Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-26
THE SHOBER.PHILLIP HOMI.
eide.
The Tragedy That Grew Out Of q Print.
ers' Quarrel-The Trial of William HI.
Phillips.

Ahe case OF william ii. Phillips, indicted fol
manslaughter in having shot and killed James
r. Shober ON the afternoon of October 14th last
near the corner of 10th and D streets, came to
trial in the Criminal Court to-day. Phillips and
Shober were printers employed in the Post com
posing room. The shooting occurred when the
streets In front Of the newspaper offices were
tnronged with people seeking news from the
Ohio election, and created quite sensation.
senator Butler, of South Carolina, and Mr.
campbell Darlington appeared for the prisoner
neauy dressed, good looking young
man of about 26 years; the district attorney and
Mr. Taggart for the government.
slaughter and assault with intent to kill. was
found under section 1924 Of the Revised Stat
utes, and is the first Indictment found under II
here.
The defendant filed motion to quash, on the
ground that the counts of the Indictment were
repugnant, but it was not allowed.
THE JURY.
The Jurors were accepted as they were called
no challenges being made-as follows:-Chas. S.
Denham, Eugene NJ. Chelini, Thos. A. Tolson
VIM. A. Matthews, Clarence A. Ridgely, Madi.
son Jackson, Augustus b. COppes, Reuben Giles
John H. Cassin, G. w. Miller, Peyton Scrivener
Mr.. Worthington opened the case. He said
that on the night Of October 18th Phillips and
Shober had a difficulty, and after they were
They would claim, he said, that Phillips subse-
quently created a difficulty, and that the grand
jury nao dealt merclfully In this case In finding
an indictment for manslaughter.
THE TESTIMONY.
Mr.. John NJ. Coyle testified to the correctness
of diagram Of the Post building and the ada,
cent streets and property.
Leon Crutchett plumber, testified that he
saw Shober the day of the shooting on the 10th
little after two O'Clock. Bray, Moore, McGill
and others were standing there. After some
reference had been made to the difficulty be-
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shober said he would get even, and Bray said
he was ID fool If he didn't get even Sho
Der then spoke Of writing note to Phillips, and
returning, said that Maloney would not take it
up and he got bootblack to do 1t. Witness
thought that they would settle it by fist fight.
Afterwards he saw Phillips coming across the
street with man named Lacy and approached
Shober, Moore, or. 'Skeesicks," following him.
Phillips, when about the center of d street, saw
ing. Warding off Shober. Phillips drew the pis-
tol from his pants pocket and fired, at a dis
and Phillips ran after him. Witness grabbed
Phillips Immediately after Boss grabbed him
and said it was cowardly act. Shober, when
shot, put his hand to his heart and ram
DR.. ]. f. Hartigan testified as to the wound,
and DR.. d. H. Wright as to the death of Shober
Sergeant Robert Johnson, who conveyed
he found no pistol or other weapon on him.
Robert Bray testified to the difficulty ON the
night of the 18th Of October. The next day
the latter told him he would get even with
Phillips if he had to hang for it, or serve two
years in the jail. Witness told him as they
were about evenly matched they ought to have
it out. He then said, "That is what I'll do, and
he wrote the note to Phillips which he sent by
a boot black. Witness afterwards went in the
office for mis- cuffs, and Phillips appeared
worried. He asked witness where "his
jags" was, meaning Shober, and witness
said he was at the corner. Some one
proposed to 90 to Hoy's, and Phillips, Maloney,
Lacy: Moore and witness started. Witness
stairs, and Lacy proposed to go to the other side
of the street, but they kept in the middle of the
street. Some one said, "There's Shober there,
now;'' but Phillips made no response Shober
was leaning against the lamp post, looking west
They then went on, and Shober called, "Phil-
lips, want to talk to YOU" Phillips responded,
81 don't want to see yOu," and motioned him
off. Phillips then drew the pistol and fired and
Shober threw up his hand and called, "Ohw
and ran, Phillips after him, firing four other
shots Phillips on his way to the station house
said he thought he had struck Shober twice
This was in answer to witness question, for he
AS Shober approached, Phillips said, 'sGo back:
don't want anything to do with you"
Edward w. Boss testified to having arrested
Phillips just as he was firing the last Shot
DR.. John Walter testified to the wounds and
death of the deceased.
John NJ. Richards, foreman Of the composing
room of the Post, testified that on the night Of
the 18th saw ShOber on the floor and Phillips
was over him; witness raised Mr.. Shober and
the latter said, with motion of his hands,
I'll kill you for this"
E. V. Rice, George /. Reynolds, Aquilla Allen
and Wilbur F. Mcdaniel described the scene
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