National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-27
THE CORoSER'S INQUEST.

Fifth Precinct Station. He was quite cool and col
lected. and sent for Mr.. w. A. Cook, with whom
he had conference. He claims to have done
the shooting in self defense.
THE CORoNER'S INQUEST
An inquest was held yesterday morning at the
late residence of the deceased, No. 1886 street
northwest, the following jurymen having been
summoned: William Dickson, NJ. r. Combs, ]. l..
Kervand, J. J. Knowles, L. C. Stride, and NJ. r.
Goddard The first witness called was Mr. B. D.
Hyam, who testified that last Saturday afternoon,
about ten minutes to five O'clock he was at dinner
when he heard a shrek, and, simultaneously q
shot like one from a boys pistol. Mr.. Christmas
daughter rushed into the room, threw up her
arms and said, "Oh my father" Witness asked
what was the matter with her father, but she
made no response: then went to see what was the
trouble, and found deceased Weltering in blood;
at the same time Mr.. Hayden came down. 1 left
him and went for a doctor: brought Dr. Hagner,
and helped him to search for the wound found it
about two inches from the left nipple. Before
left the house Mr.. Christmas approached and said
Gentlemen. 1 killed the man in self defense"
Mrs NJ. J. Narrower, the keeper of the boarding
house, testified as follows: The first heard of
the trouble Mr.. Christmas little son came to
servant and said: Come quickly The servant
was engaged, and l went with the boy. Before we
reached the door I heard a report, and looked out
l.
lying on the floor. Only heard the report; did
not see the shooting. There was an ill-feeling
existing between the two men which had lasted
for several months. On one occasion the deceased
went to Mr. Christmas room for the purpose of as
saulting him, and was only prevented from doing
it by Mr.. Christmas being warned by a friend not
TO come into the house
Lewis Buckner, a servant in the house. sworn:
"Wben it first happened was on the east side of
the house, first floor. Mr.. Christmas son came to
me and said Mr.. Whitney was after his father l
ran as quickly as possible and when got within
two yards of the parties heard shot, but did not
see the parties as was behind screen" Witness
here explained his position and the jury retired to
the scene of the homicide in order to ascertain the
position of the parties at The time Upon returning
the witness said he knew that on several occasions
MI Whitney had threatened Mr.. Christmas life;
they had not been on speaking terms for a long
while. Mr.. Whitney fell upon his face, his head
just touching the floor and his feet about three
steps up; he was the lower portion of the steps,
Did not see Mr.. Christmas with pistol nor did he
hear him say anything about killing Whitney;
never saw either of them have pistol Mr.. Whit
ney had no business downstairs, as his dinner was
always served upstairs in his room.
James Christmas a son of the accused, was the,
next witness: " saw Uncle William coming iathe
front room, and he said to papa, Look herer L
ran to Lewis, the colOred boy, and asked him to go
with me, and just as got to the kitchen heard a
loud noise, and thought Uncle William had picked
up papa and thrown him down and killed him
Papa was on his way TO dinner when Uncle Will
lam spoke to him"
Judge J. J. Hayden, the next witness, did not
see any of the trouble prior to the shooting but
came down from his room at the report of the
pistol. Saw Whitney lying full length on the floor
and bleeding Profusely Did not see a pistol in
Mr.. Christmas hands. Asked who shot Whitney,
when Mr.. Christmas stepped forward and said:
& did. but ii was in seIf-defense" Mr. Christmas
said, " Send for physician!" He had never heard
either party use threats.
Mrs. DR.. Wheat whom Christmas was assisting
down stairs at the time of the killing was then
sworn. She said Mr.. Christmas was descending
he stairs in company with her when his little son
rushed before them and said something; did not
know what; saw Mr.. Whitney coming down and
knowing the feeling between the two men, con-
GUIDED 10 get awayas soon as possible: had Just en-
ered the diningroom when the body pitched down
stairs almost at her feet al heard an exclamation
and turned quickly, Just in time to see Mr. Whit
ley's arm raised in the air. Mr.. Whitney at this
line was standing Oh the second step from the top,
and Mr.. Christmas was on the lower floor. Mr..
Whitney had slight stick in his left hand, and
his right was on his hip as if searching for pistol
Mrs. Graham. boaTder in the house, sworn !:
Was passing down the steps on her way to dinner
md saw NJ. Whitney walking rapidly behind Mr..
was terrified, and turned 10 go back
o her room, but befure she reached it there was
epo-t, and saw fash: could not see Mr. Christ
mas. but did see Mr.. Whitney, who was running
apidly: he had reached nearly the bottom of the
airs. when she heard the report and the noise of
falling body.
Mrs. Myra Clarke Gaines was called, but, as she |
vas not witness of the shooting, was excused.
Jourdan Smith, one of the walters in the house. |
worn: "The first knew of the affair Mr. Christ |
mas little boy came into the kitchen and told |
4ewis, the other colored boy what was going on. |
ran out just as Mr.. Whitney was falling and saw !
Ir. Christmas at the end of the stairs. While Mr. |
Whitney was struggling in death he looked up at |
Ir. Christmas and said: You id s. of |
- At this time Nj Christmas was standing |
bout twenty feet from the stairs. WhenI went up |
fairs with the officer Mr.. Christmas said i was
orced to do what did,"
officer McGlue testified that about 500 o'clock
aturday afternoon he heard that there was
hooting scrape on l street; went to the place
nd asked who did the shooting and was referred
upstairs to Mr.. Christmas. His door was locked
Tut when witness knocked and said who he was
was opened at once. Mr.. Christmas stated that
lie wanted an officer. He said he was forced to do
What he had done. He gave witness the pistol,
nd he then took him to the station house.