 Oakley stated that he had seen a "strange negro," possibly James, ordered out of Bill Johnson's saloon on East Washington street the night before.Oakley was shown the cap and piece of shirt allegedly found at Ballard's home and, "at once furnished a correct description of the little negro [James]..." Oakley added that the "strange negro" was wearing new shoes.Three weeks later, Oakley's nephew, Lee, would be arrested for stabbing someone with a knife.