Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-05
The Kennel Homicide.

The Keppel Homicide.
WIN. FLETCHER ON TRIAL FOR MANSLAUGHTER.
Yesterday. In the Criminal Court, Judge Hag-
ner. the case OF VIM. Fletcher, indicted for the
murder OF David Keppel On the 9th OF June,
1878, was continued after our report closed
District Attorney Wells and r. Il. Wells Jr.,
prosecuting for the government, and Messrs- W.
A. Cook. Robert Christy and A. B. Williams for
the defence.
After the medical testimony, Jeremiah Des-
mond testified to having been at the Marble Sa-
loon with Keppel and Fletcher when the ho.ni-
cidal encounter took place. There had been a
dispute between himself and Fletcher, when
keppel got in between them and was knocked
dow D by Fletcher.
John NJ. Glass, barkeeper at the Marble Sa-
loon, testified that the accused and Desmond
were at an oyster table in the Marble Saloon,
and were in boisterous conversation. Soon Des-
moDd struck Fletcher. using the catSup and vim
egar bottles on the table as weapons, and
breaking them over Fletchers head. KeDDel
came up just at that time. and interviewed be-
tween Fletcher and Desmond He received a
heavy blow from Fletcher, which felled him to
the floor from the effects of which he soon
died. Nitness supposed that the blow was
was carried out of the room. AS soon as wit
ness saw how badly Keppel was injured he told
Fletcher that he ought to send Keppel home in
a carriage. Fletcher paid for q carriage AM dill
so. Both Desmond and Keppel were under the
influence of drink.
Delaware Hudnell testified that he went into
the Marble Saloon with Fletcher 80 take a drink,
and keppel and Fletcher were talking together;
they went over to the table. where they sat
about / Z minutes, when Fletcher and Desmond
got into a dispute, the latter throwing several
bottles at Fletcher. and the latter fell on the
floor but got up again. Saw Keppel down, bat
did not see the blow struck. On croSS-eXailina-
tion witness said he helped keppel up and then
saw that Fletcher's head was bleeding. Fletcher
and Keppel were as friendly as two brothers.
The government here closed their case, and in
answer to defendants counsel, said they did not
claim a verdict of murder, but one OF man
slaughter.
THE DEFENSE.
Mr.. Williams opened the case to the jury for
Defense stating that they expected to show that
Desmond was advancing towards Fletcher,
when he struck out and keppel staggered up
just at this time and was knocked down,
Fletcher receiving blow IF, from D, a bottle, the
and that Desmond was the aggreSSDr.
Mr.. VIM. Forsyth was first Gale ana testified
to the accuracy of drawing of the saloon.
TESTIMONY OF THE ACCUSED MAN.
VIM. Fletcher, the accused testified that on
the day OF the occurrence ne was standing in
front of the Marble Saloon in his buggy, when
ing. saying he would get even with him. Des-
mond then insisted on him (F.) treating, and
finally got him by the collar, and he then got
out, and all then went down into the saloon
They called for three beers and Hudnell came
in and took drink of whisky. Desmond in
sisted on treating to oysters. and finally wit
uCSS COiStHltu W TAKE CHILL soup Ut CuOWueT.
He remained talking to Keppel until the oysters
were ready. When they sat down Desmond
wanted to know if oysters were not as good for
him him F) as they were for him ODD and called
witness He CD then got up and threw.
several bottles at him, the second and third cut
ting his head, and the catsup scattered over his
eye. One struck his hand, cutting it. Then he
fired another bottle at him and he caught it on
the outer edge of the left hand, and whether it
was this bottle CT his hand that knocked keppel
no RI Inn f1,at,
OF pepper, vinegar or catSup. He then got close
enough to Desmond and he struck him. Wit
ness here exhibited the scars to the jury.
On croSS-eXanlinatiOn witness said that he
knew OF five bottles being thrown, and in answer
to the court he said his right hand was then
cut, and he struck with his left hand.
INSTRUCTIONS OF THE COURT.
This closed the testimony, and the counsel
submitted the case without argument. The
court briefly charged the jury, reviewing the
evidence, and said;-lf the jury believe, from
Desmond, and while engaged in fight with
him the deceased stepped between them with
the intention OF trying to stop the fight, and
with his hand accidentally struck the deceased,
who was knocked down by the blow and fell
upon the floor, striking the back of his head
and that fracture of the skull, as described by
the physicians resulted from the fall, causing
the death ofthe deceased, and that the prisoner
de- e enS Himself o og e a
tack and used no unreasonable means of defence
and had no intention Of injuring the deceased
then the prisoner was not guilty OF the felonious
homicide Of the deceased, and is entitled to an
acquittal.
The jury retired at liz o'clock
THE vERDICT-FLETCHER ACQUITTED.
At 11:22 O'Clock the jury returned, but before
the verdict was received the crowd was ad-
monished by the court that no demonstration
would be permitted. The jurors were then
called and the foreman gave in the verdict OF
and quietly receiving the congratulations OF his
friends, withdrew with his counsel.
THE FUNERAL of the late John Holroyd took
place from East Washington Odd Fellows Hall
yesterday afternoon and was attended by a
large concourse of citizens, including many Of
his fellow workmen from the Navy Yard. After
the services in the hall the remains were taken
to Congressional Cemetery by Frank
lin Lodge No. q Z. Of p, headed by Weber'S
Band. Union Lodge No. II, and the Grand Lodge
Of l. o. o. F.-and inferred.
THE PoToMAc FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
met yesterday at Tallmadge Hall, MI. Chalkley
Gtllingham in the chair, and DR.. E. p. Rowland
secretary. 1t was reported by the committee
the winter by Gen. W. II. Browne, Prof. Taylor
Col Daniels, Prof Saunders, DR.. E. P. Rowland
and others, on the first and third Tuesdays in
each month. Last evening lecture was given
by Gen. VIM Fl. Browne on "Fruits and Flow
ers," and a paptomtme entertainment, in which
calcium lights were introduced by DR.. Rowland.
Music and Rotations followed.
WHO IS THE NEXT2-Daniel Wright, an inya-
lid soldier, about fifty-siX years of age, who
served two years in Company G, 124th regiment
New York vOlunteers-the Army Of the Poto-
mac-living at No. 76 Oakland street, Green
point, Brooklyn L. l., and penSioner, has re-
ceived $751; 900 for one dollar.
William II. Hoogs, for over twenty years the
collector of "T7te Boston Post" sent one dollar,
and also received $15, 900. The occasion was the
September drawing, Louisiana State Lottery.
For further information apply by mail or eX-
press to M. A. Dauphin, P. o. Box 692, New Or
leans La, or same person at No. 319 Broadway,
New York city. +
PAYING A CHURCH DEBT.-Last week the truS-
trees of the Mt Vernon Place NJ. E. Church,
South, in considering the debt on the church OF
$4,000, came to the conclusion to reduce it, and
seven of their number assumed $4,000 of the
amount. leaving only about $1,000 to be raised
and the ladies OF the congregation are engaged
in reducing this small amount
T IEBIG COMPANIES EXTRACT OF
IL MEAT, FINEST AND CHEAPEST MEAT
FLAVGRING STOCK FOR SOUPS, MADE
DISHES AND SAUCES.
LIEBIG CONPANY'S EXTRACT OF
MEAT. lis a success and q boon for which ma
tons should feel grateful'-See' Medical Press, ~
Lancet, I" British Medical Journal, &c.