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

TrThe knife was here exhibited and recog-
mixed by the witness as the one, taken from
the prisoner. It was dirk knife with blade
about six inches long and over a.ahalf inch
wide, enclosed in leather case.
John J.. Harris (colored), Reealled-Was
with Piper all day, came with him from Har-
ner's Ferry, first met with him before eight
O'clock at Harper's Ferry, met him on the
street at Mr.. Boilers drug store, no appoint
ment between them; went together to where
witness lived and stayed there about twenty
minutes went from there to the train. Wit
ness had been drinking, but Piper had not.
Witness had halfpint bottle of liquor in his
pocket; he and Adam Batemau drank it on
their way to Gharlestown Piper didn't get
any of It; witness drank twice coming up
from Harper's Ferry. Witness was sitting on
one side of the car, Piper on the other. Both
left the cars together. came round and got
cigar but no drink at yesterdays. Went
from there to Henry Houk's, and stayed
about half an hour went down to MIR. Star
rvs store and had the bottle filed again; Pr
per stayed outside did mt 90 in; didn't drink
any at Starry's. Piper didn't drink any of
this liquor; West Lowry and witness drank
it ali witness gave the empty bottle to Piper
and he put it in his pocket. Piper was in the
habit of drinking sometimes. West Lowry
and witness went round the corner and drank
the contents of the bottle. After drinking the
whishey, witness Joined Piper again, and
walled out by the stone church came back
to Main street again. Witness and Piper
were pretty much together all the time.
DR.. o. G.. Mir, recalled-Was on the cor
oner's jury, examined Piper's pockets and
found six cents, few marbles and buttons,
in one pocket, and half-pint bottle in an
other. John j. Harris, colored, was present
and testified at the inquest said he had been
drinking out of the bottle, and Piper had also
taken some he (Harris) had dranh most of
il. About an hour after he was billed, witness
examined the corpse the coroner mad had it
removed to Mr.. Sadler's, shop.
Wnt B. COnrad-Was sitting on Mrs.
Raum's porch heard some one say that
knife was drawn saw the prisoner have
hnife, put it in the scabbard and went out on
the street and picked up two stones, stepped
back On the pavement and went towards Eby's
store came back again very soon. Did not
hear what passed between the prisoner and
Piper Prisoner threw at Piper, and Piper
at him saw a motion made. but did not see
prisoner strike him with the knifc. Piper
was at the gutter when the prisoner threw at
him; was on the pavement when he threw at
the prisoner, witness thought. Did not know
whether the stone struck the prisoner, hardly
thought it did, as he lodged. Piper was adj
vancing when he threw, after the prisoner
threw at him; Piper threw pretty hard, didn't
see more than one stone thrown by him after
Piper threw they were coming together. and
met. Saw no stone thrown by the prisoner
alter Piper threw. A good many persons
gathered around, mostly colored. DIR. Mix
was the first white man witness saw after Pr
per fell there was a good deal of excite>
ment in the crowd. AS soon as the stones
were thrown, the crowd closed up around the
two. Witness had been sitingon Mrs. Raum's
steps for about half an hour before the atfray.
with Amos Shepherd; William Shepherd was
also there. After the affray, the prisoner
started through the crowd towards the cor
ner; the crowd didn't start after him until af-
ter Piper fell. didn't see the prisoner after he
passed through the crowd. Crowd seemed to
he closing in to see what was going on after
the stones were thrown. Thought it was a
mere matter of curiosity; saw no hostile dem
onstration by the crowd.