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Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= The Jackson Weekly Citizen Tuesday, 19 April, 1870 Fatal Accident One of the most singular fatalities that we have ever been called upon to record, occurred at the Marion House in this city Wednesday, resulting in the death of ABEL B. WILLIAMS, of Summit. From Mr. J. A. HIGGINS we learn that the circumstances con- nected with the sad affair are as follows: It seems that WILLIAMS had bought a horse of Mr. WILLIAM KNICKERBOCKER. After the purchase it was claimed by the former that the animal was unsound, and he had intentions of bringing an action against KNICKERBOCKER for the recovery of damages. KNICKER- BOCKER of course would not pay the amount asked un- til sufficient proof could be adduced that WILLIAMS was entitled to it. MR. HIGGINS and NATHAN G. DAVIS standing by, were selected as arbitrators in the matter, but after a conference could not agree upon the question of the soundness or diseased condition of the horse. At this the matter was referred to Mr. S. S. VAUGHN, who happened to come along. After examining the animal, he pronounced it unsound, and gave his decision in favor of WILLIAMS, saying that he should be entitled to damages to the amount of $25. Some dissatisfaction existing at this decision, the men then referred to Mr. HOWARD H. GRIDLEY, as he was known to be thoroughly versed in matters touching the diseases of horses. GRIDLEY decided that, though the horse might have been perfectly sound when sold, it was nothing strange nor unusual that he should become diseased in a few days. In fact, he said he could take a horse from the stable and give him the heaves in twenty minutes. This, of course, was against WILLIAMS, who, being of a some- what irritable nature, became very angry. Quite an angry discussion ensued, which was joined in by the whole party, including a son of MR. WILLIAMS. Entering the house for the purpose of endorsing the decision of MR. VAUGHN, WILLIAMS called GRIDLEY a "drunken, loafing hack-driver," with other epithets, when the latter warned him not to repeat it, at the same time leading WILLIAMS rather roughly up to the counterin the hotel office. When at the counter WILLIAMS repeated the words and was very abusive, whereupon GRIDLEY raised his hand and struck him on the side of the head. The blow was not with the fist, but simply with the unclosed palm, and would not have knocked down any man of ordinary size and strength. But WILLIAMS being rather sickly, and not very strong, fell beneath the weight of the blow. His son helped him to a chair and tried to restore him, but no effort of any one present could avail. DRS. DAVIS, PRICE and CYRUS SMITH were called, and after examining the man found his case hopeless, but, however, used all their restoratives usually employed in similar instances. GRIDLEY, upon comprehending the situation, rendered all the assistance in his power, going for a doctor, carrying WILLIAMS to a bed, etc. WILLIAMS expired in about fifteen minutes, never stirring or uttering a word after falling. WILLIAMS was known as having a bad temper, being generally irritable and sometimes quarrelsome. On this occasion he was doubtless more so than ever, as his persistence in the quarrel strongly indica- ted. His son, on learning the sad truth, became almost distracted, left the house, and was not seen for a long time after. MR. WILLIAMS leaves a wife and three children to mourn his death. He was a farmer and lived in the town of Summit. WILLIAMS' wife came to the city that evening, and the scene, when she saw the corpse and learned the manner and circumstances of her husband's un- timely death, was truly affecting. Her grief was almost uncontrollable, while that of her son, though more silent, was none the less severe. That GRIDLEY had no intention of inflicting an injury was evident from the fact that he struck with his open hand, and his earnest endeavors to make himself useful in common with the son of MR. WILLIAMS and others. In fact, his services were more useful than any others present with the ex- ception of the son. This affair, far from being a homicide, is yet as much to be regretted, and we can call it by no other name than an accidental fatality. GRIDLEY, immediately upon learning that he had killed WILLIAMS, delivered himself up to SHERIFF JENNINGS, who took him in custody. His grief is very deep, and he says that he would give the world, were it his, if he could repair the in- jury he unwittingliy inflicted, and the bereavement he has forced upon the family of WILLIAMS. A coroner's jury was summoned Wednesday after- noon, but adjourned before arriving at a verdict, to meet again, however, Thursday A.M. It is prob- able that the inquest will result in disclosing the fact that WILLIAMS' death was caused by con- cussion of the brain, as he fell heavily, strik- ing his head very forcibly upon the hard floor. The blow, though an agent, could not have been the primary cause of his death. Neither of the men were intoxicated, and we learn that neither of them had been addicted to drinking. HOWARD H. GRIDLEY, one of the actors in this un- fortunate affair, has been a resident of Jackson for the past thirteeen years. He us a brother of JUDGE GRIDLEY, and is well known here. He estab- lished the first line of hacks in Jackson, and was engaged in that business for several years. During the past two years he has been employed as baggage man on the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad. He is well and favorably known, and is a genial, kind-hearted man - temperate and peaceable. The de- ceased is stated by those who knew him to have a bad disposition, and he has had trouble with his neighbors, owing to his ungovernable temper. In his cooler moments he regretted his words, and would apologize for what he had said. This we learn from those who have lived near him. The coroner's inquest upon the body of ABEL B. WILLIAMS, who was killed on Wednesday from the effects of a blow by HOWARD H. GRIDLEY, was con- cluded Thursday. Considerable discussion took place among the citizens as to what the verdict would be, the majority, however, being of opinion that the jury would decide that the fall and not the blow was the cause of his death. Many believed that the verdict would be that the blow was the primary cause, for the reason that WILLIAMS would not have fallen but for the blow. This seems to have been the point upon which the jury could not agree, and after a somewhat lengthy retirement they returned a verdict that ABEL B. WILIAMS came to his death from concussion caused by a blow ad- ministered by the hand of HOWARD H. GRIDLEY. The post mortem was held in the forenoon Thurs- day, by DRS. DAVIS, PALMER and CYRUS SMITH, who concluded that the death was caused by concussion. At the point where WILLIAMS received the blow there was no congestion nor depression of the skull or brain, nor was the former fractured in the least. The skull was very thin - in fact, so thin that the light would shine through it as though china when held toward the sun. This fact doubtless had much to do with the greater concus- sion than might have occurred with other persons having ordinarilly thick skulls. An examination of the brain disclosed considerable congestion in the back part of the head where it struck the floor, showing that severe concussion had taken place. None of the bones in the neck were broken or dislocated. The heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other vital organs were found to be in a healthy condition, and the only injuries found were on the brain. The charge of manslaughter was preferred against GRIDLEY, who, on being brought before JUSTICE WELLING, waived examination to the June term of the Circuit Court. He was admitted to bail in the sum of $3,000, with ALLEN BENNETT and MARVIN DOR- RILL as sureities. The affair has been the subject of no little speculative comment throughout the city from the time of its occurrence. Knots of citizens were soon congregated on the corners of the streets, and other public places, discussing the matter. The prevailing opinion is that WILLIAMS' death was more accidental than otherwise, though there is some belief that GRIDLEY will be convicted of manslaughter. There is a universal sympathy for all parties concerned, and the good reputation of GRIDLEY has effected a general interest in his behalf. The fact that he voluntarily gave himself over to the authorities, speaks much in his favor, and no one has the least doubt that any injury to WILLIAMS was wholly unintentional. The sympathy for the family of WILLIAMS is also very great, and more so, perhaps, from the sudden bereavement. In fact, the respectability of all concerned in the lamentable affair makes it still more to be regretted. On Wednesday morning WILLIAMS applied to JUSTICE WELLING for the purpose of bringing an action against KNICKERBOCKER for the recovery of damages. The Justice advised him to settle the matter as best he could, and if this advice had been properly acted upon, the whole affair might have been prevented. WILLIAMS' corpse was yester- day removed to his late home, and the funeral will take place there at 2 o'clock this afternoon. The three Detroit morning dailies had reports of the affair, neither of which, when carefully compared, will let the story "hang together." The correspondent of the Free Press got his re- port decidedly mixed as to the location. He states that it was in the Marion House saloon. It happens to have occurred in the office. He also says that WILLIAMS was struck on the back of the neck, which, also, is wrong; the blow having been inflicted on the left side of the head. The Post correspondence says that WILLIAMS' neck was broken, which is not the case. A "special" to the Tribune says that he fell dead instantly; he lived fifteen minutes. We consider these corrections of some little import- ance, and therefore make them that none may be misled as to the true facts of the case. Transcriber's Note: In January, 1871, Howard H. Gridley was found guilty of manslaughter. Judge Higby imposed a fine of $200 to be paid within ten days. No prison term. ===============================================================================