The semi-weekly messenger., 1902-08-22

Result of the Coroncr's Inquest as
to The shooting OF Arthur svfnson
by Walter Eilis-Eiii- came u"
SEaday Afternoon and >urrenderea
ta Justice j. VI. McGowan.

.D-. =. ID. Bell. coroner OF New Han
over county. held an inquest Sund-%
morning at 10 O'Clock over the dead
body Of Arthur Swinson. colOrec, who
died Saturday At the James NaIker
Memorial hospital from pistol "olnI
inflicted by Walter Ellis last Thursday
night at Sanctified hall. at EieVenia
and Dawson streets.
The following were the juror; u
w. Bo-aemann. foreman. J. r S-iiers,
secretary, " 4. Jones. 4. J. Iop7' l.
Switzerland and A. +. Blizzard after
viewing the remains OF the deceased
at the hospital the jury Adjourned 20
Justice G. W. BorneuRnn's ONCE al 3
Queen street. Five witnesses were ex-
amined, and the purport OF the teSti-lc-
ny was that last Thursday nigot the
deceased and Ellis were at Sanctihed
hall, and had gathered with other
young negroes out side the hall. Whi:e
they were standing there two sirls came
out OF the hall and started of. SWIM
son and Ellis started after then 10
walk home with them but before Jhey
reached the girls Ellis showed STinscn
OF and said, Go back; you shant go!
The two boys then went back TO CROWD.
Swinson was smoking a cigarette and
Ellis said 10 him in a commanding way
Give me that cigarette" SwInS ~ re-
piled, Il won't do 1t; I've just lit IL.
Ellis then pulled pistol and fired. tao
ball entering the lower part OF the alb
domen on the left side.
The jury found for its verdict tEat
Swinson came to his death from pis-
tol wound at the hands OF Walter Ellis,
Ellis surrendered TO Justice ]. Nj. Nc
aff fh.a
oner then issued a commitment and OF
dered that Ellis be confined in jail with
out bond to be tried for murder.
Justice MCGOWAN also issued COM
mitment for Ellis and yesterday after
noon he gave Ellis a prelmin niy hear
ing. b. G.. Empie, Esq, appearcu as
counsel for Ellis. His father AMI
mother were present, the father and
Daniel Ellis, the painter, and tci
years janitor at the First Baptist
church.
Lugene Jackson was sworn and tes-
titled as follows: 4 was a Sanctified i
hall on Thursday night when Arthur
Swinson was shot. i saw two girls
come out of the church (halD and FL
distance. Ellis turned around showed
SwinSon back and said you shan
GO" Tht two then came back 10 the
crowd. Swinson lighted cigarett1 ari
Ellis stepped up to him and ordered
him 20 give him the cigarette. SWIM
son said, III not do it, I've just lit it..
Ellis then jerked out a pistol and tlreG.
SWinson whirled around and ian TO the
door Of the church and then cana
back and said, Walter you have ShCt
me-" Walter said 1 didn't aim to shoot
You, come let's see. He then went De
hind the church with Swinson and they
examined and found the wound. Ellis
then assisted in carrying Swinson TO
DR.. Thomas r. Masks drug stole at
Seventh Nun streets. After they sot
TO the drug store Ellis left SwiEson
said Walter needn't run; he shot ne
accidentally"
Several other witnesses testified IN
effect as the testimony of Jackson.
Dr. Mask testified that the c,owd
brought SwinsOn to him and that he
probed for the ball but could not locate
it. He said while he was working on
Swinson he (Swinson) said Walter Ell
lis shot him accidentally. He described
the nature of the wound, and said he
sent Swinson to the hospital where be
was operated on Saturday night by the
surgeons who found that the bullet had
cut his intestines in eleven places.
Mr.. Empie said he would walve exam
ination for Ellis as he had already been
committed to Jail by the coroner any
how. The prisoner was then taken
back to Jail.