Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-07-27
ROUGH FUN ENDS IN DEATH.
How Harry Gray Was Accidentally
Killed by John Monroe.

The Yonng Men, Both Colored, We're |
Playing. When Monroe Struck Gray |
With Broom Stick and the Blow |
Caused Death. |
Harry Gray, colored, 81 years old,
who drives one of Fagan's garbage
wagons, and John Monroe, also colored,
were engaged at play. near their dwell
ing, in the neighborhood of Fagan's
piggery on the Lancaster turnpike, Sat
uTday afternoon. They amused them
selves by throwing basins of water on
one another. When Monroe threw water
on Gray he turned and ran, after which
Gray gave chase. He was about to dash
the contents of the basin on Monroe,
when the latter turned and threw apor-
ton of broom handle, which he car
ried in his hand, at Gray. The missile
struck Gray in the abdomen, causing
him to drop the basin of water he held
| in his hand, and to clasp the wounded
spot from pain. He went and sat down
on a broken rail near the fence, and
began vomiting freely. Monroe went to
his assistance. Gray suffered much pain.
It was deemed advisable to remove
| the young man to his home near Second
and Union streets. Accordingly, he
was placed in one of Fagan's wagons
and George Williams, colored, volun-
teered to take him home. Williams
started down the pike with the injured
youth and when he got opposite the
house of Frank Mccoy, just beyond
Silyerbrook, Monroe declares he drove
over the side of an embankment and
upset the carriage, throwing Gray out
upon the ground. A wheel of the
vehicle was broken, Monroe says, and
Williams was required to borrow a
vehicle from Mccoy to complete the
journey.
As soon as Gray was taken to his
home, DIR. Hitch was notified and pre-
scribed for him. Gray was put to bed at
5 o'clock, Saturday afternoon, and died
about the same hour Sunday. The
immediate cause of death was internal
hemorrhage, resulting from the blow in
the abdomen.
AS soon as the police were notified Of
/ Gray's death, Monroe was placed under
aazsst and taken to the police station tc
await the action of the coroner.
Just before Gray died he told his
mother that the blow was an accident
! and that Monroe did not intend to hur
5 him. With these words on his lips h,
l died at o'clock Sunday afternoon.
7 Monroe is still in custody, awaiting
the determination of Attorney Genera
i Nicholson.
!. When asked Monday whether o
a not the State would take action in re
Q gard to the alleged accidental killing o
I GRAY, Deputy Attorney.General Branel
! H. Giles stated that the State was await
: ing the result of the coroner's inquest
II u ,x,o,,II :, - ,,roe,ed ,,,,tH tho rof,fl az
4 ing Of the verdict. Deputy Coroner Fo
+ Monday morning was engaged in IL
d vestigating the circumstances OF the lad
IS death!
Q Corener Kirk stated Monday aftsrnoo
y that there would be an inquest. 'Fh
70 step was taken under the provisions
: the Revised Code, which says: IF an
10 person die in prison, or be slain, or dl
ID an unnatural death, except by sentenc
X of law, or if dead body be found an
le the circumstances of death be unknown
~ the coroner shall hold an inquest"
u The death of Gray raises an interestir
o, point Of law, as it is stated that Il
10 attorney general will be required to tai
ne cognizance of the killing, whether il
Q. tentionally or accidental. In the ca
of the State VS.. Brown, tried some yea
n ago, Chief Justice Comegys laid dow
al the law as follows: "Where there is l
n malice or evil design, either in fact or
is law, and yet death ensues from mere
ut injury or act, or from lawful act dol
rs in any manner, whether by excess
ue culpable ignorance, the offender
y, guilty of the crime of manslaughter."
~ An inquest was held last Tuesdi
nj evening. The verdict was one
Isl accidental homicide. Monroe is in ia
ny awaiting the action Of the Attorne
ch general.