Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-04-28
HARRis.7H0AgPS0N TRAGEDY
SIlRS TOWN OF WARRENTON
Intin,s&ed That Startling Testimony
Ma Be Brought Out at forth.
coming Trial.

| WARRENTON, VA. April II
Feeling over the tragedy of Saturday
night, when. on the main street OF
| Warrenton, j. ID. Harris. principal OF
the Warrenton High School. fatally
shot w. A. Thompson. associate edi-
| tor OF the Warrenton Virginian, il still
! intense, as was manifested by the
crowd of friends of the dead man who
assembled at the railway station to
| escort the body. on its arrival here
last night, to the family home.
There are many stories as to the
cause OF the shooting One side claims
| that Thomy son was bully. and that
it had been freely predicted that he
| would meet such q fate. while others
say he was d the most gentle nature.
but dangerous when aroused.
Professor Harris was seen at his
! clearinghouse last night. but declined
to talk. leaving IL oil to his CHIEF
counsel. r. F. Byrd. OF Winchester.
Mr.. Bird said that Miss Strothcr and
Miss Maphis, the two young women
who were with Professor Harris when
| it is alleged that Thompson used the
rrofane and a,'isiye language. will be
placed on the stand at the trial. which
! probably will be held at the May
term of the Circuit Court.
Lady Refuses to Talk.
Miss StrOther refused to make any
statement, other than that she tried
, T." avoid hearing Thompson's Ian
| g,Iage. II Is stated by several wit
rcsscs that Mr.. Thompson was under
the influence OF liQIOr at he time.
and that when in such condition was
dangerous. This statement is denied
by friends of the dead man.
A travelling book agent. who is liv-
ing at the Warren Green hotel. said
he had an encounter with the dead
man the afternoon Of the tragedy. aud
that Thompson WAS vicious in Ian
guage and in action
The defense will enter a plea OF
sclf-defense and try to prove. by tes-
timony of those who have had alter
cations with Thompson. that he was
a man to be avoided and feared when
| crossed.
Enmi.y ssssa9 IN oetobsr:
W. C. Marshall. Partner OF the dead
man, said last Hight that his relations
with Professor Harris since the lat
ter's announcement that he was a
candidate for the position Of super
intendent of schools Of Fauquier coun-
ty were cordial that they were rival.
but not enemies He said that the
trouble between the men dated back
to October last. when Professor Har.
ris refused to pay a small bill and
Thompson received letter from him
| which was discourteous, and which he
resented by giving Harris whipping.
Marshall denied that Thompson drew
a knife at that time. Harris TESTIFIED
at the hearing for bail that Thompson
exhibited a knife and pistol on sew
eral occasions.
| A friend of the defendant said that
about six weeks ago Thompson. while
drunk. knocked a young man down
without provocation.
Irwin Naxheimer, a brother-in- law
Of Thompson. said that he tried to
prevent the trouble. When asked what
he thought Of the AFFAIR he declined
to express an opinion. saying he would
tell the truth on the stand at the trial,
regardless of whom It hurt.
Startling Testimony Expected.
Testimony Of a startling nature. 1t
is said, will he offered by both sides
a, the trial A number OF citizens say
they fear there will he further blood
shed before the trial IS ended. as feel
ing on both sides Is high. II il claim
ed nv pcrsons who we're present
shortly after the shooting occurred
that there were threats OF violence
and gunplay then. The authorities are
using every precaution to prevent any
further trouble. Thompsnn's friends
claim that Senator G. l. Fletcher will
no, assist the defense in the coming
trial while Counsel Byrd last night
said he would he associated in the
case.
Bail Increased: Much Excitement.
l. Preliminary hcarily was waived
TODAY in tho case Of J. d. Harris
lprincipaI Ct g." high ,schtOl here who
Ish3t W. A. Thom- son. ASSISTANT edi'
ltor oT the " Ir-ertrn Virginian Sat,
uriav las, IN the main street her"
IThomI,son diving in Washington TN"
following dav. Harris WAS hid FOR
1.-The regular grand jury which begins
Its scssi n MAY - next
| His hail FIRST fixed a, s2o.0"" was
Increased .Iav 10 sso!o0". two extra
ilppdsmcn hCirG readily found.
Tbonpsrn was buried this after
nom from the EaPtist church. large
in-,.nbcr W pcopl" coming In from tho
isu-Tuundirg g nHtry to witness The
funeral. Drir- tho entire day feel
lr,z ~ Suppressed excitement prevail.
led through nj IN" town. Marshall
Mccormick has brcn retained n ad
idit,opaI counsel for tho defense.