Evening journal., 1913-10-11
GIVE VERDICT
THAT WIGGlNS
KILLED SELF
Chief Black Says He Didn't
Know That Fugitive Had
Gold Tooth
CONFLICT OVER THE
STOPPING OF SHOTS

That Homer Cleveland Virgins, the I
young bandit, who shot and killed him
self after an exciting battle for over
an hour with an army of policemen on
Sunday night, September 20. after be
I ing trapped in a bedroom in the lodging
house al Baxters Corner. Fourth and
/ Shipley streets. died az the result Of a
self-inhicted revolver shot, was the ver-
dict OF the jury drawn by Coroner John
| r. Spring 10 hold an inquest in the
case. when they held their adjourned
meeting last night,
The verdict was not returned until
after the jury had heard much addi
tional evidence concerning the details of
the case. Chief Black was the only
police official TO be called to the stand
again last evening. the other witnesses
consisting of private citizens, and the
widely statements OF these
witnesses was the feature of the in
quest.
According TO the first two witnesses,
Mrs Martha T. Jack Of No. 405 Shipley
street and her daughter, Mrs. Emma
Phillips who resides with her, the fir
ing from the Fell Building. in which the
police officers were stationed, did not
stop for twenty minutes after the ar
rival of Chief OF Police Black and Ser
geant Wardle. who, according TO these
two witnesses crept along the street TO
the entrance Of the Fell Building on
Shipley street, hiding in doorways and
behind signs. Both women were posi-
tive that the firing continued for some
time after they came out Of the Fell
. Building.
! This evidence was flatly contradict
3 ed by the testimony that followed
: from eye Witnesses who were actually
in the building with the police. con-
sisting OF two local reporters and a
woman iodger. at the Fell building,
and in addition to their testimony,
! Chief Black positively denied all the
, accusations made by the two women.
After hearing all Of the evidence
} in the case, the jury returned the fol-
/ owing verdict, which was adopted
unanimously:
THAT it is the verdict of this jury
I that Homer Cleveland Wiggins came
TO his death from a pistol shot wound,
: said pistol being fired by his own
hand, in the Baxter Building. at
! Fourth and Shipley streets. Whining
: ton. Delaware. on the morning of Sep
tember 20. 1913"
The Jury had no comment to make
upon the affair. and no criticism for
J anyone connected with IT, Many
7 things developed az the inquest
: however through the questions asked
by the jurors. and, especially the fore
, man. which will have to be explained
p at the investigation 10 be made into
the case by the Police Commissioners.
beginning on Monday.
! placed under oath. I'm answer to
questions from George Carter. the fore
man, Mrs. Jack stated that she was in
a rear room in her home when the
fight began. and that five shots had
been fired before she got TO the front
window. From then on she witnessed
, the entire affair until the body Of
Virgins was carried from the house.
She did not know al that time that
II was Virgins they we're after.
81 looked out of the window" she
said, "and | saw some one shooting
D. out Of the middle window Of the
e Baxter building Whoever was IN
e the room shot two or three times and
e then I looked for the officers to come.
Z They came right after that"
g who were they?" asked Mr.. Carter.
n 81 didn't know the first two"
e Which way did they Gomez"
. They came down Shipley street
. with guns to 402 Shipley street. and
went up the steps Then other Of
hcers came
Did you know their namesf"
. NO, | didn't know any Of the Off
: Then what happenedg"
!. They commenced shooting right
y WHO did you see nextYp
K Chief Black end Sergeant Wardle."
~ What time was thatf'
"A When the shooting was about halt
over. They came down Shiplcy street
from Fifth, very close 10 the building
line"
"Who was in the lcadg"
u "Sergcant Wardle.
= "llow far behind him was Chiel
d About FIVE feet
l. Tell rs what happened them re-
quested Mr.. Carter
Alr-. Jack then stated that Sergeant
" Wardle crcpt mp behind creamery sign
r near the corner and looked up TO sec
o. that there was no danger Then HI
r shot into the door of No. 402 SIMPLE,
lie street +" she declared.
In ''Nou mean he ran into the door!' ask
y. ed Mr.. Carter.
''WNll. he went in pretty fast"
Where was Chief Black"
a. The witness then said that vhil'
be Sergeant Wardle was hiding hehin'
n the sign Chief Black was standing
upon the stats building steps. hiding
in the doorway. After Sergeant War
die had entered the building sh
IN declared "Chiet Black came dow
rs from the steps and he too looke
IN around the creamery sign. Then b
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