Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-28
DIEDFR0M THE BLOW.
THIS IS THE RESULT or THE CORo-
NER'S INQUEST IN The RICE CASE.
Statements of the Witnesses to the Homf'
eide of Tuesday NIght-The Fune-
raj Yesterday Afternoon.

After listening for several hours 20 the deposit
,sons Of the vsriors Witnesses In the case Of tho
killing OF John W. Rice, tho coroner's jury yes
terday afternoon returned verdict to the effect
that the deceased came TO his death by being
struck upon the head with some blunt instru-
ment In the hands Of James Ryan
THIS Investigation was about as unsatisfactory
as one could possibly be, each statement being
considerably different from the Others Coroner
Taylor displayed all the patience In his nature,
and as a concihatory being between tho httof-
neys Ia The case he was sort OF phenomenon.
There were present at the inquest only the
Jury, the witnesses. Messrs. j. G. Richardson and
n. N. Smith. Jr., counsel for the prisoner, Com
monwealth s-AttomGy spotswood, and the news
paper representatives.
WHAT WADE HAD TO SAY.
Tho frst witness was Lewis J.. Wade, over
whom the difficulty between Ryan AMI tice oc-
Cured. lie testified as 20 the words between
Ryan and himself and to being showed out 81
the store. When the witness was told 70 lean of
the glass, as he would break II, he replied TINT
he would not do 40 and walked across the street
and stood there. John w. Rice took his part by
telling Ryan that tina, was no way 70 treat
man, and the latter grabbed Rce's cane from
his loft hand and the witness thought struck tho
deceased with IT, Ho did not know whether
Rico hit Ryan or not.
The witness declared that he was not drunk
and that none Of tho others were intoxicated,
though he said Ryan refused 10 Hell tnein liquor.
Counsel for the accused asked Wade why Ryan did
not want 20 sell them whiskey and he replied that
/ his (Wadesl father had Instructed him not 10 40
70. Wade denied having had a previous difficult
| ty In the place. and said that he had only taken
one drink with the R.ces. which they got at John
Rankin's, three squares from Ryan'B store. lie
saw no weapon other than the cane.
ROBERT l. RlcEs TESTIMONY.
| Robert l.. Rice, brother of the deceased, was
next placed on the stand and his evidence ail-
| first witness. lie began his testimony by saying
| that he and his brother met Poll. Parsley ana
Wade at John Rankins place, where they all
| took drink. They walked on up Cary
| street until they reached Ryan's store.
| Hore they entered and the witness treated
! each man OF the party Wade Included
| taking a drink. Parsley and the Rices LETT the
store and were standing on the outside when
| James RYAN rushed Wade out Of The place and
| threw him down upon the Sidewalk. The wit
| ness was positive that Wade WAS quite drunk.
| His brother remarked: Jim, that's no way 10
treat a man-to mike him drunk ana ,nen
| viii DO any OF yOu that way. am not
going TO have drunken people around
| this bur" The brother OF the wit
ness pointed his cane at the accused
| and shaking 1t, said: "No, you wouldn't; you
| wouldn't do me So" Ryan then went into the
store and pulled or his coat. He looked around
for something, the witness presumed pistol;
| end started TO return with little black :" billy
| or blackjack" about twelve inches long.
| Some one fastened the door and wouldn't allow
| the young bartender TO come out. lie did make
| his exit about ten minutes, later, ana,
walking up In front OF John Rice,
| aaId . UVou am
ready for you now" The witness claimed that
| he distinctly saw the "billy In the hama Of
| Ryan when he and his brother began hitting AZ
| each other. lie witnessed two blows each, but
| could not tell which man hit first He said that
the A" blackjack" had little blade In the side
| near the end, which he also saw whenever Ryan
| dealt lick. After this difficulty Ryan returned
| 70 the store, carrying John Rces cane and the
| little billy" with him. moment later he re-
turned to the door and threw the cane into the
! street. shortly after this the witness called
| Ryan 20 the door and asked him why he struck
| him Robert Rlce) Ryan retorted by saving
| "God - you, | want 10 kill you both" by
this time John Rice had gotten TO his feet ana
picked up his cane and struck nj Ryan over us
| brothers. head, missing tho bartender, the hloN
! falling upon the head Of young Lewis Ryan n
! brother OF the accused. Two younger Ryans then
| ran j. W. Rice home with rocks. Robert hice
! said that he was bit by Ryan with tho black
jack when he stopped over TO help his brother up
TIE OTHER WITNESSES.
| DR.. j. NJ. BrannOck stated that he was called In
| 10 gee Rice about 9 o'clock on the night OF the
| killing, and that the sufferer then seemed ra-
! tional, though he complained much OF ms hea1
! and arm. He said Rice was not inclined to tax
/ about the row.
John S. Ford testified that he was in the store
when the ARRAY occurred. but that he ala not sec
/ Ryan WIN any olutI hfhIoh bhtAh INV
! stick, which he brought in the place with him
| after the difficulty. He swore that Ryan was
| struck nj first by Rice.
| Onicer McMullen, who made the arrest, was
placed on the stand and he stated that the prs-
! oner told him while on tho way 20 the station
/ house that he had struck John v: Rice with a
/ cane, but that he had done II IN selt-1etence.
! Dr Wnfree. who reached Rice's bedside Just
| after death, tOld what he knew, which did not
/ very materially affect tho case.
| The jury, after brief consideration OF the evil
dence before it, rendered a verdict IN accordance
| with the opening paragraph Of this article.
| FUNERAL OF Mr.. RICE.
| The funeral OF John w. Rice, the victim OF this
| unfortunate tragedy, took place from the Mar
shail-Street Christian church yesterday evening,
| Rev. Mr.. Moore officiating, and was very sad
affair The interment was Mt Oakwo0d.
The preliminary examination OF the case
| against young Ryan will be made in the Police
| Court this