Evening star., 1909-07-14
Coroner's Jury Passes on
Death of Leo Miles.
SEAT PLEASANT INQUEST
States Attorney Requires Bond
Pending Further Action.
SUBSTANCE OF THE TESTIMONY
Residents of Neighborhood Tell Of
Fear Caused by Chicken
Thieves.

Thieves
That James Smith did shoot with q
pistol containing one leaden bullet, there
by inflicting a mortal wound of which
Leo Miles died. and the jurors do say
that after examination of witnesses
and deliberations after having heard the
testimony under oath. we find that the
said James Smith did kill Leo Miles
and we hold said James Smith blame
less of said homicide
The foregoing verdict was rendered by
jury at the inquest today, held at Sea,
Pleasant, Nd, over the remains of Lee
Miles. twenty-five years of age, of IL
Montello street northeast. who died Mon
day night at the Casualty Hospital OF
wounds received early Monday morning
while In the barn of j. E. Wilhoite. Cen
trail avenue, Seat Pleasant
AT the conclusion of the hearing States
Attorney Magruder required Smith 10 fur.
nish bond in the sum of $3.50 pending
action py the grand jury, which will meet
IN October. number of persons in the
neiShborhood qualified on the bond and
smith was given his freedom.
Interest Among Neighbors.
Much interest was shown in the affair
by neighbors of the Wilhoites many of
them having suffered from depredations
by chicken thieves. During the examir a
ton Of witnesses il was stated that won-
en- and chiidrel about Seat PIE lsant we e
ieTrorized. and that the wife of one resi-
dent is i'll of nervous prostra ion on ac-
count of fear of midnight marauders
Magistrate Behrend served as coroner.
Attorney III. II. Magruder being in at-
tendance for the state and Attorne ys
John W. Trainer. Stanhope Henry and
Levi H. David rapresen ling Smith, at the
instance of Mr.. Wilhoite. So much con-
fidcnce was shown in Smith by Mr. VIII
hoite. his employer, that he furnished i
bond and produced smith at the heariDg z
tbs morning. Francis g. Carmody wa
foreman cf the jury of inquest. the other
members being John A. Schultz, Jose oh
Tarmon, Charles Eslin, G. +. Stonewell.
George w. Roberts. z. E. Harrigan, c..
W. Palmer, Edward Sweeney, II. L. Girls
mond. w. IL. VermiItion and Rich ard
Brown.
Joseph Miles. father of the decea sed,
and Joseph Miles. jr., a brother, were
present The father explained that his
son had left home more than a. year ago
and had gone to Baltimore. He saw him
on Louisiana avenue about three months
ago. the only time during the year or
more, and he said he was employed in a
fruit store.
Mr.. Wilhoite a Witness.
Mr. Wilhoite, his wife and sister-in-laW
were called as witnesses. They stated
that James Smith had been employed by
them during the last three months and
they found him to be honest and indus
trious. Mr.. Wilhoite only heard one shot
fired, having been awakened by his wife,
who called: Chicken thieves; get ready
to shoot chicken thieves" There was SO
much noise being made in the barn, Mr..
Wilhoite said, that he thought the barn
was being torn down.
1T was about the worst roughhouse
noise / ever heard witness declared,
''and when / went to the window Smith
called to me that the barn was filled
with negroes"
1t was explained by witness that the
noise in the barn could hardly have been
made by two men. He went out and re-
Inained with the wounded man while
Smith went to arouse neighbors. Witness
questioned the wounded man. and ascer-
tained his name and address. Miles told
him he was alone, and that If there were
others in the barn they were not with
him
Mr.. wilhoite explained at length about
the conditions in his neighborhood, due to
thieves. There had been an intruder on
his premises two weeks ago, and he had
advised Smith to protect his family and
property. He offered the wounded man
drink any.
Mrs. Wilhoite and her sister gave similar
testimony
Smith Makes Statement.
James Smith told that since leaving
Omaha he had been in number of cities
and had spent some time last winter
dredging oysters in Chesapeake bay He
told of the Investigations he made Mon
day morning when he heard the chick
ems making a noise and related how the
intruders tried to smother him with a
blanket. There were three men there and
he thought two of them were colored One
of them made the remark BE quick y
and he thought the voice was that Of a
caiored man. Smith declared that one
of the men made an effort to assault hin,
and he used his weapon. firing three
shots. He also told of having broken
glass washboards over the head of the
wounded man. Smith explained that
when he started from the loft the second
grabbed. The third shot he fired to
frighten Miles and make him remain on
the ground where he was lying.
John Mckay related the substance OF
statement made to him by Miles. The
latter. he said, told him he had no,
worked for year and would not explain
where he got 81 he had in his pocket
He asked Miles how he managed to get
lOtus anu response WAS. i DummGC
it." He told witness he went to the
farm TO sleep.
II told him it was a warm night said
witness, ''and it was not necessary &c
sleep in a barn; that l had slept in q
hammock under tree
Miles Alone When Shot.
Mr.. Miles. father OF the deceased told
the jury of a conversation he had with
his son at the hospital. He said the boy
told him he was on the way home from
Baltimore and. becoming tired. entered
the barn to sleep. man flashed a Ian.
tern in his face and also shot him, he de-
clared. The father said the boy denied
that any one was with him at the time.
James Fry of Seat Pleasant testified
that Sunday night last three men called
at the home OF his mother and that one O,
them entered the house and had a fight
with his mother. He said voices were
heard on the outside. Ii is not known
whether the other two men were coloreC
not.
Funeral services for Miles will be held
al 10 O'Clock tomorrow morning at the
undertaking chapel of Frank Geier's Sons
lib fth street northwest. Interment will
be in Mount Olivet cemetery.
ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC,