Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-13

The Coronerss InvestigatiOn-An-
quest-The Woman Anna Williams
Charged with Murder.

The investigation Of facts concerning the
death of William Randolph. OF whose Kill
ing at a house at the corner Of Lumber and
Farm street mention was made In previous
issue, was commenced Yesterday morning
about 10 O'Clock The examination devel-
oped substantially the facts given, but in
view Of the general interest felt, we present
the statement and testimony elected as fol-
lows:
Statement of Annie Williams: Last night
about ten O'Clock came home with Louisa
Landrum; everyone was gone to bed; L
came In nv front door and went into my
room: Willie came in at that time; said TO
him, "Let me give you an Introduction TO
this LADY," did so; he did
not seem to pay any attention to either of
us; | went to the bed and took the clothes
off and put them on the trunk by the door;
she fell asleep; | woke her up and
told her to go to bed; / said to the
deceased come and let us go to bed
now; he said no, that l must go to
bed and leave him alone; said no,
want you to go; he refused and asked
what was the matter, what was the reason
he was acting that way; he said he was mad
that he had called me and l would
not come to him; l remarked, "Oh, that's
what you are mad about; fthen commenced
pulling his nose, which is a habit of mine;
he told me to stop; / said Il will not until
you come and go to bed" he
said Then you'll not let me
alone?" and hauled off and struck me
and pushed me against the bed; l then
picked up basin which was on the table
and threw it at him; he then ran after me
and struck me in the face; this knife was
lying on the table; l took 1t up and told
him to go away from me; we then
commenced tusselling; he got me aside Of
the bed and laid across my back and com,
menced beating me; took the knife and
cut back of me; did not know that l cut
him; 1 then called to Louisa to
help me; cried and said was cut; he said,
"No, Anna, you have cut me-" he got up
then and said, "Give me that knife;" re-
fused: he then ran out Of the door and l
ran after him, with the knife in my hand;
the knife fell out of my hand, and ! went
to him and said, "Willie, are you deadg"
he said nothing but groaned; he called for
Venus Walker; she told me to go out of the
house, that had tried to take Williams
life since Saturday; / refused l had
not: she sent after policeman; went also;
l met policeman on West Broad street and
st. Julian; was crying; he asked me what
was the matter; / told him had cut my
husband; 1 then asked him to go for doc
who told US that William was dead.
E. J. Kelley, policeman, sworn ald testi-
fed: That about a quarter to twelve
o'clock on Wednesday night he was assigned
to duty on st. Julian street; about half
past twelve, whilst walking in the vicinity
of West Broad, heard some one crying, and
saw a person coming across the street;
hailed the party, who proved to be
Anna Williams, and who was COW
cred with blood; l asked her what
was the matter, and who cut her; she re-
piled that she was in a scuttle with man,
aud that he was cut and she wanted a
doctor; she then became very much ex-
cited by my questioning; she had
little girl following her, to whom l gave
directions to DR.. Chisholm's Office, and
made the woman show me where the affair
occurred; when we reached the house q
man present informed me that the man was
dead; l told Anna Williams
to consider herself under arrest; after CIV,
ing the necessary orders, that there should
be no interference until the Coroner came,
l entered the room and found every
thing in disorder; a broken basin,
stained with blood, was on the floor,
and the appearance Of the place indicated
general row; | made a demand for the
knife, but could not find 1t, or hear any
satisfactory account of what had become of
it; after inquiry, arrested Louisa
Landrum, who seemed to be the only wit
ness present, aud carried her, together with
Venus Walker, the woman who kept the
house house. and Anna Williams, to
the Coroner and accompanied him to the
place, and after a search, found the knife,
which was in hole near where the de-
ceased fell.
Louisa Landrum was sworn and testified:
That she was sitting on the trunk In the
room, and fell asleep; Anna came In and
walked me up, and told me to go to bed;
got up and picked up my quilts and
went to bed; Randolph told Anna to go
to bed, and dispute occurred; she said
"Willie, what have l done to you that you
act so curious?" he said, "Nothing, Anna,
but | don't feel like worrying with
you;'' she then sat in his lap
and commenced unbuttoniDg his coat;
he asked her to let him alone
then fell asleep they were talking
very civil when l went to sleep;
suppose l must have been asleep some.
time: l was awoke by the noise occasioned
by the quarrel between them, and when /
first saw deceased he was on top of
her; Auna called for me to help
her; when | got up said,
woman, why don't you let your husband
alone? You have already cut him." she re-
replied she had not; said to her, eyes,
you have" the deceased said to
Anna, LET go the knife,
you have cut me, and at that time he
became weak from the loss of blood; went
and called Venus Walker, and
broke the door open; he fell outside
of the door; Anna then went to him and
cried out: Lord, have killed my Willie?"
Venus Walker then drove Anna out of the
house and said she had tried to take his life
since Saturday.
No other witnesses were examined.
After considering the above evidence, the
jury returned the following
VERDICT:
eve, the jury, find that the deceased,
William Randolph, came to his death by
wound inflicted by a knife In the hands of
Anna Williams, and we consider 1t murder"
The woman, Anna Williams, was then
- I'll -, Al a.