Powell's revolver

[Linda Anderson]

William H.Bell testified that he saw Powell strike Fred Seward at least twice. This is from Poore's transcription.

"Q. Did you see with what he struck Mr. Frederick Seward?
A. I did not exactly see it; but, whatever it was, it appeared to me to be round, and to be mounted all over with silver. It was that long [about ten or twelve inches]. I had taken it to be a knife afterwards; they all said he struck him with a pistol; but that I cannot tell.
Q. How many times did he strike him?
A. I saw him raise his hand twice. I did not wait to see how
many times after he hit him. He hit him twice before I could turn around, and while I was looking at him; and then I ran down stairs.
Q. Mr. Frederick Seward was on the floor when you left?
A. Yes, sir: he had fallen."

Fred managed to get up again as Fanny describes seeing him dripping with blood when she or Robinson opened the bedroom door.

"I thought Robinson & I reached
the door at the same time. I did not see who opened it— It
was he. I saw that two men came in, side by side. I was
close by the door, & the one nearest me, was Fred. The side
of his face was covered with blood, the rest very pale, his eyes
full of intense expression. I spoke to ask him what was
the matter,—he could not answer me. On his right
hand was the assassin. I do not remember how his face
looked, his arms were both stretched out, he seemed rushing
toward the bed. In his the hand nearest me was a
pistol, in the right hand a knife."