The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-06-27
A WELL-AIMED SHOT
ENDS THE CAREER OF WILLIAM G.
WHITNEY.

The Shot Fired by Jas. ". CHRIST
what u Family Feud Leads to
Testimony ut the COrOncr's Ih-
quest Christmas Sent to Jaii.
Saturday afternoon, mt 5 o'clock, James
Y. Christmas shot and instantly killed VIM.
G. whitney, at No. 1896 / street northwest,
in the building known as the Catacazy
Mansion, and now occupied by the Misses
Narrower, as Il boarding house. Here Mrs.
Myra Clark Gaines had been living with
her son and his wife and their three chill
drcn and her -in-law, Mr.. Christmas and
his three motherlcss children. The two
men had been in the hair-mattrcss business
as partners, but, owing to some disagree
mcnts, the partnership was dissolved. Whit
ncy then went into business with II. A.
Lnger & Co., 1117 Nineteenth street.
Whitney was drinking man and had II
very violent temper, and the differences be-
tween the two men increased in intensity
until they became such bitter enemies that
they did not eat Mt the same table. Besides
the business differences between the two
men, Whitney became jealous of the alton
ton which Mrs. Gaines showed to Christ
mas children, and when he was under the
influence of liquor would accuse Christmas
of trying to defraud Mrs. Gaines out of her
money. This state of affairs reached crisis
Saturday morning by Whitney telling Mrs.
Gaines in threatening manner that the
next time he ran across Christmas he would
let daylight through him. Christmas was
warned of this threat by Mrs. Gaines.
The dinner bell at the Misses Harrover's
sounded at p. m. Christmas, on his way
to the basement dining room, stopped u
moment in the hall to greet Mrs. Wheat, an
aged lady, as Whitney entered the door. He
spoke with noisy rudcncss to Christmas, and
Mrs. Wheat hurried down stairs. Christmas
followed. Whitney, close behind abused
seized and struck him. Christmas shook
Whitney off and hastened on. Whitney
followed in a threatening manner. Christ
mas says that as he turned aroand he saw
Whitncy's hand seeking his pistol pocket.
Christmas fired once Forchand repeating
pistol. The ball entered Whitney's heart.
aud with gasp and gurgle he fell, his feet
still on the lower step just at the dining
room entrance, and rs he made the few
gasps that terminated his life the blood
gushed from his mouth. The boarders
came rushing in from a ncighboring house,
and Christmas remarked to them, "I'vc
killed him; send for an officer" The
tragedy occupied less than three minutes.
Officers McGlue and Grant who came
quickly up, accompanied Christmas to the
Fifth Police Station. He declares that he
desired to avoid all contest with Whitney,
anu lIIcu OulN III SCll-ucltllSc. All cNulili-
nation of Whitney's remains showed no
arms upon his person. Upon arrival at the
station-hOusc, Mr.. Christmas sent for Will
lam A. Cook to act as his counsel.
THE CORONER's INQUEST.
| Coroner Patterson held an inquest over
the remains Of Whitney at IL o'clock yes
terday, the following jurymen having been
summoned: William Dickson, NJ. II. Combs,
j. l.. Kervand, j. j. Knowels, l.. c. Stride,
and NJ. r. Goddard. The first witness
called was Mr.. b. ID. Hyam, who testified
that last Saturday afternoon, about ten
minutes to five o'clock he was ut dinner,
when he heard shrek, and, simultane-
Ously, a shot like one from boys pistol
Mr.. Christmas daughter rushed into the
room, threw up her arms, and said "Oh my
father" Witness asked what was the mat
ter with her father, but she made no re-
| spOnsc then went to see what was the
trouble, and found deceased wcltering in
blood; at the same time Mr.. Hayden came
down. | left him and went for doctor;
brought DIR. Hagner, and helped him to
search for the wound; found it about two
inches from the left nipple Before l left
the house Mr.. Christmas approached and
said: Gentlemen, killed the man in self
defense"
Miss NJ. j. Narrower heard the report, but
did not see the shooting; knew of the ill
feeling between the parties
Lewis Brickner. a servant In the house
also heard the report. but did not see the
shot fred. Witness knew that ON several
occasions Mr.. Whitney had threatened Mr.
Christmas kfc; they had not been on
speaking terms fora long while. Mr.. Whit.
ney fell upon his face, his head inst touch.
ing the floor and his feet about three stems
nm: he was on the lower nortion nf tLo
stems. Did not see Mr.. Christmas wifi a
pistol, nor did he hear him saw ANYTHING
about killing Whitney: never saw either
of them have pistol. Mr.. Whitney had
no business downstairs. as his dinner WINS
always served upstairs In his room.
Judge ]. ]. HAYDEN testified that bo ask od
who shot Whitney, when Mr.. Christmas
stepped forward and said; "I did Inf II was
in self-defcnse." Mr.. Christmas said HSenI.
for physician ~ He had never heard
either party use threats.
Mrs. DIR. Wheat whom Christmas was
assisting down stairs Mt the time of tbe kill
ing, was then sworn. She said Mr. Christ.
mas was descending the stairs in comnanv
with her when his little son rushed hefore
them and said something. did not know
what. saw Mr.. Whitney coming down aud
knowing the feeling between the two ,, "ra
concluded IN oct away as coon nc ,'os,;,,In,
had inst entered IN" 9;";n@ 1V rna 40 poss'po
body nitchcd down sta;,.s ainost ~ ~ e emo
heard an eyclamation and turned nn;on L.
inst In timo 20 coo NJ, Wi';t, sanou Iu.ekly
In tbe air. Ar Wh;tn,,, ~. q, !, ~" .; ,",aeu
standing IN tbc socond ston frnn, ' thn VIZ WIS