The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-10-01
SHOOTING
A MYSTERY
Conflicting statements by witnesses has

Conflicting statements by witnesses has
caused the shooting of John Wesley Viii
mer, colOred, which occurred at the house.
No. 6l2 Christiana street, on Sunday
afternoon to be shrouded in mystery.
After hearing the testimony of witnesses
for more than two hours yesterday after
noon in the Municipal Court room the
jury cmpaneled by Coroner Frick to i'll
vestgate the cause Of death, rendered
the following verdict:
Resolved, That John Wesley Wilmer
came to his death on September 29, 1901,
at No. 612 Christiana street, about 1e.45
p. nl., from gun shot wound inflicted by
person unknown to this jury.
The statement Of Alexander Jones, who
was arrested few minutes after the
shooting took place, on the charge Of
murder, and his mother, Mrs. Lucinda
Jones, who, as far as has been learned,
were the only two persons in the room
when Wilmer was killed, differ as to
how the shooting occurred. Jones testi-
fed Oh the stand yesterday that Wilmer
on entering the room, pulled out re-
vover and pointed it at him. He (Jones)
Knocked up the revolver and it went off,
the bullet entering Winners head. Mrs.
Jones testified that Wilmer was leaning
over pulling the revolver out of his
pocket or belt when it went off. A num-
ber of other witnesses testified as to
what occurred directly before and after
the shooting. Their testimony was also
conflicting. The most damaging evil
ftx,bpn hnnpJ aruipsf InnnS, Ln
mony of .Iary Jones who was in the
kitchen when the shot was fired. Mary
testified that she heard Jones say: .SAail
| shoot him." and in a short time she
heard the report of the revolver. She
also testified that she heard Mrs. Jones
say: "Ol, Alcck, you have killed hiul."
The inquest was started shortly before
S O'Clock. Charles Whann was foreman
and examined the witnesses. Deputy
Attorney General Robert Richards was
present and cross-eXnmined the wit
nesses.
The first witness was DR.. ]. A. Draper,
Jr, coroner's physician. DIR. Draper
testified to having examined the dead
man and found the bullet in the upper
part Of the brain.
Lucinda Jones, mother of the accused.
who was the next witness, said she was
present when the, shooting took place.
She was cleaning pan at the dining
room table when Ebert and her son
came in and sat on lounge. Her grand
son and Wilmer were laughing. Wilmer
started to pull revolver from his pocket
or belt. While the pistol was part of the
way out it went off. The report dcafencl
her. Her son was about ten feet away.
Mr. Richards in cross-cyaminng her ask
ed if she did not say. "Oh, Aleck
now you have done it," She replied that
if she said it she did not know it. slH
said her son Alexander. Wilmer, Elbert
and herself were in the room.
Irwin Elbrrt said he lived in the same
house but denied that he was III the
room.
Mary Jones of No. 612 Christiana street
testified that she was no relation to The
other Jones. She was in the kitchen
perling potatoes when she heard the re-
port. Shortly before she heard "Babr"
Jones' l\lcxander) say, ''shall shoot
him."
s.Iam"s Jones, brother of Alexander,
said that he was sitting on the front
steps when he heard the report. He
did not see the men quarrelng.
William West Of No. 61O Chrstiana
street said that after the shooting hr
heard Mr.. Jones, Alexandcr's father. sa,
"Alcck, Alcck, you have done it. told
you about fooing with them things"
Alexander Jones. Sr.. father of the
accused, said that he was sitting in the
front room when he heard the report.
II" denied that Gilbert was in the room
and also denied that he said what West
testified TO.
Katie Bartic was on the stand but her
testimony brought out no new points.
Mary Smith, of No. 600 W. Front ST.,
a young Polish girl. was at dinner when
she heard the report. She ran and look
ed through the fence to tte Jones' yard
and heard some man say: 81 wanted TO
do that and | did do that"
Officer McGnrvey testified to going to
the house and arrcsting Jones.
Jones was next put on the stand. He
said that he and Wilmer went into tfIc
house joking. Wilmer rushed at him
with Il pistol. He knocked the pistol IN
and it went off. After being shot he
said Wilmer stood there for nearly five
minutes. ii" then started to fall and
struck the floor before he could catch
him. The revolver was at Winners
Feet hut someone picked it up and -Iayed |
t on the table. He said that he had n, |
fuss with Wilmer.
DR.. Draper was recalled to the stand |
Dy Mr.. Richards. In answer to Gues-
ion he said that the bullet practically |
:ook n horizontal course and that there
was no powder burns around the wound.
fHe said it would have been possible
For the wound to have been inflicted il |
he revolver was being taken from his
pocket or if it was in his hand as stated
~ Jones.
Several other witnesses were also
heard. Patrol Driver Purcell told Of
!oing In the house and getting the revol-
'er from the table.
1t took the jury about fifteen minutes
o arrive at the verdict. In Municipal
'onrt yesterday morning Jones was held
Until Thursday without hail What ac-
ion will be taken after Thursday is
lot known.