Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-05-10
THE PHILLIPS TRIAL.

the proceedings in the trial of Jetler
snn Phillips for the killing of Geo. S.
smith virtually closed with the tes-
,jm0Dy of Mr.. J. NJ. Hill.
Braxton Smith, who was next put
on the stand, said he was nephew of
The deceased saw latter pass his store
about a quarter of eight on the night of
the shooting he was on his way down
kim street: Smith came to mis- cigar
store every night he was in town
Phillips entered his store on the night in
question and asked for light; saw
him look in the back room was almost
positive he didn't light his cigar; could
have seen into the back room from the
lighter. Phillips occasionally came to
Witnesses store.
T. Schwab testified to the deceased
entering his bar-room on Royal street,
and drinking a glass of beer about
eight o'clock on the night of the shoot
ING smith often came to his place;
Phillips came occasionally.
Frank Warfeld described Smiths
visit TO w. F. Creighton & Cos drug
store half an hour before the shooting;
saw Phillips pass the store while Smith
was sitting therein; Phillips was 60
ing up Royal street from King.
Dan. Henry knew Capitola Cross
man. Witness saw Phillips early on
the night of the shooting going past
his house from southerIy direction
Capitola Crossman was in his house and
Smith on the corner on the morning
preceding the shooting. Smith and
the woman may have met in his place
together at times; they were, how
ever, not in the habit of doing so; had
heard Smith owned the house the
Crossman woman lived in on Princess
street. -,
|. NJ. Kell was sworn. Saw Phillips
and John Harrison in the door OF the
Ell Dorado House before eight O'Clock
they were talking excitedly, but didn't
appear angry with each other. They
were so excited that neither return
ed the witnesses salutation.
P.J. B. Dewitt saw Smith on the day
preceding the night of the shooting at
the FL Dorado House. The latter was
in company with J. II. Greene. The
TWO men and Phillips took drink and
witness waited on the two, Greene, he
thought, paid the money for the
drinks; witness was not employed at
the house; had been told by Phillips
10 wait on the bar when Smith and
Greene entered Phillips was lying ON
billiard table; Greene said he wanted
10 see Phillips when the two men en-
tered; didn't know the nature of the
interview which followed between the
three men.
Thomas Ballenger testified that he
saw the prisoner pass Lieut.. SMITHS
house on Fairfax street gong south
about twenty minutes before the shoot
ing: witness heard the shots.
At this juncture court adjourned
The Corporation Court reassembied
at half-past ten o'clock this morning
The Jury in the Phillips case had been
escorted into the room about half an
hour before. A crowd had collected
outside patiently awaiting the time
when the Deputy Sergeant should open
the doors. When they were opened
the usual crowd rushed in and soon
packed the spectators quarters.
VIM. Norris was the first witness
called. He testified to the fact that the
late George :. Smith was in the habit
of visiting his mother; Smith had called
her house his home This question and
answer was objected to by the defence,
but the court oyerruled the objection.
His other testimony was unimportant.
Sheriff Richard H. Neitch, of the
county. followed. He had seen Smith
and Phillips at the Gentlemen's Driving
Park some days before the killing.
Witness had arrested Phillips for run
ming game and had con6scated his
paraphernalia. Prisoner, so far as wit
ness remembered, said nothing about
Smith that day. The prosecution ask
ed witness if Phillips had said Smith
had put witness ION to him, ms
question was objected to by the defence,
but the objection was overruled. Inc
witness, however, didn't know whether
Phillips made such charge or not.
Next day Mr.. Veitch saw the prisoner
at Steusrnagel's restaurant, where ne
charged Smith with putting the sheriff
ION to him." and had cursed Smith Tor
the supposed act. Witness had endea-
vored TO disabuse prisoners mind OF the
idea. Later had said Smith was trying
10 down him. Phillips had begged wit
ness to return to him his parapherna-
lla,
The evidence for the prosecution
there ended,
A long intermission followed while
the Deputy Sergeants were engaged IN
drumming up witnesses. :,
Finally Capitola Crossman was call
ed, She began by saying her relations
with Smith were on the order OF WIFE
that she was his woman. Witness SAID
she formerly lived at POS Princess
street smith han conducted wood
yard adjoining her house, and visited
her often; she told of the occasion on
which Smith had had the prisoner ar
rested: Smith had warned her to let
Phillips alone on several occasions ;
Smith had called the prisoner horrld
names and had asserted that he had &C;
Somplished his desires with his sister
and could do the same with mis- mother;
he had said no man could assault wit
ness and liye she had urged Smith to
leave her; Smith had been iealous OF
thilliEs and had threatened both him
and her: witness had drank o bottle
Of beer with the prisoner on the day
preceding the night of the tragedy and
had told Phillips what Smith had said
about him in accordance with Smiths
positive order; the deceased had told