Lexington weekly intelligencer., 1881-08-20
The Death of w. w. White.

The Death of w. w. White.
We mentioned last week that q man named
w. ". White had been found insensibls
near the depot at Odessa, Friday night,
August 5, and that he had been put in the
calsboose and died tho next day. AS the
marshal Is charged with cruel conduct in the
matter We print the evidence which was adj
duced. as we find 1t In the Herald:
At the coroner's inquest held by Esquire
VIM. T. Anderson, Mr.. W. j. Gibson being
duly sworn said: e..
81 was standing on the platform when the
train left, and saw a man lying on the ground;
went to him and took hold OF him, and ask
ed him what was the matter; said he was
lying there to perish. Mr.. Walton shook
light blow on the hip with his billy, then
took him away don't know whether be was
drunk or not didn't think the olow hurt
him."
Mr.. j. X. Adams being sworn said:
"I was standing on the platform, opposite
where the man lay saw Mr.. Walton trying
to get him up; saw Mr.. Walton raising him;
whether he kicked him or not. He got
short distance, when be sank down. The
man said For Gods sake let me go am
sick y Mr.. Walton took him q few steps
further, when he fell down again, when MIR.
Walton dragged him away; don't know
whether he was drunk or not think he talk
ed very plain for drunken man."
Mr.. b. F. Thayer being sworn said:
"Hs was lying twenty feet north OF depot
after the train passed out l walked over to
him and asked him what was the matter
said he couldn't tell just now; talked like he
was intoxicated; did not smell any whisky;
Mr.. Walton struck him once, q light tap
man got up and walked past the depot"
Mr.. j. b. Hereford being sworn said:
II was at the depot last night after first
train passed out saw man lying near the
side track; Mr.. Walton and l were
standing together; went togethert to
the man |; Mr.. Walton asked him to get
up; Walton helped him up; he walked
piece and fell down Mr.. Walton struck him
again then he took him to the calaboose;
was no other train on the side-track after
got there, except q freight train; smelt
whisky somewhere; thought he was drunk;
asked him his name, but he did not answer
never heard him say anything but Jesus
Christ and sGod have mercy.'''
Mr.. N. Walton being sworn said:
81 am marshal of the town OF Odessa saw
q man lying near the track Of the railroad;
went to him He Was lying on his coat;
helped him up; started him he got opposite
the depot, and laid down struck him light
blow with my billy, on hip; he got up,
steps and ad
hboose; left him and went for Mr.. Rawlings.
About II or II O'Clock, went to the Gala
boose, and found 1t pretty warm asked him
II he would stay II l lett the door open;
don't remember his answer; brought him
water closed the door, and when slw him
IN the morning, he was sitting in exactly the
same position left him at night. He was
unconscious; had been bleeding severely,
when l took him In the evening"
The following testimony not printed In the
Herald was also taken:
:. DR.. w. J 4pMcDonad being sworn said:
81 was requested this morning to see a
man In the calab0ose thought to be dying
found him In q cOmatose condition; seemed
to be man that had been dissipating and
also laboring under some chronic disease;
he Wss not able to speak; cannot form any
opinion as to the immediate cause Of his
death nose had been bleeding, also he had
been vomiting from appearances did not
examine for bruises saw him between seven
and eight O'Clock was not able TO speak at
any time after saw him."
DIR. j. F. Wood being sworn said:
81 saw the man this morning don't know
bis name; made slight examinatIon-not
dstion OF the upper lobe OF the left lung did
not come to any conclusion rs to cause OF his
death think he came to his death from con-
cussion of the brain or alcoholic poison
found depression of the scull, an old frac-
ture had think been laboring under pres
sure upon the brain for number OF years.
DR.. N. W. Lsdd being sworn said:
"l saw the man between eight and nine
O'Clock this morning examined his brain
seemed to be affected presented the appear
ance oil man laboring under chronic dis
ease had disease OF the liver /; his lett lung
was Affected ;evidences of an old fracture on
the head; my opinion Is that the Immediate
cause Of his death might have been his con-
1nement in the calaboose, he laboring under
the diseases mentioned.'
The jury, which was composed of Messrs.
X. W. Broughton, W. b. Colyer,C. l.. Frost,
w. b. Roberts, Sterling Powers and H. C.
satterfield, rendered the following verdict ::
1--WE, the jury, find that the man supposed
to be w. w. White, came to his death by an
unknown cause"
The Herald maintains that the calaboose is
one of the coolest houses In the town, and
says of the matter:
'The truth is, that there is nothing in the
case, II the truth Is told, to excite anything
but pity and sympathy for an unfortunate
man, who was cared for, as best he could be,
under the circumstances"
Drs. b. j. Fewel and j. r. Wood on Mon
day held an autopsy on the body of the de.
ceased and ga We the following certificate over
their signatures:
"Ws the undersigned, do certify that on
Monday. August Sth, we examined in
who died the Saturday previous at Odessa,
Mo-, and found that his brain was in q con-
dition that showed that conclusion of tn e
braln had taken place. The base OF the brain
was mass OF coagulated blood and disor-
gauized brain. The scalp and skull were
both sound, and death must have been
caused by sudden and severe contact with
some smooth hard body, and not by stick,
club or other instrument welded by the
hand" ....- -...
So far as the rumored theory first advanced
Is concerned-that Mr.. Walton had struck
the deceased on the head with his club in
| such q manner as to cause death-there
seems 10 be absolutely no evidence. There
appears no evidence that the blow on the
hip was cruel one, or calculated to injure
him. There is no sworn evidence before the
coroner's jury as to the state of the atmos-
phel IN the calaboose.
We regret to hear that there seems to be a
partisan division In the matter, feeling rum
ming high on either SIDE. 1t Is Il very simple
question: A man has died. The marshal
who had charge OF him Is accused of treat
Ing him cruelty and inhumaneIy. The mar.
shal certainly does not desire to remain un-
der thst lmputation. II anyone thinks there
| is just cause for q trial let a warrant be
sworn out, and the prosecuting attorney
Will ferret 1t to the bottom. IL any evidence
has not yet been sdduced he will find 1t. The
| charge is too grave a one to be lightly made
| Seriously preferred 1t is too important to be
covered up. On the other hand If no one
knows anything upon which to base war
rant 1t Is unjust aud cruel to impuls to MIR.
Walton 50 grave violation OF his duty as
| an officer.
J There has been strike among the coal miners
| this week because they objected to the COM
| pany's retaining ten days of their wages. II
was not q general strike, as a number of men
continued at work. We understand they will
all go to work Monday.
-4no. w. Dean, dr., has been appointed agent
| ON the z. + A. r. r. at Corder AS he is ouly
| about l6 years Of age and has been a clerk for
some time In the Office at that place, it is quite
| compliment to him to be advanced to the re-
| sponslble position OF ''head boss'' while so
| young in years. "Blood will tell ~ He is a
descendant from family Industrious and