The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1922-08-11
Volume XKNIE.-Number 81
Negro Killed; Adams is
Held for Mdnslaughter
Coroner's Jury Lays Responsibility
for Death on Chief of Police;
Chief Suspended

As a result OF a fracas that occur
red in the negro quarters Tuesday
night, Bennie Coleman, coiored, is
dead and former Chief of Police
Adams is charged with manslaughter,
the coroner's jury finding that the
deceased came to his death from a
guusAot wound from certain gun or
pistol in the hands of Thomas |.
Adams. Il + and that the death was
the result of an unlawful killing,
ard that the said Adams should be
held upon a charge of manslaugh-
TER The jury was composed of
Chas. G. Cochran, foreman, Coe AL
len, H. A. Robbins, George Dewey.
w. II. Johnson and Stacey V. Doug
lass.
Tuesday night, Coleman, the de-
ceased. attacked b i s wife. Fannie
Coleman, inficting painful if not
serious wounds by beating her on the
head with some instrument, probably
a closed knife. This caused great
deal of excitement, and in spite OF
the efforts of Sheriff Lipscomb and
his deputies and then Chief of Police
Adams to apprehend Coleman, he
emded them. The next day, how
ever, Fannie Coleman wrote Adams
informing him that she had informa-
ton that her husband would go to
1ra
asked that he (Adams) arrest him.
Accordingly, Adams accompanied by
II. McDaniels. who had been depu-
tized for the occasion, went to the
house in search of Coleman. They
did not find him in the house, but
inst as they were leaving to return
TO town met him in the street short
distance away. and very near the
colored school house. Adams accost-
ed Coleman but received no reply and
upon speaking to him the second
time. Coleman started to run. Ac-
cording to the evidence given at the
coroner's inquiry, Adams called to
Coleman to halt. repeating the ooli-
mand twice. Coleman continued to
run. and at about the time he reached
the rear of the colored school house
on the east side. four shots were mr.
ed. two by Adams and two by Deputy
NcDaniels, the revOlvers used by both
men being of the same calibeT. NC
Daniels testified that he shot to the
left of the fleeing man; Adams sald
that he shot toward him, but did not
say that he shot TO kill but TO stop
the man; neither did he deny that 1t
was his intention TO hit him, but not
until later did he have an idea that
any of the four bullets took effect.
However. after Coleman had dlsap-
peared around the corner Of the
school house, Adams ran around the
front to what is about the west side.
After running a little ways he saw
Coleman considerable d a
away, still running. A moment later,
he testified. Coleman turned and ran
toward him, reaching point about
so feet away, when he fell, dying |
within 4 few moments, an eXamina-
ion of the body establishing the fact |
hat bullet had taken effect, going |
entirely through the body. Adams |
and McDanieIs left Alex Stevens and !
Clarence Sanders in charge of the |
body and came to town for physi- |
,ian. They found DR.. Mcqueen, who
estified that it was his opinion that
he wound was inflicted by 3S cali
Ter bullet, which entered the back
md came out through the lower
hest. The tCstimony of McDaniels
md all the other witnesses called, in
,luding several colOred people, with
he exception Of one of the latter,
,ore out that of Adams in almost
very detail, each witness being eX-
.mined separately and OUT of the
presence of other witnesses by Chas.
cochran, foreman, other members OF
he jury. and Chas. A. Waltmire, rep
esenting the state. the latter reading
he law and explaining it TO the jury
or their guidance in reaching YER
ict. which was rendered as stated in
he beginning.
County Judge Trabue fixed Adams
ond at $500, which was promptly
to await action Of the
rand jury. At the instance Of the
ity commissioners. Adams was sus-
ended as chief of police by City
ianager Price, to await the outcome
( the affair. a. C. Caldwell, who
7as twice a candidate for the Office
+ marshal, was appointed to the Of :
ce of chief by the manager and ne ,
r..ered upon his duties last night at
bout nine o'clock. l.
Mr.. Adams says that he bears no I
/ feeling toward anyone connected t
18th the affair and responsible for q
ne action that was taken.