Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-04-18
Affairs in Georsefovu.

at large on bail for the shooting, surrendered
himself TO Sergeant Essex 10 be dealt with as
the law directs. Mr.. Hough was taken TO the
court and was continued in custody of Ser
geaHt Essex for further examination by Judge
Fisher al p m. yesterday. At the hour ap-
pointed the witnesses assembled At tue resi-
and Dunbarton streets. Mr.. Hough appeared
with Sergeant Essex. Mr.. n. Wilson appeared
lor the prosecution, and Mr.. A. u. Riddle for
the defence.
DIR. LOUIS AdckaI, jr., testified that be was
called 10 attend Mr.. Gaskins on Sunday. the
leth inst. about 5 O'Clock p. m. Pound a small
Mouho from ball penetrating the abdomen;
prooed the wound; found 1t had an upward
Inclination; could not find the ball. Patient
seemed 10 recover little. The next morning
witness ascertained that his patient had passed
sieepless night. and there was n tendency To
1ever, which continu ued until he died, about u
m. Monday. Mr.. Gaskin was Conscious mn To
10 O'Clock before death, when witness was last
win MIN No post mortem examination has
been mad; death ensued from perisonitis caused
by the wound. Deceased made no Statement
10 witness relative TO the affair
Mr.. Riddle, Tor the defense, asked that the
remaining witnesses for the prosecution b.
examined separately, and they retired, retura-
ing TO the room as called.
John Thorn sworn.-Witness knows Beni r
Hougb. On the day of the shooting HoGgh
Mr.. Gasklns, Collins, Morgan and witness
were in the bar-room. When Hough entered
the others were joking and laughing. Hough
said if he had money he would call the others
TO drink. Witness remarked that was Yankee
like, to drink by himself. He drank and went
away, apparently in good humor. Hough
came back angry and said some dirty s-u of
b-h pinned something 10 his coat, and he could
lick him. Witness replied that he knew no.
thing about it, The parties were then in the
sitting room adjoining the bar-room. Hough
went out of the room into the bar room. Gas
klns followed and said ~ did it," Hough
drew pistol and fired.
Cross-examined:-Theyw were five or six feet
apart when the pistol was fired. Ii seemed 10
witness that both were standing still. Gaskiu
SAID: II pInned that TO your coat" After the
shot Ciaskin struggled with Hough to get the
pistol. Witness did not see the pistol TILL II
was fired. IL was a single barrelled, tIlting-
breech loading weapon, of the Frank Wesson
pattern. Witness seized Hough. All he said
TO witness was: .sJohn. don't choke me,' Wit
ness said: al won't, don't strike me-" Don't
think Hough and Gaskin were acquainted. 1t
was about O'Clock p. m. The first converse
ton was about the policy of the President.
Witness remarked that he supposed Hough
went into the army TO abolish slavery. Wit
ness said that Lincoln was an abolitionist: that
be could tell good joke: Didn't say Hough
with witness. Hough was standing up all the
time. and witness don't know of Ar opportuni-
ty 10 pin anything 10 his coat Don't
know that anybody pinned ANYTHING
on it; didn't see it iii Hough came back while
he was gone scme one said he had s.auisance
on his coat, ;" but didn't know what IL meant
nhether dirt or what II was. Hough was gone
Is TO 81 minutes. "A diagram of the restaurant
building was exhlbited.) Witness described
the position of Parties. Witness denied saving
at the hearing before Judge Wylie that he did
not see the shooting said he did not see the ball
but saw the smoke and heard the report of the
pistol Hough was near the door when Gaskin
stopped him.
To Judge Fisher.-Witness saw no tendency
% puss; thought Gaskin fsllow wed Hough to
apologize; he was smiling when he rose up:
didn't see G.s face when he went toward
HouGh; heard no apology; didn't hear either
say anything after Gaskins said he pinned the
paper 10 Hough's coat; the firing followed in
stantly.
John Morgan sworn.-Is bar tender at the res
taurant. At the time OF this occurrence Mr.
Hough was in the bar room with Mr. Thorn
conr rersing on politics. During the time wit
ness supposed Hough got something on mis- coat
tall. He went away and returned, and said
''some s-n Of a b-h pinned something on nv
coat" He went into the little room. When he
was returning TO the bar room Gaskius fol-
lowed and witness also. As Hough was going
out OF the bar room door GaskIns said ~ pinned
IL on - Hough replied, mo you didn't" Gas
kins reIoined. ''Ies did :" Just then tue
pistol was hred. The man looked a little angry:
dIdn't see Gaskin raise his hand or have any
thing in il. After the pistol was fired Gaskin
seized Hongh and took the pistol from him
witness thinks Gaskin said I'm dead man ~
Cross-examined:-They were talking about
johnson and Lincoln. Hough stad half an
hour before he went away. The others drank
while Hough was there. Witness thinks thai
Thorn said TO Hough .Come up and take n
drink and pay for il yourself" Told them
twice 10 make less noise or (wirness) would
could lick the s-n of b-h: said ne would
ike 10 know the s-n of a b-h that did it,
Heard some one say as Hough was going ont
"Heres the man that did it," Gaskin said II
pinned IL Oh your coat tail; what of it!' Wit
ness did not interfere; thought there would be
fuss, but might have been frightened They
were about four feet apart. First witness
knew OF the pistol ii went of. Hough had il:
think he took 1t from his right coat pocket
Don't think Gaskln was doing ANYTHING N the
time Witness ran away TO the other end of
the room and locked the door. Thorn had hold
of Hough.
George Collins, sworn-The Sunday referred
TO was at Lang's. Thorn and Hough Were
arguing-witness wen. into the sitting room
Gaskln was then sitting on a table. Hough
came in said he wanted some enc to show the
$ OF b who pinned nuisance TO his coat
Thorn remarked If any gentleman in the room
dld II, he was not afraid To say so. Hough
went out, Gaskin got up and said :" / did it,
Hough replied Ibid you g. The pistol was
1red-witness didn't see il. The door was
opened-he looked through-saw Gaskin have
the pistol and struggling with Hough: the
pistol pointed TO the door. Witness lodged
supposing ii might be a revolver ard 60 off
again.
T. c. Wheeler for defence sworn.-Went TO
the restaurant before Hough left; know norh-
ing OF the conversation; noticed something
pinned to Hough's coat. butsupposing the par
ties were friends. witness said nothing about
il; called for some oysters; Morgan, the bar
tender did not have them, and witness took a
sandwich. Just then Hough left. Witness
Hough returned with paper rolled up in his
hand. He said ssome s. ofa b-pinned that TO
my coat" Some one replied .you couldn't
whip body no how" Hough went toward
the door. A large man-sin CO ascertained WAS
Gaskn-said in a low tone II did IL" Hough
did not hear it. Some one said sshere's the man
that did it" Hough turned and looked bxck
and said, 80, pshaw! don't believe it," Gas
kin came out and said IL did il. What of It's,
Hough again said 80, pshaw, don't believe
it," Gaskin again said al did it," Witness
heard the pistol. The last remark was made in q
tone calculated TO excite Hough-in a defant
lone. Witness thinks the time between Hougb's
departure and return was five or ten minntes
Witness had ordered the sandwich as Hough
left-It was already prepared-aud when he
(Hough) returned witness had eaten about
half Of II.
The remaining witnesses knew nothing Of
the occurrence. They testified TO the excel
lent character OF Hough, his accidental pos
session of the pistol, and his readiness TO sub
init 10 trial by law
Judge Fisher said he was at a loss how 10 act
IN TINS case. If the law here was as IN States
Where he had been, he would know how TO
act, but II is not Here there Is but one degree
In murder, and that not balable. He had MS
doubts, but a jury might not have the same
IIat h. n. fast not IN a IL