National Republican., 1883-04-27
THREE Fights AND A FIGHT.
Tho story OF a Poker Gamo and Many
Bloody Cuts on II. S. Webb's Body.
ISperLaL Dispdich


ANNAPOLIS, April 26.--In the circuit court
to-day, before Judges Miller and Smith, the
case of VIM. w. Wilmington, who is charged
with assaultipg with intent to kill Hamilton
G. Webb, of the eighth district, came up for
trial. Webb is well known democratic poll
tician of the county, and good deal of in
terest is being taken in the case. Webb re-
ceived fifteen wounds about his body, and it
was feared that he could not survive the in
juries inflicted by Wilmington. The diff
Guilty arose over game of cards, in which
Wilmington, Webb, and number of others
took part.
Wilmington is plasterer by trade. He is
fine looking man, of perhaps 80 years of
age, and is married. His wifo was present
in court to-day, also brother, Leonidas Whit
tington, of Baltimore. Webb, the injured
man, was also in court. Between thirty and
forty witnesses have been summoned in the
case, among them a number of the leading
citizens of the eighth district, who are to
prove the good character of the accused.
Wilmington had heretofore pleaded not
guilty to the charge, and the case was taken
up to-day without interruption. The jury
was obtained from the regular panel, with
Julian Bremen foreman. Friends of both
parties were present in large numbers, and
the court room was crowded with interested
spectators. Ex-Judge William II. Tuck and
James Revell defended Wilmington, and
James II. Hodges and S, Thomas Mccullough
conducted the prosecution. The state claimed
conviction on the first count of the indict-
ment, charging assault with intent to kill,
while the defense in their opening state
ment held that the cutting was justifablel
William Beale Owens, farmer, wa, the
| first witness examined for the state. He tes-
titled that on the evening of the difficulty
| Webb and Wilmington were playing cards
for drinks. Somebody proposed poker, and
| five persons entered the game including
Webb, Wilmington, and witness. The ante
was five cents, the limit so cents. Webb
made the first bet, of 25 cents. Wilmington
raised it 25 cents Whereupon Webb re-
marked, 81 have got to see your hand"
Wilmington replied, "I have three eights.
Webb continued, ''that don't satisfy me; |
have only seen three cards, and call your
| hand" About $1.20 was on the table, which
Webb covered with his hand, saying to Whit
tington, "you can't have the money til. see
your hand" Wilmington said to Webb either
| you are d-d rascal " o" q id scoundrel' y
and told him he could keep the money. Webb
took the money and was putting it in his vest
pocket after having showed his hand of cards,
when Wilmington repeated the epithet to
| him, when Wilmington and Webb clinched
and the fighting began. Wilmington had
the underhold and his head was on Webb's
| breast. Did not notice whether Wilmington
| had anything in his hands before he left the
table. The difficulty was over in minute.
Wilmington left the room almost instantly.
Witness noticed that Webb's overcoat had
been cut, which was the first iutimaton he
had of the cutting, and afterward saw some
blood on his neck. Webb did not pay much
attention to it, remarking that it was only a
scratch and started for home, but fell
William p. Leitch, b. W. Dowell, II. II.
Smith, and DR.. N. S. Knighton gave testimony
not materially differing from the story told
by Owens. The doctor found a cut on Webb's
hip six and u half inches long and two inches
| deep. The trial will be resumed tomorrow.