National Republican., 1880-01-02
The killing of Francis Williams.

An inquest was held at the Sixth precinct
station, on Massachusetts avenue, yesterday
afternoon, over tho body of Francis Williams
the young colorcd man shot by George Lee
last Wednesday night at the corner of Tenth
aud i streets. Coroner Patterson summoned
the following iurymen: Ii. r. Walker, Thomas
Docket, Dorsiy BlackstUm, Lockrum Blue,
Henry Parker, Solomon Morrison, w. ii.
Snscl, w. H. Ebcrly, Benson Bell, A. w. llol-
son, J. ID. Finch aud Joseph JOY.
Tho first witness examined was Robert
Smalwood, who testified that last Wednesday
night in company with deceased and several
others he went into Lees place, at the corner
Of Tonth and I streets northwest. Robert
Maxwell, Que of the party, called for some
whisky. Lso said it was worth twenty-five
cents pint, whereupon Maxwell changed the
order and said. Give us II quart" Lee asked
for the money first. Sam Bray, another of the
party, said, why, you aint afraid to trust us,
arc you Y Les replied mo- but | would
sooner have tho money first" Maxwell then
concluded not to take any liquor,
but asked permission to go up stairs.
This was granted, aud Maxwell, Bruce
and deceased wcnt upstairs. They remained
about ton minutes, and Lee went up aud or
dercd them to 20 out of his house. y quarrel
began between deceased and Lee, and continued
until they came down stairs. Lee then or
dered the whole crowd out of his saloon, and
they started to go, when he began firing upon
them. Bruce was the first one shot A ball
passed through his arm and lodged in the
shoulder of a companion nam Il Ben Boyd.
Williams was then shot, and fell on the floor.
Maxwell aud Williams had been drinking be-
fore they went to Lees, and before the shoot
ing had been cursing aud acting disOrdcrly.
Thomas BrawnCr testified that the crowd
had all been to Brooks church, and were on
their way home, when it was suggested that
they all 90 to Lees and get something TO eat
and drink He COrro5orated the testimony of
the previous witness regarding the ordering
OF the drinks, and stated that after he came
down stairs lie was ordered out, and went
across the street. In u few minutes he heard
pistol shots, and sam Bray ran across Tenth
street aud said, Frank Is shot" In IL few
minutes he saw deceased dragged out Of the
house and left ON the pavement,
Robert Maxwell and Charles Carroll other
members Of the party, wcro examined, but
nothing new WAS elected from their evidence.
DR.. HartiSaA testified to having mado II post
mUrtem examination. He found that the
ball bad passed into the brain and turned TO
the right; it was undoubtedly tho cause OF
death.
Susan Wallace, who lives mt Lees house, was
the last witness. Sho testified that the first
two shots fired were by the crowd whom Lee
ordered out of the house. Williams was the
man who said, Get out your shootng.ir,ns
anu 70 10 WOTk, DONa. 1 lt CIOWu DeSah Inc
fuss aud fired tho first shots. Witness, aftcl
the affair, picked up u ball lying on the floor
near the counter. Ut WAS here shown to the
| jury) 1t is n slug weighing about II quarter
OF an ounce, one end being hattened and is OF
the same size Us those in Lees pistol. Coroner
| Patterson took il after the testimony of the
witness was over, aud it will probably be used
| in defense of the prisoner
After hearing the evidence the jury rem
| dered the following verdict:
| "lhat tho said Francis Williams came to hi,
death about 2 o'clock u. III. at his residence in
Goat alley by reason of pistol wound in the
hcad inflicted by u pistol in the hands o.
George Lee on December 81" Lee was then
taken back to his cell in the station-house
where he will remain until this morning
when lie will be taken to Jail to await action
by the Grand Jury.
Bruce, the other man shot, and who was car
riud to the FrccdmGns Hospital, was mucl
better yesterday, although considerably ex
hau5ted from loss OF blood.