The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-07-01


then: I rotioed MS great paEeaess; when he
was in these ttsEo abstraction he generally
| had sad look he was always courteous 10
Others, but before this he was lively he was
not subject to fits Of anger his character,
80 far as know, was invariably good, both
as TO amiabilits and uprtshtness; there was
nothing to call vice. or, IN the ordinary
sense, an irregularity in him; he was always
mniable and kind in the family, but not
dcmonstratiyc; he had
NEVER IN MY HEARING UTTERED ANY THREATS
AGAINST HIS FATHER;
mentioned TO Frank an occurrence which
took place at the Hoffman House between
his father and my brother; told him that
his father had entered my brothers room,
while he was in bed, and presented PISTOL
at his head.
Here witness Identified number of let
tiers rs those written 10y her husband. Mfr.
O'Conor next proceeded 70 examine witness
with reference. to the state Of her late h,ls-
bands mind. The Court objected.
Mr.. 0'Conor insisted that an important elc-
mcnt in estimating the condition Of Che PR.
soncr's mind was the condition Of the pa
rents mind, and these letters-not one, but
many--could hardly have proceeded from
any but an insane mind. 1t was with view
To- show hereditary strain Of insanity that
these letters would be admissible.
The Court in this view admitted the u,2es-
tons.
\. Acts of violence towards me and fits of
rage. Ii was often a question with me
whether he was crazy or not. He would at
times commence an ordinary conversation,
divcrgc suddenly OIL, and work himself up
into a fury. expressing himself with almost
unnatural violence. When his fury was not
expended on me it was expended on any
might have hold of. The first exhibition of
this kind noticed was in 1865. From 1869
10 our final departure these acts were fire.
Gucnt.
The principal part of the evening was
consumed in reading the letters that had
been identified by Mrs. Walworth.
EXTRAORDINARY BEYOND BELIEF.
The reading OF these letters continued
from ahort-halfpaSt 2 o'clock until ten min
ut,S past. D o'clock in the afternoon. Down
30 the very last letter Mr.. O'Conor read
every one of them in a clear. and distinct
voice. and emphasized them with marvellous
precision. and with evident effect upon the
Jury. They We're all OF the same rbald,
bla,phrmou> tenor. aud some of them abso-
lutcly Surprising belief. As the reading Of
the counsel drew towards conclusion they
seemed t. become more blaSphemouS and
obscene. The courtroom was rs still as
death. Every voice was hushed but that of
the great old lawyer. and us his clear, en-
phatic tones rang through the corridors
outside
EVERY HEART WAS STlLLED WITH HORROR.
1t was simply impossible TO believe that Il
human being could become SO depaved as
TO address such language to the vilcst crea-
ture. not TO speak OF addressing them by
mail and occasionally with apparent COOL
mess. to the wife of his bosom. At the end
OF each letter there was an audible sigh Of
relief in court.
Most OF them commenced, Cd d-n
YOU. you skunking - of HI"
Others called on the Son of God solemnly
To blight her.
some were addressed to Mrs Hardin, an
nouucu~ that he intended to kill even her
and her children il his property was not
| restored TO him.
Another was addressed to Judge Barbour.
threatening him that he would shoot him in
| the Public street and fall Il suicide over his
| body il h. interIrred between his wife and
| himself and if his property was not restored
| to him.
Another wsS addressed to Father Clar-
rnce WaIwolth. announcing that he intended
to Kill him il he eSgcd his wife on against
him, and saying that he would
SPIT Upon TIE RELIGION
which could make saint out of such -
n him.
Several GU :, d his father. Reuben II. Wal
| wurtil--wno WAS in bis grave, because he
| mad robbed him Of his Inheritance.
| in sonr were found bullets and caps, and
| in others powder
Thccourt adjourned till Monday.