The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-06-27

sion at the time was that the body had
been deposited there while dying. Was In.
clined TO think It had been there several
days and had been thoroughly vet by the
rains. Several severe contusions were
visible on the body, especially on the
throat, as If made by hand, and others
on the back of the neck, one on the nose,
and the left shoulder broken down as IL by
heavy Blows with blunt instrument. hd
not think body could have fallen In sucn
position. Concluded it was placed there
when diving. No marks Of 9 struggle were
visible on the ground.
The court took recess.
The court resumed it's session at (. NJ,
and heard The testimony Of Betsy P.easan,s
(coloredl who lives at George Iurners
brick yard, on Twenty-sixth street between
Main and Cary. She said that on one oc-
casion about dark the prisoner brought 3
trunk to her house, where it remained three
or four weeks. It was taken away ~ no,
bert Bigger. It was there when she hearu
| of the BODY Of murdered woman pelng
| found at Drinkers farm.
Stephen Pleasants lnegro) the husband
of the last witness, was next called. ne
knew Of trunk being brought in buggy
to his house about 9 o'clock one night in
February, 1857, by the accused. Was not
ut home when the trunk was taken away:
Robert Bigger {negro) Was examined 40
| tn the time the trunk was taken away. he
| came TO town with cart for two barrels OF
flour for Mr.. Turner, and got the trunk at
TINT time at the request of the accused, anu
took it to Mr.. Turner's.
BETSY Peasants recalled: She never
opened the trunk, nor knew WneIner !. T y -
locked or not. Accused had been at her
house frequently, but docs not know that
he was there after the trunk was taken
away. Never heard that he had wife.
John W. Cole was, recalled, and said that
he, in company with Detective Knox and
| Mr.. Peasants, had arrested the accused in
q field near Mr.. Turner's house. When
told that he was arrested for the muir
der of his wife he seemed surprised,
and said, g You shock me never
had q wife, Found in prisoners room q
trunk containing female apparel, with his
own clothes, and asked him if he was not
married, why he had those clothes in his
trunk. Don't his reply. Asked
him if he had not married Miss Pitts. He
said, "No." Asked him several ques-
tions about her, and said if he knew
where she was, and would give the in
formation he (witness) would assist him in
getting out of the difficulty. Accused re-
piled that he would tell the proper atthori-
ties. Had received from Mr.. Wade in Es-
sex county letter giving information of
the marriage Of accused to Miss Pitts on
the morning the arrest was made; Regard
ed the prisoner as very good young man.
Had been acquainted with him for some
time previous to the murder. Visited him
several times in Jail on one occasion, the
week before his trial, to inform him of the
fact, and to offer assistance in procuring
witnesses. Went again at the request Of
Mr.. Wade, county magistrate, who had
the keys of the jail, with Miss Roxanna
Pitts and her brother, to visit the accused.
On that day the preliminary examination
was to have taken place before Justice Net
ties, but Miss Pitts complained Of being
fatigued from travel, and it was postponed.
The examination was to have taken place
in the courthouse, which is but few
yards from the Jail. Don't think it would
have fatigued her any more to gotothe court
house than. to the Jail. She went to the
Jail in about an hour afterwards. She said
she was too tired to attend the examination.
Mr.. Wade was not the jailor. Don't know
what right he had to have possession Of the
jail keys.
The court then adjourned to A. NJ. to-
day.