Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-02
PLAYED WITHALOAoEo GUN.
Edward johnson Shot and Killed By His
Friend. Ernest Robertson.

Another exempliication Of the fatal re-
suit that often follows the careless hand
ling of firearms occurred Sunday morning
about II o'clock at 1924 Poplar street, in
which Edward Johnson (colOred), who
lived at 500 north Second street, was shot
and killed by another negro, Ernest R0-
bertson. The two men had for years been
good friends, so intimately that it was
the custom Of Johnson TO frequently visit
Robertson on Sunday mornings. Upon
arri wing at Robertsons house on this occa-
sion Johnson found the former and his wife
at the breakfast-table, but after the meal
bad been finished the visitor said to Ro-
bertson Come on, / have something for
You" The two men went into Robert
sons chamber. when Johnson picked mp
an old Springfield musket and pointed il
at Robertson. The latter grabbed the gun
by the stock and scutfle for the posses
sion of the fOwllng-piece ensued.
ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGED.
In wrestling with the weapon it was dis
charged and its deadly contents emptied
into Johnson's right collar-blade Just be-
low the neck, inflicting a wound which re-
suited in death within two or three minutes.
The city ambulance was telephoned for by
q gentleman living near ~ and who heard
the report Of the gun, but life was extinct
before IL arrived.
When Robertson realized what he had
done he caught his falling friend and ex-
claimed: "Oh. God, | have killed him,
and | didn't know it was loaded" He
seemed TO be much distressed over the
diving mans condition, and intimated his
intention of committing suicide.
TREY WE'RE ALONE.
When the shooting occurred the two
men were alone in the room. As soon as
IL ,,,c,,,r, ,rrou 1funborua1 auH fbo ranorf
heard others who were on the premises en-
deavored TO enter by the front door. but
this was closed and they had to 60 around.
The wounded man uttered only q few
words before he expired, and said nothing
indicating that he blamed the one at whose
hands his life had been taken.
Soon the news was circulated through
out the neighborhood, and during the day
hundreds of colored people visited tho
scene of the tragedy. The multitude OF
visiting negroes was at one time 80 great
that special police were dispatched TO
maintain order and quiet.
Robertson Immediately walked to tue
First police station and surrendered him.
self TO Sergeant Hall. He excitedly stated
what he had done, and was lodged on the
charge of killing Johnson, and Coroner
TavloT notified.
This action on the part Of Robertson was
voluntary and commanded much sympa-
thetic sentiment among the colored people
Of the community.
INQUEST HELD.
The Coroner notified his iurymen to as
semble at the house Of the deceased ut
o'clock Sunday afternoon, but there was
such throng Of friends of the deceased
that after viewing the body the jury re-
paired TO the Second police station, where
the witnesses, Albert Jackson and another
colored man named Cameron, were eX-
amiued. They each testified as to the
friendly relations that had so long existed
between the prisoner and the deceased,
and also stated that the shooting was
purely accidental.
johnson has always been fond Of skylark-
ing and scufiling in o playful manner, and
it has cost him his life.
RoBERTsoS's STORY.
Robertson also made O statement, IN
which he said: After sitting at breakfast
table with myself and my wife. deceased
cot up and said: Now, pve got some
thing for you He went out OF tho
kitchen into the house, following. lie
went up in the corner of my room and got
nv old musket. He caught hold of 1t and
levelled il at me. | caught hold of 1t and
tried to take it away from him. Whlle
scufIling in some way the gun went of. j
am satisfied he was only PLAYING with me
when he took up the gun. He has played
with me time and again before. / had
reason to think the gun was not loaded
because last fired it twelve or fourteen
months ago."
THE JURY's VERDICT.
After careful consideration of the evi-
dcnce produced the Coroner's jury rem
dered a verdict of accidental killing. and
the prisoner was taken to the First police
station. The case was brought up in the
Police Court yesterday morning, but on
account Of the absence of important wit
nesses the case was continued TIL this
morning