The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-11-18
LOCAL MATTERS.
TIE DRINKERS FARM MURDER.
TRIAL OF J. J. PHILLIPS
Close of Evidence for the Defence.
REBUTTING EVIDENCE.
REBUTTING EVIDENCE.
Argument to Commence To-day.

The counsel for the accused were ready
to proceed with their evidence at the
opening Of the court Saturday.
Fleming Christian (colored) was first
sworn He testified: live near Mr.. Tur-
ner's, close to where the body was found.
On the Tuesday before it was found
it rained, and came home from work at
about 10 o'clock. After the rain, toward
dinner time, went out to cut some wood.
l saw two ladies coming down the main
road, which leads from Mr. Turner's to
Mr. Drinkers. After passing the ice-pond
they turned into by-path and went into
the woods. I did not see them any more.
The ladies had on dark colored sacques,
and both wore little hats trimmed with
ribbon. l know most of the ladies in the
ncigborhood, but had never seen these
before. was so much struck with the
circumstance that mentioned it to my
wife. She said she had not seen anybody
pass. | also said something about 1t to
Gibson Mallory.
Cross-exanircd: I live between Mr..
Turner's and the first ice-ponds. There
arc three ice-ponds in the vicinity.l My
house is in the bushes. When I saw the
ladies | had been to Dr.. Banks's and come
back, as / couldn't work on account OF
the rain. [ had been TO work there on
Monday. I was chopping wood on Mr..
Hardgrove's land, when looked up and
saw the ladies about fifteen or twenty
steps off. Both had on dark sacqucs and
hats. | think both were trimmed with
blue ribbon am sure both were trimmed
with ribbon. Think the ladies were about
the same size. They turned off toward
Mrs. kirby's.
To Judge Crump: have seen one Of
the ladies since. At least, she told me
she was one of them. | saw her in the
room with the rest Of the witnesses.
Fleming was then taken to the Senate
chamber. He pointed out Mrs. Sarah
Thomas, witness for the Commonwealth,
as tho lady to whom he had alluded.
DIR. FARRAR RECALLED.
DR.. W. F. Farrar was recalled for the
defence. He stated that he was the me-
dical adviser of the coroner's jury at the
time of the inquest. 1t was his opinion
that death had not left the body for more
than two or three days. The opinion was
based upon a variety Of circumstances
about the body and clothing, brought to
his notice as the body was lying before
him. Witness had given his views to Drs.
Knox and Davis, who had been examined
at this trial.
Cross examined In my experience as
physician have known bodies to lie for
long time before decomposition, even In a
honse. There can be no definite rule
about the length of time which must
elapse before decomposition takes place.
I think the clothes on the dead body
which l examined had been very recently
put on. They were too clean to nave
been worn for week by person moving
about.
EVIDENCE OF REV. DIR. MURDAUGH.
Rev. DR.. Edmund C. Murdaugh was the
last witness sworn for the defence. lie
said I am an Episcopal minister, and
have resided iu Surry county for ABOUT
ten wears. Have known the Phillips faml.
" long time. Have never heard WORD
or insinuation against the character or re-
mutation of the accused, but on the contra
rv nv own impression about him has been
very favorable. He had the reputation OF
n gallant soldier, and believe he did MS
duty while in the army.
Gross examined | have frequently met
the accused at his fathers house. last
met him in March, and travelled on tne
steamboat with him from Richmond 10
Surry.
Judge Crump, on behalf of the prisoner,
now announced that the defence were
through with their evidence. The rebuff
ting testimony was then introduced.
RERIrTTING TESTIMONY.
Mrs. Sarah Thomas was first called by
the Commonwealth attorney. She said !:
On the 22d of February last went down
to Mr.. Whitlow's. From there l went 10
Mr.. Pierce's, below Mr.. Turner's. On
Monday or Tuesday my daughter went
With me from Mr.. Pierce's across to see
Mrs. Turner, ard had some conversation
with her about my daughter. we kept
the by-paths in the woods, and were on the
road between Mr.. Drinkers and Mr. Iur-
ner's at about the middle Of the day. we
turned TO the left after we passed the ice
nond. On Thursday we returned to Rlch-
moud and heard of the finding OF the oooy.
7 had on a dark dress and shawl. My
daughter wore dark sacque and nuola.
Cross-examined 1T was rainy, un-
pleasant dav. Mr.. Whitlow lives about
half a mile from Mr.. Drinkers. We went
down the country to get employment Tor
my daughter.
CONSTABLE .CRUMP's TESTIMONY.
Mr.. A. x. Crump was next introduced
uo testified am constable OF the CITY OF
p;otmo5d d. su Mr.. Miles Phillips called upon
la,. ''.a nr or about the 10th Of December ias'
,v n;,b - a distress warrant for a debt O
sa.nn,r WIN fire dollars, sum due for rent
sssGn. ~ ;,,syrnctions wore not to sell the pro