National Republican., 1885-04-01
"cuRoNlcLnn OFFICE FIGHT.

Mr.. Thonpsons AssaiInnts Held for
tho Grand Jury-The Defense De-
clare lie Fired First.
Joshua G. Wright and r. G. Sims were
held for the grand jury by Judge Smell
yesterday on the charge Of committing q
deadly assault upon John O. Thompson,
proprietor Of the Sunday Chronicle, In the
lattcr's office on March 8. Drs Bliss and
Walter were the first witnesses called,
the former testifying to the apparent Sc
verify of tho wounds three days after
their inAiction, and the latter that they
were comparatively slight when origi-
nally received.
The defendant was then called, and ro-
lated his version OF the difficulty as pub
| lished at the time. He was sitting In his
small private Office talking with Robert
| f. Simms when Capt. Sims came In and
insisted upon an answer TO written de-
mand from Wright for words used In tho
morning by Thompson. He told Sims he
had no time then TO attend 10 the matter,
and requested him TO leave. Upon this
| Wright entered, knife in hand, and
Thompson opened fre with pistol no
had sent for on being threatened by him
| III Nho WIlkub huu plulo
crushed him to the ground, the latter
holding him down while the former cut
him.
Mr. g. Maurice Smith, who appeared for
Sims, cross-oxamined Thompson, and
called for the production Of his clients
hostile note. The prosecuting witness
had heard Of Sims's desperate character
from bis own mouth while tho latter was
In his employ, he having confessed TO
cutting a man in Brazil, for which he was
njail.
Robert F. Simms, n printer employed by
Mr.. Thompson, aud who was with him
whom the difficulty took place, corrob-
Grated his testimony In tho main. He
added that Frank Simms, foreman for Il,
II. Darby, drove Wright aud Sims out
with an iron wrench, Witness had his
arm cut In trying to defend bis employer
On cross. examination the witness said he
had been drinking but was sober.
W. j. Armstrong testified to hearing
Wrights throat TO make Thompson swal
low his words. andiwarnod the latter. Jar
is-Mouldon, an employe Of the Chronicle
testified to a threat made by Wright later
in tho day to "6K Thompson before
night"
The prosecution having rested it's case
the defense called John A. Dawson, m
employe at Darby's In, tho same building
who testified that he aud Wright wer,
talking at the foot of tho stairs leading t.
the office when the first shot was fired,
and that the third ono nearly struck
Wright as he entered the office to rescue
: his friend Sims. Robert L. Simms wal
very much intoxicated. Ayouth, named
Dougherty, employed by Mr.. Thompson
testified to getting tho pistol from Sims
who had taLan n frnm Thnn,naon An,
other Chronicle employe, named Zeiglor
said he was In the room when the trouble
commenced, but left on Thompson draw
ing his pistol when Sims would not 20,
" The defendant Sims was then placed OF
the stand and said that when he insisted
on an answer to Wrights note Thompson
drow his pistol and opened fire at him
He had loft Wright on the street and di'
not see him in the room until after tn
r firing commenced.
]. {. Wright, the other defendant, tes
titled to the morning interview whom
according to his version, Thompson called
him and his landlady "d-d frauds.
and replied to his remark about maxim
= him swallow the words and sending
friend up by saying, "Pll shoot his d
head off," Witness was standing in th
, street talking to Dawson when the frs
. shot was fred and barely escaped the thir
as he entered. He denied the threat
Mouldcn, but acknowledged having cut
man in Brazil, explaining that he had
I claim against the government there fc
: the subsequent imprisonment. +.
McMichael, George b, Seymour, and Ma.
j. w. Walker (Wright's counsel) testifie
d 10 the good character OF both defendant
l. Both counsel for the defense made argl
d monts. but their clients were held.