The times., 1901-04-12
HENDERSON NOT TO BLAME.
Coroner's Jury Exoneratcs the Man
Who Shot William Dudley.

A Coroners jury al No. 6 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
Ing, and who has been in Jail ever 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 KIawell, of 25l0 II Street north
west, was the most Important witness in
the case. He had been out in a skiff, gum
ming and on returning to the boathouse
found Henderson at work on gill net in
which had become entangled a number OF
pieces of driftwood and other rubbish.
He helped 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 ii you, Harry Mills?' and on re-
ceiving no reply asked, is that you, Nick
Harper" with the same result. SHORTY
afterward stones were thrown at the bal
conv and barely missed the men who were
there at work.
Henderson again called out, "W no are
Won. and what do you want?' and at the
same moment another volley OF stones
fell on the balcony and a spade bareiy
missed hitting the witness. henderson
and the witness then went down stars 70
investigate and as they passed out OF the
boathouse Henderson picked up the gun
which the witness had used on ms gum
ming trip. When they reached The OUTSIDE
a man suddenly sprung from the shadow
OF n nearby shed with Suck raised III
the air as though about to strike;
Witness and Henderson jumped ouI OF
the reach of the club, and, as fendeIsoll
did so, he raised the gun 10 ms Sh9uIuer 5l'it,
and fired The gun was pointed down
ward when il was fired, but the man
fell. and, on going forward, the witness
and Henderson both recognized MN as
Henderson went to telephone for an am
| bulance. while the witness remained with
the injured man, and tried 10 stop lhe l
| flow of blood by tying handkerchlels
about the injured member and twisting
When they first approached the. injured
man Dudley said "Roddy, you hXed me
that time / meant nothing, put was oiIiS
fooIing." Henderson replied, IF you. had
| only spoken, Kid, / would not nave ilred.
| / did not know who you We're. After
Henderson had gone for the ambulance
Dudley SAID TO the witness, Tell my wife
and child all about it. Tell them that l
| 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 KidweN. Il shot on uhe spur OF the
| moment" he said. and anyone else
would have done the same. 1t was so
! dark that ! could not-e tell whether
| the man w. 1lack 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.