Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-07-19
Mr.. webs,eh examined in behalf Of

the prisoner, testified that three Or four
weeks before the murder, he did some bu
siness with the prisoner who talked much
about his family, said he was afraid they
would suffer. After the wines. icf, the
prisoner he called him back, aud talked
about moving away; complained he had
go, sick, and could not support them;
was afraid they would come to want
The prisoner was careful and accurate in
his business; at all times had seemed
! fond OF his family.
Mr.. Maxwell testified, that three or
four days before the murder, ne lost his
way and fell IN with the prisoner, who
was driving cart. He spoke several
times to the prisoner, who n sde no ans.
wer, but set in the cart wi;ha me!ancao
ly luok, breaking and chewing small
switch which ne he'd IN his hand, and oc-
casionally rubbing bis clothes. The WIT.
ness followed the cart, told where ne was
going. and that lie had lost his way. The
prisoner replied, 81 guess you have"
5u; said nc mure. The prisoner seemed
to take but little notice of the road, and
when he had been several times spoken
TO, and made no answer. the witness ask
ed him when he would move, he said
when he was fixed I" Witness sill. fol.
lowed him. After some time the prison.
er got out of the cart and walked into the
woods (; at the same time waving his
hand, he said, the road tu,ns oui you-
DER" The witness found The road at the
place thc prisoner pointed to.
Mr. ellis testified. that just before the
murder he overlook the prisoner, about
day break, without his nat, antfls clothes
IN much observation-disclosures said lie was
going To town about some business, but
turned back on seeing his siyter's son be.
fore him. The witness he believed was
friendly in his family and though, han ra.
Their melancholy Than insane.
Mr.. Carpenter said he and The prisoner
married sisters, tina; The prisoner some
times pouled little in his family, but me-
yer abused them. Col. Low,her testified
that he had known the prisoner or 9
years, he always seemed fond oil his fa-
mi'y, never knew him responding but
once when he was arrested snr debt, W.T..
| ness vas then ms bail, this business was
uuse;tisd---ando on Sunday before the mur.
der happened, he hea.dihe prisoner wouIj
soon move. He went with brother who
was his security, TO hunt him 10 Try to4se
| cure themselves. l hey fouad him with
his mother and others. WIieu they spoke
habout The bus;uess, The mother callea
them aside, aud begged thry would not
speak 10 HIM about the business, for he
was crazy, a!,d IL would make hlm worse.
When they talked 10 him, he hung his
head and said nothing.
Mr.. Lnsly testified, that lie had heard
| the prisoner, when alone, coDyetsug a,
VI IN company with several persons. For
three weeks before the murder witness
worked with prisoner, he seemed meian
choly, and did not work or attend To his
business. His wife was uneasy, lest he
should do himself some njusy-he ap-
peared very fond Of his childi en-, and kind
10 his wife.
Mrs. Lazier was sworn 4or,he prisoner
but examined by the prosecutor. She
testified that size lived near neighbor TO
the prisoner, but had not seen him for
some time before the murder, xcept once
eight days before the murder, she stopped
at his yard fence and talked 10 him. He
seemed serious, bu, talked rational con
vcrseG about moving, and said he would
move in boat, only his wife was afraid.
Witness had before this heard that The
prisoner was crazy.
The jailo- of Harrison, where the pr.
soner was FRS. confined, testified that he
sometimes appeared TO be crazy. bur
Whenever his brother came in he talked
rational. He eat hearty and Appeared to
DC IN his reason, though at times melan.
choIy. ig8 !c-l,a
One Cunningham, who stood indicted
for grand larceny; and was confined in
the district Jail when the prisoner was
first lodged there, testified, ths, The first
evening The prisoner was confined in the.
Jail with him, he heard him exclaim to
himself, "What wretch am /, TO kill so
many innocent ones 70 and the next day
made use Of similar expressions. That
on the 3oth April last, the prisoner SAID
10 the witness acknowledgement you know
was not in my senses when came, but
! am wiling TO die for the charge. JfT
had my family as they were this time last
year ten Thousand mountains of gold
should not parl u.s." e
Mr.. Jackson, in his address to the Jury