The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-15


| Martin had struck him during the melee.
Eugene Lewis, post-ofiicc clerk, sworn,
stated that on Tuesday last young Martin
came into the Office, and giving slip OF
paper with the name Of Henry Cox on it,
asked for letter mailed for Cox on the
l4th of April. He asked Martin several
questions, and concluded by asking if the
letter was drop letter. Martin replied 4;
"Drop letter, h-ll You are a Yankee
and if you come out here III whip you"
Witness remarked to Martin that if he
would act like gentleman he would wait
on him. Martin then left. In about an
hour afterwards gentleman came into the
office and asked for the same letter, which
he said was advertised on the 2Sth of April.
He told the gentleman that young man
had been there an hour before and inquired
sssr the letter in such a way that he could
not understand him, and in very ungcn-
tlcmanly manner. Witness then looked in
the box for advertised letters, and found
the letter asked for. On Thursday eve
ming last, witness learned that party of
Young men were outside the poSt-office
who intended to attack him. He informed
the postmaster of it. The latter advised
him to go out with the rest Of the clerks.
He did so and as the party reached the
post office gate, Martin made an attack on
him. The affray then took place, and
during it, he saw Martin strike at Gordon
with a knife. Witness was not struck
during the atfray.
Several other post-oftice clerks appeared,
and testified to substantially the same facts
as had been given by the other parties.
The evidence for the defence was then
taken.
William Tabb, sworn, stated that on
Thursday evening he was passing by the
post t-officc about the time of the aifray.
lie saw Martin make at Lewis, and Cor
don interfere. Gordon struck Martin
twice, and struck at him the third time.
Saw Martin strike at Gordon with a knife.
Witnessed intcrfercd upon seeing the inc
quality of the conflict, the superiority of
numbers being against Martin. No ar
rangcmcnt had been made between Mar
tin and himself to wait for Lewis. They
happened to be passing at the time, and
hearing Of the affair, stopped to see fair
play. Martin did not attack Lewis with
any weapon. lie started towards him as If
TO strike him. No interference was made
by any of Martins friends until Gordon
struck him.
Claiborne BarkSdalc, Jr., tcStfieda& the
same facts, having been with Tabb at the
time Of the affair.
Wallace Dean sworn.-WaS with Martin
when he went to the poSt-oliicc. They
were passing the office when Martin re-
marked that there was clerk III the office
who had insulted him, and he wanted to
see him. Witness and friends determined
TO hc present and sec fair play. Witness
was present at the affair, but gave no adj
ditiomal facts.
Mr.. Marmadukc Johnson here opened
his argument for the defence. Gordon,
before the counsel had gone far, stated
that he could produce evidence to show
that these parties had met IN front OF the
post. office, prcmcditating an attack, and
that there was another one in the crowd
who had knife in his hand.
Mr.. Johnston then continued his argu-
mcnt, contcnding that Martin had been at
tackled by Gordon, and was not guilty OF
attack. His Honor interrupted him i'll the
midst of the defence, saying that he did not
wish to hear any further argument, as he
was not trying the case. Quite sharp
parlev followed, which was wound up by
Ills lIonor's continuing the case until to-
dav. when the witnesses mentioned by
Gordon should appear.