Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-05-17
KILLING OF RYAN PIPERi.
Examining: Trial of Owen vanvaoser.
Tbe prisoner Committed to Jail.

forSthe klllnS OF Ryan lper3 NCOiOIeuit cVu-
menced before Justice Ridenour on Tuesday
last, and was concluded on Wednesday. AT
237o'clock, P. NJ, the case was opened, Thos.
c. Green, Esq, counsel for the State, and
VIM. a. Travers, Esq, for the prisoner, when
the witnesses were sworn, and the following
evidence elicited:-
Vim. Daugherty-was walking up street
in front of Browns store, saw VanVacter draw
a knife from under his coat, and heard some
one ask twas it any of his business" The
parties were walking down'street, did mt know
whether they were white, or cotored, didn't
see any one with Vanvacter, saw no other
white person, but great many colored went
on up street: Did hear any one say any
thing to Vanvacteft except some one said "is
it any of your business Z" and Yanvacter
said CANT it any of my business |" Had
gotten to Major Hoof7s store before he knew
that anything had happened, saw black man
running by in hurry-the remark that Van.
vacter made was "Aint it any of my business Z"
Vanvacter was walking along down street, a
man in front of him, didn't know whether he
was white or colored: Spoke just as l was at
his side.
A1ROS OHepp6IU-OlLLluS VII U4LS. 1GuuW
porch about one o'clock, Vanvacter went down
street pretty much in liquor, laundering and
staggering, showed colored boy off the pave
ment. colored boy stepped behind carriage
which was standing in front of Browns store
and picked up q rock. Vanvacter attempted to
pull a brick out of the pavement but could
not get it loose, and stepped off the curb and
picked up piece of brick from the root of a
tree, walked down towards Eby's store and
came back, as if looking for some one. passed
close to the negro, who stepped back and
shook his head, Vanvacter threw, or attempted
to throw, negro threw. Didn't notice the
knife then, but saw it when he made the blow,
had the piece of brick in his right hand and
knife in the left; boy staggered and fell with
his breast on the pavement, was satisfied he
died from that blow. Piper must have picked
up stone first, or didn't think Vanvacter
would have picekd up one, hardly thought
Vanvacter struck him. Fanvacter in coming
down street. showed negro off the pavement,
negro picked up stone and piece of brick
from behind carriage Vanvacter picked up
one neither threw then, when Vanvacter
walked by, the negro muttered, he came back
as if hunting somebody, when be threw the
stone it was down towards the negroes legs,
negro threw twice don't know whether he
struck or not, threw with all the force he had,
Vanvacter stepped back and turned, drew tho
knife when he came to the edge Of the pave>
ment, in the left hand, just as the two came
together, Vanvacter was alone, had no company,
and had been saying nothing to any one as he
knew of, there were good many persons on
the street, mostly boys, saw Vanvacter about
a half or three quarters of an hour before with
his brother. Vanvacter was staggering before
he got to Piper who was on the edge of the
curb and easily showed off, Piper made
threatening nod and muttered when showed
off, Yanvacter attempted to pull up a brick in
the pavement but could not get it, and stepped
off the curb and got piece of brick from the
root of tree, when he came up from Eby's
store he passed by Piper, was leaving when
Piper threw the stone & brick with full force,
Vunvacter then turned Piper stepped off
pavement, then both came together. the stone
that Piper threw, must have been larger then
goose egg, he threw wickedly, Vancacter
rctreated past Eby's store after he cut the me-
gro wasn't running when he saw him, didn't
see him when he turned the corner. Thought
Vanvacter was very much Intoxicated.
DR.. o. G. Mr-Was standing in Eby's
store, when some one remarked that a pistol
had been fired at the same time heard
noise like the report of pistol, but not loud
enough where upon he ran out on the street,
and saw man falling over the curb stone in
front of Mr.. Browns store; went up to him
and found he had been wounded with knife
or dirk, or some weapon of that character;
the jugular vain was severed, and the life
blood oozing out at every gasp he took
Did'n examine the body infinitely. 1t was
considerable gash-about one and half in.
ches long. Didn't see who struck the blow.
Did Mt then know what the noise he heard was,
as he was busily engaged talking; but was
now confident that it was the rock striking
the wall. The stone striking the wall must
have been thrown from the street. The party
following was in front of Mr.. Browns window.
Witness was about middle way Of Eby's store
when he heard the first alarm. The negro
was falling from the pavement into the street
when he came out.
Thomas Drew (colored) -Was sitting on
the opposite side of the street by Dinkle's
store, lookidg across tho street. Saw Van
vacter walking along and heard him say You
black 81 of BIB, I'll cut your CUTS
out p Saw him walk past Piper and PASS
buggy standing there; walked back past Pr
per and made motion to strike at him, walk
ing towards the curb.stone turned and threw
stone at colored man, and colored man threw
back at him; then they came together and
Vanvacter struck with his knife. Piper fell,
his breast striking the curb. Witness was
on the opposite side of the street: Vanvac-
ter was standing right by the colored boy;
saw him push the boy off the pavement
didn't hear Piper say anything. A good ma
nv persons were around on the pavement
When Vanvactcr pushed Piper he stepped off
the curb; Vanvatter spoke when Piper
stepped of. Piper threw stone, each one
threw; Vanvacter threw first Witness staid
where he was all the time, didn't come across
the street at all didn't hear Piper say any
thing; all he heard either of them say was
Vanvacter saying "Pll cut your CUTS out !'-
The whole affair hardly occupied ten minutes.