The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-09-07
MURDER OF Mrs. ABRAMs.-We

fore our readers this morning the evidence of wit
nesses in an inquest held over the body of Nancy
Abrams, wife Of Charles 2 Abrams, held in the
county of Henrico, on the 9Th day of September,
1854, as given before Justices Hanes and Gardner,
under whom the Jury acted.
G G.. ADerger sworn Il live in the neiehborhood
of Abrams. On yesterday evening, between the
hours of 3 and 5 o'clock heard noise and on
going to the window Charles Abrams, son of the
deceased, go over the fence out the back way
Mrs. Abrams came out and stated that she would
protect her children because they supported her
nat her husband did not. | sat at my window and
saw Mr.. Abrams, the husband of the deceased, go
up the road. A few moments after he went up the
road, Mrs. Abrams sent over TO my house for cam
phor. had none. About o'clock Mr.. Porter told
me that Mrs. Abrams was dying, and asked me to
go up and see her. This declined doing. He in.
sisted, and then went up and found her In dying
condition.
John P. Slcdd, sworn.-Yesterday evening about
o'clock walked to Mr. Wade's to get a segar-
While was smoking, Mrs. Abrams called Mr..
Wade Mr. Wade went to the door, then turned to
me and asked me to go with him, for they were
fighting in the house | went In and found Mr..
Abrams and his son fighting. Mrs. Abrams was en-
deavoring to defend her SON. pulled Mr.. Abrams
Off both mother and son. 'He throwed fist pretty
smarily." She was lying on her son. His son is 81
or % years of age.
Ernest Shnman, sworn.-About o'clock yester-
day evening heard fuss. My son said fight was
going on at Abrams, but did not go out After it
was over went to Wades. Mrs. Abrams was look
ing over the fence. She was excited, and said her
son should come to see her After dark was sit.
ting at Mr.. Wades. Mr.. Abrams came up and said
his wife was very sick and he believed she was dy
ing. He then asked for Mrs. Wade. While was
there he came two or three times and asked me and
others to 60 up to see her. He also asked me what
was best to give drunken person. | told him
milk" went up and found her in dying con-
dition She groaned so that thought she had taken
laudanum, and looked about the room, but could
find none. She died before / left the room.
nd q hall mint tGtir Iar'' ahont her half
full / live in the neighborhood. Never saw her
drunk When said she was excited did not
mean that she was drunk, but looked like she had
been quarreling.
Peter Lausoa, sworn Il know nothing about the
quarrel between Mr. and Mrs Abrams yesterday
evening About month ago Mr.. Abrams beat his
wife severely. then shamed him about it, and he
promised me it should never be the case again.
Charles abrams, son of the deceased, sworn-I
was at home yesterday. when my father struck ms
and ordered me out of the house.
Mrs M z. CaNthorn, sworn.-I live next door to
the deceased have heard Mr. Abrams and his
wife quarrel, but never cav them fight have
heard the sons of the deceased cry "murder." ]
saw the deceased yesterday afternoon, about
o'clock, In her yard leaning against the door,
talking about her husband.
Question by Mr.. abrams, the huSbdnd-Did you
ever see my wife drunk
AnSDer by Mrs CT have
@ by Juror.-Was Mrs. Abrams In the habit of
getting drunk
Q-Were you at variance with the deceased.
A.-About week ago we had slight difficulty
about chicken, and have not spoken to her since.
Q-Was she quarrelsome woman 2
Al never knew her until this year. do not
know.
Miss SMsan fright, sworn.-Question-Do you
live in the neighborhood
ARsUer-Yes, butt am not acquainted with the
deceased. l was going to Mr. Wades pump to get
water, late yesterday evening, and heard Mrs
Abrams talking quite pert in her door. Soon after
| returned home, some of the children came in and
said Mrs Abrams was dead. told my sisters we
would go up and see. We went up and found her
dead Mr. Abrams insisted that she was not dead
but knew she was. ! had no acquaintance with
the deceased. Dr. Power and Mr.. Lawson asked
me to put clean linen on her. did so, and found
a small knife under her pillow. | saw no bruises
or wounds about her person. | remember having
said to Thomas Blackburn, this morning, that the
deceased was not murdered l did not think she
was.
I'm, T. Vade sworn-Yesterday afternoon, be-
tween and o'clock, Mrs. Abrams came to the
window. l went over and found her and her son
down, and Abrams beating them Mrs. Abrams
lying partially the side Of her son, and seem
ed to be protecting him against the assaults of his
father Ipu,led him off. Mr.. Sledd was with me-
am not r1istak en-Abrams was beating his wife
and son with his fist. After we stopped the Tight
Mr. Abrams went to Mr.. Franklins, where he had
a peace warrant to be tried. Soon after we re-
turned from the trial of the warrant, Mr.. Abrams
came in and asked me for candle. In little time
he came back and said he had lost the candle, and
Igaye him another. He again returned in a short
time and asked me to 90 with him, stating that he
believed his wife was dying. He came after me
several times before went. When got there
found Mre. Abrams speechless, and she soon died.
did not examine the body to see there were any
bruises upon it. sold Mr.. Abrams the bottle of
vbskey that was found on the person OF his wife,
Wra B. Porter, sworn.-I live in this neighbor-
hood butyknow Mr. and Mrs. Abrams only by sight
Last night about O'Clock heard that Mrs. Abrams
was dying and went up to see her. ! found her
speechless, aud Abrams was holding her up, fan
ming her held her pulse until 1t ceased to beat
her death. think he made no reply. He seemed
to be very much excited.
Question By a Juror.-Did you say that Abrams
was holding his wife up with the left armf
Anspey-Yes tanning her with book.
Washington CAappeil, sworn.-I live in the neigh
borhood and am acquainted with Abrams and his
wife, was not at home yesterday evening, and
know nothing of the difficulty.
Dr. John w. Posoer, sworn.-Upon an external
examination we found a large bruise upon the left
temple-ieft shoulder considerably. bruised arm
about the elbow bi used in two or three places
riaht shoulder bruised slightly in two places-small
wound upon the back of the head. On cutting into
the wound on the temple, found considerable efu
sion of blood between the scalp and the skull, but
the bone was not fractured. We found 6ruise
down the back and on the hips. In the internal
examination, we found the organs all sound except
the stomach-some slight extravasation here which
might have been the result OF previous disease
Upon an examination OF the coats of the stomach,
we detected nothing but slight smell of camphor.
Dr. r. n. Leuis sworn.-f took notes while the
examination was made (The witness read In full
the notes to the coroner aud jurors)
Question by the Coroner. the deceased had