Omaha daily bee., 1888-03-04
IT WAS A WILLFUL MURDER.
Such Is tho Verdict In the Ryan
Howard Case.
THE TESTIMONY DEVELOPED.
Eleven Witnesses Give Some Damag-
ing Evidence Before the Coro-
ner's Jury-The Court Room
Crowded With Spectators.
IL Waa Not Accidental.

SIX of the fellOw-men of Frank b. Ryan,
the slayer Of Mrs. Helen Howard, sat at the
coroner's inquiry held last night and unani-
mously agreed that the killing was done by
him with "felonious intent, malice and afore-
thought The inquest was conducted in the
p0lice court, and long before o'clock the
spectators cage was crowded TO overliowing,
md the main room was filled with witnesses
and favored friends Of the police who stood
guard over the respective approaches and
entrances. Those who were unable to gain
m entrance stood on the outside, peered
through the windows and blocked up the
sidewalks. County Attorney Simeral and
his assistant, MIR. Gurley, who conducted the
prosecution, were on hand early, and waited
the coming Of Coroner Drexel. Judge L. H.
: bradley, who knew Ryan in Spring
field, H., was also on hand at q
: reasonable hour, and informed the reporters
that he had written to Ryan's brothers in
Springfield to come on to Omaha at once and
arrange the details for his trial.
, Shortly after z o'clock Ryan was brought
In from his cell in the central station adioin-
ing the police court and took seat beside
. his counsel He appeared cool and collected,
but as he gazed among the audience and his
eyes Icll Oh tuc dScu anu Veucrduic iutucr VI
. his victim and also her husband, he became
unnefved and showed signs Of guilt and fear.
His voice was husky and inaudible when he
attempted to answer the questions put by
Judge Bradley, which were mainly as TO how
he felt and il he was getting what he wished
20 eat. To the latter interrogation Ryan re-
piled that his appetite was not the best, and
THAT he craved but little for food.
!. Upon the arrival Of Coroner Drexel the
Curry were Immediately seated and the in
yestigation commenced. Upon the sugses-
witnesses were sworn together, and as the
aeleven fled before the desk Ryan partially
turned his head to one side. This was
doubtless prompted by the appearance OF
sMrs. Scott, the dead woman's mother; How.
.0rd, her husband, and Miss Scott, half
sister of the deceased. AS Mrs. Scott came
In to be sworn she caught glimpse of Ryan,
and uttered subdued but painful scream.
After the eleven We're sworn oy the coroner
they returned to their seats, and Mrs. Scott,
who was evidently Frustrated, laid her head
on the shoulder OF her bereaved son-in-law,
whose features were telltale of his anguish.
The testimony was OF highly sensational
character, and was listened TO throughout
with the greatest of interest. The husband
Of the dead woman displayed considerable
venom, and Miss Scott talked rapidly and
emphasized all the damaging points
0gainst the prisoner. Old Mrs. Scot
swss terribly worked up, and caused sensa-
t,on when she turaed to Ryan while giving
ANr evidence, and said:
q 'You swors to kill her, YOU blackleg; you
know you did, and you've done it, you
villain" tf
:. This scoring seemed to have but little
effect on Ryan, who had Just before been Oh
She stand and recited his experience and
Illicit relations with Mrs. Howard in mat
ssr Of fact way, and with loafsrish SLAMS
accompaniment
. Dr. Aver, upon taking the stand, testified
- having made post mOrtem on the body OF
bfn Howard. Her dsath YVES caused BY I