The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-07-28
A Fight That May End With Fatal Re.
GuIfG

a Fight That May End With Fatal Re-
suits.
About II O clock last Friday night, Samuel
Null, living about IL mile and Il half from
Westminster, on the Washington road, was
picked up insensible in front Of the Eastern
Hotel, this city. As the proprietor, S. S. Dun
gan, was closing up the hotel, he observed an
object in the street, and supposing it was a
blanket went out to pick it up. When near
ing the object he observed that it was man.
He tried to arouse him, but failed, and then
supposed he was either dead or badly injured
by being run over. Going to the hotel he
called John Grogg to come out, and he and
Grogg carried the man and put him on the
pavement, and afterward, with the assistance
of John Snyder, into the hotel. The man.
face was covered with blood and dust. The
left eye was badly swollen, and there was a
deep cut on the left temple, slight injury
on the right side of the face, and other marks
of violence. When found he was lying on
his face. So changed was his appearance
that neither DUNCAN nor Grogg recognized
him. A colored man, who went to the hotel
shortly after, thought the injured man was
Samuel Null, and the fact became more ap-
parent when his face was washed.
DIR. klink was summoned, and arrived at
the hotel about quarter to twelve. From
casual observation, Null being unconscious,
he supposed it was case Of ordinary intoXi-
cation, and that the wound was the result of
a fall. Null was removed to his home, and
on Saturday DIR. Klink was again called to
see him. The doctor found him still uncon-
scious in which condition he has remained
ever since, except for brief moment on We'd
nesday, when he muttered "Wheelwright."
With this clue, his friends came to this city
and had j. Frank Small, wheelwright work
ing with Ed Shipley at the intersection of
Main street and the Washington road, and
John Stitcher arrested. Just how Stitcher
became connected with it we are not inform
ed. Stitcher and Small were lodged in Jail
Thursday morning, and were given a hearing
before Justice G. w. Crapster the same after
noon.
A large number of witnesses were sum-
mOned. Small and Stitcher were not guilty,
and made no effort at defense. They let
States Attorney Henning conduct the exam
ination. DR.. Klink explained the character
of the wounds and said he had grave doubts
as to the recovery of Null. Mr.. DUNCAN tes-
titled as to finding Null in the street and as
to his condition, about as above related.
Mrs. Mary Smith, living nearly opposite
the Eastern Hotel, testified that she had got
ten up and sat at her window to listen to some
music in the hotel parlor, and whilst sitting
there saw several men scuffling, and one
push another in the street on his face.
Then Sophia Lightner, a colored woman,
was called. She said that she was passing
the Eastern Hotel on Friday night last and
heard two men fighting; heard blow, and
then saw one man push or knock another
down in the street. She passed on and saw
two men running. The men stopped, and as
she got up to them she recognized them as
John and Ed. Zahn. She asked them why
they were running away, and one answered
that they did not want to be in that muss
Ed. Zahn was next called and saying that he
knew nothing of the affair, the woman Light
ner was brought to identify him, and she then
/ found that she was mistaken, and apolOgiZed.
/ When John Zahn was called up, she said he
was one, and his brother Frank was the other
! she saw on the street.
| John Zahn was asked to testify, and his
/ evidence made change III the case. 1t was
! in effect that he and his brother Frank were
going home last Friday night, and hearing
singing at the Eastern Hotel, stopped to lis
ten. They went in the hotel and afterwards
sat in front. Whilst there Null came along,
either out Of or around the hotel, and he
| spoke to him; that John Snyder was walking
up and down in front, and he and Snyder had
some words about the name of Noel, a name
that Null did not like to be called by; that
Null struck Snyder, knocking him back few
feet; that Null was in the act of hitting Sny-
der again, when Snyder hit Null, and that he
and his brother then left. Being questioned
further, he said that he had met Snyder one
day this week; that they talked about Null S
condition, and that Snyder asked him to say
nothing about the occurrence.
Frank Zahn and another important witness
were not present, and the hearing was post
poned until three O. clock yesterday afternoon,
and was in progress whilst the ADVOCATE edi-
ton was being printed.
| There was nothing at all brought out to
connect Stitcher and Small with the affair,
and they were both discharged, whilst John
Snyder, who was present as a witness, was
held as the author of Null's injuries and sent
to Jail.
John Snyder is u wheelwright, and has been
in Westminster but short time. He worked
at first for Herr Brothers, carriage builders,
and for two weeks past for Green Il Rinehart,
whose shops are on the Washington road near
Main street. He is native of Manchester,
but has been living in Baltimore: is about five
feet six inches tall, rather heavy set, with
dark hair, dark complexion, having dark
brown moustache, and is apparently about
thirty eight or forty years old
At 10 o clock yesterday morning Mr.. Null
was reported dying, and Drs. klink and Smith
expected his death at any moment and did
not think he could live the day out.