The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-08-20

j. j.. nasuum's Death.
Coroner Stldham last night held an In
quest on the body of j. L. Hannum OF
Oxford Pa, who, 1t is alleged, was killed
on Monday afternoon by being pushed
from the White Horse Hotel by the pro-
prietor George c. Woods. The testimony
brought out at the inquest conicted on
many points, but it all went to show that
Woods and Hannum had a quarrel during
the afternoon. Woods, the prisoner, was
present, and the way he wiped the perspi-
ration from his face and neck indicated
that he was very anxious and greatly
troubled over the outcome of the inquest.
The verdict of the jury was to the effect
that Hannum came to his death at the
hands Of Woods, and the latter was held
for trial.
Charles B. Evans represented Deputy
Attorney General Peter L.. Cooper, and
Walter II. Hayes appeared for the pris-
oner. The first witness on the stand was
Oficer John Z. Ward. He testified that
he was In the police station when Woods
entered and stated that he had trouble
with stranger at his saloon. Officer
Ward went TO the place and found Han
mum dead in the stable.
Maggie Campbell, coored. employed in
!, the hotel testified that she was asleep
until nearly supper time. Mrs. Woods
said man was dead outside and told the
girl to get a sheet to cover the body.
Caroline Miller, the coOred cook at the
hotel, testified that a man came to the
kitchen window and asked fer something
to eat. Woods came up and told the man,
who was Hannum, to let tbs woman alone.
Woods and Hanuum walked away, and in
= little while Mrs. Woods told her to
come and see the fight. Woods and Han
mum were wrestling. The witness could
not say who struck the nrst blow. 1t was
q general fight when She saw 1t.
Mrs. Ella Hewitt was standing in the
kitchen and saw tho men quarrel. Hau-
mum had words with some men and then
came to the kitchen wialow and asked for
something to eat. IT, was given some
bread and meat and then Woods came up
and told HaDnum to come away. They
started away, Hannum Iursins and swear
ing at Woods. When about halfway
across the stable yard Woods gave Han
mum push on the shoulder and he
staggered across the yard and fell. Han
mum got Up and came at Woods with
clenchad fists and Woods gave him an
other push Hannum fell and did not get
up again. Mrs. Hewitt did not see
Woods strike Hannum at any time. He
only pushed hin on the shoulder. The
witness later with Mrs. Woods wen. to
the stable and saw Haunum iytas in
stall. She did net think he wd4 injured
or dying, but thought 10 was drunk and
was sleeping it off.
James Hewitt is slaEl" boss AZ liz White
Horse Hotel, and a brother iu-law Of
Woods. He did not gee auy OF the trolne.
Hannum had during the afternoon, had
quarrel with Patrick Mlndy. and The wit
ness parted them. l4e did not 500 any hgh.
between Woods and tannnn. and did not
see blow struck or anyone pushed. He
was not at the stable yard gate when the
quarrel Is supposed to lave taken Place, hut
someone called him and lie Wrnl to the
yard and found Ilaunum !JluB on the
ground With thn help Of d man named
woodward. who Is now missing, Hewitt
carried Hanuum into the stable and put
him in stall, Later. either Mr.. or Mrs.
Woods told him he had better 60 for doe
tor and lie went 20 Dr. BlnCksnm's office.
Oliver Gentry who works in a grocery
store al Second and Tgtnall streets, saw
some men quar- cling In the stale yard, and
went to point opposite the Ente, Hewitt
and another man were Standing at The gate.
and in the yard Woods and llanuum were
fighting The witness saw Woods hit Han
mum and then The latter hit back. lie also
saw Woods kick ilaunim Twice on tho legs
The witness was called 10 the store by a
customer and he did not see how the fight