Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-05-17

been with him since he came from Harpers
| Ferry, didn't know when he picked up the
stone /; he pulled it out of his pocket. Piper
did not get a chance to throw his stone at all.
When Eanvacter first spoke to Piper he said
"You look savage" Piper'snatural look was
savage. Yanvacter didn't say anything after
he cut Piper. All witness heard Yanvacter
say was that he would kill negro, and that
Piper looked savage Saw the stone in Pr
per's coat pocket when going up street to-
gether didn't know him to be in the habit
of carrying stones in his coat pocket. Van
| vacter was goiag towards Leisenring's old
store when he dropped his knife case; Piper
saw him drop the case. but didn't say any,
thing to him; Vanvacter came back and
foundit in Piper's hands.
Miles Ransom (colored) Lives at John W.
| Gardners. Vanvacter called for Shipes. then
| turned round and threw at the yellow fellow,
| who had not yet thrown at him. Saw Van
vacter when he stabbed him with knife
| Heard Vanvacter say "I'll cut your CUTS out,
you black s-n of b-h." First saw them
at Browns candy shop. Didn't know who
Shipes was Vanvacter was on the side of the
pavement when witness first saw him (; came
along and said to Piper "What are you looking
so grum about" Piper replied 81 recken l
am my own boss, can look as grum as
please" Vanvacter said "I'll cut your CUTS
out" Piper replied "No you wont, that knife
is not made to cut me-" Vanvacter said "lll
let you see what its made to cut" Vanvac-
ter threw the brick he had; Piper threw
rock at him, Vanvacter threw his hand up
and stabbed Piper. Piper stepped back and
picked mp stone when Vanvacter picked up
the brick. Vanvacter picked up his stone by
the curb; while he was doing SO Piper picked
up one Vanvacter picked up two pieces OF
brick motioned two or three times before he
threw was going towards Piper when ne
threw; Vanvacter lodged Pipers stone and
it went against the house Vanvacter came
towards Piper; Piper lodged when Vanvac>
ter threw, didn't know whether itstruck him.
Saw no one between them. Saw Piper pick
up one stone. Didn't know Harris, didn't
see any hat knocked off, didn't see Piper
when he came back and asked for his case,
and heard him ask Piper what he looked so
grum about.
William, Ransom (colored) -Lives at Mr..
John W. Gardners. Was sitting on the bridge
in front of Browns store; saw both parties go
out and get rocks didn't hear anything be-
fore they got the rocks, both went back on the
pavement, Vanvacter walked back piece
down street; came back and threw the rock
at Piper, who lodged didn't see whether it
struck him. Piper then threw at Vanvacter;
didn't see whether it struck him or not
| Vanvacter said he would cut him with knife.
| Witness was standing on the bridge very close.
When Piper said 81 reckon not" Vanvacter
replied "I'll show you" Vanvacter motoned
like he was going to throw, and then cut Pr
per. Vanvacter started to run. and turned
the corner witness didn't go on back street.
Saw both go for rocks, Vauvacter first; af-
forwards both went on the pavement Van
vacter went from Piper and Piper went from
him a few steps; Vanvacter threw first, and
then Piper threw; did mt know whether either
was hit. Vanvacter walked towards Piper,
who was standing with his side towards him;
then off about the length of his arm, Vanvac-
ter cut him sideways Saw knife in the
hand of Vanvacter in the morning at the
show ground, about eight or nine o'clock
heard him say do you see this thing? Tn
attending to my own business )" said it to
white man there was crowd there. Van
vacter had the knife in his hand when he
threw the stone, and when walking towards
Piper. Piper could see the knife; stood
there until Vanvacter came up and stabbed
him; didn't see any one between them
didn't see any hat knocked off.
George iStewnrR (colored) -Works at
William Moore's. Met Vanvacter on the
street near Hamburgers corner; said show do
YOU do, Mas Owen" witness was with John
J. Harris at the time, and asked him to take
drink. John said "you have got enough
already" witness replied s'thats my business"
Vanvacter said "who said that's my business 2"
and drew knife. Witness told him he was
speaking to Harris; Vanvacter said Thought
you was talking to me-" Vanvacter came
back again and threatened to cut; witness
said "Mas Owen, you wouldn't cut me; you
arc drinking and so am l." whereupon Van
vacter gave witness ten cents to get drink.
Saw Piper pick up knife case. Vanvacter
went back didn't hear what was said both
picked up stones; Vanvacter threw at Piper
Saw him reach over Harris's shoulder, knock
ing his hat off. saw the motion. and saw Piper
stagger aud fall. Vanvacter kept the knife
in his hand from the time he drew it on wit
ness. After the ARRAY Vanvacter went into
Capt, Avis's bar-room and asked Dolph Avis
for revolver; he told him he didn't have
any. Vanvacter went on round the street,
crowd after him, saying he had killed a man
came across Mr.. Hawks garden into the alley
between Maj. Hooff's store and warehouse
Witness first met Vanvacter between Eby's
and Browns stores, coming up street, Harris
and witness were together. Piper was stand
ing at Browns, waiting for Harris; witness
had called Harris, who was standing with
Piper. Was going to Avis's bar, room. Van
vacter was intoxicated the words he used
were cd d-n you I'll cut your throat"
He went on to Piper and snatched knike case
out of his hand; Piper gave him the case
Vanvacter showed him off the curb both got
stones Vanvacter threw and Piper lodged
did mt see Piper throw. Saw no one between
them. After Vanvacter threw, Piper adj
vanced on him; when Vanvacter threw saw
the knife yet; motion witness saw was with
the left hand. When Piper went towards