The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-12-16
The Brady Murder!
Esquire McClung, who held an investi
cation relative to the Brady murder, rem
dered the following decision:


81 P, and Acting Coroner Jackson County for the
| time being"
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF BECKER.
On Wednesday morning of last week
the preliminary examination of Peter
Becker, charged with the murder of
James Brady, was held by Mayor Ale
shire. Laird & Tripp and J. L. Jones,
appeared as counsel for defense.
John ]. McKitterick called and sworn.
Saw Becker on Monday, December 9th.
He came to my store. Had shotgun
with him. He offered me the gun-said
it was my gun. Went with him to Cros-
sins. took a cigar-Becker took small
glass of beer. Becker sat down upon
chair Was drunk, and fell off the chair.
He still had the gun. Couldn't get up
until took the gun out of his hands. He
again asked Crossin for beer, and was re-
fused. We got the cigar and beer from
Mrs. CrOssin. Crossin went into back
room. Becker said: 81 am going to have
a glass of beer before 1 go out Of here"
Crossin ordered Becker out. Brady walk
ed between Becker and myself, and start
ed toward the door, saying to Becker, "if
Oill. says you Cdll nave olly luOlS DCCl,
that settles it." Becker pushed Brady
out of the door. Becker then went out,
and John Laird stepped into the door, be-
tween me and Becker. Brady gave Pete
a shove, and he staggered off the plat
form. Brady followed to the edge of the
platform. Pete staggered some 20 feet
away and pulled revolver from his hip
pocket. Brady was standing still. Pete
raised the revolver, staggered around in a
sort of half-circle, and when about six
feet from Brady, cooked it and presented
it at Brady, saying, as many as three
times, "Come onp' / called to Pete not
to shoot. My cousin also called to him
not to shoot. After holding the revolver
a moment, he fired and Brady dropped.
Becker was six feet from Brady, with his
arm reached toward him. Brady's back
was toward me. / saw the pistol by look
ing over his head. Becker stepped to the
left as soon as firing. did not go out |
Immediately, as Becker had the revolver
pointed at the front door. Went out at |
the side door and went over to my store
Becker was in back room. My brother |
0CO1SC ldO ldhCll ulS ICNOlfcl lIOIll ullll,
and gave it to me. I stuck it in shelf |
in the store. Afterward gave it to Mar
tin. Martin is police officer.]
John W. Laird.-Was present when |
the shooting occurred Was standing di-
rectly behind Brady when Becker pre-
sented the pistol. Jumped out of the way |
before he fired. When Becker fired, Bra
r1,o - h. a,,l
him-fell forward. DR.. Hayes came and
turned him over. When Brady showed
Pete off the platform, Pete struck at him.
and his arm touched Brady's head. AS
to the beginning of the difficulty, this
witness testimony was substantially the
same as McKitterick's.]
George Nutt.-Was going to Springfield
Southern Depot to take the train. Saw
train moving out. Came back, and at the
corner, at Crossin's building, saw Becker
Stagger away from the platform. Had to
walk around him to get out of his way.
Saw Brady standing on or near the plat
form. Becker drew a revolver from his
pocket and moved toward Brady, saying
'D-n you, come on" When short dis
JttilCC 1IOh D1duy ldlS6u llG l., |
Brady seemed to stagger or fall forward,
and Becker fired, Brady falling on his
face. A lady was passing. Becker ad-
dressed her, telling her not to be fright
ened, as he wouldn't hurt her. He then
addressed other parties, saying he would
not hurt any one who didn't bother him.
After the shooting came on up town.
Gonroa M0I[iffario1r ~, c+o ]
On Monday. Something attracted my at
5ention, and I looked out of the window.
Saw Becker present pistol at Brady's
head. Heard the report. Saw Brady fall.
Did not see any smoke from pistol. Got
pistol from Becker and gave it to J. J.
Jared Martin, policeman, took the
stand. and produced the revolver which
he got at McKitterick's store. 1t appear
ed to be a 32-caliber revolver, and had
blood stains upon it. Mr.. Martin testified
that the revolver had not been out of his
possession since the day of the murder,
and George McKitterick identified it as
the one he took from Becker.
Doctors VIM. II. Monahan and B. F.
testified as to probing the wound,
and afterward, by post mortem, finding
the ball in Brady's head. They concurred
in the opinion that the wound was neces-
3arily fatal. 1t was not deemed necessary
to examine the remainder of the witness
IS, there being large number of them.
His Honor, Mayor Aleshire, recognized
The witnesses to appear before special
Grand Jury on Thursday, and sent Becker
back to Jail