The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-29
Testimony Showed He Did
Not Inflict the Wound.
Story of the Unfortunate Affair Told
by the Accused.
Two Brothers OF Mrs. Lee, Among Others,
Testify In His Behalf.

The trial OF John j. Lee, who was
charged with killing his wife, Ellen J.
Lee, was held before Judge Sweetland in
the Sixth District Court this morning.
1t resulted, as was generally anticipated,
ind the discharge of the prisoner.
The first witness was Mrs. Catherine
Calvey. who testified that Mrs. Lee went
to her home on Manton avenue on the
evening of Tuesday, Jan II, and that she
was very much under the influence of
liquor. Her condition was such that she
fell upon the floor and acted like an In
sane person. Mrs. Calvey said that she
had lived in the house with the Lee
family and knew that Mrs. Lee was
addicted to strong drink.
Miss Kate Garland testified to leaving
the home of the Lees on Gray street with
Mrs. Lee, about o'clock in the evening.
They found Mr.. Lee in a bowling saloon
on Aborn street. Mrs. Lee began cursiDg
him and he came out. Then Mrs. Lee
grabbed her husband by the lapel Of his
coat and shook him. Mr.Lee broke away
and walked of, ano as he did SO Mrs. Lee
SAlQ. lie III nOt live Win iuc huotnor
day, pIl kill him."
The witness and Mrs. Lee then went
toward Westminster street and into
saloon where Mrs. Lee purchased some
whiskey.
They then got on 10 an Olneyville car
and the witness left Mrs. Lee in the car
at the square and went home. Mrs. Lee
r~I. tIav,
further said that she went to the Rhode
Island Hospital where Mrs. Lee said:
-"Tain't Johnny Lees fault, 1t was an
accident"
Mrs. Houligap, who lives in the house
with the Lees testified to the good
character OF Mr.. Lee.
The testimony OF John II. Lee, son,
was subst antially the same as given In
The NEWS, at the time of Mrs. Lees
death.
On the stand today he added the state
ment that his father had always been
kind to his mother and ell the children,
ana that bis mother had on several occa-
sions assaulted his father.
Deputy Chief of Police Patrick Egap
testified to Mr.. Lees coming to his Office
and stating that he had quarrel with
bis wife, and that she was at that time
at the Rhode Island Hospital. Mr.. Lee
sho we'd his hand which had been cut,
and said the wound had been inflicted
by his wife with a carving knife.
Medical Examiner j. Perkins was not
present, and Coroner Lincoln said that
the ooctor's autopsy showed that Mrs.
Lee had died OF blood poisoning.
Mr.. Lee in his own behalf said that be
left the store of Browning, King Il Co. at
6 O'Clock, and went directly 10 the bowl
ing alley. A little later bis wife and Miss
Garland came in. Mrs. Lee began to
swear, end caught him by the shoulders.
she bumped his head against the side OF
the building. They then went out on the
street where Mrs. Lee grabbed him again,
when he broke away from her and stood
whore ne could watch her. She dissp-
pcared, and few moments later be met
Miss Garland and asked her where his
wife wap. Tns answer was that she had
gone back into the bowling saloon. MIR.
Lee sent Miss Garland after her, and told
ber 10 get his wife out of the place, and
take her home. lie saw than coming
out, and supposed tnst they had gone
hume. Mr.. Les did not go home as he
knew there would be war. lie finally
reached homo a little after ~ O'Clock. and
saw his wife fully dressed asleep on the
lounge. lie knew from her condition
that she hsd been drinking. He went
directly tc his room, and went to sleep.
AT 3:2O he was reused by his wife who
had pulled ell OF tho clothing from the
bed aud ordered him out OF the house.
lie go, mp, and got the bod clothes and
went 20 bod again. Mrs. Lee then pulled
| the clothes of the second time and again
ordered him out CT the house. Mr.. Lee
| did as before. The third time she pulls d
| the clothes Of she bad in her right hand a
carving knife ana began to "pick" him
Win IL. Mr.. Lee said, "Nellie, put away
that knife" but he saw that she was, 90
he supposed, inFane. So he got NJ,
grabbed her by the wrist when she pulled
away and fell cn her side. she then went
I into the kitchen and shouted, "henry,
am stabbed" Mr.. Lee did not pay any
CCon,inued on Psge ~