Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-28
EATH eide Entail
Ooroner's jury on the Killing of Little
Willie Brunette.
Evidence Given Today Mt the Inquest
Medical Testimony ms to
the Injuries.

The inquest in the case of Willie Bur-
nette, the newsboy, who was killed through
injuries received on December % by being
run into and struck by the heavy tongue
attached to a double horse sand and gravel
wagon, driven by William Elliott, was held
at IL O'Clock this morning at Wises under
taking establishment 10Th and NJ streets.
Dr. Hammet conducted the investigation
and Mr.. Campbell Darlington acted as
counsel for the prisoner, Elliott.
Various witnesses were called.
Thos. ODonnell testified that he witness
ed the accident He said he saw the pris-
oner drive toward the mouth of the alley.
A moment later Elliott drew back his team
to permit buggy, in which were two col
ored men, to pass. Then his horses went
forward again, giving a lunge. The
boy tried to pass in front of the team AS 1t
was crossing the sidewalk. The pole struck
him and threw him against a brick wall al
the entrance to the alley. He. seeing that
the accident was a serious one, went for a
policeman that the driver might be arrest
ed, pending an investigation. ODonnell
acknowledged to having been drinking on
the day of the accident.
William Mccullough and Arthur Gowans
were in the alley at the time Of the accident.
They were there drinking whisky out or a
bottle
Their testimony was substantially as the
had been drinking or not
Prisoners Behalf.
Charles Schaffer had known Elliott for
years; hAd hfeser seen him under the infiu-
ence of liquor, though he knew that he at
times drank. He believed the fatality to
have been the resstllt of pure accident. and
not criminal carelessness. Elliott for the
past six or seven weeks has had a droopy
appearance. 1t was due to rheumatism of
the shoulders. it was stated by prisoner S
family and counsel casual observer
might mistake him for a man under the in
fuence of liquor. they said.
A seven-year-old grandson of Elliott. who
was on the wagon at the time of the acct
dent, made statement, IN which he blurted
out that '.it was Willie Burnette's fault"
The jurors did not consider his testimony
seriously.
Officer Daniel Connor, who made the ar
rest, testified that when he took Elliott
into custody he (ElliotO said that the
id child" had gotten in the way. The
officer said: You have been drinking
whereupon the prisoner replied: $50 help
me- God, 1 haven't"
Medical Testimony.
Doctor Louis Mackan, jr., and DIR. Hen
derson Suter testified to the boys injuries.
DIR. Mackall said: When 1 was called to the
boy, L found that several of his ribs were
broken and that there were other bone in
in all proba bility death would result.
DIR. Suter said: Il found the boys ribs
fractured, breast bone injured, and thought
IN all probability dslocation and fractures
in other spots had resulted through the
force of the blow received. He was suffer
ing greatly from the shock. He was pulse
less and cold when 1 called
DR.. Glazebrook, who conducted the autop-
sy. testified that he opened the body, found
the breast bone broken below the third rib,
two ribs fractured and an injury to the left
plural cavity. Hemorrhage had resulted
through the last, involving. probably, a
quart Of blood.
Death Accidental.
At 12:40 the jury rendered a verdict that
William Burnette came to his death on De-
cember % through being struck in the
breast by the pole of a wagon driven by
William Elliott, and that, in their opinion,
the death was the result of pure accident
Elliott being an old and feeble man. though,
the jury said, he was not a fit party to
handle a team of horses in the streets of
Washington.