The times., 1899-11-29

George Ashton, the colored man who is
said to have killed Ida Jackson, also col
ored, at her home, 40 Nineteenth Street
Monday afternoon, was yesterday held by a
coroner's jury as responsible for the death.
The verdict was reached at an inquest
convened at the Sixth precinct station by
. Coroner Carr at , o'clock Ashton, who
had previously been photographed and
measured for the rogues gallery was the
most disinterested person. apparently, at
| the proceedings. After it had been decided
that The man should be held for the action
/ of the grand jury Coroner Carr ordered
/ him committed 10 the District jail 10 await
! further proceedings.
Dr. Sterling Ruffin. who performed the
! autopsy on the body Of the Jackson woman,
testified 20 the finding of the wounds on
the face, head, and body. He said there
/ were several cuts and bruises on the face
and head and the chest was crushed in.
In addition, her ribs were broken. Wit
ness said that there was no sign of disease
about the other organs, and stated that
/ death was undoubtedly due to the injuries
| received.
William Reed. colored. who has been un-
/ der arrest since Monday night as a United
! States witness, testified to having been at
| the Nineteenth Street house about 1
o'clock in the afternoon. He saw Ashton
/ sitting with the Jackson woman, drinking
! beer. Witness saw that the supply of the
| beverage on hand was about exhausted
and taking a pitcher went out TO purchase
more. When witness returned he met
Mary Shorter and with her drank the con-
! tents of his pitcher. Witness did not go
upstairs again. After short stay down
stairs witness heard woman scream MUIR
der and then add. Don't beat me, George. -
Witness heard thumps and knocks and ran
into the street, where he jumped in his
wagon and went in search of a policeman
When witness left the Jackson woman and
Ashton they were alone.
Reed was followed on the stand by Mary
Shorter, who corroborated his testimony as
TO purchasing beer and the drinking Of it
by Reed alone. The Shorter woman said
she heard screams from the upstairs room
and becoming frightened ran out of the
house by the rear entrance. Reed ran
through the front door. Witness did not
know who was upstairs with the Jackson
womanh She had seen Ashton there earlier
in the day, but did not know whether he
had gone Witness saw Reed come down
the stairs 10 go for beer. but did not see
him when he first entered the house When
witness got outside the house she told Mr..
Loveday that there was trouble inside.
He blew a distress call on a police whistle
and sent witness to the herdic stables to
telephone for the police. Witness saw
Ashton leave the house. and, returning
emerge again after a few minutes and walk
up Nineteenth Street.
Lieut., r. E. Boyle OF the Third precinct,
saw Ashton at the station after the man
had surrendered himself. Policeman Brown
and Detestives Hartigau and McNamee
were questioning the prisoner. Ashton was
/ drunk and obstinate. Witness examined
/ the clothing of Ashton and found blood
/ stains on his shirt sleeves and trousers
J legs. Witness exhibited the clothing and
4 also a cuff button found in one sleeve of
/ the shirt. A similar button. witness said,
/ was later found under a rug in the room
/ where the Ashton woman was found.