The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-24
SUNDAYS HOMICIDE.
INQUEST IN THE DRUAKELLER
DOHERTY SHOOTING AFFRAY.
A Large Number Of witnesses Examined.
The Tragedy the Result Of Drunken
spree-The Shooting Pronounced Justi-
fable and the Accused Released on Ball.


spree-The Shooting Pronounced Justi
Gable and the Accused Released on Ball
The TINES Sunday morning outlined
a brief statement to the effect that at l:3(
that morning John l.. Drumheller hat
shot and killed John Doherty.
Drumheller keeps a grocery and bar
room at the corner OF Duval and Second
streets. About 8 am, the Coroner beina
notified, went to the scene aud had the
body OF Doherty removed to the Aims
house. In the meantime Drumheller hac
surrendered himself to the police at the
Third station.
THE CORoNERs INQUEST.
Sunday, at 8 pm, Coroner Taylor
made post mortem examination and found
that the bullet had entered the centre ol
Doherty's breast, passed through the
lungs and heart and lodged between two
ribs in the back Death was instantane
Gus. The weapon was five's shooter
80 calibre.
A Jury was summoned, and at O'Clock
the examination of witnesses proceeded
at the Almshouse.
Thomas r. Thornton was the lrst wit
ness. He said about l O'Clock am. Sun
day he, Walter Napier, and John
DOherty went to Drumheller's store to
get drink; went in, stood around
awhile, and went out, Drumheller re-
fusing to sell. A second time went there,
but could not get in. All went in the
gate on Duval street did not jump the
fence Drumheller would not let us in ;
he and Doherty had some words, result
ing in Doherty being shot; don't know
whether Doherty went up stairs or not.
Napiers testimony was about the
same as Thornton's. He did not see a
blow struck; leaned up against a post
with my head leaning towards the floor.
DRUMHELLER's TESTIMONY.
John l.. Drumheller, who did the shoot
ing, said about 12 o'clock Saturday night,
after closing my front doors, heard a
knocking at the rear door. Mr.. John
Mason and William Shortell were In the
bar at the time having taken drink and
lit their cigars preparatory TO going
home. ! went through the dining room
to the rear door, looked out, and saw Mr..
John Doherty. said, "you cant come
in He seized my arm and tried to push
past me with the remark, Let me in,
John, and treat me like gentleman" |
said, 81 try TO treat every one like q
gentleman, but you can't come in"
With these words showed him out. lie
stood outside, kicked the door violently,
saving, You had better come and let me
in" I said, John, you had better geI
away from there If you don't 60 away
there is a way 10 make you go away"
Ho asked, "What way is thstf' | said,
81 could have YOU arrested for trespass-
ing on my premises" He said, "Trespass
and be ID, but come here minute, |
want to talk with you; if you won't
talk 10 me, treat me as a gentleman.
said, go away, l am eating"
He said, 80, come here minute.
| said, Il am going to bed" He said,
"Well, go to hell, then; do you hear
that? If YOU won't let me in and be
friendly with me, | won't be friendly
with you, and will do you all the damage
| can" While that conversation was 60
ing on, or some time during that conver-
sation, Napier and Thornton came in the
gate. heard some one say then, "Oh,
hell, if we can't get In there, | reckon by
God we can go up stairs" With that all
three Of them went stumbling along up
the steps After speaking with my wife
and hearing kicking and pushing at the
upstairs door, | went out and went up
stairs. When reached the porch land.
ing | found Doherty, Thornton, and
Napier standing on the landing. / heard
my negro waiter, Sheep, who attends TO
the room for me say. Don't you come In
here, don't you come in here" | said
No, don't let them in." When / said
that Mr.. John Doherty turned around
caught me In the collar, and says, "You
Cd d-n - -, I've mind to shoot
you few anyway right in the face"
said, "Oh, no, John, don't do that &c
out quietly and peaceably. and if you
want TO see me, come to my place OF bust
ness Monday morning, and ! will see
YOU" He said, What, do you think
you can lick lie ?" / said, mo; ! have
no reference to anything of the kind, but
il YOU want to see me, come to my place
of business Monday morning." Allthree
then turned and went down the step:
and out of the gate. then came down
locked up. Mason, ShOrtell and SheeI
left, and | barred the gate. Later, as my
wife and | were about to go upstairs
someone kicked at the gate once OF
twice. Someone said, John Drumhel
ler," and | heard someone climbing the
fence. After doing this they came across
the yard, kicked on my door, and ther
went upstairs. Fearful OF injury, go,
nv pistol and went upstairs and found
them in the house. Went in the room
and found Napier asleep by the fire, and
Doherty and Thornton walking around
the room. Woke Napier, told him to &c
home. Doherty jerked me and said
"Oh, let the man alone" Told Do
herty | ran licensed house, and
he must leave, OF would have hin
arrested for trespass. walked to the
door, went downstairs, unbolted the gate
and invited them out. Doherty walked
over, saying, John, give me pint any
how before l CO." ] said, mo, sir; you
can't get it," He then said, "You G-dd-n
-, take that" When ne struck me
the first time retreated from the door,
where | was standing. He followed the
first blow by second while / was back
ing from the door. As got to the edge
of the porch he drew back again, follow