Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-21
McCLELLAND AND HIS PISTOL,
A Coroner's Jury Holds Them Accoant-
able for Henry Benton's Death.


THE sHooTINa-BKSrox SAID TO HAVE BEKS
THE AooREssoR IN THE FATAL MEETING.
Deputy Coroner Schaeffer this afternoon
made post mortem examination Of the body
of Henry Benton. who was shot and killed by
Edward McClelland in South Washington last
night and found that four bullets had entered
the body. A piece Of lead that entered neas
the neck in front proved fatal. The other
three bullets entered the back. Coroner Pat
terson held an inquest over the body at the
sixth Precinct station at o'clock this after
noon.
The prisoner, McClelland, was present and
and seemed to fully realize the seriousness Of
his position.
M'INTosH's STORY OF THE TRAGEDY.
The 6rst witness called was Francis Nc
Intosh, the shoemaker at whose place the
shooting occurred. The old man has been
sick for some time, and he was feeble and
nervous. He testified that last night he was
sitting in his room near the stove when Nc
Clelland came in and asked him how he was.
'He had not been in there more than ten min
utes, said the witness, before this here Ben
ton rushed in on him. Benton had threatened
McClelland's life several times"
cIs
''tell what he did"
Benton rushed toward McCIelland, con-
tinued the witness, and he (McC. ran behind
the rocking chair in which witness was sitting.
The prisoner backed away from him. He had
his hand on his overcoat pocket at the time.
Benton said: You got your hand on your
gun, amt your" and added. "you --"
McClelland said: "Yes, but don't want any
trouble with you"
Benton. the witness said made an attempt
to strike McClelland, when the latter fived the
first shot Benton then turned around and
started through the middle door. Three more
shot were fired, but witness did not see them.
When the first shot was fred the men were
close together and facing each other.
sis this the jury2" asked the witness.
Eyes, sir, answered the coroner.
Well, want to tell you one and ALL" said
the old man, that this here man was Unsuitable
IN what was done. would say so if it was my
own brother"
WAS Benton in the habit of visiting your
hou ,eT asked juror.
Yes, sir" he replied when he was under
the influence of liquor, and he always raised a
fuss. He has been threatening Mr.. McClelland
for long time"
CLEARING THE CROWD AWAY.
BY this time a large crowd had collected
about the door of tie station house. They
were mostly friends OF the dead man, and the
police closed the door to avoid any possible
trouble.
ANOTHER MAN WHO SAW IT.
The next witness called was William Estes, q
shoemaker, who lives at McIntosh's. He tes-
titled that when Benton came in be said to Nc
Clelland:
you seem to be pretty regular visitor
mere" The latter replied in effect that it was
none OF Benton's business
witness heard Benton say: II suppose you
nave your hand on your gun now" and McClel-
land replied that he had.
Mcintosh then asked Benton why it was that
ne never came into his house without raising
q fuss.
Benton rushed at McClelland and struck at
him. The latter warded off the blow with his
left hand and drew his revolver with his right
AS Benton approached the prisoner, the wit
ness continued, he said that il ever he caught
INN (McC ''monkeying around there again
he would do something to him, but witness did
not understand what he said he would do. Wit
ness knew he made use Of some bad word.
They were facing each other at that time and
then the shooting commenced After the first
shot was fired Benton turned and went into the
far as the middle door, but
both lights went out and witness
could not see what also took place. The shots
were fired in rapid succession. Witness said
that Benton seemed to be under the influence
OF liquor. Every time Benton visited the house,
he said, he created trouble of some sort.
M'cLELLAND SOUGHT TO AVOID HIM.
In answer to question suggested by the
prisoner the witness SAID that couple OF nights
ago, when Benton came in one door McClelland
went out of another door to avoid him.
John Flemming, who lives ON G street, was
next examined. He was present when the
shooting occurred and his testimony corrob-
Grated the witnesses previously on the stand.
THE MAN WHO GOT THE PISTOL.
Christian Sproesser, of No. 2O55 7th street.
testified that abont 7:i5 o'clock last night the
prisoner came to his shop on 10th street, called
him out and said: Take this" handing him
an Indiana Bull Dog revolver. He
said: II have done it," Witness walked
with him toward the station house, the
prisoner saying that he was going to give him
self up. As they walked along toward the
station McClelland told him that he had killed
Benton. Benton told him on New Years day
OF the trouble he had had with McClelland.
Witness said that he kept the revolver until
he closed his shop and not wanting to keep it
he threw 1t up on the cattle sheds at 18th and
u streets.
OTHER TESTIMONY
Policeman Henry told what he knew of the
affair and DIR. Schaeffer gave evidence as to
the autopsy.
THE VERDICT.
The jury found that death was caused by
wounds inflicted by McClelland, and the coro-
ner committed him to Jail to answer.
A Complicated Case.
In the Circuit Court, before Judge Mont
gomery, today the case of the limited Statas