The southern press., 1851-10-29
From the Chariesio,on (Va.) Spirit cfJefsrson.
Col. James Castleman.

W.
From the Chariesio,on (Ya.) Spirit efJefsrson.
Col. James Castleman.
The following statement understood to have
been drawn up by counsel, since the trial, has
been placed by the friends of this gentleman, in
our hands for publication. We submit it as an
authoritative statement of the case before the
jury, and on which, as will be seen, they acquit-
ted him in manner the most marked and tri.
umphant, and with the full appreciation of the
court
1t remains to be seen, whether those editors
and others, who, to crafty their own vindictive
feelings, or to pander to the depraved excitement
Of the times in the Northern States, have manu-
featured or propagated the calumnious rumors
to which the occasion gave birth, will now do
justice to the gentleman in question:
AT the circuit superior court Of Clarke coun-
ty, commencing on the l3 n October, 1851 Judge
Samuels presiding, James Castleman and his son
Stephen ID. Castleman, were indicted jointly for
the murder of the negro Lewis, the property of
the latter BY advice of their counsel, the par
tiss elected to be tried separately and the attor-
ney Tor the Commonwealth directed that James
Castleman should be tried first.
IL was proved on this trial that for many
drawer OF the tavern kept by Stephen ID. Castle
man. ana the liquors kept in large quantities in
his cellar, had been pillaged from time to time,
until the theits had attained to considerable
amount. Suspicion had from various causes,
been directed to Lewis, and another negro named
Reuben, On blacksmith,) the property of James
Castleman, but by the aid Of two of the house
servants they had eluded the most vigilant
watch.
On The goth of August last, in the afternoon,
>. ID. Castleman accidentally discovered clue,
by means of which, and through one of the house
servants implicated, he was enabled fully TO de.
tect the depredators, and TO ascertain the man.
ner which the thefts had been committed He
Immediately sert for his father, who lived near
bin, and after communicating what he had dis.
covered, il was determined that the offender
should know of the discovery that had been
made.
Lewis was punished first, and in manner, ms
was fully shown, to preclude all risque of injury
10 his person, by stripes with broad leathern
strap He was punished severely, but 10 an ex.
tent by no means disproportionate TO his offence,
nor was Il pretended in any quarter, that this
punishment implicated either his life or health.
He confessed the offence, and admitted that il
had been effected by false keys, furnished by the
blacksfnth, Reuben.
The latter servant was punished Immediately
afterwards. Il was believed that he was the
principal offender, and he was found 10 be more
obdurate and contumscious than Lewis had been.
In reference TO the offence. Thus IL was proved.
both by the prosecution and the defence, that he
wac punished with greater severity than his &C.
complice. IL resulted In a like confession on
his part, and he produced the false key; one
fashioned by himself by which the thefts had
been effected.
Il was further shown on the trial, that Levi.
was whipped in the upper room OF warehouse,
connected with Stephen Castleman's store, and
near the public road where he was at work al
the time that, after he had been logged, 10 se-
cure his person, whilst they went after Reuben,
he was confined by a chain round his neck,
which was attached 10 joist above his head
The length Of this chain, the breadth and thick
ness of the joist its height from the floor and the
circet Of chain on the neck, were accurately
and II was thus shown that the chain |
unoccupied by the circlet and the jost, was a
loot and balf longer than the space between the
shoulders or the man and the joist above. Or
10 that extent, the chain hung loose above him |
hat the circlet (Which was fastened 30 az 10 pre-.
vent its contraction) rested on the shoulder, and
breast, the chain being sufficiently drawn only |
10 prevent being slipped over his head and that
here was no other place In the room, 20 which
he could be fastened, except 10 one OF ,he ioists
lbove. His hands we're tied in front-a white
nan, who had been at work with Lewis during
he day, was left with him by the Messrs. Cas-.
leman, the better 10 ensure his detention, whilst
hey were absent after Reuben Il was proved
" this man, (who was witness for the prosecu-
ion,) that Lew Is asked for box 10 stand on. or
or something that he could Jump OF from that
fer the Casilemans had left him, he expressed
fear that when they came back, he would be
whipped again; and said that IL he had knife
nd could get one hand loose, he would cut his
hroat The witness stated that the negro sstood
rm on his feet !" that he could turn freely in
whatever direction he wished, and that he made
o complaint Of the mode Of his confinement
his man stated that he remained with Lewis
bout half an hour, and then LEFT there to 90
ONE.
After Furnishing Reuben, the Castlemans re
armed TO the warehouse, bringing him with
hem; their object being 10 confront the two
len, in the hope that by further examination Of
rem jointly, all their accomplices might be de.
,cted
They were not absent more than half an
our. When they entered the the room above,
evils was found hanging by The neck, his feet
lrown behind him, his knees few inches from
le floor, and his head thrown forward the
pdy warm and supple Tor relsxed); but life
as extinct 1
II was proved by the surgeons who made {
,st norton examination before the coroner's !
quest, that the death was caused BY strangu- '
ton BY hanging; and other eminent surgeonsl