The age-herald., 1898-07-30
Under a Bond of One Thousand
 Dollars
FOR THE MURDER OF BLACK
Preliminary Trial Before Justice l. H. Benners--Defendan Cool Throughout Entire Hearing--Takent to Sheriffs
 Office Where She Makes Bond.

DtHu Her ONeT lO dWdll ln6 dClloi Ol thO grand jury in the sum of $i, ,000."
 Such were the words of Justice l. H. Ben- ners yesterday afternoon at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing of Mrs. Eliza beth Larch, charged with the murder of A. J. Black, which occurred at her home at Cain Station, Avondale, Friday evening, July B.
 The hearing was set for 10 a. m. and at the appointed hour the defendant, who was out on bond appeared in court with her husband and several friends and appeared cool and collected. Her council, Judge Houghton, was also on hand and conversed with her.
 Mrs. A. J. Black, widow of the victim of the tragedy, appeared in court, accom- panied by her brother-in-law. She was dressed in deep mourning and her pale cheeks and sad countenance told where the blow had fallen heaviest.
 c. P. Beddow appeared for the state and when the witnesses were called it was found that several were absent After a snort delay the state announced ready and witnesses were sworn and put under the rule, an exception being made in the case or Mrs. Black, who was allowed to remain in the court room.
 Dr. Wyatt Hehin, the attcding physician al the bedside of MT. Black was the first witness called. He testified that he had been called to Blacks home and found that he had been shot about two inches above the left nipple, the ball ranging downward. The wound produced his death which oc- cured on Saturday.
 Dr. Hawkins was the next witness He testified that he lived four doors from the Larch residence; visited Blach and found him lying on the foot of the steps to Mrs. I,arch'S door. n a colla nSpd condition and had been shot. Bullet entered some where between fourth and fifth ribs and penetrated tn lungs, lodging six inches above the kidneys to the right of the spinal column.
 Mrs. Black was next called and quietly took the stand. She said: II am the widow of A. J. Black. Live at Avondale, next door to Mrs. Larch. On the day of the shooting I was standing on my back porch Could see MT. Black plainly at back door. Had been out there about five minutes I heard Black say, Are you going to open the door?' Didn't hear anything else, but the shct. Black ran around the house and fell at the other door. Black said: She's killed me. I'm dy- ing" I heard Mrs Larch say she did it to be excited Had revolver In hand when talking to me. She put it up and went to cooking. Black never said at that time how 1t occurred. When shot he had one ldHu upon tft QOOT dnu uelu tHe ciilu Witu the other hand. The child is twenty-five months old. Black was making no effort to break into the house. He was standing still talking to some one. Black made a habit of visiting the Larch house. He and Mrs. Larch were apparently good terms. Never heard any complaint about his visiting there. He hardly ever knocked but would open door and gc in."
 Mrs. Black was cross examined by Judge Houghton and said:
 My husband was working at night. MT. Larch worked in the day time. MT. Larch moved there shortly after Christmas. l never said to Black: John, I told you not to go over there," nor did I tell him if he didn't quit he would get hurt l went to my side porch to kill a chicken, and that's how I came to see MT. Black over there. I called to MT. Black, but don't think he heard me.
 Mrs. Hagood, the next witness, testified that she had heard the shooting, and went to see what it was. Met Mrs Larch, who said: Don't get excited. I have killed Black. I did it in self-defense. If one bullet had not done it l would have used another.' Mrs. Larch said Black had in- suited her several times. She said to an- other lady that he was trying to get in the door. and had told 'her if she didn't open the door he would break it down and Kill her.'
 !. c. Travis was the last witness for the state. and, after several objections, was al- lowed to testify as to conversation he had with Black after the shooting.
 At the conclusion of MT. Travis testi- mony the state announced closed and MT. Martin was called by the defense lie testified that he knew Black Knew his general reputation. It was that or Vio- lent man.
 The witness was subJected 10 d. strohe cross examination.
 Mir Sharp was the next witness. Hau knewn Black for five years. Knew ms character from heresay. It was not good for peace, was rather violent.
 On cross examination the witness stated that he didn't know Blacks reputation in Avondale
 J. w. Powell was next examined Had known Black for a year. Saw him after he was shot and heard him talk. Heard him say. "Fitz, she liked to got me-" Think he said nobodyelse was to blame. Said he went to the back door and she wouldn't let him in Didn't know Blacks general reputation. He was hard to get along with on duty.
 Neal Wilcoxon, who boarded with the Iarch's, was the next witness He testi- fled that he was in his room when the shooting occurred. Had seen Black at the house before. Came over on Tuesday and accused Mrs Larch of being in my room She told him to go away and stay away, telling him that if he didn't she would hurt him. Just before the shooting heard him say "Ain't you going to open the door" It was in an angry voice Mrs. Larch, the refendant, next took the stand. She said: I had known Black seven years Moved to present home about four months ago. Told Black l wanted him to quit coming over there while MT. Larch was away. He said he would come when he got ready. Neither I nor MT. Larch could keep him out. The Tuesday before the shooting he asked me why l didn't open the door. I told him I didn't heard him knock, He said: "I guess you were in Neirs room" I said: You are mistaken" He said he was going to tell Charlie Larch. Before MT. Larch and I were married Black told me it would do me no good to marry another man. T w''' separate you and Charlie Larch if it cosis me my life" That Tuesday he said would be over and settle with me I warned him not to come. Wednesday orA Thursday he came and got hoe. Friday. 1 about 4 o'clock, he came to the door and knocked. The screen door was hooked. The other door was shut. He opened the screen door and knocked. He said "are you going to open the door," I said mo"