The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-03-25
THE HOMICIDE!
coRoNER's INQUEST!
Arrest Of Gibbons.
BOUND OVER IN $4,000

The shooting affair which occurred
in this town on the evening of the 10th,
of which we made brief mention in
our last issue, has formed the principal
topic of conversation and discussion
about town during the past week. The
matter is now in fair way of being
fully, and we trust fairly investigated.
On Wednesday of last week, Justice
c. A. Reed, acting as Coroner, sum-
mOned a jury, and that day and Thurs
day held an inquest on the body of
Peter Robson, the man shot by officer
Gibbons, and who died from his
wounds about noon on the 18th. The
jury consisted of Messrs. J. S. Smith,
J. s. Brigham, r. 8. Peacock, G. P.
Reed, VIM. L. Poe, and Royal Taylor.
We give below the substance of the
testimony introduced at the inquest.
Doctors R. B. johnson, A. M. Sher-
man, H. P. Hugus, and A. Belding,
were called and sworn. Their testi-
mony mostly related to the character
and condition of the wound, and all
substantially agreed in reference to it,
that it was necessarily fatal.
GEORGE MCCAIN sworn. Occupa-
ton, gathering glass at glass works.
80 years old. On Tuesday night, 18th
of March, was in billiard room In Poe
House. Ravenna, playing pool with
Dauber and others. l have forgotten
their names. 1 saw Peter Robson in
Max Schenck's bar room. Was stand
ing there when L went in, pretty near
10 o'clock. Went from the billiard
room into the bar room and took some
beer and cigar. He was standing
with Cassius BoccO and Jacob Pastoria.
Don't know who else was with him. l
got through drinking, and got buck
ct of beer to take home. Met Mr.. Glib
bons in alley, about half way to front
of Poe House. was called by Pasto-
ria, and stopped for the crowd to come
up. There were Cassius Bocco, Peter
Robson, Robert McIntire. Pastoria
was behind, following. The others
were together. Were humming a song.
Weren't singing loud. They all pass
ed, and 1 took my beer and started
across the crossing, and saw Mr.. Glib
bons take hold of BoccO. Don't know
whether he jerked away or not. The
rest of the party were on the sidewalk
by corner house below Poe House
don't know just how far. 1 was in
middle of crossing; they were about
y feet from me. The first | knew
Gibbons. "This is played out" Did
MT hear Bocco say anything. 1 stop
ped; was coming towards them. L
saw Mr.. G. and all standing there. /
said to my partner, J. Pastoria, '' let S
go home" [ said so twice. 1 stopped.
They had the sidewalk blockaded. The
second time B said let's go, Pastoria
said, :" He has got a revolver" When
Pastoria said HE has got a revolver" /"
he (G.) fired. I think / heard three
shots-am positive heard two. Just
as he fired Pastoria lodged against me
and knocked me and the beer over.
AS was getting up and going to reach
for the bucket, Gibbons grabbed me,
and said, II want you to go with me"
1 said, II will 60" L asked him to
and he might go home with me if he
chose. He said, Come with me-"
and took and locked me up. That is
all 1 know. They We're standing talk
ing. He (G.) stopped them. He (G.) }
overlook them in front of house. This
is the only thing [ heard. "This is
played QUIZ Only Pastoria said che
has got a revolver" Gibbons stand
ing on sidewalk, they also. Robson
and bacon in front, McIntire side OF
them; Pastoria next to building, be-
tween Gibbons and building, within 4
or feet of Gibbons. Saw no one have
hands on him. l heard him say to
Bocco, Come with me-" Didn't hear
Bocco say anything. Didn't hear a
word said then. Didn't see whether
l.. l,so I,n, ri.
When Gibbons took hold of Bocco, all
ing, and saw him have hold of Rocco
by the bank. They stood there or 3
minutes. All heard was Come with
me-" and he has got a pistol" Don't
know which made them stop. They
stopped to see Bocco when Gibbons
took hold of him. They were saying
very low; don't know what
it was. They were facing the officer.
Heard one say, He's got a revolver"
That's all heard from any one. L was
about four feet behind Gibbons. L said
to Pastoria, "let's go home" Pastoria
between Gibbons and building. I was
nearly behind him (G.) They were ali
on sidewalk. He (G.) on the edge. l
saw him take hand out of pocket-cogt
pocket. Couldn't say what it was un-
for bucket. and Pasuoria knocked me
down. Had been from s to 10 o'clock.
Had not drank more than four times.
Was not with Bocco and the others.
JACOB PASTORAL sworn. Am going
OH % years of age. Business, glass
blower; work at Diamond Glass Works.
Knew Peter Robson. He was glass
worked there, too. Tuesday
night was in OttO'S and Schneck' IS.
They are saloons. Peter Robson, Geo.
McCann, Rob't McIntire, aud some
one else. l. don't know his name );
were sitting in there talking. l came
up town and went in barber shop to
get shaved. Then went to Schneck's.
Saw Robson. 1 then went into Otto's
was in there, don't know how
long, then went back to Max 3 with
Peter Robson, Cassius BOccO, Tom
started out the back way and while
going, Bocco and couple more COM
menced singing, McCann and being
behind and together. McCann had ID
bucket of beer to take home. Then /
saw the policeman come running, and
as he ran l saw him put his hand in
his back pocket, aud he drew his re-
volver out. He said two or three
words; 1 don't know what he said.
When l saw him draw the revolver,
says 1 to Bocco and Robson, 4" look
out, that man is gcing to shoot" He
took hold of Cassius Bocco, and he
snatched his hand away, and said,
"let go of me, L haven't done moth
ing" There we Were talking to him,
and he said for us to go home. Cassius
said, 1--WE will go home and mind our
business" for him to let us alone, As
he said that, he (G.) grabbed me by the
collar. Then they stood there talking
l stood with face to him, breast to
breast, and Cassius BoccO back of him
Peter, the other man, back of me. AS
he caught me, Cassius said, let him
alone; We'll go home" l had boots
on my arm, and 1 dropped them. l
gathered them.up again, and L don't
know what occurred when L raised up,
and just at that 1 saw him draw his
revolver, and dropped on my knees
and shot from under him, and McCann
was close to NE. L run my head against
McCann and knocked him down.