Evening star., 1900-03-23
Nelson Vale Accused of Killing Alex,
jackson,
TESTIMONY SUBMITTED TODAY
Those Who Were Eye-Witnesses
Of the Shooting.
TIL REATS WERE MADE

today in the case of Nelson Vale, the elder
ly colored man on trial before Justice Cla-
baugh in Criminal Court No. for the mur-
der of Alexander Jackson, also colored. at
Reno City, near Tenleytown, Sunday, the
14th of last January Soon after court
opened the jury was completed, the twelve
men sworn to pass upon the question of
guilt or innocence of the defendant being
Messrs. James H: Evans, James B. Holiday.
Edwin R. Archer, John W. Bowling. Sam
uel C. Anderson George f. Dunster, F. G.
Willett, George w. Arnold w. J. Crockett,
Joseph A. O'Hare, c. r. Dant and f. L.
Barclay. Assistant United States Attorney
Taylor appears for the government, the de-
fendant being represented by Attorneys E.
NJ. Hewlett and Thomas Walker
The Testimony.
After the case, from the standpoint of
the government, had been outlined to the
jury by the prosecuting attorney, Louisa
Burns was called as the first witness. She
stated that she saw the body of the de-
ceased at the morgue and identified the
body as that of Alexander Jackson.
Annie Crisp, who lived with her husband
In Wales house, testified; that she had heard
Vale notify Jackson to remain away from
the house. The morning of the crime the
"itHCS9 iiotlSSu d plStOl III tHe pUSStSSlOl
of Vale.
The next witness. John w. Prather. told
the jury that Jackson. the victim of the
occurrence, boarded with him. The day
OF the killing Vale came to witness house
and inquired for Jackson. The latter re-
fused to go to the door, Later Vale en-
tered the house without knocking, and.
seeing jackson, remarked: You didn't
enter into conversation with Vale. The lat
ter continued to talk. informing jackson
that Mary Ellis was dressing to go to
church and asking why he didn't dress and
go with her. Vale dared Jackson to go
with the woman, saying, I'm going to
light your streets up
The parties left the house, and the quar-
rel was renewed. Jackson stopped as though
several feet away, took a pistol from his
pocket and fired one shot Jackson reeled
and fell. Vale walked from the, scene.
Nature of the Wound.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook gave a de-
scription of the deceased and told of the
nature of the wound. A bullet had passed
through the ear and was located in a flat
tened condition at the base of the BRAIN
DR.. Arthur McNaGee. resident ply
sician of Georgetown University Hospital,
had testified that Jackson died at that in
stttutton the 18th of January, as the result
of gunshot wound.
James H. Riley, the next witness. who
saw Vale and Jackson the day Of the
shooting, told of trouble between the two
Vale asked Jackson: what are you doing
around my house, trying to raise a dis
turbance?" .,
Jackson denied that he was endeavoring
TO cause troIble. and Vale then applied to
him vile epithet. Jackson replied in kind
and Vale remarked. referring to jackson:
III get him before sundown." The wit
ness heard the pistol fired. After the kill
ha tvtf orI oil
had shot jackson, and that he did not care.
James H. Crisp, an eyewitness, described
the shooting. Vale and Jackson were talk
ing: Jackson said to Vale: 81 dare you to
come out in the road and say that"
Jackson threw a. stone at Vale, and then
reached for a brick. Vale thereupon pro-
duced his weapon and fired.
Vale remarked: "It don't take me long to
Kill Niger" He then asked for the po-
lice. and started to give himself up
Daniel E. Martin witnessed the shooting
and the incidents leading thereto. After
the occurrence Vale told Mary Ellis that
he had killed Jackson on her account
DR.. George Vaughan testified that Jack
son died at Georgetown University Hospital
the afternoon Of January IA last, from a
gunshot wound of the brain.
Threats Made by Vale.
Sarah J. Green told of threats uttered by
Vale January A. in effect that the latter
would kill Jackson before sundown that
ody, OF the WofdS that passed between the
two men, and of the shooting
Annie r. Lewis, called by the prosecu-
ton, declared that the morning of the
shooting Vale called at her house. and
while there announced his intention of kill
Ing Jackson before the sun should go down
Frederick Green. colored. testified that
he heard Vale start the trouble with Jack
son. accusing him of causing trouble in
Wales family, and remarking, "I'I get you
before the sun goes down"
Jackson Threw stones.
The next witness, David Rhone, among
other things testified that Jackson had
thrown two stones, and was about to hurl
a third missile at Vale before the latter
fired.
Policeman William w. Easley told of q
conversation ne had with the defendant
after the arrest, and Francis D. Brooks an,
Reuben Sommers testified regarding the
shooting. but nothing new was developed
Policeman John Sullivan, who arrested
Vale, testified that. among other things. the
prisoner said that he had killed a nigger
for interfering with Mary Ellis
The government at this point announced
Its case closed.
The Defendant TestfRes,
Attorney Walker, addressing the jury, de-
clared that Vale, in shooting Jackson, acted
entirely in self-defense. Several days be-
fore the shooting Vale had warned Jackson
to stay away from his house. The men met
the fateful Sunday morning, and exchanged
angry words. Later Jackson CHALLENGED
Vale to go into the street. and began throw
ing stones at him. Jackson was advancing
toward Vale when the latter fired.
Mary Ellis, the woman in the case, told
Of hearing a pistol fired the day of the
crime. moment later Yale appeared and
said to the witness that he was going to
give himself up to the police. She had no
further conversation with him
The throwing 81 stot,es at Vale by Jack
son was described by William E. Gaines
The defendant next tapk the stand. He
gave detailed statement of what occurred
the day of the crime and said he shot Jack
son in self-defense, He, denied that he had
told ANYBODY thai he. shot the man on @ ac-
count of Mary Ellis. go
The cross-ex anhfna tfpn Of the defendant
was in progress Mhen this report closed.
The Daily Divorce Suit,
Harry H. Ridseway. through Attorney
Woodbury. WheeleE. this afternoon filed suit
for divorce aesaiuSt Carrie