The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-07
NOTHING new AT
MURDER INQUEST.
Witnesses Simply Repeat Pub
lished Story About Killing
Of Williams. !
PuRYEAR FIRED ou.IcKLY
Claims That He Did Not Use
Weapon Until He Had
Been Struck by Victim.
.PuRYEAR FIRED q u.Ic KY

| Little that was new was brought out
yesterday at the coroner's inquest into
the death of Jeme Edward Williams.
who was shot and killed on Tuesday
morning shortly before i o'clock on
the Boulevard. while rsturning from
the State Fair Grounds, In company
with Miss Mabel Lee Daniel.
The inquest continued for several
hours at the City Hall yesterday morn
ing, number of witnesses being
heard.
The verdict Of the jury was merely
that Williams came to his death from
pistol wounds inflicted by BENJAMIN F.
Puryear. The verdict does not recoz-
nize the position Of Mr.. Puryear as a
county officer, rather taking the
ground that the fight was one between
armed.
counsel for the family Of Williams.
Members Of the jury were G. w. Tyler.
err, L. Donahue and j. w Gibbons
Puryear's Brother Testifes.
Magistrate Thomas j. Puryear, broth
err of the policeman, was the star
witness for that side. while Miss
Daniel appeared on behalf OF her com n.
4 y
that in company with his brother were
B. w Shelton, County Policeman w. 7.
Rogers, with two prisoners, and num-
Der Of others: About nifty people IN
all had been left at the Fair zero Groun 1ds
Boulevard.
shlrtwaist of a woman sitting beside
the road and called to his =. ,r brother ne 20
trate saw no man in the darkness. and
in entirely respectful tone asked the
young woman what was the matter
Williams arose from the darkness AND
burst Of profanity and asking what
the others had to do with 1t. Police
man Puryear had on his badge, but was
not In uniform. Williams advanced on
calling loudly for help. His brother.
the policeman. came to his rescue, rush
ing up and taking hold of Williams,
saying, "You are under arrest" Fol
answer Williams struck the officer
squarely in the eye blow which sent
Inn Keeling to the ground. From the
ground he fired once al Williams, and
rising to his feet shot again, both balls
taking effect near the heart: Magis-
could be plainly seen, despite the>dark-
ness.
The whole affair was over. in a mo-
ment: Policeman Puryear handed his
and asked his brother what was best
to be done.
The magistrate testified that he lived
at 2S0S West Broad Street, only short
distance from the scene: that he went
to his home to telephone for the ambu-
lance, and when he returned Williams
had been removed by unknown parties
in an automobile. The magistrate was
not certain that his brother had pro-
claimed himself as an officer when at
tempting to make the arrest.
Miss Daniel on Stand.
Miss Daniel testified that she lives
with her mother. Mrs. S. L. Daniel, al
4oS North Eighth Street, and that she
night from 10 o'clock until the time
| he was shot, soon after midnight. They
visited a number of Midway shows to-
gether. She had known Williams fo1
he was married. but had seen him
going with other girls Her eompan-
ion took no drink while with her and
was not boisterous. She denied that he
was sitting by her side. lighting Gig
arctic, they having stopped to rest
while tramping from the Fair Grounds
TO Robinson and Broad Streets. where
She had suggested stopping to rest.
She stated that they had not left the
side Of the road She said that her
companion at once became enraged at
the advances of strangers, and despite
| her cautions, had attacked what he be-
lieved to be her assailantss The two
! shots followed In quick succession.
B. ". Shelton testified that he heard
Policeman Rogers. who was in frorA
with his prisoners, say. go over there
and see who that Isl on seeing some
! one sitting beside the road The wit.
ness himself saw nothing until some
one sprung out of the bushes and
| knocked Policeman Puryear down, af-
ter which Puryear fired twice.
! William L. Spurell. OF 818 Mosby
| Street. had seen Williams at the fair
IN the evening and testified that he
| had been drinking. but could take
care of himself" He had heard Will
liams asked to be allowed to board
the last car from the grounds. which
was refused, whereupon he became
| quarrelsome and abusive.
| Tor Officer Puryear.
Miss Daniel entered emphatic denial
that Williams had ever called at her