Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-31
The Trial of Walter La nd

The tsial of Walter Land fqk tba Of, Fsp.
gress before the Circuit Court of Princess Ann
county, Va, and excites an intense interest in that
region Land, it will be recollected escaped to
Baltimore after shooting Flanagan and was arrest
ed at Barnums Hotel. After his return to Virginia
he escaped twice from the officers of the law and
for some time eluded re-capture by secreting him
self in the Dismal Swamp. During the progress
Of the case on Monday singular as well as painful
scene occurred, Of which the Norfolk Day. Book
makes the following report:
Ex-Gov Wise, counsel for the prisoner, made
long and eloquentsPeech urging the admission Of
Mrs. Land 8 testimony. The Commonwealth con-
sented and the sheriff soon entered with Mrs Land
leaning upon his arm. Her face was covered with
thick brown veil; she was dressed in blue and
black striped silk, and appeared much affected.
She took seat in the bar beside the prisoner, who
at that moment covered his face with handker-
chief She did likewise, and both bowed their
heads in grief. She sat beside him for some mo
ments with her hands clasped In his while the
court and audience appeared moved by deep but
quiet excitement, until the clerk called her to the
stand TO be sworn.
Mrs. Amy Land, sworn.-I went to Mr. B F.
Flanagan's to board in 1884, was about 10 years of
age at the time; i removed there about two years
before | went to Buckingham school; went to
was my brother-in law; while boarding at Flana-
gan'sl slept In small room over the dining room
In the tavern across the way; generally slept by
myself; while boarding there, Mr.. Flanagan be-
haved with impropriety toward me; one or two
weeks before went to Buckingham Mr. Flana-
gan came to my room at nig bit and took improper
Liberties with NE; he succeeded in his pur poses
against my chastity, against my consent and de-
TERED me from saying nything about it by saying
IL would be the means Of bringing my lister his
wife) and himself into difficulty; left there soon
efrer, and went to &C hool.
L was married ON the 4th Of June, l657; my hus-
band complained of me after were married as
to my Situation; told him my condition last
June 1t was on the 10Th, after told him he went
the same day to see cousin Henry woodhouse to
consult him about what l had told him. MI
Flanagan came to my house on the morning of the
pf Inn lzof. N ala OF \
at the time he arrived, Flanagan came because I
sent for him; sent negro woman for him 10 tell
him what his conduct had brought me to- and to
advise " It'll him as to what must do he got there
between and 9 O'Clock; he came I'm at the front
door and sat down near it, and attempted to draw
me down on his lap by force; this took place in
door; he used force to draw me down and was
endeavo.ing TO take improper liberties with me;
tried to get from him and screamed; Walter
tLand) came In at that time and picked up the
gun from the corner and shot him.
Walter did not carry any arms in the field: the
gun was against the corner of the door, where Ii
usually set; be was In the habit of shooting crows
and kept the gun loaded for that purpose; when
he came In he had no weapons with him, but
picked up the gun from the cornsr; the gun was
near the chamber door next the XII tchen; Walter
was at the middle door when the gun was dis.
charged at Flanagan; I ran out Of the front door
at the time; Flanagan said nothing when walter
came In.
Cross-examined nv the Commonwealth NV
husband was dissatisfied and complained of nv
sifHaffon month two after was married:
did not acknowledge To- him my situation but de.
MED to him that there was any reason to And
faIt Of me regards my virtue
At this juncture, a letter was produced by Mar.
maduke johnson, ESQ who was conducting the
prosecution. IL was handed 10 Mr. John Peters,
who stepped to the witness and asked her III she
recognized that letter as having been written by
her. She raised her head, looked at it. her ewes
flashed, and as she grasped it, she said Eyes sir,
do; that letter was gotten from me by my brother
Frank, who told me that it was only to be used
In case my husband was taken from me, and if
was written for the sake Of my family. 1t was
wIlten al the request of my brother While
saying TINS, the rapid manipulation Of the pa per
between Two nervous hands had staggered the
Commonwealth Attorney who turned 20 the
Judge, and In a voice indicatino astonishment
said, She Is tearing IL up. sir MeanwhiIs
she had torn II into thousand pieces and fh,sxv
them upon the floor. ~
general murmur Of applause ran throuob Nh.
audience, and we Gang hit several times the sonnd
glory In her spunk - - glory in her .nnra =,
The Commonwealth here ANNOUNCED tx a :,
that they intended 70 introduce this letter ,ybsh
had been written by the witness a. testiS,onr -
contradict her statement and that from its nre2.
condition they would be unable to do 90 -
Judge Baker Can you not paste it together,
Commonwealth g Atfofney.-It win take some
Time. sir; IL Is torn very badly.
Judge Baker.-Then we will adjourn the court
down sun
The court then adjonrned.
III Cucumbers are selling at Savannah Ga