The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-17
BOTE'TOURT.
RICH SCENES IN A COURT-ROON-A MAJORITY
AND A MINORITY REPORT PROM GRAND
JURY-AN IRATE JUDGE-A JUROR AS WIT
NESS IN THE CASE HE WAS TRYING,

RICH SCENES IN A COURT-ROOM-A MAJORITY
AND A MINORITY REPORT PROM GRAND
URY-AN IRATE JUDGE-A JUROR AS W.T.
NESS IN THE CASE He WAS TRYING,
correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
TIYCAsTLE. VA, February II, 1883.
The grand Jury which has been engaged
all week in investigating alleged election
frauds brought its labors 10 conclusion
this evening, and laid before his Honor
Judge Robert +. Mays an elaborate and
carefulIy-prepaTed report, signed by Lewis
Linkenhoker, foreman, and cOncurred in
by all The ReadiuSter members, setting
forth that they had examined large num-
Der of witnesses. and were prepared TO
DENY as slanderous lies all the numerous
reports that had been circulated concern
Ing frauds committed in this county at the
late election. The report goes on to cite
the testimony OF witnesses with reference
TO the alleged frauds at TrOutville; like
wise the testimony Of James Freeman, on
which they made an indictment against
James L. Gardner for attempting to Inlu-
cnce the said Freeman 10 vote for Massey
and Tucker.
The Democratic jurors, Charles Bayne
and Edward Brugh, presented a minority
report, in which they set forth that the
majority report incorrectly states the testi-
mony OF witnesses with reference TO the
illegal voting at TroutviIle, and assert that
the evidence clearly proved that an Illegal
and fraudulent vote was cast mt that voting
precinct. They further deny the correct
ness OF the report Of Freeman's testimony,
and said that they did not believe ii war
ranted the finding Of an indictment against
Gardner. They close by solcmnly protest
ing against grand jury OF this county be-
ing used for the furtherance Of partisan
and political aims. AS soon as the clerk
finished reading this report (Which was
very brief, the Judge said: Center fine
of ten dollars against each of the signers Of
that report for contempt OF court, and they
shall pay it,"
Immediately Lewis Linkenhoker arose,
and making a somewhat lengthy speech,
begged the Judge to remit the fines, saying
that he himself had told the minority that
they had a right to make report il they
disagreed, and that lie knew the minority
had no thought OF rejecting on his Honor.
II. j. Wilson, our postmaster, followed IN
the same strain. Moved by these entreaties,
the fines were RENTED, and the majority
report ordered to be spread on the record,
and the minority report ignored. A crowd
was in the courthouse at the time, and
considerable excitement prevailed. Your
correspondent went to the clerks desk and
seated himself to take copy of the mi
nority report. Judge Mays, who has his
righteous indignation aroused whenever he
sees a Funder reporter with pen in hand,
asked for the paper from which i was
copying, and detecting, l presume, my
handwriting, said that if he knew who
prepared that paper he would fine him.
Immediately replied that l had been sent
for by the grand jury, and at their request
prepared the paper in question. "fhen,
fine YOU" he SAID.
Mr.. Linkenhoker again came to the front
and said that it was at the request Of the
grand jury that lawyer was sent for to
put in writing the protest OF the minority.
The fact is, as | stated TO the Judge at the
time, that had been summoned before the
grand jury as q witness, and on being re-
called i came without knowing what was
wanted with me.
The Commonwealth attorney opposed
the putting OF any report from the grand
jury on the records. The Judge then said
he would take the whole matter under adj
visement until tomorrow, and after having
expressed himselfyery freely against news
paper scribblers who would write about
frauds and then prepare reports rejecting
upon courts OF justice, he adjourned court
till tomorrow. just before adjourning,
seeing your correspondent making copies
OF the reports, he ordered the clerk TO allow
no copy TO be made.
hear there were some interesting scenes
| In the grand'jury room during the invests