The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-30
LOCAL NJ MA.ETERS.
Preliminary Examination of Thaddeus s. Ben
nett for the Killing of VIM Il. Howle.


THE ACCUSED SENT ON TO THE HUsT-
INGS COURT.
Thaddeus S. Bennett, charged with
shooting and killing William r. Howle,
an account of which was published in the
STATE JOURNAL yesterday afternoon,
was arraigned in the police court this
morning, when the case underwent q
preliminary examination.
DIR. Peterfield Trent, the Coroner, was
the first witness examined. He stated that
Howle received three balls, one entering
just below the first rib in the right side,
passing probably through the lower lobe of
the left lung, and coming out about five in
ches below the left nipple !; another through
the chin, passing into the neck, and out at
the left side of the neck and the third q
slight flesh wound on the right side of the
neck. Either of the first two wounds must
have proved fatal.
Frank Morris, Albert Childs, Robert
Clarke, Samuel johnson and Henry Smith,
all colored employees of Bennett, were sue
cessiyely examined. The testimony of
these witnesses agreed as to the frequent
calling Of Howle on yesterday to see Ben
nett; that the two men did not meet, how
ever, until one or two O'Clock in the after
noon; that they had some conversation in
side the ruins Of the mill, which the wit
nesses did not hear; that they finally came
out together; that Howle started away
from Bennett, but after moving away few
yards wheeled and fired at Bennett; that
Bennett returned the fire that the belig-
erents then passed out of the view of the
witnesses, the latter being down in the cell
lar-way, and that they did not see what
happened afterward.
r. G. Latham, white man, who works
in the Gallego corn mill, was the next wit
ness examined. The first indication he had
that rencontre had taken place was the
exclamation of some person near the mill,
''Look there! look there !" pointing to-
ward Bennett and Howle. AT that mo-
ment, according to the witness, Howle was
down on his back, with his head and should
ers supported, apparently, by his elbows !;
Bennett was approaching him with pistol
in his hand when within few feet of the
fallen man, Bennett extended his weapon
toward him and fired; Howle then imme-
diately sank back upon the earth. -
Policeman Henry Charter testified that
he was approached on the street by Ben
nett between half past two and half-past
three O'Clock yesterday afternoon, and was
told by the latter that he had shot Howle
in self-defense. Charter placed Bennett
under arrest and proceeded with him to the
scene of the conflict; witness found Howle's
pistol, one chamber empty, near the spot
where the firing first commenced, and some
thirty yards from the dead body of Howle.
Another pistol said to be the one used by
Bennett, was produced in court, all the
chambers being empty.
Two or three other witnesses were ex-
amined, but as their testimony related prin-
cipally to matters subsequent to the fatal
rencontre, we omit mention of it here. AT
the conclusion of the evidence, the counsel
for the prisoner submitted the case to the
court without argument. Justice White
briefly reviewed the testimony 50 far elicit
ed, and announced his determination to
certify the case to the Hastings Court for
trial, and required bail in the sum of SO 800
for the appearance Of the accused.