Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-09-14
LOCAL AFFAIRS

AcourrAL or Jons wiLLtANsos.-Ths following ac>
count Of the examination aud Aequitts Of Mr. Johu Will
amson Of this city, arrested for the murder Of Robert
Smith, near Goochlsnd Court House. We take from the
Penny Post:
Mr.. John Williamson arrested In this city some
days ago on charge Of having murdered man named
Robert Smith near Goochand Court House, on Tuesday
the 9th ns reached Gooohand Court on Monday night
under charge OF officer Tyler
Next morning a messenger was despatched for Walter
ID. Leake, Esq, important witness behalf Of Mr.
Williamson, but that gentleman had gone to fuvanna
Court, and il thought necessary to defer the
animation until his return, unless witness could bo
iound, whose testimony would DO identical With his
About o'clock In tho day, Mr. Hugh r. Peasants ar.
rived aud his testimony being considered amply sufficient
tho eI animation immed iately commenced.
The following gentlemen were sworn witnes,es-
Nessrs Hugh T. Pleas.nts Powell, Pace, Stephen Crsg-
wall aud Dr. John Curd.
Mr. Pace stated that Williamson came to bis house at
Cedar Creek Monday night the 4th lust; said there
all night scpt late morning. aud that he and Will
hanson started for the Court House together. On tho
way Williamson complained Of being very unwe, and was
compelled several times to stop aud rest Finally he
obliged return tho Locks being too unue to pro.
coed to tho Court House Next morning. Tuesday, Will
hanson borrowed bis horse to go down to Micheau.s
ferry where he expected to take reigh, boat for the
city. Mr. Pace did not know at what time the boat let
ferry.
Mr.. Peasants stated that Sunday morning, the 18th
Of September, being Gooohland c. H. he was informed
by Mr. Powell that man very sick up stairs In the
Tavern. He proposed Dr. Curd 60 up aud see him
they did So aud found the man. who was Robert Smi,b
in cold perspraon, exceedingly feeble and "a II re-
duced very depressed state OF the system In tbe
evening they paid him second visit and found him s,l
very unwell Next morning Mr.. Peasants started for
Cedar Point, about O'clock for the purpose of
sending down q communication by tho packet He
staid at Cedar Point until half past 10 o'clock next day
(ruesday) aud then returned TO Goochsnd @. H. wher,
he iound Smith walking about the porch near the bar
Mr. r. expressed surprise that he should out of his
room so soon after having been unwel. This wa,
about o'clock in the day. At 10 o'clock in the d.y
Mr. Balew on whose boat williamson went down start
ed from the ferry.
Mr. Peasants furthermore stated that he had knov
Williamson Tor somc time past, and that he was III. last
man no would have suspected of committing such +.
crime. 1865
Several other witnesses testified mainly in
Of Mr.. Pieasants evidence
Dr. john Curd examined the body and found Il very
macn deeaysd anu exceedingly offensive No one could
ten from tue appearance OF IL whether il had
any violence the neck dislocatej but this might
have been occasioned by a severe fall
Nj. Is tew tested-thst Williamson got nm hoard az.
and went down as Passenger He had seen him early
In the morning at Cedar Point aud had then agreed 10
take him board.
Here the testimony closed after which Mr. Ju.c, An
uerson, before whom the was examined decla rcd
that not hndop Of evidence had been given TO support
the case. o.
From all we can learn Smith must have died on tho
road with mania poiu.
IL may be in place for to remark that no one who
knew Mr. Williamson personally by reputation could
doubt that the examination would result in any obe
way than Is has.
Mr.. Williamson arrived here yesterday afternoon in
the packet boat Plough Boy.