Wilmington Every Evening leath003.doc

Monday, June 13, 1904 10/20/98

Page 4

Special Dispatch to Every Evening.

Smyrna, June 13. - An inquest was held today on the body of James Lethrem, who was killed by Edward Brown, colored, on Saturday, at Clayton. Brown, who surrendered to the authorities and was taken to Dover jail yesterday, was brought here today and testified before the jury. He said that he struck Lethrem in self-defense, but several other witnesses said that Lethrem did nothing to offend him; that it was another man who used sharp language toward him. The jury rendered the following verdict:

"Resolved, That James Lethrem came to his death on June 11th, 1904, by being struck in the head by a pitchfork in the hands of Edward Brown, without provocation."

It was feared that the presence of the negro might cause some hostile demonstration, but there was no such result, the best order prevailing while he was here. After the inquest, which ended about 1 o’clock this afternoon, Brown was taken back to Dover jail, where he will be held without bail until the next term of court.