Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-26
CITY AFFAIRS.
MAYORS COURT. Jan. IS.


Edwin Cooke, the evening of the 2lst inst, Broad
street.
Ed,on Cooke being sworn, testified that, Tuesday
evening last, between the hours of and O'clock he
called al the store OF Stebbins Danacot & Co.. for the
purpose Of seeing Mr. Sebbins in relation to warrant
which the firm had brought against him. He called
Stebblns at that gentlemans request he had
stated to witness few days previous that the warrant
had been brought without his knowledge consent,
during his absence from the city, and that he would
range the matter satisfactorily il witness would call al
the store Witness called Tuesday evening for the
purpose of settling the claim upon which warrant had
been brought-Stebbns not being in the store, asked
B. w. Pullen where s. could be tound learned thai he
was in attendance on the Hastings Court. Asked Pull
len why he had been warranted, and who had brought
the warrant! PulIen said he had caused the proceed
ing TO be instituted Some conversation ensued between
witness and Puen when T. said he did not consider W T.
ness worthy his notice. Witness then went down to the
City Hall and found Stebbins occupied as juror in
some cause before the Hastings Court. Witness then
returned to the store OF Stebbins Daracott Co., and
asked Pullen what he meant by the remark he had
made, that he did not regard witness worthy of his
notice. Said he felt nettled the remark, because
when he (wimess) was being Shaved" by Pullen at
per cent per month he esteemed worthy of all
sderaton; as soon however, he had been enabled TO
get out OF his clutches, he not regarded worthy OF
his notice. Witness then ordered out OF the store
by John Darracott; George W. Daracott then made
his appearance and said he would help witness OF
the store. AS witness reached the front door, John
Dauacott seized the bar belonging to the door, and
struck Witness Geo. W. Danacott also struck him
the me when he reached the pavement in front
of the store John Darracott dropped the bar, drew
bowie knife and struck him with it; the sheath being
nifa
however, fell off after several blows had been dealt
Witness stated on examination, that he had had
a misunderstanding with John Darracott five months
ago. and did not wish to have any thing to do with HIM.
Sought no difficulty with the Darracots, or either Of
them said he did not apprehend any danger OF at
tack from Pullen; he P) took part in the melee;
did he fear the Daracotts when Invested of door
bars and bowie knives. Witness stated, in reply to
question, that he had cowhide at the time Of the
leeusually rode with one but did the store
in the first instance for the purpose Of seeking diff
Guilty of any kind.
A motion made at this period OF the examna-
ton, to dismiss the to Pullen.
The Court refused entertain the motion till farther
| evidence had been elected,
James Gray jr, testified that he called at the store
OF Stebbins, Daracott q Co. Tuesday evening" for the
purpose of making some purchases. He and Mr..
through different doors Mr. J. Daracot waited on
Witness as as he entered. AT that time John Dar
racott and his young brother the only persons
the store. Cooke took seat without opening his lips.
Mr. Puen came in a few minutes afterwards heard
Cooke ask him what he meant by the remark he had
made when he there short time prior Pullen
replied that he did know to what remark Cooke au-
ded that if he mad made improper one, he was pre-
pared to make explanation. Cooke made use OF in
temperate language in relation to warrant; said the
had cheated him enough already, had treated
him rascally &c Heard Cooke ask Pullen OF the
store-sad ii he would go out, he would do what he
came there to do. Pullen said he had business to
transact of his store that he transacted all his bu
siness there. During the conversation between Cooke
and Pullen, J. Darracot appeared to be excited SO
much so as to induce witness time contemplate
retiring from the store. After Cooke had asked Puen
out John Darracott turned TO Cooke and said his COM
pany exceedingly dsagreeable, and he leave
the Cooke replied that he had notspoken OAR
racou for five montIs-tha D. knew his opinion OF him
| and that he would see him OF the store. George
W. Darracott then came forward from the rear of the
store, and remarked that he would see Cooke out Of
the store A movement was made towards the front
door, Saw G.. w. Darracott strike Cooke in the side
with the bar belonging to the door. Puen took part
in the melee. Did not see Cooke draw cowhde,
did he him strike any in the store; him
attempt strike the Darracotts in front of the store
| Jos. Myers sworn-On Tuesday evening called at the
store of Stebbins Danacott g. CO. in quest OF Mr.. G.
w. Darracott. Saw Mr.. Cooke in the store when he
enered also met Mr.. Gray there and entered into
versaton with him, which was interrupted by loud and
angry conversation between Cooke j. Daracott and Pull
len. Heard Cooke denounce them rascals if not swim
ders Geo. w. Darracott rose from seat and remarked
tb,, bioh oh bo
iere. He thereupon ordered Cooke leave the store
stating that if he co. wanted to fight, he would accom-
modate him, and would whip him. The parties then
moved towards the front door, and into the street
| Witness saw John Darracott with large knife in his
hand went out and insisted taking possession of the
knitedid take possession of it; j. Darracot reln-
pushed it without resortng to torcble means. Saw
Geo. w. Darracott pull cowhide out Of Cookies bo-
som. On taking it he remarked to Cooke, "D--n YOU
You called with this for the purpose OF cowhiding my
brother" Pulen took part in the melee, nor did he
appear any time to labour under undue excitement
John Tucker sworn-Drives milk cart for Mr.
Haxa; Tuesday evening he drove up to Pizzin's
Confectionery store, Cooke and or three other
men rush out OF the store below Pizzinis Cooke came
out first; saw c. w. Darrscot strike at him with
large r-bar; c. warded off the blow with his UNI
brella; then saw Darracot up behind Cooke with
large knife, and attempt to stab him through The
knife appeared to witness to be about foot in length
and the blade three inches in bre adth. Witness felt
mighty bad' at seeing killed in that way; was
sitting on his wagon at the tme and expected to see
| Cooke killed Instantly, A young man ran out OF the
store, however, and took the knife from Daracot be-
| fore he had killed Cooke.
| Robert Darracott was next called on to testify. He
lives in the of Stebbns parraco & Co. He cor
roborated the statements of the other witnesses the
origin Of the difficulty, and stated that when Cooke
first called at the store he sent cooured woman up
Mr.. Bray's for the purpose of purchasing cowhide
stating that he wanted good and would have such
an one even ii it rs cents, but he did not say how
he intended to use the cowde. Witness did the