The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-09-28

called the case OF William ii. Beveridge
indicted for attempting to eXtort MONEY
from one u. A. Haskins (colored) by threat
ening to accuse him Of an offence agains
the laws OF the Commonwealth-to wit
selling liquor without license. Messrs
Edgar Allan, r. b. Foster, and +. c. Cabel
appeared as counsel for accused and de
INJURED TO the indictment, which demurrer
the Court overruled, and the accused
pleaded "not guilty.; and the following
jurors were then sworn to try the case
Thomas PoindeXter, Branch T. Archer
Y. s. Carlton, Henry Grimmel, j. Lin
wood Antrim, Preston Belvin, William G
Allen, Thomas III. Roberts, Jr., Luther X
Barnes, Ro. l.. Butler, E. NJ. Noryel, ant
George Il. Booth.
POLITICAL FRIEND.
Mr.. Witt, the Commonwealth's attorney
and Mr.. Allan stated to the jury what eacl
side expected to prove, and =. a. Haskins
a colOred man, who keeps "hotel" at G2(
Broad street, was the first witness called &c
the stand, and stated that he had had vari
ous transactions with Beveridge, politica
and otherwise-among the former, that
Bcveridge had brought ten Of the Massey
delegates to the Readjuster Gubernatoria
Convention and boarded them at his house,
and told him to take the bill to Massey
Haskins took the bill to Mr.. Massey, but
Massey said that he knew nothing about it.
and that Beyeridge must pay his own bills
HAsKINs BORROws TWENTY DOLLARS FROM
BEyERIDGE.
Sometime before last Christmas he Dor.
rowed twenty dollars from Bcvcridge,
giving him as security therefor bill
OF sale for a piano, which piano Bcye-
ridge afterwards took. Beveridgc said that
the piano was only worth 81; and there
was some contention about the amount
Of money still due, in which BeveridgC
said that il IIaskins did not pay him the
money he claimed he "knew men, or had
men, who would report him for selling
liquor without license"
BErERIDGE's ADVICE TO HAsTIys.
IIaskins reminded him that ne Boye-
ridge had previously told him that the H.
cenSe he had would cntitlc him TO sell beer,
and that relying upon his advice rs a lawyer
he had bought beer to sell. Bevcridge told
him, in answer, that he ought not to be
id fool enough 10 believe everything
he heard. HaSkinS promised to pay up bD{
the next Friday, but it appears never DID
so.
A THREATENING LETTER.
HaskinS, while on the stand, referred tC
a letter received by him from BeyeridgC
brought by an unknown white man; but
he being unable to read il, turned over Tho
letter TO his son TO read. lie visited BeVe
ridge and told him that he came III re-
sponse TO his letter, and Beveridge said
..Jt is well YOU did" and repeated tht
threat, and IIaskins begged him not to pro
ceed against him and promised to pay him
subsequently witness was arrested on th'
charge OF selling liquor without license
The threatening letter llasklns could no
produce, having lost it.
Ha,kins said that Bevcridge had oftei
eaten at his house.
PROOF OF THE LETTER.
Aurclius. the son OF IIaskins, being pm
upon the stand, testified that he read tn
letter in question, which stated, in sub
stance. that unless IIa>kins paid up n
would be reported for selling liquo
without license. That was about all OF Tia
information he could give about the letter
II was signed VIM. II. Beveridge; did no
know Boyoridge's writing.
Another and older son OF Ilaskins's testl
fed that his father came to him TO get nm
70 helm hIm TO raise the so, and ShoWe'
him Bcycridec'S letter threatening to hay
him prosecuted for selling liquor withou
license unless it was paid up. The pIan
at that date was in BeycridSe'S hands
witness could not tell what the piano wa
worth.
UlSKINS'S OLD PARTNER.
Charles Wilson, a colored man an
former partner OF IIaskinS, testified that Il
had conversation with Beverldge tH
evening before the arrest OF Hasklns; ina
he (wimess) remarked that Haskins wa
selling liquor without license, ana Beve
ridge asked him why he did not have HI
arrested. Witness said that he did nc
/ know how to 90 about it. Beveridge toll
him TO come down to him next day an
/ that he would give him note and tell I'M
how to proceed. Witness said that he hr:
mentioned the matter to Beyerldge. ii
met Beyeridge next day and caused arre'
Of Jaskins. Witness had drunk bot
wbiskey and beer at Ilaskins's, and said th'
he was on good terms with him now.
Testimony for Defence.
Mr. Allan offered on behalf OF Mr.. Be-
eridoe documents showing that Beveride
had bought the piano Of llashins Tor q
and had rented same to lIaskins for
per month.
THE VALUE OF TIE PIANO.
Major f. b. Cook stated that he had ma
tho niono in his possession. and accOrdir
to auction prices It was worth betwec
SIX and goo. Piano was delivered to wi
moss by Uaskins upon Beyeridge's orde
Reveridge subsequently. allowed HaSkil
TO withdraw the piano upon some arrang
ment for monthly payments. Beverld4
said in the first place that he had lien
tho niauo-S30, witness th0ught-and VI
ness fold him that he did not believe
would bring more than S15 or go.
Suspicious AROUSED.
Mr.. William j. Lynham, being du
sworn. testified that he had n conyersatlC
in july or August with Haskins. llaskll
desired him TO draw up IN instrument
writing. giving Wilson (his old partne
with whom he was settling up lien
this piano. Told him that that would II
do. Uaskins said, Yes, il wOuld-lust
fell Wilson that it was all right. Lynha
said. No. he could not do 1t. From lila
kins's whispering into his ear to say
Wilson. who was present, that it was ";
right" he thought it was "all wrong
Told him that he could not secure Wis
in that way, as the piano was llaD
for rent Haskins claimed the piano as !
own. and witness did not know then "a
Beyeridge had claim upon it; but Hi
klnsis conduct was suspicious. Did n
like the whispering into his ear to ke
Wilson from hearing what was said.
Mr.. Witt: II two people were to 20 in
: lawyer's Office on business and one
them were to whisper into the lawyers ei
would you necessarily believe he was d
honest many
Mr.. Lynham: would not.
Rut MIR. Lynham declined to write I
naDer because of his (iiaskinsl whisperiI
Ia hocause Uaskins wanted witness 70