The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-10-20
TELLS STORY OF KILLING
James H. Crawford Relates History
Leading up to His Shooting
C.. C.. IOckhart.

The murder trial of James III. Crawford
the colored man who shot and killed c.
c. Lockhart, also colored, at the corner
Of Twenty-fourth street and Washington
avenue, on Sept 81, was again before
District Judge Howell yesterday. The
prosecution rested during the day and
the taking of testimony for the defense
was commenced. The defendant was put
on the stand in his own behalf after a
number OF officers had testified concern
ing appeals made to them by Crawford
for protection. number of reputable
citizens testified to the prisoners good
reputation. 1t is expected that the case
Will go to the jury today. AS soon as the
defense rest their case the prosecution
will likely make an effort to impeach the
testimony of the defendant.
James II. Crawford. the defendant was
the last witness of the day and was on
the witness stand when court adjourned
Crawford said that he was born in Ten
ago. where he worked as a porter and
cook for the railroad company for sew
eral years. after which he was made reg
iStering clerk for the California state
legislature. He came to Utah about two
years ago, and was employed as a COOK
In the dining car service of the Hartman
lines for about a year, after which he
was employed as porter for the local
ElkS' lodge, where he was working at the
time of the shooting
He testified that about two months be-
lure the he went TO BOARD with
Mrs. Braswell The Saturday evening
previous TO the tragedy, Mrs. Braswell
informed him of threats that LOckhart
mad made to the effect that he was go
ing to take Crawford's life. The woman
also Informed Crawford that Lockhart
had told her he had lain behind a tree
one evening until almost midnight. for
Crawford, with revolver, with the in
tention of taking his life as he was on
his way home. He then notified the
county and city officers and sought per-
mission TO carry gun for the protec-
ton or mis- life. He was referred by all
TO the city attorney, who was too busy
al the time to advise him on the matter
Reciting the incidents directly connect
ed with the killing, the prisoner said that
about o'clock in the afternoon OF the
day the tragedy occurred ne was at wo X
with some papers in one of the front par
Tors of the Elks club, when ne observed
Lockhart walking to and fro on the OPP
poste side of the street and looking uD
at the club windows. This was about an
hour before the shooting. He left the
club about $50 o'clock and walked over
to the corner of Twenty-fourth street
and Washington avenue. Lockhart came
from behind barber pole. where he had
concealed himself, and made some rema rlx
which attracted his attention. When
they were about two feet apart. Lockhart
asked Crawford If he was prepared to
defend his life and at the same time drew
his right hand in which he clasped a
knife. from his coat pocket and made a
lulSS dI CTdWIOTu crawford
protected his throat with his left hand
and the knife was thus knocked out of
Lockhart's hand. He then followed the
man he killed as he backed away toward
the barber shop and down the steps. when
Crawford testified that Lockhart grabbed
the gun. He warned Lockhart TO let go
of the revolver, as he might get shot. and
while he attempted to wrest the pistol
from his hand the weapon was discharged.
He said his purpose in following Lock-
hart after the knife had been knocked
from his hand was to try to not let him
get away so that he would be arrested.
The witnesses preceding Crawford were
several police officers. who testified to
Crawford's having appealed to them for
permission to carry a gun. and to the
advice they gave him to place Lockhart
under bonds to keep the peace. Others
testified as to the character of the de-
PENDANT.