The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-17
THE AMIss MURDER TRIAL.
Thursdays Proceedings--Connie
Testimony or Fanny Lewis-A hstie
Pleasantly about . Pistol.
,,,orreapopoe,cc Of the Richmond Dispatch.l

lCorrespondercc of the Richmond Diroa'en'i
STANTON VA, February 10, 1883.
The crowd attending the trial yesterday
was larger than ut any previous tinle'
Hardly half Of the people could gam ac-
ccs, to the courthouse, and the doors were
constantly guarded by officers.
The ability and tact OF the counsei Ior
the defence are severely taxed In the COM
bat with public opinion. which Is strongly
against the prisoner.
! THE principal witness, Fannie Lewis, IN
whose presence Burner was shot, maze the
extraordinary statement yesterday that
during the scufile between the two men,
lasting not more than minute, and one
having in that time received mortal
wound. not word was spoken by either
party, and they parted without word:
She heard the report OF pistol, but did
not see any, and did not know who fired II.
Her evidence conficted with that OF the
other woman, as reported last night.
william Cunning, colored restaurant
waiter, testified to hearing angry words In
the sample-room between the prisoner and
deceased on one occasion. when Burner
had brought Fannie Lewis there to drink
and Amiss came in and ordered her home.
But so far it appears the prosecution Is
lacking in evidence sufficiently strong TO
make out their case according TO the IN
dictment.
A little pleasantly INDUCED in by bis c0un-
sci Yesterday relieved the dizziness OF the
trial. Chid-of-Polce Waters was giving
in his testimony, when he produced the
pistol he had taken from the valise oil
Amiss, which was supposed to have been
the instrument OF Burners death. Inc
pistol was loaded. and being handed
around by the counsel rather cautiously,
Mr.. Liggatt, for the defence, was holdinglt
with the muzzle up. when Mr. Riddleberger
said Take care look out for those negroes
in the gallery.n "Don't he afraid" sand
MIR. Liggatt, nobody has been challenged"
ar they had been" said Mr.. Riddle
berger, "and had my luck. they would not
get hurt The whole crowd joined in the
laugh that followed at the expense OF the
Senator-elect.
YESTERDAYS PROCEEDINGs-A QUESTION OF
ACCEPTING THE STATEMENTS OF BURNER
AS 4 DYING DECLARATION.
Especial telegram to the Dlspatch.l
| STAuNToN, VA, February 1G.-In view
of the failure OF the Common wealth to get
such evidence as was expected from the
woman Lcwis-the only person who saw
the sbootlng-it is vital to the prosecution
! 10 ret admitted as evidence the statements
made by Burner to four parties Just beiole c
his death. The jury being sent ont OF tne
courtroom. the day has been occupied III
listening to evidence introduced by the
prosecution TO prove that Burner thought
his death was certain. Gregory, his attend
ant. testified that Burner said he dld not
think he would live. He thought his wound
mortal, expressed no amnesty toward
Amiss. and said he did not know why
George had done this thing. lie told
.JoSepby Lickliter, the hotel clerk, he
thought his wound was fatal, and did not
think he had the slightest hope OF recovery
He told Schefier, the bar-keeper, she
would not make his will. He wanted his
property to 20 to his wife and babies"
lie stated to Chief-of-POlce Waters he had
no hope Of recovery, aud thought there was
no chance for him. Replying several times
TO DR.. II. II. IIenkle, his physician, when he
would tell him there was n possibility OF
recovery, he would say, "There Is still a
chance for me, them" or "Oh, we will
hope for the best" He told W. \. Cush-
ing, an old friend, he thought he would
make die of it, and did not fear death,
but the disgrace TO his family. TO DR.. a.
NJ. Henkle, the other physician, following
an encouraging opinion, he said; "There
is some show, then"
The Court will consider tonight the
evidence given to-day, and decide to-mor.
row whether the deceaSeG's statement OF
the shooting shall be taken rs dying de-
claration. If admitted, it will be very
damaging to the prisoner. The legal opln-
ions are very varied, and the decision Is
anXiously awaited.