The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-07-12
City Items.
FATAL SHOOTING ARRAY.

Ben Thompson Kills Jack Harris-Detai:s
of the Cate strophe, Inquest, Etc.
Last evening about 7:3o two pistol shots
were heard on the Main plaza. The local OF
the LIGHT Immediately proceeded to the spot
and found a crowd around the door OF the
Vaudeville theatre Vending his way through
the crowd, he passed up to the gallery OF the
theatre, and there found Jack Harris, who had
been shot by Ben Thompson, marshal OF
Austin, lying between the benches. Doctors
Cupples and Chew were there probing large
wound he had in his chest, and it was then
found that Jack was MORALLY wounded. A
cot was procured and he was conveyed to his
residence on Soledad street, where be expired
in agony in about an hour after the fatal shot
was fired.
From information which we have received
and the evidence of the inquest. 1t appears
that there has been bad blood between
THOMPSON and the deceased for some time,
and that Thompson had declared his intention
of going into the saloon, notwithstand-
ing the fact that Harris had
threatened to kill him, Thompson too had
been about there threatening to close the
Vaudeville and its surroundings. When
Thompson returned he stood in the dark for
the electric light was not yet lit, and he could
we'll see Mr.. Harris who stood in the ligh,
behind the screen on the east side. He
challenged Harris as to what he was doing
with the shot gun, and received an insulting
reply, whereupon he fired two shots through
the screen, one shot missed, the other took
fatal effect. After the shooting Ben Thomp-
son walked off and was not arrested, but sur
rendered this morning, and is now IN custody.
THE INQUEST.
Justice Adam on receiving information as to
Ha ris' death impanneled a jury and proceed.
ed to view the body of the deceased, adjourn
ing further action until this morning, when
Mr.. B. l. Boone appeared for the state and
Col. Green for Thompson, who was present
at the inquiry. The following testimony was
then adduced:
Id. Dyer deposed: The first time he saw
Thompson he came in and asked for a drink.
He then said, where is your shotgun; went
out and came and inquired if the W. h. BIS
had not come down yet. He said he was
going to insult them all. | then went out; |
went from the lower door to the upper door
and spoke to Mr.. Harris. told Mr.. Harris
Mr. Thompson was on the inside; Mr.. Harris
hesitated moment then Mr.. Thompson and
another person unknown to me went out.
Mr.. Harris walked into the ticket Office and
got his gun; he rested one arm on the rail and
held the gun in the other. Mr.. Thompson
was on the outside making loud talk, think to
Mr. Sims; MI. Thompson made some remarks;
Jack replied, yes, you can -----
NJ i.
Mr.. Harris fell. one hand stru X the floor and
he sprang back; Mr.. Harris then went up the
stairs into the gallery of the theatre; l went
ND Immediately after him. Two or three OF
the girls held his head and he was laid out
between the benches; one of the girls re-
marked that Jack was shot. | went down to
Schasses' drug store for a physician; | came
back with the doctor and went to where Mr.
Harris was lying. After | was there a few
moments, and another went up to Wolfson's
corner store and got a cot then We packed
him down the stairs and took him home;
came down town for ice and towels; when
went back to the house he was dead. He was
shot about 7:3o; can't say when he died,
but have heard at a quarter to nine. l have
not known him long; don't know his age OF
where he was born; do not know what prop.
civ he has.
Cross-examned by Col. Green: Mr. Thomp
On, came into the bar at 7:I5 with two other
gentlemen. I.only know the gentlemen by
Sight. 1 saw them on the sidewalk before the
shot was fred; l do not know whether he
drank: I was drinking at the bar; after went
ont Mr.. Thompson came out; l was then
s,andioe on the sidewalk; when they came out
thew walked toward the corner and afterwards
saw him talking to a policeman at Harti
corner. left him talking. l walked through
the upper door, to the rear part OF the saloon
did not see Mr.. Harris till l came again;
walked round the saloon and stood al tne .
TO asked what Mr.. Thompson sa'd' ana II M