Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-06-06
ON TRIAL FOR KILLING A TRAMP
How the Pr0diga1 Son of n Rteh
Canadian Met violent Death
in Massachusetts.

SPRISGFIELD, Mass, May II.
The case of James T. Kearney, of West
field, charged with manslaughter, in killing
John Wilson, on the Sd Of April, was tried
by the Superior Court to-day, and will be
given to the jury tomorrow. This case
possesses romantic interest, from the fact
that Wilson came to Westfield az tramp
four months before his violent death, and
was supposed 10 have been penniless. Some
time after the homicide ID was discovered
that he was the prodigal son Of rich man
in Canada, who had died leaving him his
entire fortune, whereas Wilson died sup
posing himself dsowned. Wilson had
iound work in Westheld. and had become
friendly, not to say intimate, with Mrs.
Kearney, wife OF shopmate. The evidence
on both sides to-day showed that Kearney,
returning from drive on the day Of the
shooting, found his wife ironing and Wilson
sitting by her side. Asking his wife whose
shirt she was ironing, and learning that ii
WAS Wilson'S he told her in low voice to
give it to Wilson as soon as she was done
with it, and tell him to leave the honse.
:" What's that you say Z" demanded Will
son. seizing a block OF marble, once the
bottom Of a lamp, and holding it behind
his back.
kearney again said g want you 10 take
the shirt and so home, and never come
enough in my house"
Are you man enough to put me out z"
said Wilson, advancing toward kearney in
threatening manner. Wilson was a
much larger and stouter man than kearney,
who is quite small.l
don't suppose am, replied Kearney,
''but 1 want you TO leave my house, and
don't you ever darken my doors again"
Wilson said " / won't 80 out, and you
can't put me out You are a - of -,
shoot uae IL you dare.
Kearney replied, :" don't want to shoot
you. l want You to leave my house"
All this time KeaTney was retreating and
Wilson was following him up. He had
nearly crowded the intruder out Of the
io5sl, when Mrs. Kearney succeeded in
closing door between them; but Wilson
reopcned it and rushed again for Kearuey.
Mrs. hearney saw her husband draw some
thing from his pocket and put it in the
sink, and soon afterward saw Wilson make
plunge With his left hand. They had
struggle by the sink, while she stood by
crying. Stop stopl' She soon heard
the pistol, and stepped forward and grabbed
it. She couldn't say whose hand she took
il out Of. They soon fell: Wilson on top.
Mrs. koarney seized Wilson, and then
Kearney got ON top. Mrs. Kearney told
her husband to run away, which he did.
Wilson started TO follow, but fell 10 the
door, and Mrs. Kearney exclaimed, He's
shot he's shot y kearney Immediately
came in. saying, :" He shot himself" This
letter was the testimony of Mrs. kearney,
who was called by the defense
A verdict OF not guilty is generally ex-
pcetod iuasmuch as Wilson was unques-
tionably the dsturber Of Kearney's domes-
tic peace. and the aggressor in the dispute
which ended with his death. These con-
siderations operated with the Grand Jury
who declined 70 indict Kearney for murder
punishable With death, but found an indict-
ment for manslaughter, punishable with
Imprisonment