The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-12
HENDERSON NOT TO BLAME.
COrOner's Jury Exonerates the Man
Who Shot William Dudley

A Coroner's jury at No. stationhouse
yesterday morning returned verdict ac-
quitting Roderick Henderson or all blame
for the death of William Dudley, whom
he shot at Cumberland's boathouse Friday
morning. In the opinion of the jury Dud-
ley's death was due to accident. Hender-
son, who gave himself up after the shoot
ins, and who has been in jailsever since,
was ordered released.
The hearing was conducted by Coroner
hewitt, assisted by Deputy Coroner Glaze
brook, who performed the autopsy on
the body of Dudley and who testified that
death resulted from blood poisoning fol-
lowing the amputation of a leg.
George Kiuwell. ofs25i0 ~ Street north
west, was the most mp0rta Mt witness in
the case He had been out in a skiff, gun
ming and on returning to the boathouse
found Henderson at work ON gill net in
v hich had become entangled number of
pieces of driftwood and other rubbish.
He :Ielped Henderson take the net to the
second floor of the building and out on
to a balcony, where they were at work
when they saw two men approaching. 1t
was SO dark that Kidwell could not recog-
nize the men and he asked Henderson
If he knew them. HENDERSON called out,
rs # you. Harry Mills?" and on re-
ceiviny no reply asked, rs that you, Nick
Harner2" with the same result. Shortly
afterward stones were thrown at the bal
cony and barely missed the men who were
there at work.
Henderson again called out, WI he are
YOU. and what do you want?' and at the
same moment another volley OF stones
fell on the balcony and spade barely
missed hitting the witness. Henderson
and the witness then went down stairs 10
investigate, and as they passed out OF the
boathouse Henderson picked up the gun
which the witness had used on MS gun
ming trip. When they reached Inc OUTSIDE
a man suddenly sprung from the shadow
of a nearby shed with STICK raised III
the air as though about TO Strike;
Witness and Henderson Junptu 9ut vi
tho reach of the club, and, as Henderson
did so, he raised the gun TO ms sh9u!uer
and fired The gun was pointed down
ward, when 1t was nrea, pu H. me TSi, MS
and Henderson both recognized MIN as
Dudley. -, e.. a., nv,
biIIance. while the witness remained Win
| the injured man, and tried to stop the
| flow of blood, by tying handkerchlels
about the injured member and twisting
them. .,.,
man, Dudley said. "Roddy, you liked me
| that time. i meant nothing, but was only
| fooling." Henderson replied, IF you had
| only spoken, Kid. l woull not have fired
| / did not know who yoG Were After
Henderson had gone for the ambulance
Dudley sad to the witness. Tell my wife
and child all about it. Tell them that /
| had been drinking and that have no one
| to blame but myself.
| Henderson asked to be permitted to give
his testimony which was similar to that
of Kidwell. II shot on The spur of the
moment. he said. and anyone else
would have done the same. II was SO
| dark that ! could not +. tell whether
4 the man w. mack or white, when l
| shot"
He added that he was not drinking
man. and had not been for thirteen years.
Several other witnesses were examined,
| after which the case was given to the
| jury.