Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-11-29
Preliminary Hearing.

tuesday, before justice 10. r. Morgan
was held the preliminary hearing in the
case Of the State VS.. w. Oscar Swami
charged with assaulting James T. Blair
with intent to kill.
Ernest Blackstone was the first witness
sworn. He testified: II was at Bowling's
Store on the night of the difficulty. Saw
Jim Blair there. Saw Mr.. Swami also.
saw Mr.. Oscar Swami strike Mr.. Blair
with the bar of the door. The bar was q
wooden one. l was on the porch when the
blow was struck. l saw Mr.. Blair and
Mr.. Swami walk in the Store. Saw Mr..
Swami come out with the bar of the door
in his hand. Mr.. Blair was standing in
the doorway. Swami struck Mr.. Blair and
knocked him down. Mr.. Blair had his
hands down and was not advancing on
anyone. Blair was not much under the
influence of liquor and was talking quietly
when l heard him. / didn't hear Mr..
Swami make any remarks. There were
wild times in the Store. Shooting going
on in there. ! saw one or two balls run
ming up and down the floor. When the
fuss commenced jumped the counter and
went in room. Could see flashes of pistols
running up and down the floor. Thought
it was getting too lively for me and went
out of the Store. When Blair fell he fell
as dead as l ever saw a man. think he
was struck on the left. side of the head.
left Blair in Store and, with Mr. John
Dean, went after the doctor" On cross
examination Blackstone testified: Saw
Swami coming out Of the Store with the
bar of the door in his hand. Don't know
whether Blair had anything in his hand or
not. Didn't know whether there had been
any prior trouble between the men. New
er heard either man say anything. Swami
came out of the door pretty fast. saw
no one between him and Blair.
John Dean was the next witness. He
testified: was at Milestown. l saw Mr..
Blair and Mr.. Swami there. Didn't see
Swami strike Blair. Saw Swami and Blair
when they came in the Store from off the
porch. When they got in Store, Swami
jerked away from Blair. Dudley Davis
was trying to push Jim in Store and the
boy out. Heard Swami say, Let him
alone can settle him" Jim stood by
the counter for couple of minutes and
then walked 10 the door. heard the lick
but didn't see who hit him. Blair did not
speak a word. Frank Bowling and Jim
Swami picked him up and laid him on the
counter. The doctor came 20 see him ST
the Store. went after the doctor and
came back a little ahead Of him. Blair
was under the influence of liquor. When
Blair went 10 the door his hands were down
and did not see him advancing on any
one. Everything was pretty lively, drink
ing and going on. Iheard two pistols fired.
Didn't see who fired them. Never heard
Blair say anything. When Blair and
Swami came into the door together Blair
had hold Of Swann's arm. Boy jumped
away from him. On cross examination
this witness said, that Blair did not seem To
be pulling boy in. Didn't see anything in
Blair's hand Didn't know whether Blair
fired pistol or not
Edward Yates was sworn. He testified
| was going out Of the door and met Mr..
Blair and Swami coming in. l hadn't
more than gotten out the door when saw
Swami with the bar | wondered what
that meant looked over my shoulder
and saw Blair's head ointing ont of the
door. Next / knew Blair was hit and
down l didn't see anything but Blair's
head and the lick slap him. lie fell per-
tectly dead. l said to Swami, "there, you
have killed the man" He never said any
thing, but kept on out Blair was drinking
a litile-could stand on his feet Didn't
see him quarrelling with the man. On
cross-examination, said, Couldn't tell you
leading part Of the thing. Heard every
body talking loud. Heard pistols fired in
the store. Mr.. Bowling asked who fired (!
No one would own il II was about 10,
1890 or II O'Clock. Didn't hear any more
noise from Blair than anyone else.
Bernard Owens was next sworn and tes-
titled: don't know anything about it
was standing at counter When l turned
around saw Blair lying down.
Frank Slye sworn Testified: l am
clerk for Mr.. Bowling. saw Mr. Blair