The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-04-01
4 REYENGEFUL BOY.
AssassinafEOn in n Criminal Court
Rsom-A Promise Faithfully Kept.

From the ST. Louis Republican. March Is.
An outrage was perpetrated yesterday
afternoon before the bar of Justice, while &
negro boy named Charles Woodson was
being tried in the Criminal Court on @
charge of murder in the second degree 70,
the alleged killing of Oscar j. Boatwright
The history of the case is briefly that on
the 23d of September last, young Boat
wright was hit in the head with a stone or
piece CT brick during a street fight with
boys, and went bone badly hurt. Accord.
ing to the testimony of r. NJ Boatwright,
father of the boy, his son refused for some
days to tell who had thrown the missile, but
finally, when it apI cared that he could not
recover, said it was Charles Woodson. As
consequence, the latter was arrested, ar d
his trial has occupied the attention of the
courts from time to time since. Yesterday
afternoon about clock, the case WAS in
progress, and Mr.. Boatwright wa. On the
witness stand. The jury had retired 10 al
low the counsel to argue poiLt as to the
admission of certain evidence. While the
attention Ct all was directed to the speak
era, Robert Boatwrigh's, brother of the
deceased, entered the courtroom, walked
cnollo up to where Woodson was setting,
s1j leaning over him from behind, plunged
long keen knife into his abdomen.
The colored boy started to lis feet and
fell back with convulsive shudder in his
chair. Ivung Boa,wright tossed bis arms
still clctohing the bloody knife, strnck a
tragic attitude, and cried out. damn you
you killed nav brother, and now I've killed
you"
The Judge, Clerk, and bystanders were
so sstonished at the utter wantonness OF
the sudden and murderous assault, that
they remained for moment m otionless in
their places. Then a marmer of indigna
ton arose, and Mr.. Seymour Eouilaire sisz
ed the young rufian, who is q muscular
youth, and who refused to relinquish the
knife until it wrestled from him 10y Andy
Clnbby. Clerk of the court. lie was i'm
mediately placed under arrest. His victim
was removed from the room, with his en-
trails protru1ing from the gbastly wound.
lie Was first examined by DR.. O'Brein, W BIO
happensd to be present at the time Of the
occurrence. The cut was found to be a
serious one and in dangerous place, being
a downward stroke near the umbilicus, but
with proper care is not necessarily fatal.
Robert Boatwrighs. the youth who
I thought to avenge his brothers death in SO
sensational manner,is a strong. we'll built
yourg man, while the negro boy, W ooison
/ is slight little fellow about fifteen years
of age. When young Boatwright was ask
ed by Chief IIarrigan what inspired him ia
I do the deed. he said his brother, an hour
before death, had exactei from him a
promise to kill the boy Woodscn, and he
had intended to keep the promise. lie ex
pressed no regret at what he had done, bu,
seemed rather to exu!t IN it. The knife
nth which the cutting was done is " hal
is known TO bal dv are dealers as hunting
knife. with plain cocoa handle. The
7 blade is thin. keen edged, with Icing
tapering point, and il about ten inches il
length On the handle were carved ths
( initials 30. j. B." indicating that it be
Logged 70 Oscar j. Boaterigat,