Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-01
cIRcrNsrANrIAL ErIpKNcE.
A HIT sf srIasss-rhe RemarAsbie ca~ ss
wfnisn esay.su.
For the Dixrnfch.i


The appalling circumstances under
which Miss Fannie Lillian Madison died
has aroused the sympathy Of this COM
niuniiy to the highest degree. In every
household in the city the newspapers
are eagerly read by everybody TO find
out If some new light is not thrown
upon the question as to how she came
TO Der death. Whether she was mur-
dered, and by whom, or whether she
committed suicide, are questions that
are discussed by everybody. In
this state Of the public mind !
have thought that a few remarks
upon the subject OF circumstantial evil
dence. with remarkable illustration Of
il, which I shall give, and which at one
time created great excitement in yir-
| ginia, but which now has been forgotten
by most Of the present generation,
would be appropriate and interesting.
II seems to me that it is wise to form
no fixed opinion about this sad event,
but to wait until the jury shall decide
upon the guilt or innocence Of the un-
fortunate man who is charged with the
murder Of Miss Madison. Until then
he certainly is entitledin contemplation
Of law TO the prssumptioa Of inno-
cence. however strongly circumstances
may point to him as the guilty party.
In the county of Culpeper. about ten
miles from the Courthouse. there nov
stands an old brick church. surround
ed by beautiful oak grove. 1t is one
Of the few remaining relics of colonial
times in Virginia, and it was built in
the last century OF brick imported from
England, and its walls are very massive
and thick. Near this church there was
in the year lS49 n solitary country
store, which was then kept by John j.
Settle and David W. Miller as partners.
Settle was married to Miller's sister.
and lived on farm near by. Miller
was unmarried, and slept in the store.
On the 5th of April, lS49. Settle, in
coming from his farm to the store, found
the latter open, and on looking for Miller
found him lying dead, partly under the
platform in front of the storehouse. his
body being partially covered with old
planks. Circumstances herein to be
narrated tended to crimiuate free ne
gro named William Grayson. and he
was indicted by the Circuit Court Of
Culpepcr for the murder Of Miller.
Upon the trial the jury found him
guilty of murder in the first degree,
and the Court sentenced him to be
hung. The prisoners counsel moved
for a new trial, which motion the Court
oyerruled, TO which exception was
taken. and the case was brought up
to the General Court. will he
pardoned for depressing little to speak
of the counsel in this case, and to say
that. after long experience in attend
ance upon the courts of this State, |
have never heard more able, eloquent,
and interesting forensic discussion than
that afforded by the speeches upon that
trial. John Cooke Green, Esq, the
Commonwealth's attorney. and the
Hon. shelton +. Lcake were the coun-
sci for the prosecution, and i. NJ. Spill
man, Howard Shackelford. and Hon.
Samuel Chiffon represented the pris-
oner. All of the counsel were men of
ability and good lawyers. All of them
have passed from earth except
Slr. SpilmaR, who is now Judge
of fauquier county. Leake and
Chiffon especially were men OF
great power and eloquence before
jury and had widespread reputationc,
and the latter was afterwards employed
to defend John Brown. Mr.. Leake'S
speech, which gave eloquent voice to
the sympathics and opinions OF the vast
crowd which packed the courthouse,
was received by it with shouts Of ap-
probation and favor, which Judge Field,
the presiding Judge. could scarcely re-
press. Sam. Chiffon replied to him in
clear. able. eloquent argument. An
incident occurred during his argument
which ! will relate. Ii was amusing to
us at the time. who saw it. and |
know it will cause smile upon the
countenapccs of all Of your old readers
who knew the parties. Mr.. Chiffon.
like many other lawyers and public
speakers whom have known, could
speak better when he was stimulated
by the presence of John BarleycOrn.
His old friend. Mr.. Frank Thompson.
knowing this, when he commenced his
argument sent him a pitcher Of white
toddy, which was placed on the bar be-
fore him. The Rev. Walker Woodyille,
an Episcopal minister sedate, Sc
riouS. good man. whose head was en-
tirely bald--sat just beyond the bar,
before Mr.. Chiffon, upon seat so low
that his head reached nearly up to a
level with the bar. When Mr.. Chiffon
got warmed up in his argument,
in the vehemeDce of his action he
struck this pitcher of toddy. and its
contents deluged Parson Woodville's
naked head. Sam. apologized in suita-
ble terms. and regretted the loss of the
toddy. Glorious old Sam. Nobody
ever lived in Fauquier county who was
more popular or better beloved, or who
had more humor, wit, and genlality.
The facts of the case certified to the
General Court were briefly as follows
Grayson, who was free negro, owed
the firm of Settle 4 Miller small bill.
and some time before the death Of Mil
Ter he came to the store, with his spade
and shovel. and then John j. Miller
took them. and said to GraysoD
he should not have them until
he paid his bill. The spade and shovel
were placed in the cOunting-room near
the foot of the bed. The prisoner. on
the evening Of the 4th Of April, perhaps
an hour before sundown, came to the
store and applied for his spade and
shovel. but was again refused by Settle.
That same evening Miller and party
Of young men played marbles until it
was dark, when they all quit. and the
deceased was left alone. Settle told
him not to LET Grayson have the spade
unless he paid his own debt and the
price of the spade; bu, he could have
the shovel upon payment OF his own
.ccouut II tho gnadaS far safa ware