The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-27
LILLE BENEFITS DEATH.
Testimony Taken at The. Coroner's
-" Inquest Yesterday. ......

Testimony Taken at, The Coroner's
.-. Inquest Yesterday.
] TESTIMONY OF JAMES STEVENS, THE MAN
WHO STRUCK THE FATAT. GLOWs-coN-
FEssIoN AS TO THE FIRST AsSAULT-TEE
CASE STATED BY SEVERAL OTHER WIT
NEssEs VERDICT OF TIE JURY THAT
DEATH WAS, CAUSED BY THE WOUNDS
INFLICTED BY THE ACCUSED.
~: .. -
Lille Bennett, a notorious white woman
and denizen OF Cash Corner, died at the
almsbousc on Tuesday evening. On the
10th instant, about 10 O'Clock at night, she
was beaten by ga friend" named James
Stevens. The deceased got OUT n warrant
for Stevens's arrest, and search was made
for him by an officer, but he was not then
found. Later in the night deceased re-
ceiyed another severe beating, from Stevens
it is supposed. Stevens was arrested, and
has since been in Jail. Lille Bennett was
carried to the almshouse for treatment.
There she told DR.. Nicholson that Stevens
on the occasion OF the second assault struck
her on the head with handsaw. In few
davs she became unconscious, and so re-
NAMED until the hour OF her death, and
consequently no regular dnfe-mortene state
mcnt was taken.
DIS. w. II. Taylor (coroner), and Nichol-
son, OF the almshouse, made 1'oSt-mortem
examination OF the deceased Yesterday
morning. They found divers and sundry
bruises about her body, limbs, and face.
There were two wounds on the head-one
upon the right and the other upon the left
side. There was no fracture OF the skull,
but the brain was very much inflamed, and
large clot OF blood had been effuscd in the
brain under one OF the wounds. To this
her death was attributed.
| The first witness examined was James
Stevens, the sailor who struck the de-
ceased. He said he was born in Leeds,
Yorkshire, England, but declined to say
what vessel he belonged to. He was told this
morning that he was charged with killing
Lille Bennett; that on the 10Th instant he
was standing at the corner OF Eighteenth and
Cary streets talking t. Sis Miller. Deceased
was sitting in window hear by talking to
sailor, and when she saw witness called
him and cursed him. lie replied that he
didn't want to have any conversation with
her. She said, "Who cares for you?" Wit
ness said he was very drinky, and deceased
cursed him: again and he struck her three
or four times with his hand; then became
ashamed OF himself for striking wo-
man and went into saloon and took
another drink. Later, saw her again talk
ing with some darkies in saloon at Cash
Corner. Walked out Of the saloon and left
her there. Next morning went to the sa-
loon again md was told. after leaving there,
that n warrant was out for him. Witness
said he supposed il he'd keep scarce for
day or two the matter would blow over, and
that she (deceased) would withdraw it for q
drink OF whiskey. While standing there he
was arrested by policeman, who told him
that he had given her a very severe lick.
Witness said that he had seen her taking
drink and didn't seem to be much hurt.
Witness also made lengthy statement OF
what transpired the night before, when they
had little spat.
Sarah johnson testified that she heard
Lille curse the accused, and saw him smack
her. Heard her say afterwards that she
had gotten n warrant for him. Next morn
Ing heard that Lille had been beaten, and
saw a good deal OF blood in the alley by the
hydrant, two or three yards from Lilies
house.
John Signiago stated that Sis Miller told
him that night that Steve and Lille were
about to get into row, but witness did not
see any Of it. Saw sergeant afterwards
with Lille, looking for Steve.
Mary Glover testified that late on Satur-
day night-about Il o'clock-she saw Lille
and Stevens in Bakers alley, and saw him
strike her. She was going home. When
she saw them again they were going along
towards the street, and her body was found
near the hydrant, where she was picked up
bv the police. The night before saw Steve
standing in the alley as if he was wait
ing for some one. Witness was certain that
Stevens struck her the blow, and when
found there was great quantity OF blood
bv her head. II was about ten steps from
where she was struck TO the place where
she was found.
Annie Miller, being sworn. testified that
she saw Stevens strike her several times
with bis fist early in the night, but knew
nothing OF the blows afterwards, when she
was so badly hurt. After 10 O'Clock witness
passed through the alley, when accused
seized her by the throat, and she asked him
what he was doing. He replied, isis, it
is mighty we'll you spoke so quick, or you
would have been dead woman" He was
drinky. It was very dark, and accused
then went out into the alley. Didn't see
accused have anything in his hands. After
Lille went to get warrant the prisoner
said he meantto finish her, so that she could
not be able to appear against him. Don't
know that he killed her.
Rosa Gillian, another witness. saw Ste
vens strike deceased in the early part OF the
night, but never saw him strike her any
more. About II O'Clock that night saw ac-
cused in the alley going towards her home.
It was very dark; and short time after
wards heard a futtering in the alley in the
direction he went. 1t was. probably about
q. quarter. OF an hour afterwards she was
Dicked up in the alley. Billy Freeman
found her. Witness then went out and
found her lying bleeding. The lick witness
saw knocked her down. ... -
Saliua Massie saw Stevens knock deceased
down and slap her, about 10 o'clock, and
later the accused went with witness rs far
az the hydrant, and in speaking OF Lilies
getting warrant for him, said he Wollid
| fix her when she came out witness lett
him at the hydrant. and then went 10 Ded.
DR.. Nicholson, physician at the almshouSe,
described the injuries and testified as TO her
treatment at the almshouSc. Deceased told
the Doctor that she had, been struck with 4
hand-saw Soon afterwards she became un-
conscious, and remained so until hef aeaIh'
about ?. NJ. on Tuesday.
The jury decided that Lille came TO heI
death from the effect OF blows on the heaa
inflicted by james stevens on lhc night ol
the 18th day Of September.
Dp.u.-Nt1ss ROGERS AS MAUD MULLER
Miss Rogers played Maud Muller last nisnt
in charming style, and to the eTlaent ue-
light Of her audience, when was IN mum
ber far below her deserts. 1t Is not 10 tue
credit of our people that this little lady has