Evening Journal

STRIKING A FATAL BLOW.

Captain Richards Accidentally Kills Captain Gillson at Delaware City—Coroner's Inquest.

Captain James Gillson of Manayunk was struck and killed by Captain Mark Richards of Port Elizabeth, N. J., on board Captain George K. Thompson's canal boat at the wharf at Delaware City yesterday. Gillson's, Thompson's and Richards's boats were lying at the wharf in the order of their names. About 6 o'clock in the morning Gillson who had been out all night with a camping party came to Richards's boat very much intoxicated. Richards was pumping his boat out and was assisted by Jacob Lang. Gillson at once became abusive and threatened to whip the whole crew, and addressing himself to Richards said: "I will wipe up the deck with you." Richards paid no attention to Gillson's abuse until the latter stepped aboard of the boat and squared himself, when he hit him and knocked him down. Gillson raised himself and crossing to his own boat, picked up a handful of coal and a club. "Captain Thompson begged him to lay the things down. He did so, saying that he would "lick Richards anyway." He then took off his shirt, stepped on Thompson's boat where Richards was and hit him on both sides of the head before Richards could retaliate. Richards then struck him in the forehead with his fist, knocking him down. In falling he struck his right temple against the corner of the hatchway and in a few minutes he expired from the concussion. Dr. Frank P. Belleville was at once summoned, and found blood oozing out of the man's nose and mouth and from a wound in the temple. Life was extinct.

When the news of the killing spread over the little town, the excitement was intense. Although early in the morning, nearly the entire population gathered at the wharf to discuss the matter. When the facts became known, the sympathy of the community turned towards Richards, who had given himself up to the authorities as soon as he ascertained the man's death. He was placed in the town lockup and kept there until released by the coroner.

Dr. Belleville telegraphed to Coroner Barnhill and the latter left at 1.30 p. m. for Delaware City, arriving there at 3 o'clock. When the coroner arrived he found the body lying on Thompson's boat, the people in the town having the impression that it could not be touched until his arrival. He at once had it placed on Gillson's boat, where the following jury viewed it: W. A. Jester, A. J. Swan, John C. Huss, George M. Bright, F. R. Householder, E. Mitre, S. R. Hines, Alexander Kelley and William Hutchinson.

W. A. Jester was made foreman and William Hutchinson secretary. Bernard Gillson son of the dead man, Captain George K. Thompson, Terence B. Anner, Joseph W. Field, Jacob Lang and Dr. Frank Belleville were examined and testified to the facts as stated above. Bernard Gillson's testimony and that of the boat hands was to the effect that Gillson was frequently drunk, and that when in that condition he was very quarrelsome, taking advantage of every opportunity for a quarrel. On the other hand Richards was represented as a sober, industrious man, and very peaceful. The jury after hearing the evidence rendered a verdict that "the deceased came to his death by a blow struck by Mark Richards in self defense."

The release of Richards was at once ordered. When the coroner started toward the lock-up a large crowd preceded him. Richards seeing them became very much scared, thinking he was going to be lynched. When he was told that he was to be released, he broke down and was unable to move. He thanked the coroner and the jury again and again between his tears. The body was removed to Manayunk, Pa., to-day.