Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-04-07

"'Oh,' said he, poor man, poor man, he
was in my store about an hour before they
found him dead
Indeed said L, did he trade with
your
con, yes, sir; why, he came in here as
tell you, and bought some cigars that very
night on which he was killed, and stopped
a moment to chat with me. Then he
| looked at his watch and said it is a quar-
ter past six; must go in and lock up the
bank and go home. Just then his man
servant came in and said
"'Mr Richards, [ have a note from Miss
F! Clara for you, SIR
"'Well, Thomas said he, L suppose it
is for money; that usually is the subject of
her perfumed notes to me; come into the
bank a moment
In little while l saw the servant 60
ing in the direction of Mr. Richards
house, and in about an hour afterward his
! master was discovered in the bank dead.
''This from the cigar-store keeper. 1
did not let him know was attorney for
! the accused, but wendell my steps toward
his late residence. 1 was admitted by his
servant, Thomas, and was soon conversing
with Miss Clara, to whom 1 coEfded my
relations with Burton. 1 asked her what
time she sent Thomas to the bank the
night her father was murdered.
"'I did not send him atall,' she replied,
evidently surprised at the question
"'Well, said I, we are gong to acquit
Howard Burton, and, to take his place, we
want to find one who did commit the
crime. Now. Miss Clara, are you sure you
did not send Thomas'to the bank the night
Of the murder?'
I" 1 know very well L did not was her
answer
"'Then,' replied, either the keeper of
the cigar store is mistaken OF your servant
Thomas is the murderer Of your father
"She did not look as much surprised as
[ expected at this assertion.
"'Mr. c. said she, the night poor
papa was murdered. Thomas came through
the hall and started to go up stairs.
wanted him to mend the fire, and called
/ noticed large dark spot on his cheek
and one on his collar. I half suspected
him when I heard how anxious he was to
tell the court about that unfortunate little
difficulty between papa and Howard Bur-
ton, but did not say anything about it to
any one; they were all SO sure Howard was
guilty.
I told her to treat Thomas as usual, and
not to speak of our conversation to any
one. After receiving letter she wished
to send to Burton, | took my departure
for -. Immediately on my arrival
there went to my client and communca-
ted to him all I had learned and delivered
the letter. The poor fellow was happy,
and invited me to take tea with him in
his cell. He ate heartily and smoked q
cigar with evident enjoyment. took the
first real nights rest that night had since
the death Of Mr.. Richards. The day of
the trial at last arrived. I had previously
sworn out a warrant for the arrest Of
Thomas to be served as soon as the jury
should pronounce my client not guilty.
The District Attorney opened for the peo-
pie, in an elaborate and very able speech,
giving the details of the case, and then pro-
ceeded to examine the witnesses.
Thomas the servant was the first
called. He swore to the quarrel between
Mr.. Richards and Burton, and that he
heard Burton threaten Mr.. Richards life.
| closely cross examined
him [ failed to make him contradict him
self, and when he retired nearly every one
in the court room was doubtless certain
that Howard Burton was guilty. The
next witness was the hotel clerk, who tes-
titled that Burton came into the hotel
while he was attending to the guests from
the train that arrived in c. at O'Clock,
and that train passed k at about half
past six. Then followed the examination
of the bank cashier, who swore that the
package of $4,000 found on Burton at the
time of his arrest was deposited in his
bank on the afternoon of the murder. At
ter calling several other witnesses whose
testimony of minor import, the prosecu-
ton rested, then followed and after
brief opening address, called the German
painter, who swore to seeing Mr.. Richards
send Burton ON the errand also to seeingMr,
Richards in the cigar store after six clock
on the night of the murder. When l had
finished with him, he was subjected to a
severe cross examination in which he ac-
quilted himself very creditably. Then 1
called the conductor who sWore to seeing
Burton on the train the night of the muir
d5r he also swore that the train left on
time Is o'clock. The cigar store man was
next examined, who swore to talking with
Mr.. Richards at 5 Is P. NJ, also to seeing
him leave the store with Thomas. NV
witnesses were all cross examined thor
oughly but did not contradict themselves
in any particular. 1 then closed my
case, and after a few remarks from the
prosec ution, the Judge charged the jury,
who retired, and in fifteen minutes re-
turned with a verdict of NOT GUILTY. Nv
client and were over-powered with con-
CALCULATIONS, and never since in my pro-
fessional life have felt as proud and tri-
umphant as l did then.
AS soon as quiet was restored, the
sheriff approached Thomas, the servant.
and said in loud voice, Thomas Beolo. n
arrest yoa for the murder Of Mr.. Richards.
The excitement in the court caused thus
unlocked for and sudden proceeding was
most intense. The prisoner was immedi-
ately taken to jail, followed by crowd
that were loud in their expressions of de-
nunciation-the same crowd that little
before had marked Burton as the murder
er.
''Well, to finish this story, have little
to add. l was retained by the bank efii-
GERS to prosecute Thomas Healy, and he
was convicted of the crime. He protested