Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-26
Trial of Christians


Tho trial of Charles b. Christian, of amherst
county, charged with the murder of 'Thos. Black
burn, on Sunday evening, the 18th of January
last, in the town Of I.eslpgon, Va, commenced
before the Superior Court of Rockbrdge county,
Judge Lucas P. Thompson, on Thursday the 9Th
inst. The Richmond papers contain notice of
the first days proceeding. from which we gather
that the accused is very youthful looking per-
son, much more SO than his years would imply
Fe is about 10, aud has evena bOyish appearance.
ne is, however, not delicate looking, but thick
set and muscular. He had an air of seriousness,
without apparent agitation.
Council for the Commonwealth -David E..
Moore, Commonwealth Attorney, assisted by
Thomas j. Niche, of Staunton.
For the Prisoner-A H. H. Stuart. Vt Angus
ia, Charles L. Mostly, of Lynchburg, and James
b. Dorman, Robert l.. Doyle, Samuel II. Letch-
er, and John d. Sterrelt, Of Rockbrldge.
witness described Blackburn as the largesss,
being feet | 4, and Christian not more than S
feet 9. The former weighed ABOUT lJU, the lat
ter f40. The former wss supposed to be the
strongest, though not great deal stronger
Blackburn was ls.ger and fater, but did not seen,
TO nave as mrcn action as Christian. lie seemed
to be physically softer
| ',SSNSSSS
me first days evidence THERE'S nothing to show
what gave rise to the ill feeling between the de-
( ceased and the accused. The evidence thus far
shows that Blackburn, on the evening OF the muir
der, went 10 the Presbyterian Church, in Lexing-
ton in company with young lady. AS soon as
he had arrived at his seat in the church. Chris
tian, who was standing at the door, entered the
church, approached Blackburn, tapped him on the
shoulder, and remarked that he wished TO speak a
word with him !; to which Blackburn replied Every
well sir" and they left the church together. A
few minutes afterwards, and few steps from the
church, witnesses heard blows as proceeding from
cowhide or cane, then saw them in u scuffle
and in the next place, saw them on the ground
one on top of the other. Rising, one pushed the
other from him, and he fell like very drunken
man." Persons approached and found that it was
Blackburn who had fallen, and that his throat was
cut, he unable to speak, and was dying. He was
breathing slowly and heavily, and blood was ooz
ing from his mouth and nostrs. He had wound
on his neck on the left side Immediately below
the ear, and directly in the course of the carotid
artery. The wound on the neck was about hal
an inch below the left cart was a transverse
cut, from 10 Il inches wide, parallel with the
bottom of the ear. There was also an angular
wound on the left temple. extending down anc
back from to of an inch. There was also
cut on the right shoulder.
He lived but few minutes. never speaking al
ter he had received the wounds.
The origin Of the difficulty is given in the sec
ond days evidence. 1t appears that Christian
had been paying particular attention to Miss A..
second cousin to Blackburn. Deceased told Mis-
A., Christian was no gentleman, and advised he
not to go to church with him. Miss A. accord
ingly sent G. letter declining 10 fulfil an engage
ment which she had made to accompany him Il
church. G. addressed letter TO her, dated De
cember 80, expressing the belief that some one
had illuminated him to her, and requesting to bt
informed who it was. This letter was shown tt
Blackburn, on Saturday January l4th, and he
called upon G.. that evening, and informed hin
that he had advised Miss 4. not to receive his
(C's) attentions. G. afterwards gave as his rea
son for not attacking B. them that several Cadets
were present and he was afraid they would dou
BILE upon him. He said B. had him down. ant
was choking him. and he used the knife to make
him let go, without intending to kill him. Ht
refused to escape, and surrendered himself to the
Mayor. The testimony ofvarious witnesses wen
to show that the parties were lying dowrwhen the
wound was inflicted, and C's neck had marks O
violence upon it. The evidence is very volumin
Gus. but the above are the main points.
The evidence was concluded on Tuesday, thu
18th, and Mr. Moore. in behalf Of the Common
wealth. commenced the discussion of the CASE
Messrs Stuart, Dorman and Doyle, followed ir
defence Mr.. Niche then spoke for the prosecu
ton, and on Monday Mr.. Mosby for the prisoner
+ The argument was probably closed yesterday, BY
Mr. Moore