Evening star., 1902-01-02
Case Of "Ligem Chapman Under
Charge of Murder.
STABBED HB 0MM0N-LAW Wife
Result of abQuarreI Which Was
Promptedsby Jealousy.
THE CORONER'S INQUEST


not profit by prison experience six years
ago. when he used a knife a woman,
was taken to the District jail this after
noon to be held to answer a charge of mur-
der. He stabbed Ida Simn1s, his alleged
common law wife, in the breast yesterday
afternoon at their home, Ne. 457 Armory
street southwest, because of his jealousy.
The affair occurred about o'clock, and the
victim died at the Emergency Hospital an
hour later. Bicycle Policemen Headley and
Dierkopf of the fourth precinct overlook
Chapman at 1874 and D streets prior to the
death of his victim, and placed him under
arrest.
Il did it, and I'm sorry for it, the pris-
oner remarked. God knows I loved that
woman better than did myself, and would
have given my life for her at any time
He seemed anxious to pay the extreme
penalty of the law without trial. but this
morning change had taken place, and he
was represented at the inquest by Attor-
neys Turner and Mitchell who will make
every effort to save him from the gallows.
The jury sworn in the case by Acting
Coroner Gazebrook heard the evidence and
held the prlsoner'fo the action of the grand
jury When the prisoner appeared before
the coroner's jury he was neatly dressed
IN g. black suit and wore red and green
sweater. Lieutenant Hollinberger of the
fourth precinct who had taken an active
interest in the case was present at the
hearing. He turned over to the acting coro-
ner the signed statement of the prisoner.
Story of the Quarrel.
Minnie James, colored, who lives in the
house where the fatal encounter occurred,
told the jury she had known Chapman for
more than twelve years. He came to the
house about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon
and went to the kitchen, where Annie
Mo
seated. When witness entered the kitchen
a quarrel was in progress, and witness told
Ida Simms she ought to be ashamed of
herself to spend New Year in such way.
This is the - holiday 1 have ever
seen,' Ida remarked in response. The wit
ness thereupon told Ida she ought to thank
God sheswas living.
Mrs. James then went to the front room
to start a fire, and just after leaving the
kitchen she heard Ida Simms say
Elijah has stabbed me to DEATH
Witness fastened to the ROOM reaching
there in time to see the wounded woman
faii. She saw Chapman putting the knife
in his pocket as he left the house. Witness
said she knew Chapman had assaulted the
woman before the occurrence of yesterday
Only two weeks ago, she declared she saw
him strike her the head with a stick
He had also cut her head some time in
August. The prisoner and Ida Simms lived
together, but weresnot married The quar-
rel yesterday, she said was about woman
Annie Dozer, she stated, took part in the
quarrel yesterday. She heard Annie say:
II hope God may strike me dead If I'm
guilty of what YOU say.
Witness said Chapman had been drinking
but he was not intoxicated.
Annie Dozier a Witness.
Annie Dozier, colored, 2016 Green's court,
testified that she called on Minnie James
yesterday. Ida Simms and May Adams
were at the house when she called She
had met Chapman and two girls at Emma
Washington's home about o'clock One
OF the men got can Of beer and they
also had bottle of whisky
''They were serenading the day. stated
the witness. 1T was New Years day, YOU
know"
Elijah Chapman and Ida Simms were in
the kitchen when witness reached the
house: Because Of remark made by
Ida Simms witness advised her not to
curse the day, even if she had no bread to
eat. The witness said she told her she
ought to thank God she was living Wit
ness told of Chapman's accusation against
the woman and said he advanced toward
her. saying: You --, I'll kill you,"
and then stabbed her in the breast He
then put the knife in his pocket and went
out.
Ida Simms, after she had been wounded
turned to Mrs. James and said: Minnie
Elijah has stabbed me to death"
Witness said that Chapman and Ida had
often engaged in quarrels and he had as
saulted her number OF times. The wo-
man made no effort to strike Chapman
who had been drinking. He was not drunk
May Adams, also colored, told of the IA
tai meeting and said Chapman had fire.
quently abused Ida. He had also assaulted
her several times to her knowledge On one
OCCASION when she took Ida's part. Chan
man struck witness and also threatened to
use a knife on her.
Policeman Testifes.
Policeman Headley told of the arrest
and said the prisoner was a man of bad
character. He never knew the man to do any
work The prisoner admitted to him. wit
ness said, that he did the stabbing
The autopsy performed by the acting
deputy coroner showed that there. was a
wound Of the left side of the heart more
than one inch long. The blade of the knife
had inflicted an incised wound in the left
ventricle of the heart.
This closed the testimony, the defendant
not making statement
REGULATIONS AND MUSIC.
Entertainment to BE Given for Pupils