Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-17
BACON HELDFOR MURDER
DEATH or HIS VICTIM IN FRI
DAY NIGHTS AFFRAY.

The CorOner's investigation and the
Jury's Verdict-The Drake Girl I'm
likely to Recover from Her wounds
Bacon in Jail to Await the Action of
the Grand Jury.
The negro Warren Williams, one OF the
victims Of last Friday nights stabbing
affray on York street lane, died yesterday
morning. The wound was across the
abdomen, and little hope was entertained
OF his recovery. In the afternoon Coroner
Dixon summoned a jury and held an
inquest.
There were several witnesses who saw
Bacon when he cut the girl Susie Drake
and started 20 run away The attack on
the girl was prompted by Jealousy.
Bacon was not present at the inquest,
being in jail, whore he has renamed since
Saturday morning. six witnesses were
examined.
Alonzo l.. Jones was the first called.
He testified that about 9:4j O'Clock on
Friday night ne met James Bacon, Katie
jackson and smith Herbert, all colored,
on the corner Of Habersham street and
York street lane. He heard the Jackson
woman tell Bacon that she had heard that
he had threatened to Kill Susie Drake.
The latter was standing near. Williams
was called by Kate to prove that Bacon
had repeatedly passed up and down the
Sane during the evening. Bacon denied
the charge, and turning 10 the girl asked
her if she was afraid OF him. Her reply
was, Eyes, / am afraid Of YOU
The next moment he appeared TO push
the girl, and before anybody could inter
fere be bad knocked her down and was
striking her. AS he sprang away and
started to run down the lane, she scream
ed ''murder," and cried that she was cut.
The witness and Warren Williams
started in pursuit. Near the corner OF
Price street and the lane Bacon turned,
aud with the bloody knife with which he
had Just stabbed the girl, made thrust
at Williams, who was close upon his
heels Closing with Williams, Bacon
forced him to the ground and cut him the
second time. Picking up stick the
witness struck Bacon and knocked him
down three times in succession. When
Bacon got up the third time he ran Oh
again in the direction Of Houston street.
VIM. Page, who lives on York lane, be-
tween Houston and Price streets, testi-
fed that he heard a noise in the lane on
the night In question, and ran out TO see
what it was about. lie saw n man run
ming toward him with a crowd in close
pursuit The witness attempted to stop
tue fugitive, who made a motion at the
witness with his hands, but Page could
not say that Bacon had knife.
Charles Lawson, who caught Bacon,
stated that he pursued him some distance.
When he overlook Bacon he knocked him
down, aud held HIM until policeman
came up.
Officer John Arnold, who made the ar
rest, stated that Bacon told him on the
way 10 the barracks that he would not
have cut Williams had he known who he
was.
Smith Herbert cOrroborated the evil
denUe Of the other witnesses in regard TO
the cutting Of the girl.
william J. Gels, who found the knife,
stated that he picked il up in the lane,
near Houston street, soon after the cut
ting.
DIR. i. r. CorsOn, who was first called,
and who attended Williams up to the
time Of his death, stated that he found
about feet Of the larger bowel and
portion Of the omentum prOtruding from
The wound when he arrived. There was
also q slight cut on the left shoulder.
Death resulted from blood poisoning
caused by the wound.
The verdict read: "The said Warren
Williams came TO his death from a knife
wound inflicted by James Bacon, and we,
the jury, consider it MURDER
Williams was % years old, lived in
York street lane, and was a respectable
and an Industrious cOlored man.
The girl, Susie Drake. whom Bacon
wanted to live with, is still in a critical
condition from wounds in the back and
groin.
The weapon is large.sized pocket
knife, with two long blades.
Bacon will be held for murder.