The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-19
LAAIER KILLED NAT NEWSOA.
William Bum Saw the Fatal
Blow.
When Lanier's Council Asked for Bail, the
State Produced Bum AS IL New Wit
ness, Who told Story that lifts the Veil
of Mystery from the Whole Affair
Judge Grattan Denies Bail.

Judge Grattan Denies bail.
There is no longer mystery about the
killing of Nat Newson on the 7th of last
April Everybody has believed that
William Lanier did it, but no witnesses
could be found who would swear to that
effect.
Thursday the jury failed to agree and
were discharged. Last evening Mr. Ran
dolph made motion before Judge Graf
tan for bail, and Mr.. Smith objected,
saying he had newly discovered evil
dcncc Tho testimony was then intro
duced, and proved to be disclosure that
lifted the veil of secrecy from the affair
Mr.. Smith called William Bum, dark
mulatto with tragic air, who testified
that he was at Lanier's house at tho
time of the killing.
lie gave graphic description of the
whole affair. Starting with how Nat
Ncwson fired his pistol into the floor,
the witness went or and described the
scene which followed when William
Lanicr cane in with bed slat and
drove everybody from the house.
Bum wen. out at the back door and
saw crowd congregated near the cor
ner OF tho adjoining house He went
up to them. They were talking about
the firing of the pistol. lust then Nat
came up and some one spoke to him
about it, Lanicr was on the front
porch and when he heard Mats name
called, he stepped down off the porch
and saw him. lie accosted Nat about
shooting in his house and at the same
time dealt him Il blow on the head after
Nat had turned to walk away,
Newson staggered and fell backward
on his head. Just then Bob .Jcnrcys
came up and said. Lord, if somebody
isn't killed this man a'ready."
All who witnessed the affair went into
the house. Ten minutes after some one
came in and said that the man was
dying that had been knocked in the
head.
Lanier at once took up lamp and
accompanied by Clint Pegram went out
to the spot where Nat fell, witness fol-
lowing. Nat was not there. but thov
found him seated against bank at the
rear end of the house, and several
persons bending over him. He had been
carried there. lie was unable to speak.
They all came back in the house, and
the dance ives begun again.
Bum met lanicr and Clint Pegram
next morning. Lanier remarked, "i}oys,
they may have me up for this, but don't
hurt me-"
Bum said he was a stranger in the
city, having come from Suffolk some
time last winter lie knew but few
people at the dance but called over
several names Of previous witnesses who
witnessed the affair and told nothing
lIn hnA ", Il nc iro
and held himself aloof Bob Jcyrcys
came to hirn a few days ago and said
they were trying to get him in the diff
fculty again, and he (Bunn) had to tell
all he knew. lie agreed that before an
innocent man should suffer he would do
so. Jeifreys then told the common
weaith's attorney, who had him sum
moned.
Mr.. Randolph's strong cross-ouestion-
ing did not make Bum vary his story
in least He was beyond doubt the
smartest negro who ever testified in the
court. and caused no little amusement,
notwithstanding the surprise. lie had
said there was but one blow struck.
MIR. Randolph again asked him how
many blows were struck Two" re-
piled Bum. "Ah, you have found an
other" said Mr.. Randolph, taking it
down.
Yes. sir; two blows. Lanier struck
Nat and Nat struck the ground" said
the witness. amid roar of laughter.
MIR. Randolph then introduced Clint
Pegram and John Lester in rebuttal.
They had told Mr.. Randolph that Bum
made the remark in barber shop Fri
day night that Jeffreys came to him
and asked him toswear that Lanier had
struck Ncwson. But when put on the
stand both witnesses made different
statement, and the rebuttal was a
failure. Judge Grattan denied bail