The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-04-19


to church. c. said he asked his reason. and
Is. replied, that from all he had seen and
beard, he believed him to be man Of bad
character, or was not of good character He
added that he was responsible for both him.
self and his cousin.
Witness asked Christian why he did not
knock Black burn down. He said he had no
friends present, and thought it was precon-
certed among the Cadets-he also believed
that Blackburn was armed, as when he ap-
preached him. he had his right hand an has
bosom. He said that he told B. he would see
him another time. c. then said that the first
time he met him, he would ask him for his
authors name, or would have that or an apo
logy. If he refused both, he would tell him
he was no gentleman, or that he had acted
rascally; and that if B. struck him, he would
cane him.
He saidhe would like for witness and seve.
raj other of his friends to be present, SO that
If he should get into fight with him, he
would have fair play. He was afraid, he
said, if none of his friends were present, the
Cadets would double on him. Then he said
he wanted to ask B. about it that morning,
as he came out of church, but Andrew Moore
had prevented him. He said he reckoned it
was we'll for if he had gotten into fight, he
would have had the whole corps of Cadets
upon him. AT this point, the remarks related
Compton told Christian that the Cadets fought
for one another like dogs, and then told of
the COW driver.
Prisoner did not say anything of his purpose to
attack Blackburn at night. Prisoner generally
walked with his cane under his arm and hands in
his pocket-had shaved off his mousache the morn
ing OF the 18th January because he understood
some students had been teaZiDg him.
ANDREW MOORE was next called He is a law
student. Saw Christian at McDowells hotel on
OF, rI tLn1 n <I.
interview and conversation with Blackburn OF that
day. in substance the same as detailed to Voolfolk
As the reason for the advice given to Miss Ander.
son, Christian stated that Blackburn told him he
regarded his character bad or Infamous. Witness
proceeded asked him how in the world he kept
of of him-.or his hands OFF of him Z He replied
that he believed B. was armed, as he had his hand
in his breast as he advanced towards him ! re
marked that was probably his habit to carry his
hand in that manner He said that there were
good many Cadets standing round, and that Ca.
det had taken his cane from his hand, and that he
believed 1t was preconcerted affair. | said
wished had been there-he seemed to think
would have taken up for him. | told him | was
BIS friend, and could probably have settled the al
fair to the satisfaction OF both He asked il B.
was not relative OF Miss Anderson | said that
he was her third cousin. That the relationship
rather far out for such advice, and ! thought
it oicious in Blackburn to give it-that she un-
der the care of Mrs. Moore-that she had seen
Christian at parties and had opportunities to judge
..
considered his character bad, ii their business
10 advise her, (Miss Al
Christian asked what he should dol told him
that if was in his situation, would go to Black.
burn and ask for explanation, and il he refused
to give it / would fight him. He remarked that
Mr.. was much stronger than he and could whip
him. then sad would cane him. He remarked
that armed, and would kill him. then told
him in that case he must arm, and | think said
fling him"
After this witness stated that c. said he would
go to B. in the street, and would like for me to be
present. | told him if he would let me know
where, would be about. Said he expected the
Cadets would double him. said ii they did,
would do the best could tor him.
Witness said Sunday at church, Christian came
and sat by him-and Blackburn was in the Cadets
gallery opposite. He remarked to G. there is your
friend, pointing to Blackburn, when he smiled,
and said "yes, see him" After church, Chris
tan went out before witness, and stopped in front
of the church, and as witness passed him, Black
burn came out at the door the opposite side
| Prisoner asked witness should 'he go and see him
them Witness replied not was neither the
proper time nor place. He did not go.
Witness did not see the prisoner any more until
after the murder. Went to church with u lady al
night. Saw crowd of people at Whites, and
heard that Blackburn was killed. At once cOncu-
ded that Christian had killed him, and went to bis
ROOM outbound him in Strayer's, nearly opposite
he had just washed his tace-there was much
blood On his shirt-wuess told him to burn every
String that had drop OF blood it and ''saare."
Christian remarked that he had done it in self de-
fence and that he would give himself up told him
that Blackburn was dead. He threw up his hands
and exclaimed "Great God moi Andyr' His
feelings seemed to be SO great that witness, as
mere impulse of mercy, said he was not dead, and
rushed out of the room. Never saw him until he
was in jail
Question by Dettnce.--I told Christian that his
name was never mentioned except in Iidicue of
his moustache, and he agreed to take them of,
which he did the Sunday morning of the murder.
Others were teazing him about them.
WM R. W1NN, who is law student, deposed-
On Saturday the 18th January, shortly after three
o'clock, Mr.. Christian came to my room and soon
after MIR. Morris. Christian asked if had heard
of Miss Anderson's declining to 20 with him to
church after previous engagement. Said that
had not. He said she had declined by of this
purport, 'Miss A. declines going to church with
Mr. Christian this evening"" He stated that he
wrote letter to her in reply and its purport-that
he had reply to his note; but that few moments
before he came to my room Blackburn had come
70 his hotel and had an interview with him inform.
ing him that he gave the advice to Miss Anderson
which induced her to decline going to church with
him. The witness gave pretty much the same ac-
count of the interview that other gentlemen had
given upon Mr.. CO. representations When c.
asked his Tor the advice he responded 1.-THE
character he C. bore in Lexington" c. asked his
authority, and he replied he was responsible. c.
said let pass for the present. asked c. why he
did not knock B. down. He said B. could whip six
OF him that he believed he was armed-that
Cadet had gotten his stick from him-,hat there
were several Cadets present while he had not
friend He expressed the opinion that it was
preconcerted affair. askedh lit was possible that
there could have been any preconcerted scheme to
get his stick from him and In the absence of bis
friends to attack hima C. replied it looked very
much like it.
Christian euquired of Morris and myself what he
should dol | said that if Miss A. had heard from
reliable source any thing derogatory TO his char
acter as gentleman, she could not be blamed for
writing the note; or if Blackburn had heard from
any credible source any such thing that ii he was
near relation, he might be excused tor giving the
advice; but that justice to Christian and himself,
| would compel him to give up Christians columbia
tor. ] suggested that note should be written,
| asking Mr.. b. for his information. Christian ask
ed Morris and myselfto prepare such note; and
NJ. retired TO prepare the note.
After Morris went out asked Christian if he un-
derstood by BIS remark that he was responsible
for telling Miss A. upon mere rumor, or that he
was responsible for the SANDER itsef Mr. C. said
he was uncertain which. Christian left my room;
and went into Morris room-read the note he
had prepared-thou it was proper and with
Morris returned TO nv room.