Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-21

In tie trial Of Theodore G. Arnold for the
murder OF John Kramer June last the dsFapd-
ant resumed the stand after recess Yesterday
afternoon and explained that he was in the in.
ternal revenue service in Texas before COMING
here. and before that had been engaged in
teaching since 1858 with but five months inter.
mission When they left tine district attorneys
Office Mrs Kramer and witness separated at 9th
and L streets and he reached his Office about
1045- Mrs. Kramer came to his Office about ~
o'clock and said that on her way home, on F
near 9TH street. Kramer assaulted her and re-
peated his threat to kill that c. d
gambler she was with tie other night, and that
she had had him arrested This was on the 18th
OF June.
OCCURRENCES on TIE DAY OF THE SHOOTING.
On the morning Of the 18th. while standing in
front of the Office. Kramer came from the direc-
ton Of 9Th street to the corner of the Post
Office Department and then stopped. looked ut
witness and his companion and walked past
them. looking back. Witness had no words with
him. but watched him closely. On tine 18th he
had I'm engagement to be At the Baltimore and
Potomac depot at 4:25 and ate his dinner
rapidly and went there, but did not meet the
party. He returned to his office and worked
district attorney. He took it to Mrs. Kramer
at 7Z5 11th street. and found that sine had
received a communication from the district
attorney. He read the statement to her and she
requested MIN to do certain things in connec-
ton with the statement and arranged for
calling on the district attorney the next day.
Ii was 5 or $40 when he left the once and went
to Mrs. Kramers house. and leaving there re-
turned to the department. intending to meet
his wife and her sister at 9TH ard streets at
sha-a. in ,a.t
made about 10 O'Clock the previous day. He
was az the Office but a few minutes and then
started to keep his apo iutment Showing by
a diagram prepared By him the course he took
also the course OF Kramer)- He accosted
James Cullen and asked il his wife and her
sister were at dinner and was answered in the
affirmative. He went back to a dairy lunch and
got mug CT milk.
THE MEETING WITH KRAMER.
Saw Kramer going eastward while witness was
going westward on E street; next saw Kramer
coming back westward and witness supposed
that he was after him. but went in and got his
buttermilk- Next saw kramer the south
side Of the street and then he (hramer) went to
9Th street. Witness continued his course to
9th and E streets and saw Kramer going east
ward on the south side Of the street Was salts
fed that Kramer was pursuing him. But
the man turned backward and went
down 9th street. Arnold then passed to
the corner of 5th and z. where he
waited for some time for his wife and
and saw Kramer for the fifth time coming along
r street toward him. Arnold stepped back
from the corner and leaned against the iron
railing Kramer stopped and muttered some-
thing to himself. which he did not hear.
Arnold said: ''Are You following me2" Kramer
replied NO" with an oath, and passed on.
When he got as far as the car tracks he stopped
and said something which witness did not quite
understand. 1t was something about coming
back to witness. Arnold told him he had bet
ter not. Kramer was menaeing, and witness
thought that he threatened him. After turn
ing the second time Kramer said: ''You g
d gambler. / have a great mind to kill
you" Witness told him he had better not:
that if he did come back he would kick him all
over the pavement. kramer then came rapidly
back toward witness and put his hand back Of
him as if to draw pistol Witness then drew
his pistol
THE FATAL SHOTS.
Arnold then stated that he stuck his pistol
in Kramer's face in the hope OF preventing his
further progress. But it did not stop him
When he saw that he did not stop. and seeing
that the man had not drawn a pistol, he be-
heved that Kramer had drawn a knife or some
other deadly weapon. Feeling that he was
then no match. physically. for Kramer. and
believing that be was in danger of great bodily
harm. be pulled the hammer back and fired
when they were about eight feet apart. Kramer
did not then stop, ard witness had no reason
FOR believing tina, he had been hit. The man
still advancing upon him. and he believing that
a hand-to-hand struggle was inevitable. he
stepped down from the pavement. Just then
they grappled. Kramer catching his pistol
hand, when. by sheer strength. witness turned
the revolver down toward him and fired the
second shot. AT that moment Kramer made
pass at him with a knife. witness thought.
as he heard ripping sound. They being still
grAppled and still fearing for his life, witness
beat him six or seven times over the head as
well as he could, but without much force.
Arnolds vest was here shown him and he
pointed out cut or ripped place, which. he ex-
planned. made by the knife or other instru
ment in kramer's hand.
WHY HE KILLED KRAMER
"Mr. Arnold" asked Mr.. Davis, why did
you Kill Kramer"
II shot him." answered Arnold. because /
believed it was q case Of dead Arnold or de ad
Kramer. and shot him to save myself. Had
the man thrown up his hand or indicated IN the
slightest manner that he was unarmed l would
not have harmed him..
Arnold denied having pointed his revolver at
any one else in threatening manner, and said
that when the officers put him under arrest he
said: "An right. gentlemen 1 surrender. II is
terrible AFFAIR. but 1 had to do it in self
Defense"
Arnold was cross-examined by District At
torney Birney and stated that he had studied
law at the Columbian University
"You have studied criminal law. have you
not and familiarized yourself with the require
ments necessary to set ouo the defense Of self
defensee' asked the District Attorney.
Arnold replied that he had been q student at
the law school and had famlliarized himself
somewhat as to the law Of self-defense.
At the request of the district attorney Ar
mold explained the law in Texas and kentucky.
and was asked il he did not know at the time Of
the shooting that the law here required the
SLAYER to use every means to avoid g conflict.
Ma. DAVIS OBJECTION
"Your honor" remarked NJ. Davis. Il think
this has gone far enough For. not satisfied
with charging him with other things. the gov
eminent is charging the defendant with
being a bad lawyer.
Mr. Davis remark caused considerable merri-
ment and the court decided that the matter
had been pursued far enough.
The district attorney closely Questioned
Arnold concerning HIS acquaintance with Mrs.
Kramer and aEso h.s efforts in bar behalf. but
ELECTED nothing new. Arnold stated that with
the exception OF the woman and her sister he
had never mentioned the threats made against
him by Kramer. Coming down to the time OF
the shooting. and after detailing the meeting
between him and Kramer Arnold was asked
why he did not leave the spot when Kramer
first made toward HIN.