The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-27
Story Of The Walker Street Tragedy Told
Before Judge Wilbur and a Jury.
CHRISTINE MILLERS STATEMENTS.
She Described ihs Clash in Her Rouss That Re-
suited in Adams Death Other Witnesses OF
The Affair Gave Their Testimony.

The trial of John McWilliams, Jr., for
the killing of Arthur +. Adams in a
house of i'll repute kept by Mrs. Chris
tine Miller on Walker street on the
early morning OF January 20 OF the
present year, was begun in Judge Will
bur's court before a jury this forenoon.
Before the noon recess the state had
examined all the witnesses il had sum-
moned but one. Some sensational tes-
timony that has been talked about ON
the streets was not introduced, and the
state has all the witnesses to what took
place in the Miller house the night OF
the assault, except the defendant him
self The case will in all probability
be in the jurys hands by noon tomor-
row. The defence gave a good deal OF
attention this afternoon 70 the physical
condition of Adams at the time the
blows the state claims led to his death
were struck
McWilliams sat beside his father and
Counsel Cooke & Angel during the trial
and was at times quite nervous. 1t will
be recalled that the first grand jury
that considered his case brought in an
indictment for simple assault, and when
the case was submitted TO a second
jury an indictment for mansaughter
was found and IL is upoi this second
indictment McWilliams is on trial. The
jury was, at the request of the attorney
general. notified by Judge Wilbur mat
they would not be permitted TO sepa-
rate until verdict was reached.
The members OF the jury are George
A. Farrar. foreman: Gilbert l.. Staples.
Thomas Leighton. Frank p. Whitaker.
Herbert A. Goodhall. William Flana-
gan, John G. King James j. Nolan,
Leander G.. Marshall, q. Dexter An
gell. Peter A. Dennison, Alfred Y. Hor-
ton.
There was some little difficulty in get
ting a jury. and the panel was just
filled when Clerk Webster called the
name of the last jurors on his list.
Harry Adams was called on the jury.
After he had taken his seat in the panel
and the attorney general had made his
opening statement of the case, Mr..
Adams arose and said: "Your honor, I
am a brother of the murdered man."
He was promptly excused. Judge Cooke
of counsel for McWilliams said to the
reporters that he knew who Adams
was q I'd waited To see IL he would make
a statement to the court. For obvious
reasons IL was not necessary Tor the
defence to waste a challenge
Attorney General Tanner in his OPEN
ing statement of the case. after describ-
ing the difference between murder and
manslaughter, told the members of the
jury that 4, would be necessary for
them to consider frequently i'm their
discussion of the testimony that Nc
Williams was not charged with having
planned murder.
Christine Miller was the first witness
called by the prosecution. She testified
that she had resided in Providence for
the last seven or eight years. McWn-
liams and Adams came To her house
shortly before O'Clock on the morning
OF January 10. 1898, and sought admis-
sion. but were at that time refused
Mrs. Miller was up waiting for two
young women who had gone out 10
spend the evening, and McWilliams ana
Adams met the young women when
they returned. The two men acted Ike
gentlemen. and there was pleasant
and general conversation on topics or
the day in the parlor. Arthur Adams
did considerable walking around the
room. Once he sat down at the head
Of the lounge on piano stool, and q
man and woman were sitting on the
lounge When witness last saw Adams
he had his head in the Ian OF Miss
Rice. She had seen McWilliams' team.
Miss Rice was the first TO warn Dor OF
the affray and said man was hurt.
A door had been closed and this inter-
fered with Mrs. Miller's progress to the
parlor. and when she got there Adam
was on the floor and Miss Rice had his
head between the palms OF her handT.
Medical assistance was promptly sum-
moned BY McWilliams. Gately and
Goodwin. The two latter were gone
about half an hour after doctor and
Adams did not recover consciousness
and died right i'm the house where the
fatal blow was administered.
Louis 7. Angel conducted the CROSS
1T AN /
liams was the first person In the room
TO suggest going for doctor. He re-
mained i'm the room and exhibited re-
morseful feelings.
How did he exhibit these remo-sefui
feelincs?" asked Mr.. Angel.
The question was objected TO BY tho
attorney general. who sa'd This man
Is not charged with murder. and his ex-
hibition of remorse is inadmissiblc"
The court sustained the objection ana
an exception was taken.
Mrs. Miller said DR.. Magin was the
physician Mcwilliams brought With
him. McWilliams suggested the get
ting OF another doctor. saying he want
ed to get all tho medical assistance
! possible. The statement OF McWiliiams
was ruled out. Witness said McWil-
Iiams went for the second doctor.
some drink. very little. was Furnished
| the two men. Adams aud McWnliarrs.
| in her house and the latter was under
/ the influence OF liquor when ne carlc
| in. She did not notice Adams' ccrd'- =
| ton. Nothing occurred during the tine
| the two men were in her house 10 cause
| any III feeling.
Helen Rice said she was IN Mrs. MIL
| lore house when Adans and McWii-
| iiams came IN. They Slipped I'm when
the door was opened Tor ono of IN" m