Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1895-08-29
VOL. XLVII.
WILL NOT BE MURDER.
She Declares that the Shooting Was Neces
sary to Save Her Life from William
Crawford's Assault.

Ella or Amanda Cant, will not terminate
in murder, but it is an ugly case, and un-
folds very ugly story.
After the shooting, Officer Garrison
Immediately placed the Cant woman
under arrest, and she was taken before
Justice Davis, who formally committed
her TO the County Jail in default of $1,000
bail, to await a further hearing.
Officer Garrison Immediately started to
the prison with the woman, who was ac-
companied by her little boy.
Arriving at the Jail, the woman gave
her name as Amanda Cant, and said she
was twenty-five. She is rather comely
woman, white and quite stout. She was
weeping, and her neck bore the marks of
severe choking. This she said was done
by Crawford before she had shot him.
Jail Warden Watkins refused to allow
the little boy to be locked up without
commitment, and after very fearful
parting, he was led away by friend to
be taken care of bv the woman's sister.
Amanda then told the entire story of
the shooting. He said the affair was the
outcome of an episode which occurred as
far back as August, 1894. She said it was on
the 18th of August 1894, when she was
committed to jail for disorderly conduct
in default of fine and costs amounting to
$3.50. While in Jail Miss Cant was visited
by a woman named Dolan who said she
knew man who would pay the fine and
costs and secure her release. The money
was paid, but Amanda declares that up
to this time she did not know who the
man was. She also received dollar in
money, and the fellow also paid weeks
board for the Cant woman's child.
After her release from Jail Amanda
went to Mrs. Dolan's house, and one
night Mrs. Dolan said that Will was
there, and for the first time she went in
to see him, and was, as she claims, horri-
fled to see Crawford, colored man.
Then troubles began. From that time
on she tried to avoid him, but Crawford
money put up for her, she should love
him. Then Crawford declared he would
kill her if she refused to receive him, and
she became afraid of her life. She did
meet him several times and finally he
fired at her, the powder burning her face.
Then again he fired at her from place
of concealment, and the bullet clipped off
some of her hair
Then he wrote threatening letters to
her, the last one being dated August 10Th.
and in this epistle Crawford told Amanda
that she had broken his heart.
Yesterday at her home, No. II Pine
street, Amanda was sitting outside on
stone wall, and Crawford came along and
twitted her with having had good time
the night before. There was some sharp
words and finally Crawford followed
her into the house. There he hit her in
the face, and caught her by the throat,
thrust her part way down the well. She
caught hold of the windlass to save her.
self from going down. She was scream
ing and finally broke away from him and
went upstairs and returned with 3S-
calibre revolver. He laughed when he
saw it, and said he could eat bullets. She
fired, but did not hit him. Then he turned
and caught her by the throat and she fired
at him again, striking him as described,
yesterday.
William Crawford's Story.
A PIONEER reporter visited Crawford
at the house of his sister, Mary Crawford,
where he had made his home, the house
being on Mill street, almost in rear of the
house, No. II Pine street, where the Cant
woman lived.
Crawford layed pretty well doubled up,
on bed in room on the second floor.
He was disposed to keep pretty quiet,
but he talked freely.
When asked to give his version of the
affair, he did so reluctantly.
He said :-"I worked last night, burn
ing kill of bricks at Lupton's brick
yard, and this morning l went out and
was playing ball awhile; coming home
changed my shirt, and, in company with |
a white fellow, started to get some cigars
at store on Pine street.
We went out of Mill street into Pine, |
and passing up to where Amanda Cant |
lives, observed her sitting on the stone |
wall which runs down the side of the |
alley.
She called to me and asked me where I |
was going. said "up here to get a case
of beer"
She said, what's the reason you don't |
come to see me?' and replied because 1 |
don't care to- She.said cant see you
tonight p and told her no. She asked |
me to come in, she wanted to see me, and |
/ stepped down to the shed, and finally |
inside.
She began to upbraid me for being
with Jennie Miller, and told her Jennie |
Miller was as good as she was. Then she |
called me black son of - and / told |
her if she called me son of - I'd break
her neck, for my mother was no more
a D than was her mother. She threw |
glass or tea cup at me, and said, you
oiack son of a -- I'll shoot you.' told
her 10 shoot if she wanted to. 1 did not