The times., 1899-06-03
The Verdict Rendered by the
Coroner's Jury.
Testimony Given by Railroad En-
p!oyes and Policemen.
Sergeant Kramcr's Story of the
SEootinE-The Intoxicated Com
dition of the Prisoner.

the circumstances surrounding the death
of Aaron D. Bishop, the immune who was
shot and killed at the Pennsylvania Rail-
road station by Dock n. Tharpe also an
immune, Wednesday night, the jury re-
ceased met his death as the result of a
gunshot wound inflicted by a bullet Gis-
charged from a revolver in the hands of
Tharpe. The jury recommended that the
prisoner be held for the action of the
grand jury. After the verdict was rem
dered Tharpe was returned to his cell
and later was taken to the District Jail,
where he will be held pending the action
of the grand jury.
The bulk of the testimony offered at the
inquest was mainly to the effect that
Tharpe had discharged his revolver at Po-
liceman Acton, who was wounded at the
time; that he was in an intoxicated con-
dition, and that it was evident that the
killing of Bishop was not premeditated,
but the result of a shot fired at random
in the excitement
The jury which passed on the evidence
presented and which returned the verdict
was composed OF John S. Cissell, George
II. Gill, Frank j. Donnelly, George o.
Miller, Thomas E. Perry, and Charles C.
Langley. They were the same jurors who
officiated at the inquest over the remains
of John II. Buscher on the previous day.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook, who per-
formed the autopsy on the body of Bishop,
was not present at the inquest. state
ment from him, however, was read by
Coroner Carr. The statement described the
bullet wound inflicted, relating that the
ball had entered the right forehead and
passed through both hemispheres of the
brain. 1t was afterward found lodged be-
meath the skull. Death, according TO the
opinion of the Deputy Coroner, was due
to cerebral hemorrhage following the
wound.
The first witness examined was John
D. Cranston. a ticket examiner at the
Pennsylvania station. He stated that a
large crowd was assembled at the gates 10
the train shed. through which passengers
were admitted to the outgoing trains.
When the gates were opened Wednesday
night there was a general rush on the
part of the crowd in an effort to get
through. TIE witness heard the shots
fired but did not see who did the shooting
He could not state what had happened.
When recalled later Cranston stated that
he had made no complaint TO an officer
that Tharpe had no ticket.
Cranston was followed on the stand by
Policeman Joseph Acton. who was possibly
the most important witness examined. He
related the circumstances of his own in
jury and the circumstances which led up
to the killing of Bishop. Acton stated
that he was detailed regularly for duty
at the railroad station.
There were number of drunken SOL
diers at the station Wednesday night, he
said, and l saw this young man point
ing to Tharpe) acting in disorderly man
ner. / warned him several times to de-
sist and not to crowd. He informed me
that he had no ticket, and l told him if
such were the case he would not be able
to get through the gate He replied that
he would go through if he had to wade
in gore up to his chin. He then resumed
his crowding, and l again warned him,
whereupon he showed me a card and
| asked if that would take him through
/ answered that if it would satisfy the
railroad people it would, but that l had
nothing TO do with such matters. The
man then said This will take me through,
and drawing his revolver fired"
On cross examination by Attorney Car
rington, who represented the defendant,
witness stated that he did not think the
defendant was badly intoxicated. Witness
did not attempt to prevent Tharpe going
through the gate. He did advise him to
remain quiet and conduct himself in an
orderly manner. Acton stated that though
| only one shot struck him he thought all
were intended for him. When shot, the
witness fell back against some one. Later
| he saw the dead soldier on the floor
At the conclusion of Acton's testimony
Sergeant Kramer, OF the Sixth precinct
| station, was called He was at the rail-
| road station Wednesday night because he
! knew the soldiers were going away, and
anticipated trouble from them. Kraemer
had demonstrated with Tharpe because of
| his conduct The man had been drinking.
Acton also spoke to Tharpe, warning him
to behave. Witness practically corrob-
| GRATED the evidence given by his prede-
cessor On the stand
| when the first shot was fired. said
| Kraemer Acton fell against me, knock
| ing me down. / am satisfied that my be-
| ing knocked over saved my life, as one
| of the bullets struck where / had been
| standing" Witness could not say posi-
| lively how many shots were fired. He
| knew that there were three shots, but
| Tharpe admitted that he fired five times
Defendant was the only person who dis
| charged a pistol.
Sergeant Kraemer stated that when
| Tharpe fired he was grabbed by Police
| man Payne. Witness then took hold oi
the man. who was still in a fighting mood
1t was necessary for witness to strike the
| man over the hand with his club in order
| to make him drop the revolver. The pris-
oner was later turned over to Detective
Cochran When this had been done wit
ness learned that Bishop had been shot. A
doctor pronounced the man dead, and wit
ness sent the body to the morGue. In
answer TO n question from Mr.. Darlington
witness stated that Tharpe was drunk, and
TO such an extent that he had concluded
TO lock the man up. Kraemer later cor
rected his statement concerning the con-
dition of Tharpe and said that though the
man had been drinking. he was not drunk
Policeman Payne next testified. He was
at the railroad station and saw the push
ing. He heard the shots fired and stated
that they were FIVE in number. Tharpe
he said. was very much intoxicated. Wit
ness grabbed the man after the first sho
was fired to prevent further firing. He
then struck Tharpe over the head with hi:
club. The prisoner did not fall when h,
was struck, nor before that time. Wit
ness had reached the patrol box with tht
prisoner before he learned that a soldier
had been shot.
]. D. Cathell, an usher at the railroad
station, was called TO testify as tC the ar.
rangements at the stat On for transporting
soldiers and other passengers. He explain
ed that soldiers often Travelled ON wha
are known as block tickets, one ticke
sufficing for any number OF soldiers. II
such instances. the witness explained tn,
man holding the ticket identifies all per
sons entitled to passage on the ticket be
fore they are allowed to get on the train
| Witness further stated that railroads hay
had trouble with soldiers When q sol