National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-03-21
CHARGED WITH MURDER.
Trial OF Charles Nelson for killing jam
SImms,

Simms.
The trial Of Charles Nelson, the colorod
boot-blaok, charged with the murder Of James
Simms last February, was commenced yesterday
before Justice Hagner Ia the Criminal Court,
District Attorney II II Wells appearing for the
Government, and Messrs. Charles Maurice
Smith and A. A. Lipscomb for the accused.
The jury selected is as follows Messrs. Henry
Dean, X, w. Tompkins, Joseph H. Tall, Frank
p. Davis Jacob Acker George Williams John
I. Earnshaw, Charles j. Brewer, w. II. Small
wood, J. B. Wilson, II. l. Gregory, aud A, !.
Joyce. The stabbing took place in Eadden's
saloon on FOur.and.a.half street southwest,
within square of the First Precinct station
house. Nelson was allowed to escape and the
affair was kept close for some hours after-not
being made known to the public until after
the death of Simms, which took place the
night after the stabbng. 1t appeared that
number Of boot.blaclSs were IN the saloon
playing cards, and angry words passed, when
blow followed and the stab was given. Simms
was taken TO n physicians, and thence to his
home, where he died. After the rendition OF
the verdict Of the coroncr's jury Nelson gave
himself up, claiming that the blow was given
in selrdelonso.
The following witnesses were examined DR..
Hartigan testified rs to the autopsy and TO his
finding wound on the left side of the abdo-
men, Just below the ribs, penetrating the
stomach, aud causing death. The wound was
au inch and one quarter wide and from two to
three deep, and was probably made by some
shalp-pontcd instrument. Dr. Hazon, who
attended the wounded man, testified TO the
same effect. William Barnes testified that he
was in the saloon of Levi Kodden on the night
when the cutting occurred. james Simms was
standing near the ice.box, leaning against the
counter. Charley Nelson got up from the
cardtable. went across to the bar, aud struck
Smms on the side Of his head. Smms then
kicked him. The fight followed, and Simms
was cut, A lengthy Cross-exatnination ensuod
which somewhat changed the first statement
Richard Ciummoy testified substantially as
the preceding witness, but located the cutting
at a different place IN the room aud ut differ
ent time. aud WAS slightly mixed as to his abil-
ity 10 tell the time Of day by n clock in the
court room, much 10 the amusement Of the
spectators.
Robert Henderson was then called by the
Government and swore the first blow was
struck paylulv by Nelson and resented by
Smlns, who grabbed him by the collar and hit
him in the mouth three times. The crowd
parted them, and three minutes afterward
smms pulled up his shirt and said he was cut.
Scip Bryan testified that Nelson got up, went
to the counter and brushed Simms lightly
across the face. Simms kicked him and then
he struck Simms in the mouth. Simms col.
Jared him aud struck him three terrible blows
IN the mouth. Nelson then went TO the west
end of the counter; he made a plunge at
Simms, but he did not know what he did it
with he did not see anything of knife until
Kadden put him out.
At this point the court adjourned until this
morning.