The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-05-12
SERTED HIM RIGHT.

SERTED HIM RIGHT.
A negro boy OF seventeen years was
shot and killed on Monday afternoon
In the Western suburbs Of Cumber-
land by John Meyers, who discovered
the negro in the act Of attempting to
assault Mrs. Katie Hier, white lady,
aged about seventy years. Shortly
before the boy, whose name was Will
liam Paris, assaulted Mrs. HER he was
seen chasing Mrs. Barbara Mes
another aged lady. Meyers attention
was attracted and he armed himself
with a rifle. Screams were heard
from a clump of trees and rushing to
the spot, Mr.. Meyers caught the negro
in the act of attempting an assault.
He was holding the old lady down
upon the ground. Her face was
scratched and nose bleeding, and her
clothes and body despatched with
mud. Mr.. Meyers yelled at the negro
when the latter ran and Meyers shot
to scare him. The boy still ran and
a second shot was fired when he fell.
Paris died in a few minutes and Mr..
Meyers sent word for the sheriff and
sat by the boys corpse until the officer
came.
There is considerable excitement
among the negroes in the neighbor-
hood and they are loud in their de-
nuuciation OF Mr.. Meyers. 1t is re-
ported that they held Il secret meet
ing on Monday night. Mrs.. HERS
testimony before the jury revealed
the fact that Paris had insulted her
before he made his attack upon her.
John Meyers. the slayer of William
Paris, colored, who attempted to out
rage Mrs. Kate HER, aged seventy
five years, was released from Jail by
Judge Sloan on d writ of habeas
corpus, sued out by Attorneys Ferdi-
nand Williams and DeWarren H.
Reynolds. The coroner's jury OIL
Monday night returned verdict OF
iustiliable homicide, and the habeas
corpus proceedings were instituted to
secure Meyers release, in accordance
to law.
When the hearing commenced,
States Attorney Henderson asked to
have the appearance of r. A. L. Dick
entered on behalf of the State. The
court room was crowded. Many col.
ored people were in the audience, Mrs.
Mes, Mrs. Amanda Meyers and two
other Misses Meyers and Mrs. HER
giving testimony identical with that
given before the coroner on Monday
night.
Mr.. Meyers testified in his own be
half and told the occurrence in a cool
deliberate manner. Meyers described
his coming upon Paris after the latter
had attacked Mrs. Hier. He said he
called to him to halt, and the fellow
left the woman and ran. He called to
him again and fired once. Paris con
tinued running. He fired a second
time and the man dropped.
Mr.. Henderson said the legal point
involved in the case was as to whether
a private citizen has a right to make
an arrest for a crime, and if so, wheth
er or not due chance for surrender
had been given. He said he thought
Meyers should be placed under bond
until the next grand jury for a thor.
ough investigation, rs human life
some discrepancies in the testimony.
Judge Sloan, in rendering his de-
cision, said: sit is not necessary to
stir up any public feeling in this case"
He referred to the apprehension and
the flight of Mrs. Mise, whom Paris
first accosted, and then said that the
circumstances connected Herewith
and the actions of the deceased con.
veyed to the mind OF the prisoner that
the deceased intended felonious as.
sault ir the outskirts of the town.
The mother of the prisoner ascertain.
ed that the woman had been insulted
and conveyed that fact to the travers-
or. 1t was the duty Of the traverser
to arrest the deceased. If, in making
the arrest, he kills the prisoner, then
he takes upon himself the RESPONSE
bility OF having established two facts:
First, that the deceased knew that he
was about to make an arrest, and
second, resistance. If he disclosed
his purpose to arrest, and the
party attempts to escape, the question
is whether it was necessary to take life
in oroer to prevent tie escape. Re-
sistance may be by force or it may be
by flight. The judge said that the
sole fact for him to determine was
whether, as a private citizen, the
prisoner was justified in using the
force he did to prevent escape. He
had no difficulty in his own mind in
reaching the conclusion that the pris-
oner simply performed duty in this
CASE.
When it comes to the question Of
The grand jury, no action of the
Speaker could deprive the citizens of
the community of the right of having
the matter investigated by the grand
jury. 1t was the iury's province and
right to review tn. Speakers action
and there was nothing to prevent that
body from investigating the whole
matter.
Judge Sloan's action meets with
general favor.
Several meetings are said to have
been held by the colored people ON
Monday night, with a view of dis
cussing the killing of young Paris.
On North Mechanic street there was
a meeting, but for what purpose is not
known.
A UNIVERSAL CENSUS.