The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-06

auenily heard a knocking as " they were
Drizing open something; they remained In
the building about ba'f an hour; when they
came out TalIey had the tray to the money
drawer (which, he said, was thrown exactly
where discovered, the boots, pistol, ana
some money; be (MucbelD didn't know
they intended killing Walton. and they
told him they had done so and threatened
10 kill him II he told; gave him some s,l'
yer, coppeTs, and the torn note; knew
nothing as TO the burning OF the building.
Mitchell was subjected TO rigid cross-ex-
animation, but strictly adhered 10 his story,
and his testimony was given IN such
straightforward manner and told with such
seeming earnestnesS that no one doubled 1t
in the main. though IL was believed that he
was ATTEMPTING TO screen himself in saying
he was ignorant OF the intention 10 murder
the deceased, &c. This testimony war
ranted The Court in committing Talley
and Jackson for indictment by The grand
Jury. The testimony against Mitchell
was the articles found in his possession,
which were identified by two b:others-in-
law OF the murdered man who not infre-
quently assisted him in the store. 20
Mitchell was committed also. The most
intense excitement prevailed in the YAM
ceyville neighborhoOd, and excitement ran
high throughout the county also. Threats OF
LYNcHING THE TRIO
Of prisoners are said TO have been hume
rous and determined, in consequence OF
which guard was placed in the tailer's
room OF the Jail building at night for a
long time. All the preparations for carry
ing out these violent threats are said to have
been made for an appointed time, but from
some cause the effort was never really made.
Mitchell soon retracied his confession and
statement, declaring be had pursued the
course he had i'm making false statement
and confession IN the hope OF being himself
acquitted by so doing. He now denied any
knowledge whatever OF the tendish deed {;
but II was generally believed that this retrac-
ton OF his former statement was made under
advces OF his fellow prisoners, who, while
all were in different cells, might have had
some communication with him. Talley and
Jackson were soon sent 10 the jail of Rich
mOnd city for saie-keeplng. and Mitchell
was left alone 10 his medlaliOns and re-
! Elections. He persistently maintained the
truth OF his last statement-that he knew
nothing Of the murder whatever.
TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF mTCHELL-AC-
QUITTAL OF TALLEY, &C.
Mitchell was tried at the September term
OF the Circuit Court. He was defended by
Colonel Thomas II. TutwIlcr, OF F!uyanna,
and his argument in the case was univer-
sally pronounced as capital one, consider
Ing the utter lack Of any substantial evil
dence for the defence. Commonwealth
Attorney Bibb was assisted in the prOsecu-
ton by Captain George ID. Wise, the notable
! CommOnwealth's attorney OF the Rich
mond Hastings Court, whose services were
obtained by brotherS-in-law OF the muir
dered citizen and others. Mitchell was
found guilty and sentenced by the Court
! 10 be executed on the 9Th OF January OF
the present year. Talley's case was
gone into. but at the conclusion OF
the Commonwealth testimony, The Com.
mon wealth's Attorney and Captain Wise
respectively rose and declared their unwill-
! ngness TO prosecute the case further, as
! they did not believe the evidence adduced
was sufficient TO warrant them in asking a
verdict Of guilty at the hands OF the jury,
| though there were some suspicious CIR
| cum.tanceS Captain Wise, IN referring TO
"a remark made by Mitchell's counsel during
the latter's argument in that case, that he
| (WiSe) was a feed attorney engaged To as
| sist the attorney for the Commonwealth in
making Out Il case. declared that " all the
gold in the world could not Influence him
| to ask for a prisoners convection when he
did not believe the evidence adduced war
ranted him in so doing" The Judge in
structed the jury to return verdict OF
- not guilty." Talley was hence discharged,
but was permitted to remain IN jail FOR
some time, as he bad fears Of the SAFETY OF
| his life II he went at large forthwith. The
| Jury i'm the case OF the woman EllZ1 Jack
son failed TO agree, and were discharged.
| The latter two prisoners were very ABLY de-
Tended By two rising young lawyers OF our
town, MessrS. William f. and Il. l.. Cor
don. Jrs., who contended from the
first that their clients would not be
convicted. but which idea was almost
universally believed TO be ridiculous.
| The woman was finally acquitted by
n0ike proSeqH beng entered III her case
which w9s done at the March term OF the
Circuit Court OF the present year.
Mitchell appealed to the supreme Court,
and while his case was pending escaped
from ial. He was recapiared after break
ing "a leg(which was afterwards amputated)
jumping from a train. The Supreme Court
refused him anew trial. lie made second
attempt to break Jail, but was frustrated.
During his Imprisonment be made COMES
siOns and statements by the dozen.
TIE EXECUTION.
Mitchell passed quiet night and ate bis
usual breakfast. He was visited IN the
morning by several persons, newspaper re-
porlers, and minister Of the gospel (Rev.
| G. e, Wrenn). He had been frequently
visited bv Rev. +. II. Pritchett, who talked
| and advised with bin IN regard to spiritual
matters, and stated 10 Mr.. WreDn in answer
| to questions that be felt he had been par
dOucd-felt an inward consciousness OF 1t
and his hope of salvation was only through
the death Of the Son Of God. His talk in
regard to this matter evinced the fact that
he understood more about the economy OF
salvation than one would suppose from his
! look and appearance. About twenty min
utes before the sheriff took him out Of his
cell TO lead him TO the scaffold the Dispatch
! reporter, i'm the presence Of Mr.. Wrenn.
advised him to tell the whole truth about
the crime, and the prisoner assured him
that his last statement, as told him previously
and reported above, was the truth. The re-
DOrter then went over the statement Mitchell
had given him and requested him TO
correct him IL he had misunderstood him.
The minister also impressed him with
the necessity Of rCfraining from any fslse
statement at the threshold Of death
il he would have any hope Of salvation, and
Mitchell again declared that he committed
the crime unaded by any one, either direct
~ or indirectly.
Reporter: Well. Mitchell, is there any
thing we can do for you!
A.: Nothing at all.
Minister: ANY message you want 10 leave
your mother. wife, or other relatives
A.: AT first "No, SIR" Then after 9
short pause, ~ would like TO send bel