Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-02-06

I
out into the room to investigate the cause of
disturbance. Met Ayers returning from
the door. Enquired the cause Of trouble.
Said a couple of the boys were drunk and
were bothering and disturbing the men at
their cases and that he had put them out
Had side-stick in his hand. Went back to
bis duties. / did the same. In from fifteen
to thirty minutes heard voices at the foot of
the stairs. Then heard footsteps upon the
stairs. Then a halt on the landing. The
door-latch raise and heard footsteps inside the
printing Office. Heard footballs coming in
the opposite direction. Went into the
room where the noises were. Saw Williams
standing within fifteen or twenty feet Of the
outside door. He was, in loud and excited
tones, declaring that his name was VIII
liams, and in a challenging manner saying,
put HE out will you, Cd d-m you put me
out, Ayers came in the exit door and
rushing towards Williams caught him with
both hands about the middle of the body. A
go-as-you-please struggle then ensued. The
| men were quite evenly matched. thoughAyers
gained some ascendency and gradually
worked Williams TO the door. Neither
struck at the other during this time. was
within five or six feet of them. Canno.
swear certainly that Ayers had nothing in
his hands at this time, but will swear I'M
qualifedly that he did not have a side-stick
| in either hand. According to best recol!ec-
tons Williams caught upon the door casing
and there made last struggle before they
| passed out into the hall. Think he was I'M
der the influence Of liquor. Heard Williams
here CRY out in frenzied tones, "Tll shoot
you. I'll kill you. I'll cut you. I'll cut
HI out of you" 1 was excited and agita-
ted. Did not see knife. Could see moth
ing after they passed through The door, as it
was dark. Saw Mr.. Lon Miller pass me
with sde-stick in his hand. Saw VII
liams seine time afterward. At room
in house opposite the fremont house. I was
in company of three policemen. Williams
collar and back of head were bloody. Said
hello, boys, to the police, and profered his
hand Then said, putting his hand to his
head, see what he did TO me.
Lon Miller, printer: General evidence the
same in essential particulars as the prosecut-
ing witness, Ayers. | took side-stick and
went to Ayers assistance. When 1 reached
the door Ayers said, Miller, am cut. gave
him the side-stick. He went out with it.
Heard sounds like blows, and as though a
body was falling down stairs.
Cross-examination During the struggle
Williams hands were flying around pro-
miscuously. Did not put them on casing OF
door, but shoulder caught there. Ayers did
not have side-stick until gave it to him.
Did not see S. S. Miller near the door.
F. F. Kellogg, printer: Was in company
with Williams and Ford and Blackman or
night of November 3, 1884. Was down in
alley with them. Took drinks together.
Met them later. They said they had been ~
in the Office and Ayers had put them out
Was ut foot of Office stairway. Said the,
we're going back and that he would not dare
to again put them out. Had liquor on ou'
persons and drank some of il. Williams
took out rather small knife and opened ii
Said if Ayers again attempted to put hin
| out he would "cut his damn CUTS out.
Asked Backman and myself to go along NJ
into the office. We declined and advised
them not TO go. Would get into trouble
and lose situation. They started up and
we followed half way up, where We halted.
Are YOU towards? No. Then come on.
Passed into office with them. Ayers put
Ford out. Williams declared be would Gu,
and shoot. Ayers had no side stick until
Lon Miller came. Saw knife in Williams
hard during struggle.
Blackman, printer, corr oborated Kellogg,
except did not see Williams have knife a,
foot Of stairs. Heard nothing about cutting
until got up stairs. Did not see knife in
Williams hand during struggle.
;. 5. Miller recalled: Do not know what
WAS said at foot of stairs. Could not distin-
| way.
The prosecution rested their case and j. j.
Williams, the defendant, was called to the
stand. Went TO the Office first for an over
coat and the second time for a drink ofwater.
Ayers said to Ford, get out or I'll split your
head with this side stick. He then put Ford
out. was walking around quietly while
Ford was being put out. Was not anticipa-
good fridnds. | had no intention of cutting
him. Ayers came in and caught me by the
throat and struck my hat and head with side
stick. Ayers and Lon Miller both had side
sticks. Ayers struck me three times inside
the room. Once on head and twice on the
shoulder.
Characterization: l drew my knife after
| was struck the first blow. II was small
struck me told him would cut him. |
then opened the knife and used it. When |
used it he had me by the throat and had me
pushed up against the wall. l did not hear |
Kellogg or Blsckman warn me at the foot OF |
stairs not to go up into the Office the second |
time. | did not think Of fight. wen, |
ahead up the stairs. | WAS struck five times |
three times by Ayers and twice by Lon |
Miller Held knife between thumb and in
dex finger and was feeling around with it. |
Did not take drink of liquor with the crowd |
at the foot of stairs. Did not exhibit knife |
there or make threats. Came here from
Lincoln, Neb. Went there from jackson
vile, III. Moved there from St Joe. No.
and moved to that place from my birthplace
ard home, Douglasville. Texas. Ayers or
Col. Murdoch never told me not to go TO the
office when off duty.
The deposition Of Charles Ford was read
and it agreed in all essential particulars up
to the time he was put out of the Office with
that of Williams.
This WAS the extent of evidence for the
defence. The judge presented the law bear
ing upon the case in an able, clear and ex-
haustive manner. Frank Dale consumed
thirty minutes in strong and very able
speech for the prosecution and then court
adjourned. The concluding speeches BY
Stanley and Wall and the final by Mr.. Dale
viii be made this morning and doubtless
before night J. J. Williams will know his
fate
POLICE COURT.