The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-06-15
WOMEN ON STAND
IN HARRIS TRIAL
Miss Strother and Miss Wal
tiers Describe Shooting
at Warrenton.

MANASSAS, Va, June 15.-Miss
Agnes StrOther and Miss Selma Wal
tiers, OF Warrenton, the first women
20 testify in the case of J. B. Harris,
who is being tried here for the shoot
ing of w. A. Thompson in alleged
self-defense in April, 1903, in Warrenton,
self-defense last April in Warrenton,
took the stand this morning.
Both women, whose testimony CO.
incided, told of the scene at the depot
and the fatal shooting. Miss Strother
told the jury that she had been with
Harris at the station. She said that
Thompson, on seeing Harris, had
cried out in a loud voice, using foul
terms. which the prosecuting attor-
ney did not force her to repeat:
There goes that fellow Harris"
Mrs. w A. Thompson, widow of the
dead man, dressed in deep mourning.
. came to the trial this morning Her
testimony will be submitted this aft
ernOOn-
States Attorney Surprised
The attorneys for the Common
wealth were taken by surprise yester-
day afternoon, when John A. Coons,
of Warrenton, the first man to reach
Thompson after the fatal shots, testi-
fed that when he reached Thompson,
the latter, bleeding and in dying
condition, said TO him: "Coons, I am
shot all to pieces, but 1 wish TO God
that I could have cut Harris dirty
heart out"
J. A c. Keith. Commonwealth at
torney for Fauquier, began TO cross
examine Coons, but Marshall McCor-
mick, chief counsel for the defense.
objected. and Judge Thornton sus-
tanned him on the ground that the
prosecution could not cross examine
its own witness.
Keith told the court that he had no
idea Thompson had ever made that
statement, and said that COons had
neglected to tell him of the circum-
stance.
Holding up TO the view of the
crowded court room the blOod-stained
garments worn by Thompson the
night of the tragedy, DR.. G. s. Carter,
who attended the dying man, identi-
fed the position of the three holes in
the trousers as corresponding with
the wounds in Thompson's body, two
in the abdomen and one Just above
the right knee. The defense asserts
that when Thompson rushed Harris
the latter shot toward the ground, not
wishing 10 kill his assailant
The State then rested its case. and
the witnesses for the defense were
called.
Try to Impeach Witness.
Marshall Mccormick first called three
Of the members of the grand jury that
indicted Harris last summer. and sought
TO prove by their testimony that Irvine
Maxheimer. principal witness for The
State, had not given the same answers
TO questions asked by the grand jury
that he had given to the same questions
asked at this trial.
W. r. Lucas and his partner, D. NJ
Alexander, proprietors Of the Warren
Green Hotel at Warrenton. testified that
Thompson had been in their establish
ment about one hour preceding the
shooting and that he was not intoxi-
Gated
George o. Ferguson testified that
Thompson was not intoxicated and was
perfectly able to take care Of himself.
He also said that Thompson, in the
presence of Henry Glasscock, told him
of knocking down a man in a barrOOm
after insulting Harris at the depot.
ThOmpsOn's fight with the stranger Oc-|
CURED about one hour previous TO his
death.
Newton Brooke. Of Warrenton testi-
fed that he had separated Thompson
and Harris in a fight several months be
fore the homicide.
Harris on Stand.
Prof J. D. Harris took the witness
stand at 1890 o'clock and told why
he killed Thompson, associate editor
OF the W dTEenLOn NlTBlnldu-
Prof. Harris was perfectly cool and
collected as he spoke Of the fatal oc-
currence for which he is being tried
the second time. The widow Of the
dead man cried softly as the story fell
from his lips.
Prof. Harris gave 4 brief history Of
his life and told Of the circumstances
that led up 70 the difficulty between
himself and Thompson, which, he said.
was over a printing contract that
Harris, as principal in the Warrenton
high school, had awarded to Thomp-
son. Harris then told Of the first
quarrel which the two men had.
AT this point Harris was requested to
show his arms to the jury in an en-
deavor to impress on them the contrast
between Harris and Thompson. Harris
weighed about 115 pounds and Thompson
about 100 pounds.
Coming UP TO the day Of the tragedy
Harris told Of taking supper with Miss
Walter and Miss Strother at the home
of friends. One Of the young women
afterward going away on the train, Har-
ris and several others went with her to
The station
What made YOU put the pistol IN your
pocket his counsel asked.
II did so because Thompson's attitude
was so menacing at the station that I
feared for my life" the witness ans
wered.