The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-27

the affair occurred, which resulted in the
death early yesterday morning Of Rice.
There are several versions Of the story,
and the full history OF the homicide will
not be known until the trial.
The case will be called in the police
the hastings court Messrs. c. V. Mere
dith. Harry NJ Smith and ID. c. Richard
son have been retained to defend the
prisoner.
pest MoRTEM HELD.
At o'clock yesterday afternoon the
post mortem examination was held by
Coroner w. II. Taylor. assisted by Drs.
Lewis c. Bosher, Gordon and Winfrey.
This disclosed the fact that John w.
Rice had died Of blow on the left side
OF the head, made by some blunt instru-
ment. The bone had been badly frac-
tured and the flow of blood upon the
brain had caused death. The cOroners
inquest will be held at the Third police
station at IL o'clock this morning.
STORY by ROBERT RICE.
Robert Rice, a brother of the deceased,
and his companion on the night of the
fatal tragedy. was seen yesterday after
TALLY as follows:
About $3.50 o'clock on Tuesday evening
my brother John W. Rice, Phil. Parsley.
Lewis Wade and myself went into Ryan's
saloon. After drinking. we came out on
the sidewalk and stood in front Of the
saloon. Parsley and Wade then went
back into the house. Some words took
place, and Jim Ryan, who was behind
the bar, forci5ly elected Wade, who fell
to the sidewalk when pushed out or the
door.
MY brother John said Jim, that is
no way 10 treat a man after he spends
his money with you l then told jim If
he was that kind of a man l would never
spend another cent with him.
Ryan went back into his saloon, and
for ten minutes we stood on the side
walk Then he came out with blackjack
In his hand. and said 10 John: l am
ready for you now experimenting 1t
with an OATH and, without another word,
knocked John down. and also struck me
heavy blow with the blackjack.
WANTED TO KILL BOTH.
Ryan then ran back into the saloon
and closed the door. After a few minutes
| raped on the door. and he opened il.
| said: 'Jim what did you want TO strike
me for? and he replied, with an oath: L
want to kill both Of you John then
struck at him with a cane over my
shoulder. and his two small brothers ran
out OF the saloon, and began throwing
rocks at US. and we retreated TO the
corner below"
John then went TO his home and I 10
mine. About u o'clock he sent for me.
and my father went down 10 see him, as
I was nursing my own eye At o'clock
| was again sent for. and upon reaching
the house found he was dead Johns
cane was at his house when he died"
JOHN ". RYAN's STATEMENT.
John NJ. Ryan, brother Of the accused,
lives with his mother, brothers and sis
.ers in the same building. Mr.. Ryan is
employed at Hollywood. and IS a good
citizen. He was not at home at the time
Of the difficulty, It being the first night in
the year that he has been absent from
the raloon
He was terribly distressed at the oc-
currence. but was clear and explicit In
the story. as gained from his three broth
ers.
He stated that Lewis Wade interfered
with Frank Taylor. a colored man, in the
saloon. and his brother Jim put him out
of the place The Rice brothers were on
the sidewalk and resented the expulsion
OF Wade. John Rice struck at Ryan with
a cane and dealt him bad blow behind
the ear. Ryan then wrested the cane from
him and struck both Of the men with II,
throwing the cane into the street after
the blows. He then retreated into the
saloon, and closed the doors. \ Few
minutes later Robert Rice Knocked at the
door. and when Ryan opened 1t John
Rice struck at him. He lodged the blow.
and his little brother, standing behind
hf,,, ont ahoua tho left owe
He was positive that no blackjack or
weapon of any kind was or had ever
been, upon the premises. and ridiculed
the statement of Rice that any other
thing was used than their own cane.
TIE PRISONERS STORY.
James Ryan, was found at the city jail
last evening. Upon the side Of his head
he bears a bad cut. covered with court
plaster. which, he states was made by
the cane in the hands Of John Rice.
severe bruise on his arm also represents
he says, another blow which was given
him before he obtained the stick from his
assailants.
Little Lewis Ryan bears the cut above
his eye which was received when his
brother lodged the lick intended for him.
REFUSED TO TALK.
James Ryan, when approached at the
Jail, stated that on the advice Of his coun-
sci he could make no statement, but
little questioning served to establish MS
confederation Of his brothers story.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MURDEBEE.
Ryan is not yet twenty-one years OF
age weighs about 125 pounds ana mas
perfectly smooth face. His blue eyes
wore a troubled expression, but his voice
was strong and confident.
His arrest was made at the nome OF
his family at o'clock yesterday morning
by Officers Mcmillan and Joseph Hulcher'
II was said that he was dressing with
view OF going 70 the station when the
policemen arrived.
OTHER sTATEMENTs.
Robert Rice stated that Lewis W ade
had been drinking considerably, and that
Parsley and himself ard his brother mad
all taken a few drinks.
After receiving the fatal blow all par
ties state that Rice made an effort TO
assault Ryan. He went home and re-
tired as usual, and II was not for several
hours that any alarm was felt.
The deceased was a married man ana
leaves q wife. who was Miss Blake, OF
Church Hill and four small children,
all Of whom live at No. los south Cherry
street
He was a blacksmith. and was employed
by Messrs. Tyler & Phaup. Robert Rice
is also married, and lives on Cherry street
between Main and Cary.