Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-02-25

d. N. Sary, the coroner, upon being
npfifedtof the finding of the body by
Officer Morrison. was the next wit.
ness. referring to the notes found
upon the dead man, the sergeant said
that he supposed Davenport, who had
been named by the murderer, could
give him some Information about the
dead man, his habits, etc.
He went to Davcnport's house at
. O'Clock in the morning, woke him
up and after questioning him con-
corning Thomas, told him of the muir
der. Davenport seemed to be very
much surprised and told him that
Thomas was his cousin. In answer to
Questions Davenport said that he,
Thomas and the other men named in
the note had paid attention to Carrie
Johnson. Upon Davcnport's state
mcnts the sergeant arrested d negro
named Sam johnson, Carrie Johnson's
husband, believing him to lie the
murderer.
Tho witness was prevented from
telling what Sam Johnson did or said
Heard Shots Fired.
Mr.. +. j. Christian, who lives near
the scene of The murder. testified that
lie heard two shots in rapid success.
sion about ? O'Clock on the night of
the murder. One OF the reports was
loud and tho other mufflcd
Ida Ford, negro woman. testified
that Thomas was at her house on
Twentyfourth street about 7:3O
O'Clock on The night he was killed.
He left the house, going toward
Tweniy-iifth street
commemorative Attorney Robinson
asked whether or not Thomas said
where he was going, Mr. Collier OBJ.
jcctcd to the question and there fol.
lowed an argument, during which the
jury was excluded. Both sides sub
mitted authorities. Judge Barhan
overruled the objection and the jury
WAS brought back TO the court ruopi.
Left for Davenport's House.
The witness said that Thomas told
her as he left the house that he was
going down TO see Davenpori'S new
house: that he had promised Davcn.
port faithfully to come. On cross ex-
animation the defense brought out
the fact that the witness was mar.
ricd woman. had been separated from
her husband for four years and had
been receiving attention from Willie
Thomas for about three years.
Mary Pickett. sister TO. Ida Ford.
corrOboratcd the lattcr's testimony.
When this witness left the stand it
was $50 o'clock and the court took
d recess until 8 o'clock.
Or. Gary or the Stand.
DR. B. Il. Gary, the coroner, was
the first witness called when the
court roconyencd il the afternoon. He
told Of the finding Of Thomas body
and explained the nature OF the
wounds. There wa Il wound in the
back. evidently inflicted with a shot
gun at close range. The shot passed
through the left lung and entered the
heart In the body the doctor found
three felt wadS and a load Of humble;
or number . shot. This apparently
was the wound which caused death.
which was Instantaneous. Another
wound. which apparently was inflicted
upon lifelcss body, was also infiict.
cd with a Shot gun at close range. A
load Of small shot. about number
Z. and three felt wads passed through
the cheek and lodged in the throat
This wound would have caused In.
slant death
Sergeant O'Hara.
Detective Sergeant O'IIara testified
that he had conversation with Dav.
export about o'clock ON the morning
after the murder. Davenport told
him that Sam Johnson had killed
WILLING Thomas and said I'VE must
put him out of the way as he wants
to kill me, too
The sergeant went to Dayenports
house before noon Of the same day
and there found a dirk, some car.
trldges, papers, pair of shoes aud
rubber boots. On IL second visit he
found in Dayenports bureau drawe-
life Insurance policy. The policy
was offered in evidence after an OBJ
lection from the defense had been
Overrulcd. The policy was issued by
the Metropolitan Life Insurance Com,
pany for $1,000 upon the life of vii.
lie Thomas with his uncle" Andrew