The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-06-09
THE ELI TUCKER TRIAL.
Able Arguments on Both Sides
THE JURY SOON AGREED.
Verdict Guilty of Manslaughter With Re-
commendation to Mercy.

ana Lehlgh talifOad, on the lSt Oh Aprii, 1851
ended on Saturday last in a verdict of man.
slaughter.
The court room was crowded every day OF
the trial, which began on Monday of last week
and the numbers increased us the case nearcd
its close. Mr.. Walter W. Preston, States At
torney, opened the case for the State, on Fri
day afternoon, and was followed by Mr.. VIM.
H. Harlan for the defence. On Saturday the
jury was addressed by Messrs. j. T. c. Hop
kins and George Y. Maynadier for the defence.
The closing speech on Saturday afternoon was
by Attorney General John P. Poe. The court
room in every part was crowded to sufocation
with eager listeners, number of whom were
ladies. He closed at o'clock when the case
was given to the jury. They remained out for
about one hour, when they brought in Il YER
dict as follows: Not guilty of murder but
guilty of manslaughter, with recommendation
to the mercy of the court"
The penalty for manslaughter is left very
much in the discretion of the court. The
Judge may sentence the prisoner to not more
than 10 years in the Penitentiary; not more
than years in the House of Correction or in
Jail or impose a nominal fine or fine not ex-
ceeding $500, or both fine and imprisonment.
1t is reported that when the jury retired, one
one for murder in the second degree, five for
manslaughter and five for acquittal.
CONCLUSION OF THE EVIDENCE.
Harry Harkins testified. on Thursday of last
week, that he is clerk in Monks store, at
Kalmia. On the afternoon of March 3lst was
on the second floor marking goods. johnson
came in and said he did not feel well. He told
about the affair at Bynum that day and re-
marked thatif Tucker had not moved he would
have fixed him between the wagon and the can.
Witness asked him what was the matter with
his cheek. He said Reynolds wife had hit him
with u stone. Being advised to drop the matter
he said, lifting his fists, I've got too much OF
that about me to let it drop"
Upon the reassembling of court, last Friday
morning, John B. Wysong was called tor the
defense. He testified that he was at Bynum
station OH Thursday March 30th and had
conversation with Uriah Johnson, the colored
man George johnson being present. The wit
ness was interrupted at this point by an OBJ
lection from the State. Mr.. Hopkins, for de-
fence, said they expected to prove that the col
ored man knew Mr.. Wysong, although he testi-
Mr.. Wysong heard U riah Johnson say he would
see Reynolds and Tucker in hell before he
won ID pay the demurrage. The objection was
Prof Mahoney was at Monks store the day
before the shooting. Uriah johnson was there
The State objected to the admission of any con-
versation that took place at that time. Objec-
ton oyer-ruled and exception noted. Prof.
Mahoney, rcSuming, testified that he heard a
gentleman say How do you do. Mr.. Johnson p"
johnson replied that he was still alive and had
been in Il row, adding hat Reynolds and Tuck
err had used HIM badly at Bynum that he had
been hauling cans several days and it had been
raining and couldn't haul because he did not
want to have his goods spoiled. johnson added
that when he went to Bynum that day they told
him he could not have the cans, and he broke
open the car The gentleman asked Johnson
why he did not fight them. johnson replied Il
could not. 1 could have managed Reynolds.
Both had clubs and WAS retreating To get u
stone and was struck by stone from behind
and knocked down. Then 4 went to Bel AR
and got the money" The gentleman said,
You ought to have paid the demurrage."
Johnson said. mo, was not obliged to ruin
my goods" johnson said he was going to sue
them but Mr.. Williams advised him to drop it.
Then Johnson said, There Is TOO much OF TINS
about me to do that"
Willie Hines testified that he was coming to
Bel Air from his grandmother's, with his uncle
Ned Webster, the morning johnson was shot
They passed johnson near where the road turns
into Bynum. As they passed his uncle Ned
said to johnson, Have you got your gun -
johnson held up little hickory stick and said,
Here it Is"
Win. NJ. Hines testified that he was at the
residence of his mother-in-luw, Mrs. webster,
the evening before the shooting took place.
Johnson was there. Witness teased johnson
about letting them whip him. johnson told
him what had taken place. He said Reynolds
and Tucker had attacked him ana that some
ed the bruiSe on Johnson's head and told him
he did not think he had been struck with a
stone. He said he thought one of the women
had struck him with a stone while he was down.
He also said his arm was BLACK ana Dllle from
knocking OH fuckers ticks. He did not want
to hurt Tucker and had nothing against him.
He was after Reynolds and intended to give
him Il good clubbing the first chance he had.
Mrs Esther Reynolds wife of Andrew Rey-
nOidS and sister of the prisoner, stlileu That on
, he day before the shooting she liz ed ut bynum
and was preparing to move away. Was on the
second floor and saw johnson break open the
door. Her sister, Mrs. Lizzie Slide, called to
her, That man Andrew down" Witness
ran out and saw that Andrew had johnson
down. Saw her brother Eli come out and take
hold of Mr. Reynolds, When they all got up.
The lighting was over when she got to the spot.
Witness never thought OF throwing stone.
The prisoner and Mr.. johnson were at the head
of the horses. Brother was turning To go AWAY
when johnson called him IL dreadful oath, and
stepped back. Brother followed him up.
Johnson got ON the railroad platform and said,
IL have u letter from Mr.. Williams TO take the
cans" Brother said, "Why don't you or why
didn't you show t:' johnson went down the
railroad and coming back walked up and down
the platform, appearing to be enraged, while
her brother Eli WAS walking on the board lead
ing from the porch to the platform. Was at
her sisters home ut Forest Hill when her nus
band was brought there. His head was i'll IL
dreadful condition and did not think he would
get over it. Nursed hun for two weeks.
Mrs. Elizabeth Slade, another sister OF the
prisoner testified she saw the occurrence re-
lated by her sister. Looking out of the third
story she saw johnson have Reynolds down.
Reynolds got up, johnson ram. Reynolds ran
after him and knocked him down. Brother
Eli came out and taking Mr.. Reynolds by the
shoulder they all got up. Johnson called Eli a
bad oath. Brother Eli wanted him to take his
team away. The colored man johnson said, Il
advise you ladies to so to the house" The
colored man said Mr.. johnson Is bad or II
form she heard Johnson say he had u paper
from Mr.. Williams to get the cans Tucker
said, why don't you show it," Witness did
not strike Uriah Johnson.
DIR. Frank Z. Smithson testified that he at
tended Andrew Reynolds, after the light.
There were three wounds OH his head. One
was about an inch and a-quarter in length, on
the left side, one wound about half an inch IN
length, and there was puipihed. confused
wound i'll front of others. When first saw him
he was very bloody and complained of feeling
dizzy and sick ut his stomach. Witness took
him to Forest Hill i'll his buggy and attended
him for % days. The wound was not danger
Gus unless complications were to set IN, OF
confused wound healed witness observed three
cicatrices, showing chat three blows had BEEN
The prisoner, Eli Tucker, was then sworn.
He told his story with no apparent desire to
mis-srate facts. He said again and again that
he had no intention of killing Johnson, but only
meant to brighten him by firing the pistol over
JOhnSon'S head.
Tucker testified that he had been engaged in
business at Forest Hill for % years and also ut
Bynum station for five or six ye.Irs. The firm
is known us L. Tucker Co., and Is composed
of witness and the widow of John Is. Roe, his
former partner n the 1rm OF hoe Iucker;
His son Eugene Tucker was the railroad agent
at Bynum, Andrew Reynolds being his assist
ant as well assistant postmaster: On the
LIST of last April he sold the store ut Bynunl to
Jesse and I,iiwyn Huo;r.S o. inc SON of
March Uliah Johnson citi1 to the station .tnd
backed up his wagon IT, L; away cils- Wit
ness had been informed by Reynolds that de-
murragc had not been paid on the cams aud re-
quc,ted witness to see johnson about Itaad the
latter promised to bring the money Or an order
from Mr.. Williams the next 'uy. The ruiIroad
holds agents responsible lOf freight until
charges are paid.
on Friday morning witness was in the store
when johnson knocked the cleat of the car.
Went to him and said, Certainly you are not
the demurragc." He said he was. Witness
told him he could not take them and started
JohnSOn'S horses johnson ran to them and
backed Them nearly catching witness between
the wagon and the car. Andrew Reynolds
came out and told johnson not to take the
cans. johnson said, ID you, I'll Kill you"
REYNOLDS and Johnson then began fighting.
REYNOLDS knocked johnson down and in get
ting up johnson got II stone and knocked Hey-
nolds down. They had another tussle and
Reynolds knocked Johnson down again. Wit
ness would not let Reynolds stay on top of
Johnson. The latter was in II terrible rage
and called witness an opprobrious epithetf
johnson appeared to he looking for stone
and witness followed him up and said, This is
pretty carvings on on my property" John
son walked over to the railroad track and said,
D you; In I'm not not, on your properly . now:
ing 100 yards returned in great rage, cursing
and swearin :. He said, II gave Reynolds II
id good lick and all want is another chance
to fix him." Witness said "lf you do, you may
be fit subject for a hospital" Johns ON went
off. Later, at one O'Clock he walked into the
store and called for Eugene Tucker, saying he
had the money to pay the demurrage. john
son was told that Eugene was out and witness
told him he would receipt for the money and
be responsible. johnson replied, "D-your re-
sponsbility," adding II could have sued you
but have let it drop" Witness thought the
matter was dropped.
The next morning, while witness was in the