The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-08-02
HoRRID ACCIDENT.

Mr.. Richards was young man, mer
chant doing business at Cross Roads. H'
was a brother of the Postmaster at Clay
(Cross Roads) and was an estimable citi
zen. There are many exaggerated re
ports about the affair, and we publish the
evidence in full, as taken before the Cor
oner's jury.
''The State of Ohio jackson county, Madison
| township, S.:
"An inquest by the undersigned jury,
duly empaneled and sworn. was held on
the Oath day Of July, A. D. 1877, at the
Office Of Madison Furnace, in said town.
ship, over the dead body of Samuel Rich.
ards, who was supposed to have come to
his death by violence. The undersigned,
Jonathan Davis, Justice of the Peace
in and for said township. then acted as
Coroner, there being no Coroner within
ten miles of this place"
The following is the testimony of the
witnesses, then and there examined. be-
fore said justice and jury, and which was
then and there reduced to writing, in
pursuance of the Statute in such case
made and provided:
Linn Bentley being duly sworn stated !:
Do yon know Samuel Richards
Yes. know him.
When did you See him last aliye2
This morning about ten o'clock.
Where at2
Standing here in the Office, on my right
hand side.
Who was present at that time?
E III. Clare. at the left of deceased.
State if anything happened at that
timer
This morning Mr. Samuel Richards
came to settle. We compared our ac-
counts and found them satisfactory, /
adding them up to see the result. At this
he stepped into the store room to Mr..
E. II. Clare, and returned Immediately.
| continued the account. not looking up.
During that time did you hear any
?
They were in jovial nature, playing
and cutting up friendly.
Did you understand that there was any
dispute between Samuel Richards and E.
Il. Clare2
Not a shadow of dispute, or any sign
thereof
State what occurred after Richards re-
turn from the store room2
Clare entered the office and stood at
Richards left hand, then afterwards it
was but a short time until / heard the
report of pistol.
Did you hear any conversation between-
E. II. Clare and Samuel Richards before
that, after said Clare entered this Office ?
There was not a word said by either of
them before heard the report Of the
pistol.
State in what position Richards was
standing at that timer
He was standing here at the desk, and
Clare standing to his left, also at the
desk, and after heard the report look
Nd around and saw Richards lying on the
loor. He did not speak, or make any
noise, and was not aware that he was
shot until | saw the wound.
What did Clare say at this time?
Clare said he is shot and said I have
'hot poor Sam Richards, and several such
expressions.
Have you seen the pistol that Clare
had?
/ have seen it, and have shot with it.
Is this the pistol that Clare had2
recognize that to be the same one
hat he had
Is that pistol a selEsetter (or cocker y =.
No; it is not You will have to set it
before it shoots.
Did Clare make any suggestion to you
Why he brought this pistol here2
He made no suggestion whatever to
me, but he had tried to sell it the day
before this accident happened.
Had he been in the habit of keeping a
pistol about him ?
Not to my knowledge, until he brought
this one up from Portsmouth last Mon
day.
Where on the body did he receive the
wound
Above the left eye. in the eyebrow.
How long did he liver
An hour and half
Have you any knowledge of Clare load
ing this we. pom any time?
have.
How old is E. II. Clare
About II years old.
John Stewart sworn:
Where do you reside ?
At Madison Furnace.
Was you acquainted with Samuel
Richards 2
Only knew him when would see him.
Are you acquainted with Clare2
Only slightly.
Did you see Samuel Richards at this
place to-day2
Yes.
About what timer
Half past ten o'clock.
State what you saw.
saw E. H. Clare and Richards stand.
ing together in this Office, Clare having
in his hand; / did not know
what. Then, at the time stepped to
the door heard a report Of pistol, and
saw Richards fall. Before
Richards fell, Clare was rubbing the re-
volver in his hand.
What did you hear next?
Clare said, my God Almighty! Have
killed Sam Richards? / went out then,
and hesrd 10 more.
William McLanphlin sworn: