Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-06
Letter from WcstmoreIand 60.

CORRESPONDENCE Of the Alexandria Gazette
MoSrRoss, WEsrMoREI.AND Co.. VA: Jan.
2Sth. lS7l.-UIntl few months past the courts
of our county had enjoyed for several years
remarkable exemption from the record OF crlml-
nal proceedings. Grand Juries had well nigh
lost their occupation except to make an occI-
sional prescntment against some delinquent
Road Surveyor too ndulgent liquor dealer.
and the position of Commonwealth 5 Attorney
had almost become slnecurc except tn charge
the aforesaid Grand Jurics rs To their duties
under the law, and under the law also to charge
the Commonwealth as to its duties to lin IN
the way of allowance for public services;
But this happy exemption has ceased. The
january term of our county court. beginning
on Monday last and continuing three days, was
almost wholly occupied in the trial of crmlna!
cases Three separate indictments We're found
bv the Grand jury against James " hltc and
Henry Woodhousc: one for assault with IN
tent to kill VIM. Ii. Donahaw at his store at
fuckers Hill in this county on the night OF the
Goth of December last and two Tor larceny
committed 1T the same time. of the goods OF
said Donahaw and OF Mathew ID. Gregory-
the latter at the Hague: pon, these nc indlct
were arraigned and trled-Robert Mayo: 81
representing the Commonwealth. and VIM. VI.
Walkcr, at the request of the court. appearing
for the defence. The evidence was positive
and conclusive against White, and that against
Woodhouse by the same witnesses was so strong
circumstantiay as to leave no doubt OF his
guilt as principal in the scOnd degree, and
upon the first indictment they were both found
guilty, and their term Of Imprisonment IN the
Pcnitentiary fixed blythe jury at eighteen years.
Mr. Walker entered Il motion for l new trlll as
to Woodhousc The court nvcrrucd the mo,
ton, and counsel gave notice that he would
prepare bill of exceptions, Butthis was sub
sequently abandoned. :,
trpon the second indictment White was found
guilty and another term of ten years III the
Penitentiary added to the measure of his pun
ishment Prosecution against NoodhouSe IN
this case was withdrawn, Upon the third
charge both were convicted and their terms IN
the Penitcntiary fixed at eight aud SIX years
respectively, giving White the long term Of
thirty-six years. and WoodhOuSc the compare
lively short term of twenty-to'r years ut hlel-
mond -
Bryant and Mason, who were contedcrates OF
White and Woodhousc. and whose escape from
Richmond county JUL | mentioned in my last
letter, are still at large. y reward for their
arrest has been offered by the Governor. | un-
derstand. Mr. Donahaw, the old gentleman
whose store was robbed and whom these VII
lains at the same time attempted to kill, has
nearly recovered from his wounds, and was able
to appear ut court in evidence against them.
Tie question of claim to the Office Of Com
monwealth's Attorney for this county, 50 long
pending between Messrs. Brownlee and Walker
was disposed of at this court. Judge Lewis de-
cided that Brownlee, being Il nonresident at
the time of his election, is ineligible, and that
Walker is not entitled to the position under
the plea of having received the next highest
number Of votes. Mr.. Robert NJ. Mayo. the
present incumbent Of the Office, holds oyer until
Il successor is elected and qualified.
Mr.. John w Harvey was Apo ntcd clerk
of the courts of this county to I'LL the vacancy
occasioned by the failure Of Lewis Porter clerk
elect, to qualify at the last term. j. Warren
HUT and VIM. S. Mckenney qualified rs his
deputies. =
It will DE gratifying to the many friends OF
Mr. Lawrence Washington to learn that he Is
recovering from the severe, and ut the time
supposed to be fatal, injuries received IN Il fall
from his buggy more than month ago Com
sidering the extreme age Of Mr.. W.. his rccor-
cry is remarkable as we'll as gratifying.
Mr.. David 3. Taylor, one Of our Oh dest and
most highly esteemed citizens. died last week
at his residence near kinsale. Is.