The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-09-13
LOCAL MArTnRs.


| TIE GoocHLAsp MuRDEH--- AceurTrAL
OF JOHN WrLLrAMsoN.-We have already anpoun.
ced the murder of RoBERr SMITH, man Of sixty
years Of age, IN the county Of Goochand, and the
arrest Of JOHN WILLIAMSON of this city. charged
with the crime. On Monday afternoon Mr.. VII
Hanson was taken to Goochland Courthouse and
yesterday morning examired before Justice BeDjs.
min Anderson, who issued the warrant for his ar.
rest, and honorsbly acquitted
Below we append mere outline OF the evidence
pretacing 1t with the remark that Mr.. Williamson
took the packet the day before the murder and
landed at Cedar Point, one mile and half from
Goochland, where he attended the next morning
Is witness for Robert Smith, but the cause having
been continued until the next term, he returned to
Cedar Point at an early hour, where he took q
freight boat for this city
I'm W. Pace, sworn-I reside at Ced ar Point and
am keeper OF locks Nos 7 and g. Mr. Williamson
came to my house Monday evening and staid all
night. The next morning we started to the Court.
b. use together, but as had slept too late and was
| In hurry, left Williamson on the path he being
too feeble to keep up with me. On Tuesday morn
Ing Williamson came to my house about 10 o'clock,
10 get passage to Richmond in one of Mr.. Ballous
boats, then at Micheaux's landing, and as he ap
peared so feeble and debilitated. loaned him
horse to ride down there, and sent boy with him
Smith was not at Cedar Point that week, that |
know Of
HR. Peasants sworn-Mr. Powell and myself
were sitting in the tavern porch at the Courthouse
last Sunday, when a servant came in and said the
gentleman up stairs INV. Snith) was very sick, ap
parently from late frolic. We went up and found
him In a cold clammy perspiration, and advised
him to drink something strong, which he did. That
night stayed at Mr. Powells and the next morn
| ing went to Cedar Point to send commune alton
to Richmond, and remained there all day On
Tuesday morning | came up to the Courthouse
about half past 10 o'clock, and 10 passing through
| the pines met Stephen Scragwall. When got to
the Courthouse saw Mr. Smith, and was surprised
| to find him out of bed. Mr. Williamson must have
haa IN Do11 L-,k ptnhr md
when saw Smith at the Courthouse.
Thomas r. PoaoeU, sworn saw Smith on Sun
day as Mr.. Peasants has mentioned. He seemed
to have been on a frolic. Tuesday morning, early
| clock that day. saw Smith at the courthouse.
Stephen Scragrau sworn-When on my way to
Cedar Point last Tuesday morning about halt past
10 O'clock met Mr.. Peasants in the pines, as he
has stated
Wm " Pace re-called.-I found Smiths body
last Tuesday morning. Around the place at which
1t laid there were indications of scuffle, or any
| thing OF the sort. think Mr.. Smith died OF dis
ease.
Dr. John Curd examined the body. The neck
| was disocated, and the left elbow bruised, but
| these may have occurred from tall, in tit. The
body was SO much decomposed that 1t was impossi
bic to make thorough examination.
John Z. Baliou, sworn-Mr. Williamson got to
my boat at Michaux's ferry about haif-past 10
o'clock Tuesday morning. When | passed Cedar
Point that morning on my way from breakfast ha
Justice Anderson stated that there was not a
shadow of suspicion against the prisoner, he felt
bound to discharge him; and then remarked, that
had he been aware Of all the facts, he would not
have issued the warrant for his arrest
On Sunday last, Smiths coat was found about
$50 yards from where his body was discovered.
His pocket book was in his pocket. He had very
little money with him when he reached GOochland
Courthouse. The general impression now Is, that
having been on a spree, from the effects OF which
he was very feeble he laid down In the woods and
there died of disease We shall again notice the
case tomorrow.
WE had the great pleasure yesterday of
an interview with our worthy contemporary, An
drew F. Crutchfeld, Esq, editor OF that able, spi
rited and popular daily, the Petersburg Expreas.-
1t added at least ten years of life to grasp
his vigorous and cordial hand, and to look upon his
sanguine and healthful couatenance and manly
form. We hope friend Crutchfeld will pardon this
involuntary ebuition of admiration for his outward
man. But really an editor and one of the most Ia
borious and enteprising of his profession, who
present such an appearance at the close of hot
summers campaign as Crutchfeid, Is worthy of
especial commemoratlon.
The Express, in talent, enterprise, pith and ener.
~, is an honor to the Cockade. We would say the
Little Cockade," and the word little as term
of endearment, but have some fears that our excel
lent friend Syme mig ht rap us over the knuckles
Success to Mr.. Crutchheld and his goahead pa
per!
COLLECTOR FOR THIS PoRT.-We learn
that WIN. NJ. HARRISON has received the appoint.
Hent of Collector for this port, to supply the vacan
cy occasioned by the death of the late Collector
MIR. II. is very capable of making an excellent off,
Ger and is very popular gentleman.
HusT1NGs CouRr.-Ths Court was yes-
terday chiefly occupied with the trial of Charlotte,
slave Owned by Hay Holmes of Fredericksbure
and hired to L. NJ Rose) on the charge of Infanti.
eide The ease was reported at the time of the Cor
oner's Inquest upon the body of the infant.
The Court decided that the accused was guilty
of murder In the second degree and sentenced her
to transportation, assessing her value at $780, In
consideration of her youth-being not sew enteen-
her good character, and some other extenuatng
circumstances, three of the members of the Court
and the attornies for the prosecution and the de-
fence Joined in petition to the Executive to par
don her.
A number OF persons supposed that the
fantastical display on Monday was the s. A. B. G
OF Petersburg. That is a mistake. 1t was a stroke
of Richmond fun. man about town informs US
that 1t has been preparing for two months, but no
one ever got wind of it till Monday. Commend us
to that ragged regiment for keeping a secret The
captain OF it would be great as Louis Napoleon
ata coup d etat. He has taken the capital by sur
prise.
We regret to learn that Mr.. William J.
Clarke, of this city, on recent visit to Goochla
. was thrown from his buggy, and received several
severe cuts. His injuries, however, were not &c.
rious, and we hope soon TO see him among us in
renewed health and spirits.
Tort AND REToRT-Yesterday the May
or investigated the of the budgeon which sub.
served double purpose having been first used
by its owner, Mr.. VIM Burton, upon Mr.. William
Rountree, and then employed, with equal industry
by the latter upon the former. When the Mayor
entered upon the investigation, Mr. B. stated that
Mr. r. had insulted him, and that in q moment of
excitement he struck him; but that the whole mat
ter had been amicably adjusted" and he trusted
the case would be dismissed. But his Honor felt
bound to go into it, and then the testimony appear
ed that showed that Mr.. Rountree had seized the
bludgeon end turned it against the owner. who
struck the first blow. The Mayor held Mr. Burton
in 500 to keep the peace and caused him recog.
Mise for his appearance before the Hastings Court
From accounts we should conf lecture that it would
be much more agreeable to pass the jorum about
than to pass around the "bludgeon'
ATHiEF CAUGHT.-Yesterday morning,
George, servant who belongs to Col s. S. Myers,
was arraigned on the charge OF stealing from Mr..
Robert Anderson a $50 note, revolver, and other
articles which were found by watchman Heslop In
the house OF Maria A. Fortune, free colored wo-
| man. Mr.. Anderson recognized the $50 note and
the revolver, and some other articles; but there
were besides portmonnia.a breast pin bead purse
and reticule which he did not recognize as his
These were supposed to belong to Mr.. w P. Wiki