Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-12
The Double Murder.


in the baby brother pleaded for his sister. cling
ing to her knees and crying. Neither Of the chill
dren made any loud Outcry. The old woman says
she did not see the Christmas tree there at all.
ANOTHER CONFESSION BY CHRISTINA TAYLOR.
On the way to the jail the old woman made
the following statement % Lieut. Johnson:
1.-THE devil sent me up there to Mr.. Fishers
house: / tried to fight against him, but
couldn't I struck the girl frst-twO or three
times. She fell down. and the little boy screamed
and caught me round the legs when | hit him
with the same stick. in the yard. They were
both in the yard together at the time. struck
them with stick, not with the AK: just as they
fell let them lay. don't remember seeing the
Christmas tree at all. and don't know how it got
there. | thrOwed the stick on the wood pile
1t was short stick"
The daughter Rose was also committed as a
witness in the case
The Berkeley Springs Ticket Case.
a LONG HEARING, AND A DISAGREEMENT OF THE
JURY.
Yesterday afternoon Justice Bundy called up
the cases of John f. Norris and Thos S. McNeir
against the Baltimore and Ohio RR Co.. Gen
Mitchell and John A. Clarke appearing for the
plaintiffs. The declarations set out that the
plaintiffs purchased rOund-trip tickets from
Washington to Berkeley Springs. On their re-
turn they presented their tickets but the con-
ductOr refused to honor them. and they were
compelled to pay fare. Each plaintiff sues Tor
S45 damages The company claim that by the
requirements of the contract on the ticket before
the return portion of the ticket was used the
stamp of the agent at Sir Johns Run was re-
quired, and that these tickets were not thus
stamped.
Mr.. J. b. Larner. who appeared for the COM
pany, asked for further postponement. stating
that he was not ready to proceed and had an
important witness in West Virginia who would
hal no nIoip nI hot
tickets would not be good unless stamped
After some sparring the affidavit containing the
statement that MesSrs Norris and McNeir were
notified that their tickets should be stamped
was filed, issues We're joined and the following
jury summoned James f. Christie. Robert
Reid, ". &. Frizzel II. E. f. Barnes. John Ter
rin Michael Cayanaugh, J. J. Bogue. l.. NJ
Graves, r. ]. Nicholson, P. A. Julien s. j.
Fague and A. j. Robinson. The hearing was
then adjourned to the Circuit Court room, and
the chamber was crowded with lawyers and
others.
Mr.. Clarke opened the case by statement of
the claims of Mr.. Norris and was answered by
Mr.. Larner. Mr.. Percy H. Smith. passenger
agent of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany. was the first witness called and exhibited
poster advertising round-trip tickets to Berke-
ley Springs there being nothing in the poster
setting forth that the return ticket must be
stamped at Sir Johns Run. Mr.. Norris next
took the stand and reeOunted the circumstances
him when at Sir Johns Run station that he
must get his ticket stamped by the agent or it
would not be good. The train was starting and
he could not have gone back to the station if he
wished. When the conductor refused to take
the ticket he paid his fare again under protest.
When he purchased the ticket he did not hear
the agent say anything about having the ticket
stamped before returning. Mr. Thomas s. Nc
Neir, who was accompanied by Mr.. Norris, on
the memorable trip to Berkeley springs gave
testimony similar to that of Mr.. Norris saying
that the young man who asked them if their
tickets had been stamped, said they ought to
have 1t done, but it was too late to do it then.
Mr.. John f. Riley also testified for the plain
tiffs, but his testimony was not material Mr.
John ID. Lechle, from whom Mr.. Norris pur-
chased the ticket, testified that he told him
that the ticket would have to be restamped at
Sir Johns Run. Mr.. G. s. kOOntz, agent for
the B. 4 o. road was called, but knew nothing
of the case. Mr.. ". Fl. Cook, conductor testified
that he never saw two gentlemen pay more will
lingy than Messrs. Norris and McNeir, and that
after they had paid they both threatened to sue
the company. Mr.. E. E. Grammar testified to
the plaintiffs being notified at Sir Johns Run
that they would have to have their tickets re-
stamped. This closed the case which, after ar
guments by Messrs. Larner and Clarke was
given to the jury The jury remained out until
after o'clock. and being unable to agree was
discharged. 1t is stated that six favored YER
dict of S2o and costs for the plaintiff and the
QUIET Sin u FeTulcC IOf S0UO, the amount paid on
the return trip, with costs.
Men with a Contract
To the Editor of The EVENING STAR:
The asphalt nuisance still belches forth it's sti-
fling fumes at X and North Capitol streets. not
withstanding the prayer of hundreds of citizens
for its removal. We're it not so serious matter
to those who are daily sufferers from the poison
thrown of from this pipe of Satan. the farce en-
acted between its proprietor and the authorities
would be hugely entertaining. 1t is about in
this wise:
People to Health Offcer:-"Oh, we are being
poisoned Help us, please"
Health officer to Poison Mdn:-"Get out O.
there. will yOu?"
Poison Man to HeaAa O6ioer:-"Go to -; I've
got contract"
That settles it. About the same scene is en-
acted with the Commissioners and with the
Courts. man with a contract inWashnptOn.
is above the law; he can create nuisances at will
and defy all authority. The people, or any re-
spectacle portion of them. in contest with
man with contract are sure to come out sec
Ond best.
suppose it is not worth while to ask your
interference, Mr.. STAR. You have great influ-
ence. to be sure; but what could you do with
man with contract to poison peOple-tO stife
them-tO choke the life out of them? The Com
missiOners are afraid Of him. the courts are afraid
of him; and the health man 'dont want much
to do with him nohow." What will be done?
Well, don't know, for one, and don't believe
can remain in this neighbOrhOOd long enough
to find ont. Whew! If this thing continues. l
am afraid we shall soon have our dignifed appel
latiOn, city Of magnificent distances" ex-
changed for the less euphOnious but equally
expressive "City Of unlimited stinks"
August II, 1881. J.BM
The Ocean View Excursion.
PLEASANT TRIP-THANKS RENDERED To THE
MANAGER.
At the Ocean View hotel on August II the fol-
lowing resolutions were unanimously adopted,
with instructions that they be forwarded by 4
committee to THE STAR for publication:
RESOLVED, That the thanks of the Ocean View
excursion party be rendered to Mr.. Byron Somes
for the exactitnde with which he has carried out
every detail of the trip as proposed and for the
courtesy and attention shown us; also.
Resolved. That we consider Ocean View one of
the most comfortable and pleasant resorts we
have ever visited, that we have enjoyed ourselves
beyond our expectations, and are more than sat
fed with hiS pY