The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-10
WEAVING THE WEB OF EVIDENCE
Around the Murderers of Nat
Newson.
"n'i"m Eanter Seriously EntangIed-
john Lrnier, Bob Young and Henry
nnKey OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Resting
on Several Others-The Investigation
by the Cozoner's Jury Not Yet Ended.

The coroner's jury in tho Nat Newson
murder case resumed tho work of inyes-
tigation yesterday morning at 1890
o'clock at the mayors office. A largo
crowd was packed behind the railing.
outside there was a throng OF colored
people, some seated on stones, others
gatheredia groups, while the pavement
was lined with them for some distance
on either side of the street.
John banier, brother Of William.
ono OF the accused, was the first wit
ness His evidence was not material.
He was at the dance and heard about n
fight going on outside, but did not 90
out to see about it.
Frank Field said he saw the difficulty
outside. At first he refused to tell anv-
thing. but being pressed he admitted
that Lanicr and Tom Waugh struck
Nat.
This evidence created considerable
excitement among the special tors.
JUSTICE Howerton ordered the officers
to clear the room, as the presence Of the
crowd had tendency to intimidate the
witnesses.
Field said rock was used as a
weapon. He could not recognize any
other-persons between the houses. He
salu Lanler was tho man who struck
Newson first.
henry Pool and Charles wero next ex-
amined. Their testimony was imma-
terial and they were discharged.
Thomas Waugh was brought in a wit
ness. He had omplOved w n How'd
oway as his counsel. Mr.. Hardoway
objected to his client answering any
questions that had tendency to impli-
cate himself.
The question was raised by the Jurors
whether or not lawyers had q right to
Interfere. Mr.. Hardoway replied that
he did not wish to interfere, but would
look after the interests of his client,and
said no one could prevent it. He finally
gave Waugh permission to talk, but the
accused denied positive TINT he was out
OF doors after the shot was fired.
Robert Younger was sworn, but did
not know who was in the difficulty out
side. He was ordered to DO locked up,
as there was suspicion that he was
implicated.
William Young (not the William
Young who testified Wednesday, was
sworn. His story was crooked. He
looked guilty and was sent to cell
without giving any evidence Of impor-
pance.
William Cooper and Johnson Patter-
son heard about the fight outside, but
did not know who was implicated.
john Matthews, James Anderson.
job Rhodes, and William Harris testi-
fled, but nothing of Importance was
brought out. Tho coroner was under
the impression that they were withhold
ing information, and ordered several
more witnesses to be locked up.
John Gum saw Lanier with a bed
Stat in his hand. He was driving the
crowd out. lie identified tho slat as
the one found at Lanier's house.
Tho jury then adjourned till o'clock.
Mr.. Hardoway appeared again, and do
manded the right to DO present in tho
interest Of his client.
Tho coroner stated that he might he
present, but that he should not inter-
fere with the proceedings of the jury.
Some sharp words followed, and tho
coroner said he would adjourn the Jury
and appeal to Judge Robinson.
Much excitement prevailed, and the
jurors clamored for cessation of the
interruption.
The coroner then called on tho police
men to clear the room. Mr.. Hardoway
promised not to say anything moro to
interrupt the jury.
We'll, sit down then, and let the pro-
ccedings go on the jury demanded
Tho coroner, Justice IIowerton, stated
that the proceedings Of coroncr's jury
were for the purpose of ascertaning a
fact; not to accuse anyone. The power
was given them to hold their entire de-
alterations in secret at any time.
The evening session then began.
Some startling facts were developed,
and tho sitting lasted till nearly Z
o'clock.
Sherman Clark was put on the stand
and stated about the same as he did on
Wednesday, except that when no camc
in he said he had just settled tho fuss
between Bob Jefreys and Nat Newson.
Bob Jeffreys was brought ont of Jail.
He was n the yard, near the kitchen
door, after the shooting. Lanier came
out with a bed slat in his hand
us this it?" asked the coroner.
81 think it Is" said the witness.
The slat is of hard yellow pine, about
three feet long and broken off at knot.
"Lanier passed mo and said, Look out
He and several moro collected near tho
front of the building. AS soon as Nat
Rot CLOSE enough some one dealt him
powerful blow Newson fell to the
ground. Several were standing be-
tween myself and the crowd and could
not tell who struck the blow. I am
pretty sure it was Lanier. though.
then went back in the kitchen. Pretty
soon Lanier came in. He said he had
given him good one. took him by
the hand and said did you hit that man.
lie said he did, laughed and passed on"
Lanier said while he was in Jail that
il he had not deniod having tho stick