The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-08
TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES
Examination IulO Fifth Ward Shoot
ing Begun.
MAN FOUND WHO SAW SHOTS FIRED
The Testimony Of Three Witnesses Was
Heard by Justice Matthews at
Opening Of Inquest

For the arst time since the unfortunate
tragedy Of Thursday afternoon IN the
Kessler 81 Dixon grocery store, which re-
suited In the death Of Milton ID. Morrison,
testimony has been produced 10 show that
there was at least one witness to the
shooting
Other statements having TO do with the
killing, though they dincr materially we're
taken yesterday at the inquest conducted
by Justice Matthews. Tho three witnesses
whose testimony was taken yesterday by
Justice Matthews were all Intercepted by
The Post representative on tho came even
Ing that the shooting occurred, but tho eI-
citement following the trngedy was sueh
that only bare statement of the actual
occurrence was o6talnable
SAW SHOTS FIRED.
Tho one witness whose testimony throws
the clearcst Light Oh the case was J. A.
McPhaul employed as a clerk In the
Kcssler 81 Dixon establishment.
II developed yesterday that McPhaul had
seen all Of the shots ared by Riley, the
accused slayer OF Morrison, excepting the
nrst
on the other hand. o. A. Kessler, man
agcr OF the Kessler & Dixon store, and
Peter Ludtke. proprietor OF meat market
10 the uelghhorhood, whose evidence was
taken yesterday, had no recollection OF the
number OF shots fred Kcssler stated that
he WIS situated in such position that
tho shooting was all over by the time no
reached the spot where Morrison fell,
while Ludtke hustencd ont Of tho building
after he heard tho hrst shot Nj McPhanl
10 gIff Eg1E "a ts4l Al hg
morning session Of the Inquest. In the
afternoon ktss'cr and Ludtkc appeared and
gave their testimony.
Excepting those features Of the shooting
/ given by Mr. MrPhnul IN his testimony ns
already detailed tn The Post hls statement
OF the shooting as he saw II 10 given In
full, substantially as follows;
THE EVIDENCE.
"a saw Riley and Morrison enter the
store together and I did not see them
again until after the hrst shot was fred
/ saw them both when the second, third
and fourth shots were AIRED. Morrison wal
In u falling position when Riley fred the
second shot When the third shot wal
fred Morrison was down / do not know
whether It was the second or third sho
!, that hit him. lie was attempting to GO
up and get out OF the building when IN,
third shot was Aired. Immediately afte
the shooting Riley went over to the stor,
OF X. l.. Jones and he and Mr.. Jones cam
back together l heard Riley tell Jone
to telephone the officers that he wanted 4
surrender. | had no personal Acquaintance
with Morrison"
1t Will be seen from Mr. McPhauls state
[ ment that four shots were fired in all, in
stead OF three as heretofore believed t
a Post man Mr.. McPhuul said that tn
knife which was turned over to Chief ELI
was found in the store by colored boy.
New ructs brought out by MIR. Kessler wer
given In his statement, as follows; Il Ill
uot see either Of the mon come into th
D store. When the hrst shot was hred
Thought II was cannon cracker explode
7 ny some boys N the street On hearin
i the second report ! left my desk and wel
70 into the wGrefoom. The shooting was a
c nNrf Nhch / reached the WnrerO0m, / b,
< Ac'C there Wero one or two shots fire
Z AFTER tho hrst, how many l could not SAY
@ / was very much excited. l have no So,
q clAl acquaintance with Morrison. Afte
{ the shooting i asked Riley what the troubl
y was and ne replied He (meaning MOI
] Isonl attempted TO cut me with a knit
e when shot him know OF no fact
d leading up to TIE difficulty ana do No
O knew what caused the disagreement"
. { Fetcr ludtkc said: u was In Eeaglc
( x DlAons storc on the evening Of Februar
q ., buying cigar, noticed that Rifle
- and Morrison werc IN the store when
went IN. was talking with Mrs Pearso
!, when the Grst shot was fred. | left III
building after the first shot. l did NO
, see Riley or Morrison after the shootln
y and do not know who fred tho shot tha
/. KILLED Morrison. l know nothing Of tn
4 cause OF the trouble"
9 The inquest Is to 20 continued tomorrow
o In Justice Matthew'S court. II develope
yesterday that James h. Brockman Of III
. legal Arm OF Brockmnn * Kahn had bee
{ retained as counsel for Riley The funerl
= OF Morrison was conducted Yesterday iuorI
= Stuart, and the remains were inferred
: Hollywood cemetery.