The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-29
Asked Williams Not to
Fire His Cannon.
SET FIRE TO FUSE AT ONCE
Now He's on Trial For Assault With
Dangerous Weapon.
CLAIMS MADE BY THE DEFENCE.

George Williams, colored, celebrated
the national holiday on July in com
mon with millions of his fellow country
men. George was very enthusiastic over
the day and trfle reckless, and as the
result of his firing eff cannon he was
indicted by the last grand jury for on as
sault with dangerous weapon on Minnie
Pyne. George IS young man and was
tried for the offence In Judge Wilburs
court today.
The cannon was loaded with stone and
Miss iyne was hit with stuff from the
cannon and so severely injured that she
was confined Co thee Rhode Island hos
pital for two months. Williams denies
that he knew Miss Pyne's danger, but
she claims she told him not to fire until
sho got past.
Minnie Pyne testified that she lived on
Altbea street and about 6:15 O'Clock she
was going along Westiield street with
three other girls and n little child. She
SAW Williams on the sidewalk and near
him small cannon on u wall ana she
heard Williams ask y young man who
was nearby for q match. Then she went
a snort distance with the other girls who
were all engaged in seeing girl named
Mary Kelly part of the way home after
the bicycle parade. On returning she
got about opposite the cannon when
noticing tfat Williams was nj out 10 fire
it she told him not to do so until she got
past.
Williams, she claims, however, at once
lit the fuse, ana though she started very
quickly to get out OF the way, she was
shot in the left side. The wound was an
ugly Que and small pieces OF stone and
some of her clothing was taken from 1t.
She was told by Williams that there was
only powder in the cannon which would
not hurt her. 80 she walked with the other
girls TO her home. Later on she was ie-
moved to the hospital She knew the de-
fendant who formerly worked for her
father.
On cross ossexamination TO Gen. Brennan
Miss pvne said Williams was on the side.
walk and the wall was not an enclosure
of Mr.. Williams premises and denied
that one of her friends pulled her away
from going In front of the cannon. She
admitted that Williams had no preiu-
dics apainst.her or her family.
DIR Andrews of the Rhode Island Hos
pital staff testified that Miss Pyno was re-
ceived AT the hospital July 9TH and dis
charged Sent 6th The wound in Ter side
was an inch and "a half long and All inch
deep. ard that two piece OF stone, each
about as large as thun nail were taken
out Of " as we'll as particles of clothing.
Mary l.. Kelly. the young girl whom
the other girls were seeing home, testified
that Miss Pyne told Williams not To fire
the cam or until size got by, and
she rushed after the smallest OF the pnrty
who nad got right IN front of the cannon.
anu after pulling her back started 10 run
away. In the meanwhile the shot was
fred
This witness was Very much emhar-
rassed and her testimony did not fully
agree in detail with that Of Miss Pyne.
Inc other girls who were with the latter
were 1utio Green and Clara Greene.
A Graham Dewhurst testified no saw vii.
lilms fire the cannon after he was order, Il
not To ana that Williams had iired tho
cannon several times during the after
noon.