The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-04
IN DEFENSE
OF HIMSELF
a Coroner's Jury Justifles
Waller H. Lowry.
WHY HE KILLED GRAHAM
.---------------.---f
Witnesses Testified that the Latter Had
Repeatedly Attacked Him and Had
Publicly Threatened to
Murder Him.
WHY HE KILLED GRAHAM

Charles E. Graham, the striking motor
man SO badly cut by Waller II. Lowry IN
an alteration begun at Twelfth and
Broad Streets on Thursday night about
$3.50 and resumed at Fourteenth and Broad
Streets a. few minutes later. died at a.
NJ. yesterday at the City Hospital from
hemorrhage caused by the wounds. Tho
coroner's jury which investigated the
homicide promptly returned verdict IN
accordance with the facts and expressing
the opinion that the killing was done IN
self-defense. There was no difference OF
opinion as to the Justification for the act.
Lowry is man about fifty years OF age
and was referred to by several Of the
witnesses as ''old man Lowry" Graham
was apparently about thirty years of age
Tie inquest was begun or the jury was
assembled at the City Hospital but I'm
dertaker Biliups having furnished vehi-
cles for the purpose, the coroner, Jurors
and witnesses drove to the undertaking
rooms and viewed the body. Then the
party retired to the coroner's room In
the City Hall. where the testimony was
taken.
There were many witnesses, but the glst
of the testimony concded as to the ma
jor facts of the case. Lowry made the
statement Thursday morning that he had
heard that Graham had said that some
OF the striking men were applying for
their old positions and that it was not
SO, and that Graham ought not to repeat
such stories. Graham, hearing this, SAID
In Lowry's presence that the main who
said he had made such statement was
a id liar. Thercupon Lowry retorted
that that If he said 1T was not true he
was a cur, emphasizing the denunciation
with an oath. The exact language is not
used. but the equivalent. Then Graham
made for Lowry, but others interfered
and a soldier made Lowry go on away.
According to witnesses Graham publicly
cursed Lowry and avowed that he would
kill him before the day ended. Shortly
after o'clock Lowry and several others
were going down Broad Street. when at
Twelfth Graham approached from the
rear, overlook the group and getting In
front Of Lowry. again denounced him and
avoWed his intention of numbering" him.
Despite the efforts of the others pres
ent, the two men got together and struck
at each other several times They were
again separated and Lowry and those
with him continued their course in the
direction Of Church Hill, leaving Graham
behind The group had gotten no further
than Fourteenth Street, when Graham
again overlook them, and assuming n
position in front of Lowry. again cursed
him and aVOWed his unalterable ln1entlOn
of numbering him then and there. At the
encounter two blocks above Graham had
removed his coat and hat. "A Fourteenth
Lowry again attempted to retreat. but
was pursued by the irate motornlan. over
taken and attacked. The two men
clinched, Graham apparently stumbled
and fell and Lowry landed on top. Hard
~ moment later Lowry arose from off
the PROSTATE man and went on down the
hill. Graham also rose. Lowry stated to
those with him that he was going TO see
doctor. and have his wound on the
head sustained in the fall. dressed. He
also remarked that he had cut Graham
and would after seeing the doctor go to
the police station and give himself up.
This he did later.
The jury reported a verdict in the usual
form. closing with this statement:
That he (Charles z. Graham) came to
his death on the third day of July, 1903.
from the effects OF wounds inflicted by
knife In the hands of Waller III. Lowry
on the second day Of July. 1908, and they
are of the opinion that the killing was
done In self-defense.
(Signed) "WM II. TAYLOR, NJ. D..
Coroner;
''W. T. WALKER,
GEO. T. PARKER JR..
:" C. A. COLE.
JAMES B. PAGE,
GEORGE c. cSRNICK,
M p, O'DELI."