Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-06-27

by's hotel on the evening of the 9Th April,
probably at or O'Clock, to make post
mortem examination of Thompson before a
coroner's inquest. Blood oozed out of his
mouth when pressed very hard on his breast.
Found a hole in his right side, 10 inches from
the shoulder and 6 or 8 from the spine. Ap-
peared as if made by gun-ball. Introduced
probe or 8 inches long, but found nothing.
A ball penetrating in that place and passing
upwards, as that appeared to do, would pro-
duce death. As far as / examined, fhe ball
would have passed through the right lung.
Didn't see any other marks on him, except a
black spot or bruise, on his forehead. Was
only bruise of the skin. Some blood issued
from the wound in the side. Had a coat, vest
and two shirts on.
X.-Have been practicing physician for
about two years. The ball penetrated between
the ribs. Didn't open body. Didn't find ball
didn't look for it. Never made post NOR
tenn examination before. A musket ball might
pass through the edge of the lung without
producing death. Passion and excitement
has tendency sometimes to rupture blood
vessels. Was dissuaded from opening the
body by the coroner's jury, who deemed it
unnecessary.
John Thompson. Saw him same evening he
was killed. Wasn't permitted to see him un-
til the inquest was held and the body laid out.
Saw the wound close under the shoulder. The
body was naked. WITNESS produced coat of
John Thompson, with bullet hole in it, which
was shown to jury.]
Matthew Henry, Sw.-WaS In the bar room
when the occurrence took place. Hockenbury
was in the door-Thompson on the porch.
When the gun went off, asked another per-
son whether there Was ball in the gun-he
said there was. Hockenbury set the gun
down--ain't sure whether another person took
it, Went out on the porch, came up to where
Thompson was lying. He drew one breath af-
ter came out. He was on that part of the
porch between the bar-room door and Curby's.
about midway between the wall and the edge
of the porch. Hook kenbury walked through
the crowd and went up street. If mistake,
not, Hockenbury said, etake that, God d-n
your fool SOUL" or some how that way. Didn't
hear the dispute between Thompson and Hook
enbury. Soon after he fired the gun, Hook
enbury started off.
X.-Went out right after the gun cracked.
Was talking to James Stirk. 1t was James
Stirk's gun-think he took it. Not minute
from the time the gun cracked until walked
out.
Isaac Smith, sw.-Was at Davis tavern on
the day Thompson was killed. Saw Hocken-
bury and Thompson. Hockenbury had gun
standing by his side. He was standing on the
left hand side of the door. Thompson dared
him to shoot him. Didn't hear Hockenbury
say anything. Thompson said he had threat
ened to shoot, and now says be, d-n you
shoot me. then stepped into the bar-room
stood between and feet from Hockenbury.
As he stepped into the door he raised the gun
as aman,wouldlraise it to shoot something close
by. Thompson was between the door ano the
lower side of the porch. His face was up the
river. He wasn't talking to anybody at the
time, that heard. He was standing as if in
tending to 60 away. Heard no abusive Ian
guage. Saw Hockenbury examine the gun
pl Used fhQ of
son said if the cap amt good, I'll go to the
store and buy you box. l saw cap on the
gun. After Hockenbury examined the cap,
he stepped into the door and fired. The con-
versation between Thompson and Hockenbury
bad-ceased when 1 stepped into the bar-room.
AS soon as the gun went off, Thompson put
his hand to his side, and started towards the
end of the porch. Saw nothing more of him
until saw him dead-not over half minute
after. Hockenbury Immediately started off.
As he passed where Thompson lay, he said
ssthere, d-n you take that, maybe you'll let
people alone," or something like that. l
thought those words were addressed to Thomp-
son.
X.-Several persons were on the porch
might have been 10, might have been 20. VIM.
Johnston passed. Might have been language
used that l didn't hear. Hockenbury had
the gun when came there. Thompson didn't
move after him that l saw. great number
of folks IN tho bar-room. I came there on
raft, had just landed. It was getting dusk.
Ellis Brickley, our pilot, was on the porch.
Could see both Hockenbury and Thompson.
Hockenbury was on the left hand side of the
door as you 60 in-I was on the other. Should
think it was between and feet from the
muzzle of the gun to Thompson.
VIM. Irwin, sw.-Was at Davis tavern In
Lumber City when Thompson was shot; was
standing close by Thompson when the gun
vyoc frnd foof off
ed between him and Hockenbury just at the
time, that l heard. thought Thompson was
going to leave. Hockenbury was inside the
house. Didn't see him-saw the muzzle of
the gun outside the door; it was about 2 feet
from Thompson when it was fred. When it
was fired he staggered or reeled, stood still an
instant, made an effort to speak, when the
blood gushed from his mouth and then he CON-
menced falling when he was caught, think,
by Henry Darr, but he didn't get him stopped
and he fell on the ground, at the end of the
porch next the sign post He didn t fall over
2 feet. Didn't see Hockenbury after this.
Heard Thompson tell him if he had no caps he
would furnish him with box. Hockenbury
spoke to Thompson once, but don't know what
he said-something that he would kick or cuff
him, and stepped toward him. Hockenbury
was leaning against the jam of the door, and
stood there till he went into the house.
Absalom Darr, sw.-Was present when the
gun was fired. Didn't see Hockenbury.-
Thompson OF the porch. His face was to-
wards Curby's tavern. He had been talking
to Hockenbury half minute before the gun
went off, but not at that instant. Was sitting
on the bench to the right of the door as you
go in. After Hockenbury went in, saw the
muzzle of the gun point out of the door; 1t
wasn't over three or four feet from Thompson.
The first words l heard Thompson say to
Hockenbury were, ssYou have threatened to
shoot me, now d--d you, shoot me. You sw0re
in Oldtown court what no other man would