Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-17
TRIAL OF PLUMMER
Investigating the Death of Doctor
William W. Waring.
BAR ROOM AFFRAY AT MARLBORO
Testimony Of Those Who Saw
the Cousins Quarrel.
RECES OF THE COURT
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
UPPER MARLBORO, Md, october IL.
The trial of Mordecai Plummer, who was
Indicted for the murder of his cousin DIR.
William w. Waring, ir the formers bar
room in this town, the 9th of last August
by stabbing him in the throat with a pen-
knife began yesterday in the circuit court,
with Chief Judge Jno. P Briscoe and As
sociate Judge j. Parran Crane on the
bench. Associate Judge Jno. Il. Brooke was
disqualified to sit in the case, owing 10
the fact that he is a near relative of Mrs
DIR. Waring. The court convened at $50
a. m, and as this case had been set for the
day 1t was Immediately taken up The en-
tire morning was devoted TO empaneling a
jury, and not until l2:30 pm, after sum-
moning twenty-five talismen. did the court
succeed in getting twelve men to serve.
The jury consists of Jno. Bowie William
ii. Schuler, Robert II. Robinson Thos b.
Gwynn, Michael Smith, Chas. F. Lusby,
James Z. King, Christiter c. Hyatt, Dent
downing. Charles Harbn, Richard Curtin
and James Harrison, the first five having
been chosen from the regular panel.
The defense was ably represented by
Richard +. Brandt, ex-states attorney, and
Representative 4. f. Meredith of Virginia,
while States Attorney Roger Bells and
Judge George c. Merrick represented the
state. MIR. Merrick is brother-in-law of.
as well the corridors and halls. while
hundreds were forced TO remain outside.
The Scene in Court.
Sheriff Underwood brought Mr. Plummer
into the court room from the jail, where he
has been confined since the indictment was
found against him. Seated between the
counsel was the prisoner, and just back of
him WIS his wife, son. daughter and sister
in-law. AT times during the testimony both
his wife and daughter gave way to their
extreme nervousness and wept. The prs-
oner seemed calm, cool and collected and
only at times did he show signs of nerv-
BUSINESS. He is a large, stout man, slightly
bald, with dark eyes and hair. of pleasant
manners and appearance, and dressed in a
light gray business suit. He is We'll con-
Eected. having a large circle of friends and
relatives.
The case was formally opened by Mr..
Merrick's address to the jury, followed by
Mr.. Brandt, for the defense. Both were
snort and explicit and dwelt particularly on
details. The first witness called was Thorn
as c. Nicholson, who was barkeeper at
the time of the homicide al fuckers Hotel.
lie said: Il was sitting on the front porch
of the hotel when l heard the sudden crash
OF bottles and broken glass, and, hearing a
scuff!ing, ran over across the street to
Plummer's bar room.
when i went in the door 1 saw Mr.. Plum
mer lying on the floor and DIR. Waring by
his side in a half sitting position, but in a
moment fell back upon the floor. j sprang
forward and caught Mr.. Plummer by the
arm, he at the time having sat up, and
brought him to his feet j said, Why, Mr..
Piummer what is the natter TO which he
replied, My head is cut His clothes were
covered with blood and his face bleeding
freely. 1 then turned and went to Dr.
Waring. Leaning over him, / took hold of
his hand, and heard him say, am shot,
my throat cut and am dying / saw that
his neck was severely cut, and that he was
bleeding profusely. In moment Robert
Hall came running in, and 1 started out for
some help. As l turned 1 saw MIR. Plum
mer standing near the water cooler, lean
ing against the bar. Mr.. Ridgeway the
barkeeper, was behind the bar. As i went
to the door l met Mr.. Causin Waring the
doctors brother, and went back again. I
did not see knife, pistol or anything of
the kind around.
Story of the Struggle.
Mr. Nicholson then, by request, drew a
diagram showing the jury the arrangement
of the inside of Plummer's bar room and
where the men fell and the various posi-
tions of each one present.
The next witness called was Mr. Causfn
Waring, a brother of the deceased, who
gave the following statement: II was Sit
ting in fuckers Hotel on the evening above
mentioned, when heard a loud noise as IL
some one was fighting, and got up and went
to The door. i then ran across to the bar
Il
brother, DIR. Waring, lying on the floor /
spraDg forward quickly, and as took him
by the hand he opened his eyes and said:
'Causin, this is a prearranged, concoc-ed
plan. They have got me in here and cut my
throat
This he repeated to DIR. Griffith when he
came. i soon saw his neck was cut on the
lef. side and bleeding profusely and that 4
must have doctor. j got up and went out
Of the door and saw DR.. Griffith. and said,
Doctor, won't you come in and see Brother
Bill? His throat is cut He Immediately
came in and l followed.
AT this time Mr.. Plummer was standing
near the water cooler. Mr.. Ridgeway be-
hind the bar, and MIR. Hall near me- L
helped the doctor all 1 could and made ar
rangemer is to have my brother carried to
his home. AS he was taken out the front
door L went out the back door and saw
Plummer standing there with his daughter
answered. Il did Well sir, consider
yourself under arrest said 1, TO which he
replied: i will, and am ready to go to
JAN tfen left him and went on home.
1 had been at Plummer's bar room two or
three times during the afternoon, and saw
nothing unpleasant between any of the
gentlemen. They had all been drinking
some"
DR.. Grimth's Account.
DR.. Louis A. Griffith was the next wit
ness called and testified as follows: Il was
at fuckers Hotel and hearing that there
the porch and soon saw Mr. Causin War
ing, who asked me to come over to Plum
mers bar room to see his brother who
was dying. 1 went directly over and when
/ reached DR.. Waring found him lying on
the floor in front of the bar with his throat
cut. 1 leaned over him and found after a
hurried examination that the left carotid
artery was severed, and Immediately ran
over to my office for my instruments. Be-
fore leaving him, however. I heard him
say, This is a prearranged, concocted plan:
they have got me In here to kill me- The
cut on the left side Of the neck, about
3 Is inches long and 3-4 deep. and was
made by q sharp. keen knife. The knife
was plunged in from the front and cut
backward He was cold and clammy and
when / entered the room L do not know
whether he recognized me or not. He
showed signs of consciousi ess. I gave him
stimulants. which prolonged his nfe His
wife soon came and she knelt by his
side he opened his eyes and murmured
something, which was not heard, but he
seemed to recognize her. rendered ali
medical aid possible. Nothing could have
saved his l.fe. As soon a stretcher was
procured and DR.. Waring placed on it and
carried to his home 1 left, going out the
back door. and there 1 saw Mr.. Plummer