National Republican., 1880-10-09
TIE PoNp-pAHts CAsE.
A strange story Of the Moesery of just

A Strange story OF the Mocltery OF Justice.
The grand jury of the United States circuit
court now in session at Richmond on Thurs
day brought in true bill Of indictment
against William II. Poud Of Southampton
county for corruptly endeavOring to intimi-
date one J. p. Davis, a colored man Of that
county, in the discharge Of his duty as a wit
ness in United States court. The facts OF
tho case are briefly us follows: Pond is a
farmer living in Southampton county. Some
timo last spring he purchased twcnty'si
gallons of whisky, which in small quantities
he sold to employees Oh his farm. Davis was a
tenant on Ponds land, which he this year
cultivated in cotton and at odd times worked
as a day labOrcr for Pond. From time to time
lie obtained whisky in small quantities from
Pond, of whom on Que occasion lie inquired II
he Pond had license TO sell liquor.
This inquiry angcrcd Pond. who few days
aftorwarl in Davis absence from home went
to the lattcr's house aud ordered his wife,
then recently become mother, to im medatcly
leave the premises, telling hor that he in-
tended to make her leave by fair means or
foul. She Immediately left, leaving all Of her
household efl9ts which wcro seized by Pond
and carried OF. Two days thereafter Davis
returned, aud finding Pond in possession Of
his house aud his wife gone he knew not
whore, he determined as a means of revenge
to report Ponds violation of the internal
revenue laws to the revenue officials. For
that purpose ho went to Petersburg, whore
upon his information warrant was issued
by the United States commissioner for
Ponds arrest upon a charge Of sell
ing liquor without having paid the
special tax. Upon tho day of examination
of the case by the commissioner, which re-
suited in Ponds being sent on to answer an
Indictment, he threatened Davis by saying
he would get him back TO Southampton where
he would show him what reporting gentleman
for violation of tho revenue laws was, Be-
fore the examination was concluded Pond pro-
cured the arrest of Davis upon a warrant
sworn out by him in Petersburg In which 1t
was charged that Davis had obtained money
and goods from him Pond by false pretcnsos.
Upon the hearing of tho case Davis was dis
charged by the magistrate upon Ponds own
statement. Pond then procured Davis ar
rest upon warrant, In which lie was charged
with obtaining goods from one Myrick, coll
ored man, by false pretenses. Davis was
taken under arrest aud conveyed, tightly
bound, to southampton county. whore he was
convicted by the magistrate before whom he
was taken Of petit larceny aud sentenced to
receive thirty-nine lashes, aud to bo i'm
prisoned six months in the county jail.
In Virginia petit larceny ia punishable by
stripes only. The evidence showed that
Davis was whipped with very great cruelty,
MS Tie DelnR ueSpalEeu Ol iuI NhilO hhSlS-
after, and that he was convicted by the mag
isirato without evidence OF auy kind being
heard, the magistrate declaring to the pris-
oner at tho time that he would show him how
to report gentlemen to the revenue oihclals.
Davis was shot ut several times while in Jail,
but the evidence docs not show by whom.
The person from whom he was alleged to have
stolen states that he never made complaint
against him, and that he always regarded him
as a man of good character. Davis has
been released from the southampton county
Jail, aud tho United States grand jury to-day
indicted Pond for corruptly swearing out tue
warrant against Davis with view to deter
the latter from testifying against him III the
revenue case when it shall be called Ia the
United States court. 1t is expected that in
dctments against persons for completely with
Pond in endeavoring to intimidate Davis in
the discharge of his duty as witness will
bo found by the grand jury at its present
term. The grand jury consists of eighteen
citizens, sixteen of whom are democratic in
politics.