The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-07-30
Homicide in West -5acIe~on.

On last Saturday night, q bout 1176 O'Clock
VIM. H. Watkins, (col.) was shot and in
stantly killed by Albert NJ. Lewis (white)
on the steps of the Edwards House. The
preliminary examination was had on Tues
day and Wednesday, before Justices Voight
and Robinson, and Lewis was released
under recogLizance of two thousand dollars
one thousand Tor himself, and five hundred
each in two sureties Justice Robinson
/ pronounced the decision of the Court.
John Estelle, Esq, for prosecution: Col.
c. E. Hooker and Marion Smith, ESQ, tor
( the defence.
THE EVIDENCE.
We had intended publishing the evidence
entire, but as there was between forty and
fifty witnesses, and the evidence was SO vol
luminous We are compelled TO substitute
brief synopsis instead, which, of course can
not be as definite as the entire testimony
would be.
FOR THE PROSECUTION.
The testimony of witnesses direct and
BY cross examination was about as follows:
VIM Ii Watkins and Henry Brown were
play ing billiards in tile Edwards House
Saloon; after the fret game was over Lewis
asked payment; Watkins said he would paw
after he played another game Lewis wanted
the pay first, and began to turn out The
light; Watkins objected and said Lewis
would not treat a white man that way;
Lewis paid 10 attention, took up the cue
that Brown had put down, gathered the
balls together with it and took them up:
Watkins call ID Lewis by very filthy cpl
thets; Lewis told him not to repeat it:
Watkins repeated, and Lewis struck him
one or more times with the cue; Watkins
returned blow with his cue; Lewis struck
again; Lewis called police; policeman came
and arrested Watkins; Lewis told him to let
him go, it would be al right fhe would pay
for the game Watkins said he would Lewis
said take him on to jail; Watkins was car
ried out of the saloon; he was very bloody;
fell upon the sidewalk; was lifted up; more
talk by both parties and by bystanders,
some OF whom gbiecttd 10 Watkins being
carried to jai! unless Lew is was; some said
he was too badly burt to go to Jail. lie was
given in charge of his friends by police
man; was assisted to hack; fell again; was
put in the hack, which drove off; Lewis was
arrested and carried up town; was released
with Instructions to appear Monday morn
ing; Watkins was next seen at Nelson
House bar; was advised t. 90 to Edwards
House to IA doctor to have his wounds
dressed he went in an ''ordinary walk"
and ''quick = turned up steps was fired upon
at Sd or 4th step; turned and was fired upon
again; no motions seen as if drawing
weapons; no weapon found on body or near.
FOR THE DEFENCE.
The first fight about the same as above ex-
cept some couldn't tell who stuck first;
and some that Lewis struck Gully one blow
when it returned by Watkins; several
other blows passed. Lewis called police;
policeman arrested Watkins; Lewis said he
could let him 90 if he would pay; Watkins
cursed Lewis; Lewis said take him on;
policeman took Watkins oHt; Watkins
fell down; Lewis told Watkins that
he was sorry he hurt him so much;
Watkins cursed Lewis again; Watkins
was given to a friend by policema II,
and they sent him of in hack. Lew
is was arrested and carried to the city mar
shall in the same hack that Watkins started
off in that Watkins didn't go home in hack
but got out; that Lewis told city marsha
To have Watkins arrested, as he had threaten
ed Lewis life.
Lewis was bailed to appear Monday
morning; went back to Edwards House
that Watkins had come back and threatened
to "get even with Lewis, unless Lewis 'was
quicker on trigger than he was; and
other threats to the same effect; that he
tried to borrow weapons; that Lewis was
informed by several parties of these threats.
That the witness Who advised Watkins TO go
to the Edwards House saw Lewis there;
that he was seen waking with Watkins aud
,alkiag; that the conversation which was
ove heard. WAS not about the doctor. but
was Is he there; YES That Watkins
had been home and changed his shirt, that
the walking from the Ntlscn House was
from every QUICK" to "sely swift that
Watkins rushed up stairs directly towards
Lewis; that he made motions rs if 10 draw
wea pons ; that pistol was seen in his hand
half drawn. No weapons were found; that
Lewis before the shooting frequently said
be did II OF want difficulty.