Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-08-11
CnTH AFFAIRS.
MAYORS COttRT. AUG. 9

- MA Oh . COURlt aug >.
C9n'non,oe dlM Us Hdrdgrore This case, in which
me prisoner stood charged with shooting D. B. Bridge
iofd, with pistol, the evening of the 23I July last
On water stree: near the termination of the Richmond
DOCK came on Tor examination by adjournment Mr.
Brldgeord the wounded man apneared tn testify IN the
case AS he still appeared to be boring undsr
prosraton, the Mayor invited Him TO take seat on the
platform, near his own person. which offer he accen-
ed. The usual oath having been administered Mr.
Bridgeiord testified as follows:
On the eVenlng OF the occurrence he was standing
on Water street, some distance below the nlace where
his hands were at work Saw Mr. uardgrove come
down to the PIT where his men were. saw Same ono
quarrellng with his men, and advanced towards the
place. AS soon he arrived in speaking distance
asked the nature of the difficulty, but received no re-
ply from Mr.. H who continued to quarrel with one
OF the men. He then addressed himself to Hard
grove, and remarked to him that he (Bridgelord) was
the person to whom he ought to complain, if he felt
In any wise aggrieved; and that he must leave the
place; to which Hardgrove replied that he did mol
consider him any better than the other men-that he
was on public ground, and should not leave until he
chose to do so; that he then called Hardgrove I'D
lnsoent puppy whereupon H. struck at him with
ms hand or list, he then seized II, by the breast or
collar, and struck HIM two three blows with his
INST, when the latter pulled out pistol and shot him.
CrosS-enamlnatiom by Mr.. Scott.-Heard Hargrove
remark, DIS he came up that he would sooner believe
his negro than the Italian Gone of the white abourers)
with whom he was quarreing. Hardgrove attempt
ed to give the first blow-warded it off and seized
hlm-do not think than three blows had passed
when H. fired the pistol-Hardgrove did not succeed
In striking me with his fist, though he tore nv shirt
nearly on my breast AT the time he fred he had his
left hand Ia my collar Had never SAID that il he had
knoy Ha |,
ed him down; but did say that, had he known he was
armed, he should have endeayoured to prevent him
from shooting him.
His examination being over, Mr.. Bridgeford OBJ
tanned permission to retire from the Court ROOM He
withdrew and entered the office of Capt. Wingfield
where he remained till the examination closed.
DE Hasklns, in reply to question propounded by
the Court, stated that the wound inflicted by the pis-
toll shot was dangerous oae, and might have caused
death.
Several witnesses were then called for the Com
monwealth. All, or nearly all, testified to having
seen the scufle and the firing, but could not say which
struck the first blow.
Augustine Bankaini stated that he went 10 the
spout tor water, on the evening of the difficulty
Whilst there, negro from Hardgrove's factory came
down and put his bucket upon his; that he took the
bucket and carried it short distance below the
spout, when the negro returned to the factory and
brought MIR. Hardgrove to the place; that H then
came over where he was at work with the other men
and asked him why he refused to let his servant get
water from the spout that he denied having prevent
ed the negro from doing so, whereupon H. said he
would sooner believe the negro than him. and that if
he lnterfered again with his negroes at the spout he
would give him something hot-hotter than he had
ever had.
Officer Wilkerson being sworn said, that as he was
on his way to Rockets on the evening of the occur
renee, he encountered negro boy, who came run
ming towards him from Hardgrove's factory, with
message from Mr.. w. Hardgrove requesting him to
call at the factory. Upon reaching the factory he met
MIR. Hardgrove who stated that party of llishmen
mad fallen aboard OF him, and, having shot one of
them, he was anxious t. surrender himself into Gus
tody. MI w said he at once carried Mr.. H. before
a maglsrate In reply to questions propounded by
Mr.. Scott, officer w. stated that he saw marks of VIC
lence about the person of MIR. Hardgrove One of his
ears was bleedng-his face was scratched and bruis
ed, his shirt bosom torn and his breast severely
scratched.
Several witnesses, eng aged in and about the factory
OF the Messrs Hardgrove, were then examined. Most
OF them testified to having witnessed the whole diff
Guilty, and all eoncurrcd in stating that Brdgeford
dealt the first blow. Mr.. Winston, Zone of the wit.
nesses) was on bluff Immediately above the parties,
and testified positively that the first blow was given by
Brdgeford. They likewise concurred in stating that
as Hardgrove was leaving the place where the men
were at work on the ship lock, Brdgeford called to
and went up 10 him, when the di fculty ensued.
Several highly respectable citizens then testified to
the courteous disposition and good character of Mr..
Hardgrove
The Mayor announced his determination to send the
prisoner on for examination before the Hastings Court
and named the 18th day of August as the day upon
which the Court would be called. He stated, how.
ever, that he felt at liberty to admit the prisoner to
ball. and would do so provided $4,000 security Were
rendered, which accordingly done.