The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-13


only sister, reared and educated by him
with all the care and tenderness of q
father. When Richard grew from an &C
tive, bright-eycd boy TO n strong, stately
youth, seemingly endowed with more than
usual excellent qualities of both head and
heart, the old gentleman not only viewed
the attachment that sprang up between him
and his daughter without disnpprobation,
but with evident pleasure. IL is true that
of late there had been some trouble be-
tween them on account of Richards de-
termination to abandon the profession of
medicine, to which he had been educated,
TO become an artist, for which he had a
strong inclination and no little genius but
no one acquainted with the parties antici-
patcd any serious difficulty.
The papers had sent an account Of this
terrible tragedy throughout the country,
and the painful circumstances attending it
made the trial one Of peculiar interest. 1t
had spread deep gloom over the commu-
nifty where it had occurred. The deceased,
though he had been noted for the wildness
of his early manhood, had been universally
beloved and respected. Though somewhat
hasty in temper, he was generous and pub
ing hand to the needy and unfortunate. As
for the prisoner, with the exception of two
years spent in the neighboring university,
nc had grown up in their midst. Some OF
those now to sit in judgment upon him had
known him when he was happy boy, and
as he grew in years had pointed him ont
to their sons as an example worthy of their
imitation.
The dying words of the deceased had
made a strong impression on the commu-
nifty, still there were many who entertained
the hope that upon the trial something
would be developed which, if it did not
prove his innocence, would at least palliate
his guilt.
A murmur Of pity arose from the dense
crowd that filled the courtroom as the
prisoner was brought in. Confinement and
anxiety had done the work of years; that
pale, haggard face looked little like the
glad smile and eager glance so familiar to
many of them in other days. lie evil
IDENTITY felt kcenly the ignominy of his po-
sition, for his cheek flushed and his glance
wavered beneath the curious eyes that were
fixed upon him. But it was but for mo-
mcut. Raising his eyes, they fell upon the
pale countenancc of his bctrothed. Had
it been possible, very gladly would Susan
have taken II seat at his side, sharing his
shame and proving to all the world her con-
victiOn of his innocence. As it was, she
gave him reaSSuring smile, which endued
him with strength and fortitude to pass
through the ordeal before him.
The counsel for the accused left no stone
unturncd, no effort untried to destroy the
array of evidence that was brought for
ward but as the trial proceeded, the hopes
that some had cherished grew fainter and
fainter, until a number who took per-
sonal interest in the prisoner, and who sup
posed he had committed the deed in the
heat of passion, urged him to confess and
throw himself upon the mercy of the
court. But this the accused, persisting in
his innocence, SteadtaStly refused to do.
Besides the Tying declaration of the
murdered man, which was sufficient in
itself to convict him, there were other cir
cumstanccs that were strongly against
him. A ncighbor had overheard a violent
alteration between the prisoner and the
deceased only the day before, in which the
| latter had said "that if he persisted in his
| design he should not marry daughter OF
! his" Another testified of seeing them walk
by his housetogethcro only short time before
| the murder was committed. The accused
did not deny this. According to his OWL
account, he met the deceased just as he
was coming out Of the gate, and they
walked along together until they came to
cross road, where they separated, the
prisoner taking the one that led to the
village, and the deceased proceeding fur
Their on, for the purpose Of looking at some
land he had just purchased. He stated;
they had differed upon his uncle's man
ner being unusually friendly, so much so
as to create a strong impression on his
mind that he regretted and was DESTROYS
of atoning for his Incorporate language the
day before.
The defence called up number of wit
neSseS, who bore testimony as to the cha
ractcr for steadineSs and integrity that the
accused had borne from his youth up, and
the kindness and tenderness Of his heart.
His closing plea was a-master piece of ora
tory. He placed every favorable circum-
stance before the jury in its most favorable
light, concluding with an appeal to them in
behalf of his unhappy client, the cloquence
and pathos of which touched the sternest
heart among them.
The Judge, in summing up the case,
DESTROYED the effect of this in a measure.
He warned the jury that while they were
to allow the benefit of every doubt, they
were not to forget that mercy to the crimi-
nal is often cruelty to the community; that,
biased by neither pity nor prejudice, they
were to decide the case according tc the
evidence placed before them, leaving to
the Executive the prerogative of mercy.
The Jury returned from their brief de-
liberation. There was q breathless hush as
the clerk put the usual question:
"What say you, Mr.. Foreman Do you
find the prisoner at the bar guilty or not
guilty."
" GuiHyI"
There was slight hustle at the other
end of the room, and then the inSensible
form of woman was borne out. This did
not escape the notice of the prisoner; his
eve followed it to the door, and as it dis
appeared his feeling found audible ex-
preston in low moan of Smothered agony.
The prisoner was then remanded, and
the people dispersed with Saddened hearts
to their homes.
The night before the day on which he
was to be sentenced, Richard Blake
escaped, it was suspected, through the con-
niyance at least of one of the officers of
the Jail, though nothing could be proved
against him. A large reward was offered
for his apprehension, and every effort made
to that end.
c., II,,vtor cot in the solitude of her