Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-30

The interest in the trial of William E. Lee
for the murder of John 7. hatcher was mani
tested by the crowded condition of the lobby
yesterday. The defendant is represented by
Messrs. Marshall and EIphinstone, while the
prosecution is being looked after by Messrs.
Burleigh, Porter and E. A. Montooth. The
first witness called was Mrs. Annie hatcher,
wife of the murdered man, who testified to
her husband being AZ years old. She last
saw him in good health on August q, at
A. NJ, when he left home. DR.. Blystone,
who was resident surgeon at the Homeopath-
ic Hospital, testified to Watchers wounds.
One wound was in the lower left chest, and
the other 20 the left of the spine. DR.. c. P.
Seip corroborated the above, and stated that he
had assisted at the post mortem. A portion of
the spine Of the deceased was produced and
shown to the jury. Either of the wounds would
John b. McElroy saw the deceased lying in
his rear Office ten minutes after he was shot.
He was suffering greatly.
Robert Thompson had made plan of Match
er's Office, which was offered in evidence. j.
h. Iytle worked for Mr.. hatcher and saw Lee
in the Office several times When he came
back from dinner on the day of the shooting
Lee was in the Office, but went away when he
found that hatcher was not in. Lee returned
about O'Clock. and had short talk with Mr..
hatcher and invited him into the back
room. They went into the room, and
went away and did not see the shooting. L. c.
Mccormack worked for Mr.. hatcher He was
on the second floor of the shop when the shoot
ing occurred. There were not over 20 seconds
between the shots. He ran to the front and
looked out, and saw Lee walking down toward
Wood street. He then ran downstairs and saw
Mr.. hatcher living on the floor. He was trying
20 1nnd Nv
Watchers clothes. He helped to pick Mr..
hatcher up, and carry him into the back
Office.
LEES TELL-TALE REMARK
The witness had met Lee about l:30 and Lee
told him about hatcher owing him money, and
he said: 'T will drive the big fellow out of
town; will do him up" When hatcher was in
the back room he said to witness: MAC, Lee
has shot me. didn't think the dirty cur would
do it"
Henry Derby was also employed by Mr.
hatcher. He heard the shooting and helped
carry Mr.. hatcher into the back room. The
deceased also told him that Lee had shot him,
using the same words that he did to the former
witness. hatcher also said TO him: Il saw the
revolver, but didn't think he would shoot;'
and also said that he thought it was all up with
him and said that the shot had been fired
when he turned around to wipe his face.
John Cannon, a messenger boy, with the
Holmes Company, was passing Natcher's
Office when he heard the first shot, and looked
across the street, thinking the shot was from
there. After the second shot. which was about
30 seconds after the first, he turned and looked
into Natcher's Office. Lee was standing with
his back to the door, but he turned and came
out. The witness saw the revolver in Lees
hand; it was smoking at the chamber and end
of the barrel. Lee started to walk leisurely
toward Wood street, and placed the revolver in
his right hip pocket The witness ran into
Natcher's Office, and heard Mr.. hatcher saw
Lee has shot me-" Witness then ran for the
police.
Alexander Floyd, coIored man who works
near the place. heard the two shots and saw
Lee .sming down the street and place the re-
volver in his right hip pocket. Witness went
into Watchers office and saw the deceased
lying on the floor. He then started after Lee.
but the defendant had disappeared. Witness
again saw Lee on Second avenue about 4
o'clock, but did not attempt to arrest him.
SAW WATCHER ON THE FLOOR.
Witness thought that Lee was dishgurcd
about the face. Joseph Mosier works at l12
Second avenue, just opposite Natcher's. He
heard the shots. He looked across and saw
hatcher lying on the floor. He went to the
patrol stable and notified the police. Witness
said the door of Watchers office was open.
William Cooper corroborated the above, except
that he thought the door was shut. He did not
see Lee leaving the place.
Frank McCleary's place of business was Just
opposite Watchers. He heard the shots.
About five seconds before the second shot he
heard a voice which he took for Mr.. Natcher's
say ''Oh don't" He saw man going toward
Wood street, and noticed him trying to put
something in his hip pocket. Witness did not
know whether it was the defendant or not.
John Gripp. Esq, was next called, and testified
that he was called to the Homeopathic Hos
pital between and A. NJ. to take Natcher's
dying deposition. When asked the question as
to whether he thought he was going to die
hatcher said that he thought he would
not The witness then refused
TO take the deposition and
started away, but was called back, and hatcher
then said he thought he was going to die. Two
of the hospital physicians and two nurses were
in the room at the time the deposition was
taken. Witness said he was very careful to
take everything as it was said, and that the
the deposition was written it was read to the
deceased, who said it was all right, and then
he signed it and was sworn to it.
The declaration was then submitted as evil
dence. The defense objected to one clause
where the deceased said he did not know that
Lee was going to shoot. The objection was
oHerruled, and the deposition was read to the
Aleese. Inspector Of the First Police District
testified to seeing Lee in the Central station
and having conversation with him in which
the defendant said that hatcher tried to do
him up, and that he wouldn't allow
any man to do him up. He also
tried to beat him out of it. The defendant also
expressed regret for the act Roger O'Mara
and Phillip Demmil testified to the arrest of
the defendant also identified the revolver
found on Lee. Adam Weiss testified to seeing
Lee pass through Bradley's store on the corner
of Second avenue and Wood street in the after
noon after the murder. After examining this
Nrifness court adiournad until this morninQ