The Evening Telegraph

The Riddle Homicide. A further hearing was had in this case today before Alderman Beltler, at the Central Station. The defendants, William J. Owens, Diel Cliff, Daniel Stokes, and Robert C. Gamble, were present.

John S. Riddle, brother of the deceased, sworn: Stokes and Hornketh both struck at me just after I struck Mr. Owens. I didn't see Mr. Owens take any part in the affair after I knocked him down the second time. I did not see him have an instrument of any kind in his hand. I was at the Coroner's inquest, and heard the testimony. I recollect very indistinctly the evidence given by Mr. Hill. I do not think that I was confused in my memory, from the account of my testimony I read as published in the newspapers. I think I could recognize Mr. Culp. I saw Hornketh strike a blow; he struck me. I did not see him have anything in his hand. My brother was within four or five feet of the door when he was struck with the billy. I think it was from the effects of the blow of the pitcher that he died. Mr. Cliff looks like the man who struck the blow with the billy.

Dr. William H. Pancoast sworn: I was acquainted with the deceased. He and his brother came to my office on the night of the occurrence. Colonel Riddle was saturated with blood, which I found came from a wound in the head. I gave him some whisky, and made him lie down on the sofa. His brother, who was also wounded, said he felt sick. He gave me an account of the occurrence. William Riddle seemed too exhausted to speak; he was very pale. I examined the wounds of both at once, and the Colonel's wounds seeming very serious I sent him home, and followed with my instruments. I found him lying on the bed, and still bleeding. I found a wound on the vertex on the posterior upper portion of the skull just over the junction of the parietal bone. That wound was about one and a half inches long. In front of this was another wound two and a half inches long. This wound was bleeding profusely, and it was on the right side of the median line. It might have been caused by a heavy blunt instrument. He was evidently struck obliquely or the skull would have been crushed. I could feel the bone distinctly; there was no depression of the skull. I think the wound might have been caused by a pitcher. A blackjack I do not think would do it. From the effects of this wound he died.

James Hill sworn: Was there at the time of the occurrence. Saw Colonel Riddle brandishing a pitcher right and left, but did not see him strike any one. Several persons rushed in at one time. I cannot remember their faces. Mr. Owens was on the floor when I first saw him. I didn't see him afterwards. I did not see the pitcher after I saw it in Colonel Riddle's hand until I saw it coming towards his head. I do not know Culp.

The rest of the witness' testimony in regard to the affair was substantially what he has already testified to, and which has been published in The Evening Telegraph.

I am not connected with a fire company. I have seen Hornketh, on an average, one hour a day for two years. I saw him around the Western Hose house. I never went in there, except at the time of a fire, then I went in to see where it was.

Henry Huhn sworn: I witnessed the latter part of the occurrence. Mr. Cliff and myself, with several others, were in Glendening's. We went to the place, were together all the time, and went away together. We have been very much together for the last nine months.

Henry Jackson sworn: I got to Owens' place after the fight was all over. I know all the parties, with the exception of Gamble, whom I would know if I saw him.

George Donahue sworn: I was standing on the hose house corner and heard a noise and went over, and saw Mr. Owens and Mr. Riddle on the floor. They had hold of each other. Owens was on top. When they got up I saw some one take the pitcher off the bar, run over towards the door in the back room, and make a strike at somebody. I cannot tell who it was. Mr. Riddle went back to a chair as if to sit down. I saw Mr. Hornketh with a stick or a cane in his hand. I can't tell what it was exactly, and strike Mr. Riddle with it two or three times about the head. Heard Riddle hallo 'murder,' 'watch,' etc., and the crowd came outside, when I saw a boy strike him with a brick. John Connor is his name; he lives in Haus street; his father keeps a stove store. I don't believe he is sixteen yet. I have known him seven or eight years. He was there when it started. I believe Connor was outside; ran across to the hose house side, picked the brick up, ran back and hit him once. He held it in his hand while he hit him. He then threw the brick away. He is a thin-looking fellow. Colonel Riddle was on his feet at just about the top step of the door. I think Mr. Riddle was a short man. I am not certain.

After further testimony, Alderman Beltler committed Stokes, Gamble, and Owens for trial.