Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-05-03

CHARGE OF MURDER. The examina>
ton of Calvin Saver and Peter Riddick
for the murder of Mr.. Hays took place
on Saturday before F. W. Lemosey, ma
gistrate. ........... ... ....--...
Mrs. Hays testified that she is the
wife Of Mr.. Hays; that on Thursday, the
2lst January, Mr.. Hays was returning
from the Portsmouth market, where he
had been to sell some articles, and also
to buy some goods; that during the af-
ternoon her husband was brought home
by some gentlemen who informed her
that he had been badly dealt with. He
was so badly hurt that he died soon af-
forwards
On being asked if she recognized any
OF the articles that were present, she
said that she recognized the coat and
the pocket knife as the property of her
late husband.
Officer Harrison swern, deposed that
Officer Stokes and himself, having learn
ed that the Negroes now on trial were
accused, we made tbs arrest; and on Fri
day the Sth of April, in company with
Major Remington went to the Jail.
While there Calvin Saver told me
that he wished to state what he knew
OF the affair. He said that Peter Riddick
(negro) had persuaded him to go out in
the country with him, remarking that
l was fool to stay in town if were
to accompany him l would not have to
labor so hard for living. I accompa-'
MED him we went out on the Suffolk
road, and on the way he sent me to the
house of VIM. Harris, negro his wife
told me that he was not at home that
he had gone into the country. We then
walked onuntil we were between Getty's
station and Bowers hill, on the Suffolk
road. We laid down in the woods a
little distance from the road where we
talked and laughed. Peter got up and
went to the edge Of the road. and
remarked, here is a sight for us, refer
ring to Mr.. Hays. Hays soon after came
along, driving in slow trot. Peter then
called to me to come along. Before |
reached the cart l saw Peter strike the
man twice with a big oak stick. He
told me to jump into the cart to get the
things. I did SO, but my heart failed
me, and l jumped out without troubling
the things. In the mean time Peter had
dragged the man out of the cart. The
man then raised aud Peter called to me
for his knife. I saw Peter knock the
man down with his fist. We then seized
the things and ran to tho woods. Peter
found rs cents in his pockets; we found
in the cart 4 yards of broad cloth, some
calico, thread, tobacco, and other things,
all of which were taken. Then we ran
to the woods, leaving the man lying in
the road.
George Lee, negro boy, sworn. One
day Peter Riddick said he and Saver
were going to town; it was on Thursday
the 21st January. On the night of the
same day mentioned, when they returns
ed, they brought with them sugar,
coffee, tobacco, calico, cloth, and one
pocketknife.
Mr.. Riddick told me that he and
Saver had knocked man down and
robbed him. He brought homo some
paper with him and it was so bloody /
did not burn it; it was paper about
fig trees and other trees he had bought.
The evidence adduced being sufficient
the Magistrate committed the prisoners
to Jail to await trial during this term of
court.
VIM. Harris, negro, for highway rob.
berry was also sent on.