South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-11-21
NEGRO KNIFER MAY
USE DEFENSE PLEA
May Prove Victim of Stabbing
Was AggreSSOr-Fight
Followed Game.

\ coloreQ man. Luclau PostOn,
picked up on suspicion by the police
last night. may prove valuable
witness for the defense in the case
~ William Wright. who is held.
charged with the murder Of John
~ Hutchinson. All OF the men
connected with the affair are
negroes.
Wright was arrested al $50
o'clock last night when Sergt JO-
seph ChaPpel OF the local police
department received "a tip" as %
his whereabouts. He confessed the
entire affair. stating that he killed
Hutchinson when the latter at
tempted TO take 50 from him. fol-
lowing a crap game in which Wright
WAS winner.
Poston, after being questioned
1y Chief OF Detectives Barnhart
Wednesday morning. said that he
had had trouble with Hutchinson
earlier IA the evening. before the
crap game which resulted in the
stabbing, was begun. According 90
chief Barnhart. Poston. by proving
hat Hutchinson was a "bad man.
win BE able to help the defense
very materially
Wright was arrested by william
a. Barnhart, captain OF the local
detective force: Motorcycle Onicer
Olmstead and Sheriff Charles Bailey.
'rhey were notified by Sergt. chap
pell that Wright had reentered the
looming house on William ST.. and
arrived az the dwelling just as Of
acers Earl Parker. Dick O'CouneH
and Charles Kemeriey drove up in
The patrol.
Wright Tells story.
Wright's confession stated in the
drawing 'darky" accent OF the
south. follows:
Il killed Hutchinson after a crap
game. Sure 1 cut him. he wanted
S3 from me and grabbed me by
the collar and tried 70 take IT, If
didn't do right I am willing 10
serve 90 or 80 years for It, but no
nan is going 20 take my money
from me II was this way: i was
S25 winners and Hutchinson asked
me for money. and when I told
him no he says you will give it
60 me- and began throwing me
around By the neck. so I cut him"
Although the circumstances Of
the case will not mitigate the Of
Tense, according to local authOri-
ties. Wrisht's statement. in part. Is
borne out BY a statement given by
John II. Bell, who also rooms at
129 : William SO. Bell stated that
Hutchinson came in from work and
asked 10 borrow s.. Bell gave it
20 him on the strength of a con-
tinued friendship since Bell and
Hutchinson worked together I'm q
mine down south Soon after,
Hutchinson returned 10 the house
with S15. Bell asked him what he
was doing with ALI of that money.
and Hutchinson replied that ne in
tended 10 go down the alley" At
the end or the alley and at the in
terscction OF Monroe ST.. is a Negro
restaurant and 10 is thought that
mis- Is where the crap game was
eiug operated. Bell then went in
10 tho kitchen and iu "a few mo-
llents heard Hutchinson cry out:
They have taken Rs from me"
FINDS Hutchinson Dying.
Bell rushed from the rear of the
house and saw man arise from
uutchinsons PROSTATE body and
with a smaller man whom the po-
lice say was Position. flee toward
the street from the alleyway. Bell
dragged Hutchinson into the house
and the latter died on the way TO
the hospital I'm the police ambu-
lance Hutchinson was nearly dis
embowled by the ripping thrust Of
the knife
From that time on all suspicious
appearing Negroes were taken into
custody by the police and examined.
4 George Wright. no relation TO
The murderer. who was arrested,
was later released
About p. m. Serst Cbappell re-
ccived the tip" that william
Wright had returned 10 house at
5z9 =. William ST. He was arrested
while DOMINIC three pairs of trous-
crs and two coats. preparatory TO
escape. tho police believe. The
knife he used I'm killing Hutchinson
was not OF his person.