Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-24
Evidence Tending to Show That Rye
Was Aggressor.
HAND BEHIND Elm WREN Scot
The Story of Prior Quarrel Be-
tween the Two.
LEADING POINTS INVOLVED

/, before Judge Cole. The increasing inter-
est in the already celebrated case had
caused an increased demand for admission
tc tie court room. but the rule excluding
the general public was rigidly enforced.
The defendant appeared to be fresher
than at any time during the trial, and be-
fore the proceedings began chatted with
several friends in an affable and smiling
manner, and talked pleasantly with his
wife, who was, as usual, seated by his side.
Officer Riley, who arrested Canty, was re-
called and asked two or three questions
about individuals who were present when
he had Canty in custody.
H. Cabell Maddux of Fauquier county,
Va, was next called. Had known George
Rye and Dennis CAVITY about five or six
years. Witness met Canty and Van Sender
in New York last August. at the Hoffman
House, and was told about the failure. Met
Rye four five days afterward in this city.
Don't tell what Mr.. Rye said" interject-
ed Mr.. Davis.
Mr. Wilson thereupon arose and said he
proposed to show that Rye had made
threats against Canty and that the threats
had bean communicated to him.
Judge Cole ruled as on yesterday. that
such testimony could not be admitted until
the facts of the killing in self-defense were
established, and the defense noted another
exception.
Mr.. Maddux was then excused until
Thursday afternoon.
The Previous Quarrel.
C. w. johnson testified TO the facts of the
quarrel between Rye and Canty in front of
1881 F street the day before the shooting,
ccrroborating the evidence of the other wit
nesscs preceding as to the language used
by Rye and his angry manner.
Rye was shaking with passion. Canty's
manner was quiet and collected. CAVITY
asked Rye not to create a disturbance on
the street and requested him to come in
side. Rye said the street was good enough
for him.
AS Canty walked away from Rye, ac-
epithets he r addressed to Canty before
and said h Ioud repeat them whenever
and whereN r he met Canty.
James e. Eye, the colored boutblack was
again called. but failed to answer. being re-
ported by Bailiff Crafts as sick in bed.
Mr.. Worthington asked if anything had
been heard of Leslie Russell, and Mr. Da-
Wis replied negatively, stating that Russell
would not reach Portland, Oregon, until
today. a deputy marshal was dispa tched
to see If Frye was well enough to cone
TO court. and Andrew Lawrence colored
OF 1911 Madison street. messenger in JEFF
fcrds brokers' office, at 49, F street, was
called.
Witress saw Mr. Rye, whom he knew by
sight, in Mr.. Jeffords office about twenty
minutes to II o'clock the day of the shoot
ing. Witness heard Mr.. Rye say something
which Mr.. Davis objected to witness re-
peatng.
Judge Cole held to his ruling that such
evidence was not competent at this time
ana the defense noted the usual exception
On cross-examination witness said he had
hrst told the story of what Rye had said
to d newspaper reporter and recognized
the Star reporter engaged in reporting the
trial as the one to whom he had given the
statement.
Henry Wilson, colored, proprietor of the
barber shop at 100 18th street saw Mr.
Pierre Waggaman meet Mr.. Canty in front
OF witness place about two minutes before
the shooting and walk with him toward f
street. witness heard the shooting and
ran down to the corner Did not see any
thlng OF the actual shooting
Ryc's Hand behind Him,
Alexander Brooks. colored, of 1921 Cor
coraI street, employed by Morton C. Stout.
12th and + streets, was next sworn Witness
was on the northeast corner of 14th and f
streets, near DR.. Stones house, when the
shootlnS began. He was going west and
ilrst saw gentleman, well dressed cross
ing diagonally from the Ebbitt House to
me Wyatt building corner. Witness was
then in front of Wells store, next to
SIC mes. He next saw Mr.. Rye just at the
curb whether on it or not the witness
could not say on the north side of tn.
street, az the corner of F and 18th streets
His hand was moved to his back He ha(r
his hand behind him. Witness then saw
CSInty draw revolver and shoot once and
tEen two or three shots in quick SUCCESSION.
Mr.. Rye staggered back he said about AZ
teen or twenty feet into F. street and
threw up his hand and sank down When
Rye made the motion of putting his right
nand behind him the parties We're probably
four or six feet apart. Rye kept his hand
behind him when he staggered back and
until he began to fall.
On cross-examination. witness sail he
hrst noticed Rye putting his hand behind
MN and then noticed the pistol IN C.nty's
right hand. Noticed both these rhinys
simultaneously.
Alleged Act of Aggression.
Witness. continuing. said Officer Riley
had come to him to get a statement on be-
half of the government. After much ques-
ticning by Mr.. Davis, witness declared that
Rye first put his hand behind him and
then Centy raised the revolver, a second
probably elapsing between Ryes motion
and Canty's.
Edgar Murphy, an aged colored carpenter
of Olive avenue, testified to being on the
north side of F street near the Wyatt
building: was close to the gentlemen who
had the trouble. That gentleman (pointing
to Canty) standing by the curb An
other gentleman stepped up to him and
CAVITY said: George, you owe me $780,"
and the other man said: You can get it."
Witness passed on across 14th street east
and then heard the shots. When Rye and
Canty spoke, witness stated, they were
facing the Wyatt building and about a
foot apart.
On cross-examinatlon Murphy said he
was accompanied from home by another
colored man named Lee, who was behind
him when the shooting occurred. Witness
could not say If the man who was lying
in the street shot was the same man who
had been told by Mr.. Canty that he owed
him Canty) 500.
John S. Lee. colored, of 270S street,
bricklayer. was Murphy's companion. Wit
ness saw Canty and Rye. Heard Canty say:
George, claim you owe mo $500"
Witness heard some one say, You're a
id liar" and thought it was said in re-
sronse to the first remark. Witness turn
ed at this and saw Canty draw a pistol
and begin shooting. Canty stepped back
when he fired. The man fired at was about
four feet from Canty at the time. Witness
did NOT notice the man who was shot until
he saw him being fired at. When witness
turned around the men were about five feet
apart.
Hand In Hip Pocket.
When asked how Rye was standing when
\ h.. hot ha