The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-22
MURDER AT PICKETTS.
Happy Jack Stabbed to Death by
Charles Smith.

A fatal stabbing affray occurred about
o'clock last hight in Henry Piekett's ranch,
No. 81 East Front street, between two col
ored men, John Wilson, better known as
Happy jack and Charles Smith. The
former is about thirty years old and the
latter abJut twenty-five. Both men are
river roustabouts. Wilson came up yes
teriay on the steamboat Clifton and Smith
was discharged the same day from the Hos
pital. At the time stated above Wilson
was standing before Pickett's bar drinking
glass of whisky.
Smith came in and asked Happy Jack to
treat. The latter refused, wEereup n
Smith called him s. and other vile
names. Then row ensued, and several
blows we're struck hit no damage was done.
Wilson then left the room and went into
tile hail leading to the dance room in the
rear in the basement. Smith followed.
Once III this passage way the progress OF
both men was stopped by the fast thlcken-
ing crowd. A few angry words passed,
when Smith suddenly drew clasp spring
knife, with blade five inches in length
and stabbed Wilson in the left breast, the
wound penetrating the heart, and causing
death within few minutes. After being
stabbed, Wilson turned and ran up flight
OF stairs leading to Pickett's room, where
he fell at the door exhausted from loss OF
blood.
He was then removed to the dance-room
on the first floor where he expired fifteen
minutes later. Smith, after the stabbing,
walked through the bar.room toward Front
street with the bloody knife in Lis hand,
remarkine on the way to Kittie Morris,
one OF the denizens of the establishment,
II said would kill him, and I have done
it," Smith then cColy wiped the blood Oft
the knife with his fingers and pocketed ii,
and walked out OF the Saloon, making his
escape.
About o'clock this morning Smith was
arrested by Lieutenant Montgomery at the
Good Samaritan Hospital, and taken TO
Hammond street Station. .....- .-.
The body of he deceased was taken to
| Habig's, and the Coroner notified.
Smith was arraigned in the Police Court
| this morning OH the charge of murder.
The case was continued until next Satiir-
day, Smith in the meantime being locked
| up without bail.
! Dr. J. Ii. Hazen having been instructed
to make post mertem examination, Cor
onef Carriek in the meantime opened the
inquest this morning. Henry Pickett the
proprietor of the rancht testified to the
bad character If the prisoner.
Charles bavis testified to witnessing the
row at the bar and to hearing Smith say In
| the hall that lie had notion to stick his
knife into Wilson clear up to the handle.
Smith then stabbed Wilson and walked
away. ......
lhis testimony, with that of the other
witnesses was only corroboratiOn OF what
has already been published. .......
The post-mortem examination showed
that the wound was an incised one, be-
tween the first and second ribs Of the left
side OF the breast, three-quarters of ali Incl
in extent. The dirk or knife passed en-
tire y through The upper portion Of the lef
lung, causing internal hem rlh ,ge.
The two witnesses, Bob Williams ant
Charles Davis, being the onty ones VII,
saw tie stabbing, and they being non
residents were locked no in the Jail to max
their appearance sure ut the trial.
1he attorney for Smith refused to ALLOW
him 10 testify.
A verdict was returned by the Corone
this afternoon as follows:
death from an incised wound in the
upper part Of the left breast, penetrating
the lung and causing internal hemorrhage
further find said wound was inflicted
with knife in the hands of Charles Smith
and that it was done without cause OF
proyocation."