
recollections of pleasure, bade
their genial host adieu. Among
those present were representatives
from Marshall, Illackhurn, Shack
leford, Sweet Springs, Malta Ilcud,
l'airvlllc and Miami, in fact from
ecrywhcrc in the county. The
greatest surprise of the rurprisc
party is that Mr. Rolierlson did
not get next to the plot which his
friends were planning fur him.
A FroUto Court Salt.
William Odell has lately been
summoned to appear before the
Probate Court, on a charge that he
Is of unsound mind, incapable
of managing his own affairs and a
guardian should be appointed to
manage his estate. The case has
been continued until I'riday De
cember 30. D. D. lagging rep
resents the parties setting up the
Insanity and R. II Ruff is attor
ney for William Odell. Mr. Odell
docs not concede the charges and
will make a lively fight against the
parties instituting the proceedings.
MASONS' BEOEPnON.
On the evening of Tuesday, ,
Dec. 27th, the Illackburu Masons
very delightfully entertained the
sweethearts aud wiVes of the mem
bers nud many other visitors:
Klegant refreshments were served
during the evening to the number
of ijo plates. Those from here
report a nice lime and speak in
most complimentary terms of the'
good treatment always shown
to visitors in a Illackbtirn enter
tainment of any kind. This re
ception js an annual occurrence,
