The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-11-16
THE DRINKERS FARM MURDER
TRIAL OF J. J. PHILLIPS.
Examination Of Witnesses for the Defence
BROTHERS OF THE PRISONER ON
THE STAND
Evidence to be Heard To-day.

Evidence to be Heard To-day.
Much delay was occasioned yesterday
by the tardiness of certain witnesses for
the defence. In the mean time Mr.. P. J
McWhirt was called By Colonel Young,
and, in reply to questions, testified that
the accused brought no baggage with him
when he came to Mr.. Templemans.
To Mr.. Guigon: think he had some
clothes at Mr.. Templeman's before that
time.
At II o'clock Mr.. George Turner Zone OF
the tardy witnesses) made his appearance
in court, and being unable to give satisfac-
tory excuse, was fined five dollars.
THE TURNER'S RECALLED FOR THE DEFENCE.
Mr.. George Turner, Sr., was recalled
for the defence. He testified: The accused
came to my house somewhere about the
middle of February, but cannot tell the
date. l think he was there on the Sunday
before the body was found. | think he
f'came before dinner, and stayed all night.
He left at about l2 o'clock on Monday in a
buggy for the purpose of bringing my
daughter from Richmond. 1t was a cloudy
day, but at the time he started there
was every appearance of clearing off.
He came back late in the evening, and
remained with us that night. After Tues
day (26th) we came to town together in
the buggy. He came back again on We'd
nesday night to get horses for himself and
my son to go down on the river. He
started on this trip Thursday morning,
riding one horse and leading the other.
On the same evening be returned in CON-
pany with my son. They reached the
house at about dark. During his absence
that day the body was found at Drinkers,
and towards night was brought to my
house. On Friday morning he left after
breakfast with my son. They walked to
town. The trunk found by tho officers
lin the prisoners room was brought to my
house on the 9TH of April, when he camc
to live with me. I identify the date by
bill for some flour bought on the same
day and brought home in the cart with the
trunk. The accused came to my house to
live on Monday before the 5th of April.
He took his trunk to the brick-yard. had
some bacon in the buggy, and could not
carry the trunk too. He did not tell me
where his trunk was. The prisoner was
arrested on my premises on the 18th OF
June, while he was in my employment. He
had always been industrious and attentive
in his duties. I never noticed anything
peculiar in his demeanor. His trunk was
kept in his room, and saw it there fire.
quently. Sometimes l saw it open On Sun
disguise about it.
To Mr.. Guigon: | am one Of the pro-
prietors Of the brick-yard on Twenty
fourth street, and have had an office there.
Packages, &c., intended to 60 down to
my house are frequently left there with
Betsy Peasants.
Cross-examined I think I saw the &C
cused in town the week before the body
was found. Don't remember where. He
and my son George had been talking about
getting the farm in Chesterfield for week
or more before that time. They talked
about it, too, on Tuesday (26th). My son
was then staying at Sadlcr's restaurant
I think l first saw the accused on the I'd
of April, near Kerse's, on Main street. He
said something about going to the express
office after the trunk.
Colonel Young: Did you not say on q
previous examination that you saw the
trunk brought to the office at the brick
yard?
Witness: I don't rccollect, but think
I was there when the trunk came. think
that boy named Stephen took it out OF
the buggy in my presence.
Colonel Young: Doyo remember ever
saying anything about that before ?
Witness: I don't know that do.
don't remember that the prisoner brought
a hand-trunk from Surry. The prisoner
brother, Mr.. Fred. Phillips, was at my
house sick when Jeter returned from
Surry. He has hand-trunk with his
name on it. l don't know whether the
accused ever had it in his possession, nol
when it was brought to the house. The
prisoners brother was at my house SICK
for several months, but never went intc
his room, and had no opportunity of seeing
what trunks were there. When l sen,
Robert Bigger after the trunk and flour
the accused came up, l think, on horse
back. He had q room at my house, by
himself, and slept by himself. My atten.
tion was never particularly attracted tc
the trunk until after the prisoners arrest
Was not at home when it was carried
away By the officers. When it was brought
to the brick-yard l don't know what office
it came from. The accused went away II
the buggy, after it, by himself.
Mr. johnson, of Johnson Hunt, testl
fled that he sold two barrels Of flour to {
gentleman on the 5th of April, and identl
fed the receipt in Mr.. Turner's possession
George W. Turner was next recalled
He testified: | saw the accused at the
post office about the middle of the weel
. previous to the finding of the body. 1nex
saw him on Monday the 25tb, at the brick
yard on Twenty-fourth street. lie hat
, come to town after my sister. On Wed
nesday evening (27th) saw him on Mail
street, and I think at the brick-yard. OI
that occasion we made arrangements to g
to Chesterfield, and he agreed to bring VI
the horses from my fathers. he came
with them the next morning. We wen
to Chesterfield, and returned to my ia
theirs about dark. On the next mornlni
: we came to town together. Did not se'
him again until early in April. When w
!, parted on Friday March y he said ne wa
. going to Mr. Priddy's to the tableaux, ant
would 90 to Surry on Monday. When
next saw him lin ApriD he SAID ne ha
/ been to Surry.
Cross-examined : I am sure that say
the accused about the middle OF the wee
/ before the body was found. 1t was thel
that we made the arrangement about goln
! to Chesterfield.
, Mr., Albert C. Turner was next recalled
E and testified: I first saw the accused l
February on the Sunday before the bod
was found. He came to our house an
? stayed until IL or II o'clock on Monday
, when he went to town in the buggy to
! 80. ;a, ua ratnrned about dark an