Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-03-04
LOCAL M ALTERS.
WEATHER PRoBABIL1TIEs.-For this
section fair tonight; Thursday fair AID
we rcner; northerIy winds.

NELSON SENT On TO CoURT.-A large
orow1 attended at the Coiu,nhus-s:re
courthouse this morning to Witness liv
examination of the case of John Nelson,
charged with killing Benjamin Hines,
colored, and shooting Deputy Sheriff
Oenterman and others at Jackson City
IN the night of February 20. But very
fsw witnessed the proceedings, how
ever, as they were conducted in the
iorv room. The witnesses were kept
anart and brought in one at time.
Justice J. II. Lane, colored, presided.
The prosecution was represented by
Commonwealth Attorneys Richard
Johnston and Leonard Marbury, and
the defense by Messrs. Edmund Burke,
Iohn H. Greene, and L. G. Barley.
There were two warrants, one for the
killing and the other against Nelson
and man named Morris for conduct
ing gambling.
stand first. He said he had first acted
as deputy sheriff by order of the
court and subsequently, by appoint
ment from Sheriff Palmer. He was
deputy on the night of the shooting.
He and Milt. Johnson had stopped in
Nelson's place on the night in question.
While in there he became separated
from his partner, the latter having en-
tered back room where a game of
crap was in progress. Two or three
hours later witness went to Milt. John
sons store, where the posse was or
ganized. The party then went to Mel
sons. When they got there the games
had ceased. but the chips and other
paraphernalia were exposed. Nelson
was arrested, and the trouble which
preceded the affair had quoted down.
johnson had approached the bar for the
purpose of taking a drink, and in pull
ing his handkerchief from his pocket
pulled his pistol with it and the weapon
fell on the floor. Andrew Lewis and
another colored man began to scuflle
with Johnson for its possession, when
the pistol was discharged, the ball en-
tering the ceiling. Nelson then began
mis- fusilade, resulting in the killing of
Benjamin Hines, the wounding of the
witness and others. Nelson was under
arrest when he began to shoot. Wit
ness did not shoot. Nelson had been
very abusive. Witness saw Nelson
shoot Hines.
Milt. Johnson followed. He said he
entered Nelson's saloon in the early
part of the evening with Deuteiman
and got drink. He also entered the
back room and participated in game
of crap. Nelson at that time was in an
ugly humor and wanted to fight. Two
hours later Deuterman came to his store
and deputized him with others to pro-
coed to Nelson's for the purpose of
raiding the place. He corroborated
the preceding witness as to dropping
the pistol, its discharge and Nelson's
subsequent fusilade. The ball from
witnesses pistol had entered the ceiling.
Andrew Lewis, colored, one of those
deputized 10 aid in making the raid,
testified in substance as did Deuterman
aud Johnson as to the occurrences in
connection with the shooting. He had
picked up Johnson's pistol and had it
in his possession while Nelson was
shooting. Nelson had at first endeay-
ored to prevent the posse from enter
ing. Harry Gambler had fred at wit
ness while the latter was retreatiug
from the house. About half 81 mnu'e
elapsed between the time Johnson's
pistol was accidentally discharged and
Nelson's attack.
bayfield, Ransom, colored, another OF
the deputies, described the accidental
discharge of Johnson's pistol, as did
also Charles Pollard &nd Charles Gold.
man, both colored. The latter saw
Nelson fire three times.
Charles ONeal, white, testified to
seeing Nelson shoot Johnson after the
latter's pistol had been accidentally
discharged. Witness was shot in the
eye during the firing. He was pushed
from the room by the crowd as they
surged toward the door. Later he went
back armed with a pistol for the pur-
poSe of rescuing Deuterman and the
others who had been shot.
All the witnesses testified that Hines
made no hostile movement toward
Nelson nor could they say he was
armed
No other witnesses being present, Mr..
Greene, for the defense, moved that the
prisoner be discharged on the ground
that there was not sufficient evidence to
hold him.
AR. Marbury, for the prosecution,
thought there was evidence sufficient to
send the prisoner on to court.
The Justice was of the same opinion,
and Nelson was committed.
Argument followed as to whether the
Prisoner should be admitted to bail.
Inc motion for bail was denied and
Tue prisoner committed to Jail.
-: Morris, who was charged with gam
plng, was sent on to court. He will be
oalied, however, should he furnish &C
ceptable surety.