The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-10

colored man named Lewis Braxton was
found floating in the dock yesterday morn
ing about 8 o'clock by William Page,
another colored man. The man was about
fifty years of age, was married, and had
children and grandchildren. The body
was viewed by Coroner Little at o'clock
yesterday, when the. following jury was
summoned T. w. Brokenborough, fore
man; J. w. Thomas, John Kelly, John T.
Butler, j. G. Bagnall, James Cowles,
George G. Bray, W. H. Alderdice, Thomas
Pargin, John II. Truman, James O'Neill,
and Thomas Schwartz.
The body was much swollen, and blood
was flowing freely from the mouth and
nose of the deceased; still no mark of vio-
lence was found upon the corpse.
After viewing the body under one Of the
| sheds on the Dock, the jury adjourned to
the first station house, where the following
testimony was taken:
William Page, colored, being duly
sworn, testified as follows: pulled the
body out of the Dock this morning at s
o'clock. do not know his name.
Pauline Braxton, the wife of the de-
ceased, sworn.-The last time saw my
husband was on the Saturday morning Of
his disappearance at 9 o'clock. He was
then at breakfast. That night about IL
o'clock heard a cry Of murder in the
alley opposite where lived. I did not
recognise the voice, and heard the cry but
once. Lewis sometimes stayed out late,
and was not surprised at his being out.
He sometimes drank on Saturday, when he
was paid off. / never heard of his having
a quarrel with any one. A bundle of pro-
visions was put at my door that night, but
| do not know who put it there. When
drinking, he was always able towalk home.
l live on Twenty-frst street between Main
and Franklin.
William E. Burton, sworn.-Between II
and l o'clock l heard the cry of "mur-
der" Was on the corner of Twenty first
and Main streets. Immediately man ran
out of Nunnally's alley, and ran down
Main street, as far as could hear the sound
of his voice, shouting "murderw He was
tall, stout negro man, dressed in light
sack coat. The man found in the dock
was not like the one l saw.
John NJ. Schmidt, sworn.-Was near the
corner of Twenty first and Main streets
about II o'clock on the night of the 30th
of March, and saw man running out of
Nunnally's alley crying murder" He
ran down Main street. He was pursued
by others, who threw brickbats at him.
The first man kept on down Main street,
crying "murder /" all the time.
Joseph Sleat, sworn.-Lewis BraxtOn
was in my house on Saturday night the
3Oth of March. He bought some groceries,
salad, and two drinks of whisky. He
wanted more whisky, but / would not let
him have it. While in my house, Lewis
and Frank Williams had some little dis
pute about society matters, but no quar-.
rel. Lewis left my store about half-past 8
o'clock. Frank left about half an hour
afterwards. Witness thought Lewis had
his things tied up in handkerchief. The
store is on the corner of Twenty-third and
Main streets.
Edmund Morris, colored, sworn.-Saw
Lewis Braxton and Frank Williams in Mr..
Sleat's store on the night of the 30th Of
March, but heard no quarrelling. Did not
know how much money Lewis had about
him. Good screwmen at tobacco factories
get about $3.50 per week. There were
many others in Sleat's house, but witness
knew none of them.
Mollie Dennison, colored, sworn.-Lived
on Twenty first between Main and Frank
lin streets. On Saturday night, 30th
March, between IL and IL o'clock, heard
the cry of "murder." Got up and looked
out. Saw short black man running out
of the alley down to Main street. He
kept on down Main street, shouting all the
time. Saw no one following him. Did not
know Lewis Braxton personally.
John Robinson, negro, was next sworn.
He testified substantially as follows: Did
not know Lewis Braxton, but heard the
cry OF murder" on the night of the 30th
of March.
Frank Williams, negro, under arrest
upon the charge of killing Lewis Braxton,
was then examined. He testified that he
knew Lewis Braxton. He saw him last
on Saturday night the 30th of March at
Mr.. Sleats store. He called witness in,
and asked him how he would like to join a
society. Refused to join because of the
small contribution. Had no more words
with him, and went into the back room to
supper. Lewis left, and witness staid
about three-quarters of an hour later.
Witness lived on the corner of Twenty
first and Main streets went straight home
from Mr.. Sleat's store, and did not come
out any more. Did not hear the cry of
murder.
This was the last witness examined, and
there being not particle of evidence
against Frank, he was discharged; and
went on his way rejoicing.
The jury rendered as their verdict that
the negro came to his death by accidental
drowning. Deceased had in his pockets
wallet containing few fractional notes
and memorandum book, on the leaves of
which were some accounts.
CONTINUATION OF INQUEST OVER Sup