The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-04-20
An Exciting Murder Trial i'm Virginia.

An Exciting murder Trial i'm Virginia.
TRIAL OF WALTER LAND, THE SLAYER OF HIS
WIFE sEDUCER-THRILLING SCENE IN COURT.
The trial of WALTER LAND for the muir.
der OF BENJAMIN F. Flanagan, his brother
in-law, is in progress before the Circuit
Court of Princess Ann county, Virginia,
and excites an intense interest in that region
LAND, it will be remembered, escaped to.
Baltimore after shooting FLANAGAN, and was
arrested at Barnum's Hotel. After his re-
turn to Virginia he escaped twice from the
officers of the law, and for some time eluded
re capture by secreting himself in the Dis
NAL 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 re.
port:
Ex,Gov. Wise, counsel for the prisoner,
made an eloquent speech, urging the admis.
sion of Mrs. Lands testimony. The Com
monwealth consented, and the Sheriff soon
entered with Mrs. Land leaning upon his
arm. Her face was covered with a thick
brown veil /; she was dressed in blue and
black striped silk, and appeared much af-
fected. She took seat in the bar beside
the prisoner, who at that moment covered
his face with handkerchief She did like
wise, and both bowed their heads in grief.
She sat beside him for some moments with
her hands clasped in his, while the court and
audience appeared moved by a 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 1854; was
about thirteen years old at the time re-
moved there about two years before l went
to the Buckingham school went to Buck
ingham in February, 1856 Mr.. Flanagan
was my brother in law; while boarding at
Flanagan's. l slept in a small room over the
dining room in the tavern across the way :;
[ generally slept by myself; while boarding
there Mr. Flanagan behaved with imprO-
priety toward me; one or two weeks before
| went to Buckingham Mr. Flanagan came
to my room at night and took improper
LIBERTIES with me he succeeded in bis pur,
poses against my chastity, against my con-
sent, and deferred me from saying anything
about it by saying it would be the means of
bringing my sister This wife) and himself
into difficulty; l left there soon after, and
went to school.
was married on the 4th of June, 1857 !;
my husband complained of me after we were
married as to my situation told him my
condition last June; it was on the 10Th
after told him be went the same day to see
cousin Henry Woodhouse, to consult him
about what had told him Mr.. Flanagan
came to my house on the morning of the
18th of June last; Walter LAND was in
the field at the time he arrived; Flanagan
came because 1 sent for him; l sent negro
woman for him to tell him what bis conduct
had brought me to, and to advise with him
as to what l mus, do ; he got there between
eight and nine o'clock he came in at the
front door and sat down near it, and at
tempted to draw me down on his lap by
force; this took place in the parlor the
chair was sitting against the front door !;
he used force to draw me down, and was
endeavoring to take improper liberties with
me; l tried to get from him and screamed !;
Walter Land came in at that time and
picked up the gun from the corner and shot
him.
At this junction, letter was produced
by Marmaduke johnson, Esq, who was con-
Quoting the prosecution. 1t was handed to
Mr.. John Peters, who stepped to the wit
ness and asked her if she recognised that
letter as having been written by her. She
raised her head, looked at it, her eyes flashed,
and as she grasped it, she said: 6: Yes sir, l
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 it was written for the sake of
my family. 1t was written at the request
of my brother" While saying this, the
rapid manipulation of the paper between
two nervous hands had staggered the Com
monwealth's Attorney, who turned to the
Judge, and in voice indicating astonish-
ment, said, She is tearing it up, SIR"
Meanwhile, she had torn it into thousand
pieces, and threw them upon the floor.
A general murmur of applause ran
through the audience, and we caught several
times the sound, II glory in her spunk !"
The Commonwealth here announced the
fact that they intended to introduce this
letter, which had been written by the witt
ness as testimony to contradict her state
ment, and that from its present condition
they would be unable to do so.
Judge Baker-Can you not paste it to-
gether?
Commonwealth Attorney-It will take
some time, sir-it is torn very badly.
Judge Baker-Then we will adjourn the
court until tomorrow morning. 1T was
about sundown.
The court then adjourned.
Mr.. SHAW MAKES MERRY.-The st.