Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-30
JOHN OAKLEY DEAD.
THE SHOT FROM WATCHMAN vii
lIAMS,S PISTOL PROVED FATAL.
Prfsoncr-HabeRs-Corp Writ
Applied For.


Watchman Thomas Williams on the Free
bridge about noon on Wednesday, died
this morning at o'clock.
On the day he received his injuries he
was taken TO his home, No. 1897 Jay street,
which is beyond the corporate limits, ana
was attended by DR.. Tancil (colored).
The physician said when he first exam
ined his patient that the chances of recov-
cry were very slim. The ball was never
located and the Doctor is of opinion thatt
it lodged IN the bladder. He also regarded
the wound on the head, which was inflicted
by the watchman's club. as very serious
and sufficient OF itself TO produce death.
HIS LAST HOURS.
Oakley suffered great pain yesterday
DR.. Tancil was TO see him about 8 O'CLOCK,
and soon after he left tho patient grew
worse and died in great agony. He was
conscious TO his last moments. There was
no physician with him when the end came;
About O'Clock Dispatch reporter visited
the house. There was no lack of sympa-
thizers with the widow and four fatherless
children, for fully twenty colored persons
were in the house.
When the reporter 1rlived the dead man
was being prepared for burial. As he died
in the county it is probable Coroner Lett
witch will view the remains this morning,
but az the man received his wounds IN the
city it is likely that Coroner Taylor Will be
asked to take charge of the case.
WHAT THE WOUNDED MAN SAID.
At all times during his illness Oakley
persisted that ne had been shot without
cause. He would frequently remark, "A
good man has been shot for nothing" 10
his family and friends he stated that he
was going over the Free bridge TO Man.
chester to get some tools, and while pass
ing he saw an old man whom he took TO be
tramp, but who turned out TO be the
watchman. Williams accosted him with
the remark, "Where are you goingY" 10
this Oakley said he replied. None OF
your business" Whereupon the watchman
Jumped up and called him id s-n-
- -. and then advanced towards hum
clnching his fists. Oakley said he told
him: $50 away you are too old for me
TO fight"
HOW HE WAS SHOT.
Mr.. Williams, Oakley said hit him over the
head with his club. and be Oakley PICK
ed up piece of wood and commenced de-
Tending himself The watchman left HIM
and went over TO his house to get his pistol
and as Oakley intended going to Manches-
ter he followed.
Oakley said when Williams reached his
house and obtained the pistol his wife
said "Shoot the black Niger" he hred
and missed him the first time and also the
second, and then shot again, woundlng
him.
This statement of the prisoner was gwen
TO the reporter by the wife of the deceased.
There was no dnfe-naortern statement taken.
BAIIKp REFUSED THE wATcHMAN.
Yesterday morning Justice Crutchfeld,
after hearing the testimony OF some elght
or ten witnesses, including the prisoner
and the physician who attended the dead
man. refused to grant the motion for bail
which was submitted on Thursday by
counsel for Williams.
The case was called in the Police Court
after the regular morning docket had Deeh
disposed Of. The hearing had been fixed
or 1880 O'Clock. but the late arrival OF the
prisoners attorney caused some delay, IL
was 11:20 when the Justice resumed MS
seat on the bench and called the case.
The prisoner was represented by Mr 4.
V, Meredith as counsel, and Common
wealth's Attorney, Fl. NJ. Smith, Jr., ap-
peared for the prosecution.
The courtroom was crowded with large
number of negroes, who watched the pro-
ceedings with marked interest. Many
young lawyers were also present.
OAKLEY LIKELY TO DIE.
Oakley. the wounded man, was unable to
appear and Dr. Il. Z. Tancil (colored), his
physician, testified that his patient was IN
a critical condition and likely to die.
1.-THE chances are against him." he said,
as the wound is in the lower right side of
the abdomen. There is also tiesh-wound
on the head. and one of the fingers Is PAIN
fully hurt"
THE WITNESSES.
The other witnesses examined were
Richard Parsons (colored), Policeman w.
| G. Wilkinson. William b. Kidd. @. L,
Goode, NJ. A. Campbell, Andrew Harrison.
james White (colored). and Peter Wren
(colored.
The prisoner also took the stand and tes
tilted that the shooting was done IN self
defence. His statement accorded with
that made to q Dispdich reporter immediate
| lv upon his arrest which was made about
| an hour after the shooting.
The testimony of nearly ali the witnesses
examined showed that the negro was about
| to strike Mr.. Williams with piece OF tim
| Der, which he snatched from passing lum-
ber-wagon, when the officer used his pis-
tol. Oakley was evidently greatly en-,
Yaeed, and although Mr.. Williams did not
desire TO shoot him, he was forced to do
So as he considered his life in danger.
NOT CERTAIN WHICH SHOT.
The witnesses were unable to state
| which wounded Oakley, as he was stagger-
| ing. either from the lick on hrs head or
| from a pistol-wound when the last report
was heard. The prisoner, however, testi-
| fed that ne did not shoot at Oakley the
| first and second times the pistol was DIS
| charged, and that he supposed the explo-
sion was caused by the blow. on his hand
made by the timber with which the negro
| struck him.
| THE STORIES DIFFER.
Parsons said he was about q square dis
| tant when the shooting occurred: When
| he first saw the two men Oakley. was
prancipg around and Williams had the
pistol IN his hand He had heard two
| pistol-shots ahead Of him. When he heard
| the third one the negro jumped up and
| staggered and told the watchman that he
had Shot him. The latter, witness said;
replied with an oath that ne would Kill
| him.
Mr.. Goode, one of the witnesses for the
defence, said he was riding across the
| bridge on "A lumber wagon when he
| heard q pistol-shOt and heard the ne
gro curse Mr.. Williams, calling him a
| id old -. MIR. Williams ordered
the negro to stop. The negro .ierked a
stick of wood out of wagon that was
passing and was advancing on Mr. Williams
with the stick uplifted when MIR. Williams
| fired and the negro StaSSereu.
The other witnesses corroborated this
statement in the main.
| BAIL REFUSED.
After hearing the evidence and elaborate
argument Justice Crutchfield decided not
to grant bail, and continued the case OF
Mr.. Williams for ten days.
Mr. Meredith said he thought his chent
was entitled to bail. and stated that ne s
| wonld make application To the Judge OF
! the Hustings Court for writ of habeas COR
pus. To avoid the necessity of summon
| ing the witnesses they we're requested TO
be present at the Hustings-Court room
this morning at IL o'clock.