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CORNER'SJURY TO INVESTIGATE SLAYER'S DEATH
Tribunal, Clbthed With Competent Authority, To Endeavor To Ascertain Facts
AUTHORITIES WILL "HASTEN INVESTIGATION
State, County And City Officials
Co-operating; Mayor Expects
No More Trouble
Matthew Williams, confessed slayer of D. J. Elliott at his office yesterday afternoon, was removed from the Peninsula General Hospital last night and hanged in the Courthouse yard. The hanging was witnessed by hundreds of people.
An investigation of the entire affair is being conducted by local authorities who had not progressed sufficiently to make any statements at press time.
The opinion prevails that many of those participating in the actual hanging came from other sections of the peninsula and that their actions were prompted by events that have occurred in their own communities.
State's Attorney Levin C. Bailey said a coroner's jury, composed of leading citizens, will be summoned ihis afternoon, and later adjourned until a later date for a hearing.
All evidence that can be collected will be placed before the jurors whose duty will be to fix responsibility for the death of Williams, Mr. Bailey said.
"There will be no more delay than is necessary for the identification of those who took part in this crime. I plan to prosecut this case vigorously, stopping not at the leaders, but carrying it to every other person who took part who can be identified."
After a special meeting of the Mayor and Council this morning in City Hall, Mayor Wade H. Insley isued this statement:
"A careful investigation shows that everything is quiet and no further trouble is anticipated. There is no indication of tense racial fueling and what has happened can be safely classed as indignatio;. directed only toward the individual concerned, i.iere ntver has been any trouble between the races here and th-ire is not going to be now.
"Simply as a precautionary measure sufficient police protectiou has been provided. The city feels that it is amply able to handle the situation without outside help. The investigation of last night's unfortunate occurrence is in the hands of the proper county authorities."
Governor Albert C. Ritchie returned hurriedly home from New York a.id started a thorough inquiry.
"When the investigation is completed I shall have something to say," the executive declared. "But the matter is entirely too grave for me to talk about now, of course, I am shocked by the affair."
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