The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1876-03-09
AFTERNOON SESSION


1yos ooI1a1 SSah, ana Beverley Matthew
counsel Spears stated that Connsa, NJ.
was absent and asked for a DELAY mil he ,o
presented himself 0i"y uhlll ne
SENATOR reynolds objected to any daIo,,
~ r tile proceedings, and shortly afferwaryl
seat. ""i anu Iook his
BY Counsel Spears Mr.. Matthews have
A. have, sir.
WI hat is your name?
A. Beverly Matthews.
x mere do you reside?
"A. Columbus, Mississippi.
y what is your profession?
A. Practicing lawyer
bus? III ooluih :
A. Since 1915.
y. How long have you been praeticino
your profession?
bar. ~ the
.. Doyou know a. X Davis?
A. do.
q. Were you in Columbus during March.
April or May of 1875?
A. Yes, sir, except during the time was
absent on the circuit. | live in Columbus
=. Do you know Henry Barrentine?
Q. Do you know of the killing of Mrs.
Ann Thomas in 1874?
A. know there was such charge, and
nave reason to believe there was an in
dlctment in LOwndes county. / have never
seen the Indictment.
=. Have you ever been interviewed by
Mr.. Barentine with view of procuring a
pardon for his son?
A. | have.
Q. When?
A. think, perhaps as early as March,
perhaps February.
q. March or February in last year?
"A. Yes; L have written statements in my
pocket, which, by permission of the Board
OF Managers and the Senate, will read.
Manager Barksdale stated he had great
objections to these written statements being
read by witness, but he did not object to
witness reading them over to himself in
order to refresh his memory with any OF
the facts.
Witness stated that he had heard from a
reliable authority, that it was not the in
tention of the Board of Managers to sum-
mon him before this Court and he had ac
cordingly prepared these statements, in or
der that he might not be suspected of desi-
ring to conceal anything that he had to re-
veal
Manager Barksdale arose, and stated that
at the time Col. Matthews prepared these
statements, he was not a member OF the
Managing Board. This written statement
was handed to me by Col. Sharpe with a re-
quest that | should read it. | did so, and
submitted the matter to the Committee of
Investigation, who decided at that time, that
Col. Matthews was not necessary or essen
tial, to throw any light upon this matter.
For myself and the Board of Managers. |
disclaim any intention to shut out any light
upon this case, and to do an injustice to
Col. Matthews.
Senator Morgan moved that the witness
proceed.
Counsel Spears: You say that the first in
terview with Blrrentine was in February
or March?
A. NV recollection is, somewhere in the
early part of February or March, was in
formed by client of mine, that Mr.. Barren
tine desired to employ me to manage the
defense of his son. When [ first saw Mr..
Barrentine, am not able to say the dates,
but | know l saw him prior to the April
term of our Circuit Court last year. At the
April term of the Circuit Court, he came
to town with his family physician,
DR.. Munson. ! was passing from the
Courtroom to my office. He said he want
ed to see me, and handed me two sworn
certificates, one by DIR. Hendricks and DR.
Munson, setting forth in fact--.
Manager Barksdale objected to anything
in fact. - - -
Well, / was handed two sworn certiti-
Gates, as was supposed, of the condition OF
Young Barrentine at the time of the killing
Of Mrs Ann Thomas. DR.. Munson went into
nv Office With me. and Mr.. Barrentine went
out soon after. Mr.. Barrentine came in
and asked me if | could procure pardon
| from Gov. Ames on these two certificates
! [ told him | did not think | could influence
Gov. Ames in any direction on that subject
and gave him my reasons why could no
influence him.
O State your reasons.
! a. The reason was that some time during
| Gov. Ames' canvass, he was at Columbus
and there was newspaper report OF dim
Guilty between some friends of mine an(
Ames. / gave him that as reason why
could not 90 TO Gov. Ames. He said he wa
willing to pay 81 $50 for the pardon of M
son. i never said anything about the sun
OF money; but, stating to him tina
could not approach Governor Anne
personally. | said to him that Lieu
/! tenant Governor Davis was in town; wa
Of Ames political household, and supposed
to be i'm cordial relations with him, ana
would place these certificates in his hand
and invite him to procure the pafdon
Either that day or the next L saw GOV
Davis and asked him to walk to my once
and handed him these certificates.
Manager Powell objects to anything pc
inc said setting forth the conversation VIC
Davis on the ground that it would De man
: featuring testimony in respondents De
half. 80;
Counsel Spears argued that the testi
mony was now competent, and the chal
submitted the matter to the decision OF tn
senate. to wit: That the Board of Manager
objected to witness narrating a converse
ton said to have taken place between MI
and Davis, at time that witness was nego
rating to secure a pardon from the dc
fendant. Shall the objection be sustained
The roll was called and the objection wa
su stained by the following vote:
YEAs.-Messrs. Albright, Barry. CatcL
!, ings. Chalmers, Everett, Fewell, Furion;;
Graham. GRAY, Griffin, Johnston, MeNel
Metts. Pratt. Shirley, Smith, Stewart, Teri,
NAys-Messrs. Callicott, Carter, titzGe,
aid. Foote, Hooker, McCaskill' Mendennai
Morgan, Oldham, REYNOLDS, SIMS oton
TAYLOR, Thompson-l4- 1,o,.r Ala
ABSENT AND NOT VoTING-MeSsrs. Aiie
Mcclure and Thornton-3.