The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-02-23
G. U lit Y
HILDREY PAGE TO PAY THE
- DEATH PENALTY.
WARNING TO INCENDIARIEs.
The Last Witness Examined and the
-r'. Argument Concluded I'm the -#E
Chesterfield House.
Burning Case.
sILAs FowLKEs DISCHARGED.
&c., Sc. &c.

drey Page, the alleged Chesterfield negro in
cendiary, who has destroyed so much of
Colonel Ruffin's property and finally driven
him and bis family to seek shelter and 4 home
in Richmond, was unabated yesterday, and
as soon rs the court met every available
place allowed spectator was occupied. The
prisoner was brought over from Richmond
by two of the officers Of the court, and few
minutes after 10 the court was opened.
The jury had been quartered in the court.
room upon the floor) ever since Saturday,
the officers having been unable TO secure
lodgings for them in Manchester, and seye-
raj jurymen declined to go to Chester.
THE LAST WITNESS
The witness (Norman Wesley who had
been summoned on Saturday was present in
the court. and was called and sworn. .
Mr.. Pullam insisted that the witness
should be put upon the stand as ! witness
for the Commonwealth.
Mr.. Wise said that he would very cheer.
fully Introduce him as a witness for the Com
monwealth to avoid any delay and to accom-
modate the gentlemen on the other side.
Norman then testified that be had been en-
ploycd by the detectives to work up the case.
lie made an appointment with Page to 90 out
and yet work. Witness met him on a Mon.
day, and with him walked all over town to
yet work. He conversed with him upon
various topics, and finally Page said that he
had left the county on account Of big fire.
The next week nothing more was said about
any burning. A few days later be met wit
ness, and told him he was engaged in burn
iny houses, and got 500 per month for the
work. Page replied, "Thats very bad"
Yes" said witness but get well paid for
it," Page said he hud been doing that
thing hluself, but never received any such
pay As that. "Wcl,' said witness, have
a Job on hand now, and I'll give sou half of
what get If you will 90 III with me, and LII
give you so 10 night" Wtness-toId Page,
however, that he must 30 and tell white
gentleman what he had told him, as be was
working for him. He finally consented to
20 with witness, and Mr.. rem had an ln-
tcrview with him. Had been with Page
about two weeks. Wren told him at the
first interview that he must come back and be
introduced to Ills partner. Wren gave him
some money then TO spend. At the second
interview Mr. Sampson was introduced as
Wren's partner, and it was agreed that he
Paee) would undertake the JOB already
spoken OF. During the interview, however,
witness said Page seemed TO become aware
NJ 4.
out. MIR. Wren went after him and brought
him back. The witness then reviewed in
full what was said at this interview, which
has already appeared in the Dispdth.
THE ARGUMENT.
The examination was concluded abou:
1O5 o'clock, and after lew minutes delay
MIR. Wise commenced the argument for the
prosecution. He congratulated the jury and
the Court upon the approaching end OF the
trial. 1t was pleasure to bim to stand to-
day where he was to prosecute tDlS case.
This crime is punishable by death. lie had
no doubt that Jack Wren would be pointed
out bv the defence rs 4 ferret and detective,
and the boy who has just left the stand as
false and iaithleSS. He then pictured in
striking language the horrid crime OF which
this boy stands indicted. This crime, he said,
VA, done in secret when others were asleep.
This mau, Whoever be may be, came out
at midnight with purpose and malIgnity
that would do honor to Il tend. 1t was not
ONLY his motive TO destroy and burn the fruits
of wears of labor: and 1t was not through
his agency that the bones Of that family are
not now smouldering 10 the pile which
marks the ruins of this gcntfeman's pro-
pertv. Think OF it, gentlemen of the jury.
Remember that the midnight torch may
next be applied 10 your houses. lie knew
of no language 10 describe that man Who
will in the dead hour OF the night go out 10
Lurn his neighbcr's house. IL Is The spirit
of the devil which ac'uttcs him; the mean
.st. yilest. and most malignant spirit, eX-
nressed in the mcuue>t acts. 1t was not the
c;uISe of Colonel kuthn which brought hlm
here it was for protection, and in the name
of Justice and humanity, that be was mere;
and the man who committed this deed should
no longer erjoy the light Of Coos sun.
Sixteen times has this property been flred;
four times has it been tirei the penalty OF
which is death. Moved by feeling oil re-
yepre. he takes his delight in beholding the
agony of his victim writnins under the work
OF his own hands; and IL this prisoner did
it, reckon there is not a man upon that jury
who will leave that box without the sentence
upon his lips, He shall die! lu the name of
God, shall one OF his aye live if he committed
this deed-live TO SO out upon the world ana
commit other similar acts!
Mr.. Wise then alluded to the confession,
its value, ETC., aud said that no man who be-
lieved it could doubt the guilt OF the ac-
cused. lie then spoke OF the fact that the
confession had been made voluntarily, with
out threat, and without cmoument or hope
of reward.
Mr.. Wise then cited case FROM the books
to show that the circumstances were such ID
that case as TO induce the accused To confess
10 the crime to save lite; but III the case OF
Page there were 10 sucn circumstances, be-
cause no danger threatened him. lie was
not even under arrest, and no inducements
or reward were offered. The confession was
made (aud the speaker emphaSzrd ~ not To
white man, but TO the witness, who bad
Just left the stand. No man had told him
that he was guilty; the yenSence OF the
law was not impending. 1t came freely and
voluntarily When it was not even called for.
Ii it is not true, why did he speak 1t. Did
he not know that another fingered in the
city Jail charged with the same offence! ! This
boy has told you he ingratiated himself into his
friendship; and he voluntarily told his friend
that he had committed these crimes at Col
onel Rutfn's.
Gentlemen may try to tnrn it away, but
the Guilt will cling to bin closer than the
shirt of Nessus. Witness the fact, gentlemen
of the Jury, that a citizen Of your own county
comes here and tells you that this prisoner
made full and free confession. lie had no
motive TO lie. Why was Hlldrey Page select
ed from among all the negroes at Coionel
Ruttin's. and such network wound round
him. from which be can never escape! Why
would Jack Wren go into the very sanctuary
| of home and take one from the very firesaae;
| the trusted servant who knew the very Sc
crets of the family? Why Didn't he go aid
take the friendleSS Sias Fowiks, who isy 10 tb:
isil at Richmond charged with this 0tff. nee
! |: was easier for Wren, fine is a mean rnan, t
have convinced Col. Rutiiu and ihe commu
nity OF The guilt of Silas Fowlks. AN to hay
| convinced him that Hldrey fIrge was th