Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-01
THE TRINIDAD MURDER.
Continuation of the Evidence i'm the Trial of
Claiborne How ard.


This morning, in the Criminal Court Justice
McComas, the trial of the colored man, Clai-
borne Howard, for the murder of E. c. Atwell,
brakeman on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
at Trinidad station. was resumed.
The defendant called Abraham Gates. who
was with the party at Ivy City and with them
walked down the track. Howard and Mrs.
Ennels were in the lead till they ap-
preached Trinidad. when Mrs. Ennels and
Mrs. Fitzhugh walked together. Heard
Mrs Ennels say. You ought not to insult
ladies, and the man with the lantern said he
could whip all the d niggers in Ivy
City. Howard came up, when Atwen struck
him WITH the lantern and they clinched and
scuffied some distance. When AtwelI used the
lantern he shiyered it ana Howard appeared
weak from the blow. He heard the shot when
both men clinched. but he die not know who
fired 1t.
ELLIS oLIvERs EVIDENCE.
Ellis Oliver testified that he was with the
party at Mrs. Enneis' and corroborated Gates.
On cross-examination witness said Mrs. En-
nels called Howard, who came back and asked
which one said he could whip all the niggers,
and went up to one and appeared to try to
catch hold of hiya, and then the lantern was
used. They scufiied across the tracks to the
last one, when the shot was fired
MRS. ENNELs' EVIDENCE.
Mrs. Mary f. Ennels testified to being with
the party; that when they reached the telegraph
Office one of the railroad men made an insult
ing remark to them, and she called Howard. who
went up to Gates, and he went in the Office:
Howard then went up TO Atwell and asked if he
was the ore, and Atwell struck him with the
lantern, and the struggle followed and she cor
roborated the preceding witness.
W. Z. Alvey, agent Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road Company, testified to the lantern, desc;i1-
ing It,
Testimony in the shape of dispositions as to
Towards good character followed
THE DEFENDANT ON THE STAND.
The defendant, Howard. took the stand and
testified that he had worked with race horse
owners for some years, and at the time had a
great deal Of money belonging to his en-
ployer. Mr. Henning. After peaking OF the party
and the walk down the porch be said Mrs.
Ennelis called and he went up TO the telegraph
box. Mrs. Ennels said that the man had in
SUI ed rne,n and he said; You ought no; to Insult
ever body. l am company with those ladies' -
Atweil came out. caiilrg him a $ OF b.
and struck him with a lantern. They ciinched
and strug, ed and Atwell got hold of the pistol.
which was in his pocket, and tried TO turn il
toward witness. At the time Atwell had
has hand under his right arm. While strug-
sing for tie pistol il went OF. He could not
ray who pulled the trigger. Witness identified
the coat he wore that night, and, putting 1t on.
ccaanued his statement. saving when Inc pistol
went OF Atwells hold Of the pistol
looserei and he sad. ''ImE shot =
Then. with Mr.. Smith. he showed the position
they were III when the shot was fired his
head being pressed down and Atweu tavias
hold o. his pistol and hand together. He did
not have his hand up as a menace, but il
expoStuiation when he approached Atwell.
He fell tina: it was my LIE or his and if it did
80 off 1 wolld rather 1t go in Atwelrs body
;nan NINE" He twisted the pistol out OF At
well hand and stayed at Mrs. Ennels' that
night aud then went TO Philadelphla.