Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-05-13

~ WAS the Dill ne LeHuSIeu WIG O'oi NJ =
The case was continued for further ev-
idenne, and MERRITT bound over
When it came up the next day new
complication met the justice, An old
washerwoman, who Williams had
paid that same day Sl,50, being his
wash bill, appeared as witness for
the clerk, to swear that after Williams
had left her house she picked up from
the floor fifty-dolar bill, which he
no doubt had paid her by mistake TOR
fifty cents, and which she had shown
to the neighbors, thinking it one of
those spurious advertising cards so
common formerly, but as they oil
told her it was genuine. and MS she
had heard OF the trouble the hotel
clerk WAS in, she came at once to as
sist him. This seemed to relieve the
clerk, and yet how come Williams to
have his litty-dollar bill at Delvin's
and also at the Purcell House after he
had paid his washerwoman? The
mystery was rather deepened than
dssipated by this new witness. But
it was not long before Justice Often
bourg reached very plausible and
highly suggestive but probable solu-
tion. The negro woman admitted
white man had called at her shanty,
and after talking some time about
Williams and asking her as to what
he had paid her, went away, and II
was aftea his visit and departure she
found the fifty-dollar bill on tho floor
wrapped around another note, which
she picked up, and thought II the
money Williams had paid her aud
which she had dropped out OF her
pocket.
"Would you know that white man
again If you were to see him ?" inquir-
ed the Justice. .....
"Yes, dat / would" was the reply.
"Do you see him here?" asked the
Justice.
The old woman looked around and
fixing her eyes on the stenographer
Of the Court at once SAID, "Dar heW
There was u sensation In court equal
to that produced when "Hawkshaw,
the detective" suddenly appears in
his real character on the stage. The
secret was apparently out, and the
link In the chain was found.
nil at once guessed tho connection.
The stenographer had been employed
by Merritt or his friends to drop the
bill IN the negro woman's
that It's discovery might bring
confusion TO the negro accuser and re-
lleve Merritt Of the slightest suspl-
clon. And had the evidence dove
tailed In with this circumstance oil
would have gone well; but not only
did the negro declare II was not his
hny, but he even refused to receive It,
saying he only wanted his own; and
there Is very good evidence that II In
not the same bill that was paid TO the
seaman, Lemuel Williams,
by the paymaster Of tie navy. The
result was that the Justice committed
Merritt before the grand jury, remark
lug;
II have Investigated this ease very
and propose to do my |
whole duty. My duty is to the de-
fendant IA well as to the complainant.
This defendant would have no escape |
from the odium which this action has
cast upon him, II he were discharged |
by me ns magistrate. II should |
say, Mr.. Merritt, on the evidence | |
am not satisfied that an offence has
been committed, and therefore, | can-
moi bold you ~ n party 70 the offence
The publlo would say. The fifty.dollar
hill was traced to the poseeaeion Of
and was last seen before he /
entered the Metropolitan Hotel?" II
there Ia probable cause TO hold Mr..
Merritt. and I think there. Is, Mr..
Merritt has done his best To make the |
probable cntise his own creation. i !
feel II my duty 10 hold the defendant
In 81 600 bail TO appear before the
grand jury"
AZ this announcement the audience
applauded loudly. !