The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-03-25

y. w. f1OpklllS, CliC CHICICuG ayCilG dG tuiS
place, remains in statss quo.
INTERESTING TERM.-The present Term Of
the Circuit Court has been one Of unusual in
terest, the criminal docket being very large
and embracing almost every phase Of crime
Bigamy, Seduction, Murder, Railroad obstruc-
ton, Horse stealing, HOUSEKEEPING and lar
ceny.
The case which attracted Che most attention
was that of Commonwealth VS.. w. n. Taylor.
charged with the seduction, under promise OF
marriage, Of Mary Catharinc Cameron Hess, a
young woman Of previous chaste character.
The prisoner, who is a young man aged II
years, was willing and anxious to marry the
girl, but not having attained his majority, and
his father objecting to the match, was unable to
obtain the lawful license under the laws OF this
State. The young woman is tWenty-one years
Of age, rather good looking and gave her testi-
mony with much hesitation and apparent
embarrassment.
Apart from the curiosity that would natu-
rally attach to q charge OF this kind the verdict
was looked forward 20 with general interest, as
this is the first case that has been tried in Virgin
ia under the new law which makes seduction,
under the promise of marriage, felony, punish
able by confinement in the @penteatiary for q
term Of not less than one nor more than ten
years.
The evidence was confined almost entirely to
the two families interest.d-the Hesses and the
Taylors; and much OF it was very amusing,
particularly the letters OF the young Lothario.
We refrain from given any Of the testimony
as the case will probably be retired.
Mr.. Cochran, i'll the defence, assailed the
policy Of TIE new law with earnestness and
fervor and expressed his belief that it would
never reach the class il was intended to protect,
whilst it would be the instrument OF much liz"
justice to other classes. He presented strong
arguments in favor Of the acquittal OF the pris-
oncr, as also did his colleague, Mr.. Alex Fultz,
but we have not the space to reproduce them.
The attorney for the Commonwealth, Capt.
Brmgarlner, stated that While he had no SYM
pathy for the recent enactment, still it was the
law of the land, according to which the jurors
had sworn to render their verdict, The case
was then submitted to the jury, who after re-
tirement returned q verdict Of guilty and fxeo
the term Of imprisonment at one year in the
penitentiary. The counsel for the accused then
moved for a new trial.
During the trial OF Geo. Furr charged will
murder, the Court House was crowded The
circumstances Of the case az proven by the evil
dence were substantially as follows Last win
ter the prisoner, who is a one-armed man, IL
company with his neighbor, Michael 14ivck
started from Staunten homeward-Livick ri
town Fur became engaged in conversation
with the third party and was Interrupted D.
his Furr's) son. Iivick remarked that chill
drcn should hold their mouths whilst Older per
sons are talking and that if that boy was his ne
would .i,rash him. Young FAri, who is about
- OF IS years old, made some inpertlnent re-
ply, which led to quarrel between bis father
and laivick and hot words passed between them
Finally an alteration ensued in which Llvlck
who was a hale and stalwar6 ni1in, although Oh
years Of age, got Furr down and held hin
there until he cryed 'senough.'' This was
repeated several tirnes-Iivck all the time de
clariug that he had no desire to injure the &C
cusetl, and making no effort to Go 50. a.
length FUR struck Livick in the head with {
large stone, from the effects OF Which ne dice
in few days. Mr.. Cochran, the leading
Counsel for the defence. together with othel
forcible arguments, maintained that by the use
Of stone the prisoner had only equalized hi!
mowers with that OF his adversary. and .hat uE
der the law he was only triable for involuntary
manslauehter Mr.. Cochran was assisted BY
Mfr. Hudson, and Capt. Buingardner by Mr.
Quarles.
Another case OF interest Wasaathat OF the Com
vs. James Trainum for obstrtcting the railroad
1t was proven that ia November last the ac
cused had placed a railroad tie on the tract
near Variety Springs and that tram cam'
verv near being thrown off by it. This wa
tho second offence of the kind OF which young
Uranium had been charged. The theory q tai
defence was the incompetency OF tiie pfisohe
70 commit crime, it being alleged that he wa
an idiot. and therefore not amenable to thu
law. Capt Bumgardner held thaS the actioh
of rraintn, had manifested both thoa9hV ant
des;on and that he was fully capable OF distin
o,,;sbino. between right and wrong. 'fhe jury
# seems, agreed with the Latter and the youn!
man goes to the penitentiary for three years.
We have before published Che particulars il
tbe cases for bigamy, horse steaEip3g and lar
ceny.
,Tessrs. Lee, setlaen & Co., have, established
' -, LII ,,,.. l,h1,sc Ii Ric5MOnW,