The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-27

The trial OF Luther Williams for an
assault with loaded revolver on Ed
win Il. southwick took place In Judge
Wilburs court today.
There were some unusual features
about the case.
Southwick says he got an instanta-
neous glance at Williams and asserts
he is positive Williams is the man who
shot him.
southwick was called from his house
in North Smithfeld Sunday night TO
fix a wagon wheel by . stranger and
after going a short distance, the
stranger turned. and shot him.
All this took place on dark road In
Satersvile and Southwick was called
on because he Ia a wheelwright.
Williams brother is a competitor OF
Southwick in business.
The defendant denies his guilt and
introduced many witnesses TO show he
Is OF good character. and that on the
night of the shooting he was In Cam.
bridgeport.
SoUTHwICK'S STORY.
Southwick, who was the first witness.
said that on sunday. April 22d or this.
year, he got 10 his home about o'clock
in the afternoon and between 20 min
utes OF 10 o'clock and 10 o'clock man
came to his home and Knocked.
When asked what ne wanted the
stranger said he wanted his wagon
fixed.
Mr.. Southwick got his lantern and
went down the road with the caller, but
the latter went ahead. and at last Mr..
Southwick asked him where the wagon
was
For a reply he was given a salute
from revolver. t
The stranger then went towards
Southwick's house and the latter fol-
lowed him about so feet.
Then the strange lodged and went
towards Forestdale.
Southwick described the clothing
worn by the man who shot him.
A lantern was produced and was
identified by Southwick as the one he
carried.
One shot only was fired, but the aim
was poor as Southwick believed his
heart was aimed at. .he pistol was
discharged so close TO him that his
shirt was burned. t
IDENTIFIES WILLIAMS.
Attorney General stearns: II ask you
to look at the defendant Luther Will
liams. and say " he is the man who
shot you that sunday night"
Mr. Southwick. He is."
Southwick said he next saw Williams
after the shooting at williams car
riage shop in woonsocket.
The defendant came on a platform
on the second story of the shop and
Southwick said he identified the de-
fendant. among a number of men. Wit
ness said the defendant had a llmping
walk. was round-shouldered and was
easily identified.
Southwick was closely cross-exam-
ined.
MR.. WILLIAMS STORY.
Mr. Williams told good. clear story
in his own behalf. saying he had gone
TO Cambridgeport. Mass, and worked
there from April 20th to Monday, April
23, working Sunday. the 23d of that
month. He worked at the Mason e
Hamin Organ Company's plant there.
The assistant attorney general ask
ed a number OF questions about the
wheelwright business in Woonsocket to
try to show competition was very
fierce.
The engineer who hired Williams at
Cambridgeport testified williams
worked there the day OF the shooting.
John j. Heffernan and stephen A.
Cooke are counsel for defendant.
The engineer and nightwatchman OF
the Mason a Hamlin Organ factory
both swore that at the time OF the al
legged shooting Williams was at work
at the factory In Cambridgeport and
was there the night OF the shooting as
late as 10 o'clock.