The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-07-23
Margaret Fitzpatrick, a Servant,
Asserts That Clay Fired
the First Shot.
HER STATEMENT UNSUPPORTED
Negro JanitOr in Post Office Says
Representative Had Hand On
Revolver as He Followed
Antagonist From Building.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Mexico. No. July a-To-dAys session Of
the preliminary examination Of Clarence A.
| Barnes on the charge OF numbering Rep
resentstive Rhodes Clay. developed several
contradictions in the testimony.
The first testimony and the only indicating
evidence that Clay fred the first shot, was
given by Margaret Fitzpatrick Of ST. Louis,
a servant in the family OF John MAXWELL.
She stated that she was in front Of a
meat market. two doors west OF where the
shooting occurred, and that she was an
eyewitness TO the shooting. She stated on
the stand that she saw Barnes and Clay
emerge from the Post Ofice. but tina she
cid not know them.
one. she said. was tall and wore a PRna-
ma hat Clay, the other smaller and wear
ing a dark coat Barnes). Barnes. she
stated. came out OF the Post once first and
was followed by Clay. It was then. she
AYERS. that Clay fired. She stated that
Barnes fell At the third shot. and that she
thought two shots We're fired after he fell.
Witness BacOmes Confused.
Miss Fitzpatrick also testified that the
smaller man Barnes). had a mustache.
when he is clean shaver. as was Clay. Her
testimony is in opposition to all others as
10 who nred the first shot
Another statement which is supported by
only one witness is that Clay had his hand
IN his hip-pocket on his revolver as he fol-
lowed Barnes from the Post Office before
actual hostilitIes began.
This testimony was given by Frank Ramey,
a negro. who is janitor at the Post once
and who was sweeping out near the front
door. and close 10 where Clay and
D. kAr II. W.--Ea-z -.
Barnes started away from Clay and said:
Don't follow me. I don't want to have
any trouble with you"
Ramey then stated that Barnes left the
Post ONCE. followed BY Clay.
When within about three feet Of the door.
going out" testified Ramey. Mr. Clay had
his hand on his hip picket. and was still
following Mr.. Barnes. When they got out
side Mr.. Barnes faced Mr.. Clsy with his
revolver. levelled and fired. Clay's hand
going deeper in his hip pocket and drawing
revolver"
The witness became somewhat confused
REORGANIZATION. but maintained MS
statement
Mrs. Annie Pearl testified 70 having seen
Clay on the crossing in front Of the Post
ONCE just previous TO the shooting. She
said that Clay was standing still as she
and two women companions passed him.
AT the same time" she testified. MY.
Barnes passed ~ on his way TO the Post
Office. Mr.. Clay did not have 2 pleasant
expression as he looked at Mr.. Barnes pass
Ing him. The shooting began before l had
crossed the street"
Mrs. Btheridge, who was seated In a bug
In front of a grocery next door to the
Post Ofice. testified as TO having seen Clay
Barnes come out OF the Post Office. and
to having heard Barnes say to Clay:
81 don't want to talk to you. l don't
want TO ave any trouble" i
CLAY Seemed Not quite Himself.
She said in her testimony:
7 lid not hin Mr. Clay was quite him
self"
During the morning session several wit
lessss testified as 10 Barnes's reputation /,
,or peace. quietude and good citizenship. |
Quite a legal battle was precipitated on &C
count of an effort OF the defense to intro
luce portions Of the testimony In a Police
court case. involving Clay and Barnes. who
we're in a street night the LIST OF June.
Squire Bass finally admitted the tssti-
nony. showing that Clay had testified as
Ollows in regard to the fight. in which. so
ar as the testimony went W to 5 O'Clock.
LAY was the aggressor:
I didn't know what they were going 10
10. and ! will say very frankly II had not
zen held l would nave done my best TO
ill either one Of them. the dirty little
1 will tell you what sort OF l
1 am. / wanted those fellows to SET
10 that thing there. BY - l am not
fraid Of any one Of them"
The Case probably will reach a coae!usion
ate tomorrow afternoon.