National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-06-02
LANGSTON'S TRIAL.
The Evidence All in, and a Verdict Expected
This Evening,
The Prisoners Father Tells How He Sem
for Tits Son.

Frank Langston, charged with the killing of
james Spencer on the night of the 4th of
March last, was completed last Saturday in
the criminal court, and it is expected that
the Jury will receive IL to-day. When
the trial was resumed before Justice Mac
Arthur, VIM. Dom was recalled aud testified
that he did not speak to the driver Of the car
at tho time IL was being turned on the turn
table. Armstead Turner, also recalled by the
defense, testified that he had always heard
Langston spoken Of in the highest terms.
James Wood private Waterman at Ricks's
park, testified that Lnugston had been in the
habit of borrowing revolvors from him TO
| take home at night and returned them i'll the
morning a pistol was shown to witness, and
he said it was one he had loaned to Lang
ston and aftcrward gave to the officer.
John A. Whitlow, barkeoper at Ricks's
hotel. testified that he knew Langston, and
| that he was in the habit of borrowing revolt
vers from the witness. When Langston first
commenced borrowing pistol he said he had
been run aftor two or three times in tine park
going home.
Ralph Wormley, Thomas Chase, and Powell
Winslow testified that Dennis Williams was
| troublesome when drinking,
! George Arnold testified that Langston was
one Of the bost.munnered young men in the
| city.
Mrs Sarah Fidlcr, the aunt of the defend
ant, testified thar he was the only male mem-
Der of the family home ut night. On tho
afternoon previous to the casualty Langston
came homo about o'clock. While at dinner
| he said that he was going to attend tho
Bethel literary that evening. Shortly after
| he left the house tho witness, Mrs. Langston
and Mrs. Holland started to go to Lincoln
hall, and when they reached the hospital
grounds they were told that two men were
shot Mrs Langston, knowing that her son
had passed through the park, inquired ut tho
hospital gate and DR.. Shadd told her that it
was not her son that was hurt They then
went on to Lincoln hall, and while there
were called out and told of the trouble the
defendant was in. She was SO alarmed that
she knew little Transporting afterward. She
saw her nephew and said, FRANKIE, had you
not better give yourself up?" His mother
said, mo" Frank said, Mamma, just ms
you say"
Miss Jane NJ. Porcval, who has resided
with the family Of MIR. Langston for the past
twenty-one years, testified that she had
known Frank all his life. He was 20 years
old last March. Ho was very timid boy.
Mrs Jennie Hollands testimony was q cor
roboration of that given by Mrs. Fidler.
! Prof John ". LangstOn, United States
minister to Hayti, testified that no was in
| Port-au-PrinCe when the homicide took place.
He had enjoyed leave of absence and
returned to his post of duty. He read an
account of tho affair in tho papers. lie
received q fow sympathizing letters from
friends AS soon as the government granted
| him leave and he could he left his post,
reaching New York on the LIST of May and
this city the next morning. As soon as he
learned where his son was and the next day
after the witnesses arrival here he telegraphed
| for him to return home. At that time tho
witness had no knowledge of the facts in tho
| az no pOull he the
authorities and told Officer Rhodes that he
would get his son here as soon as he could.
The witness took Officer Rhodes with him to
| the depot to meet his son and he took charge
of him finally.
With that evidence submitted the defense
| announced their case closed.
In rebuttal the government called Eugene
Sullivan, bartender Mt Shehey's, Patrick
Shehey, and William Jones, who testified
that they did not see Williams take more
than one drink. Shelley said Williams's rep
utation for peace was good.
Andrew Streets was recalled, and in con-
tradiction of Dom said his was the only
car that came up during the difficulty and
before the firing and that no person spoke to
him. james Roland, another car driver,
testified that he did not take his car to the
turn table until after the firing.
Preston Harris John Terry, Cornelius
Hatch, Philip Bird. William Toliver, Louis
|
man testified that Dennis Williams enjoyed
u reputation for peace and good order. ThOs,
Robinson and Robert Mason testified that
they were with Spencer the afternoon of tho
day he was shot aud he was sober.
Susan West testified that she saw Spencer
twice on the afternoon in question aud nc
WAS sober.
Andrew b. Cole testified that he could moi
remember whether he saw w. IL. Dom that
night or not He did not have any CONVEX
sation with him.
Edward Bontz testified to knowing Dom
but did not see him when the shooting tool
place. lie had no conversation with Dom
that night.
Mrs. Tensa Spencer was recalled, and con
tradicted the testimony of Armstead Turne
as to statements Dennis Williams made t.
her.
This closed the evidence in the case, ant
the trial was adjourned until this morning
when the law will be presented aud argumen
| follow.