Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-26
READY FOR THE DEFENSE
THE PROSECUTION CLOSES ITS
CASE FOR THE PRESENT.

-
Witnesses In Behalf of CIuverius to he
gin Their Say This Morning-The oc-
casiOnaI Escapadss of the Prisoner by
Gas Light Brought Out-Thc Identity
of the Torn Note Established.
RICHMOND, May 25.-Over an hour was
spent this morning in the Cluverius muir
der trial in arguing the question as to the
admissibility of the torn note found at
the American Hotel addressed to T. j..
Cmyerius and alleged to have been writ
ten by Lillian Madison. The prosecution
argued in favor of admitting the note as
ciroumstantial evidence IN the chain
along with the testimony OF their wit
nesses.
The defense held that there was no oc-
casion for rearguing the question, as no
new authorities had been cited. There
had not been line Of evidence to show
that the prisoner ever wrote Il note to and
sent it to the hotel, nor that he had re-
ceived one from there.
judge Atkins reserved his decision, and
the jury was brought into court and the
trial proceeded.
CLUvERIUs' CONFIDENCE.
p. p. billiard, commercial traveller,
was sworn. He knew the prisoner. and
went to the Jail March 20 with Capt. Bag
ley to see him out of sympathy. The
prisoner told the witness that he could
account for every moment of the time he
had spent in Richmond on March 10, and
could clear himself of the charges. Capt.
Bagley had asked him where he got the
scratches on his hand, and he said that he
had struck it against railing at Centre
vile.
L. S. Robbins, the police officer who ac-
companied Capt. Epps to King and Queen
county, was sworn. He explained what
occurred at the time of the arrest, and his
testimony was in almost every detail cor
roborative of the evidence given by Capt.
Epps, and telegraphed in these dispatches
Saturday.
LOVED LILLIAN TOO WE'LL TO KILL HER.
In conversation with the prisoner soon
after his arrest the witness told the pris-
Oner that this was very serious charge,
and the witness said that he thought too
much Of Lillian to have done her any
harm and that he thought somebody had
been persOnating him in Richmond. He
further said that on Friday, the night of
the alleged murder, he had been to the
Dime Museum and had retired at II
O'Clock. The witness stated that he made
an affidavit to the warrant of arrest upon
satisfactory evidence TO his mind, as ad-
duced before the COroner's jury, that the
body was that of Lillian Madison, and
that the prisoner was directly or indirectly
the cause of her death. The witness was
subjected TO very severe cross question
ing, but without eliciting any new fact.
THE DANGLING CHARM CHAIN.
John l.. Oliver, the jailer in King and
Queen county, was with the Richmond
officers when the arrest was made. and
testified to the part he had taken in the
affair. There was nothing of special i'm
terest in his testimony outside that Of the
other officers. At the suggestion OF Capt.
Epps be had looked and believed be saw
piece Of chain about an inch long hang
ing from the prisoners watch chain. This
was at the hotel at King aud Queen Court
House after the party had arrived there
from Mrs. TunstalPs after the arrest.
CLUVERIUs AT CENTERvILLE.
J. Re Vaughn, of King and Queen
county, was sworn. He was at Gem
terville on March Il. He saw the prisoner
on the porch at the post office. The
prisoner was sticking UP q notice, and
Mr.. Bland, who was present, said To him
that he was looking badly. The witness
said to the prisoner that be must he in
love. The prisoner said no, and that he
had missed train the evening before aud
had not slept the night previous. The
prisoner subsequently left. saying that he
WIS not feeling well and would 90 home.
j. S. Bland, Of King and Queen county,
was at Centerville March a., and testified
to the same effect as Mr.. Vaughn.
FRESH POLICEMAN.
Charles Sweeney. OF the Richmond
police, saw the prisoner at the STATEN
house on the evening OF his arrival under
arrest. He asked him IL be saw Miss
Madison on March 13, and he ansWe cred
mo" lie asked him if he had ever
frolicked or had he ever gone around "to
see the girls" The prisoner answered,
eyes, he had been around some" BE
asked the prisoner 10 tell hun whore he was
on Marcs " between s and y O'Clock at
night, and he declined 10 do 80. He said
something 20 the prisoner about the scars
on his hand.
Lulu v Woodward was sworn. She
was told TO look at the prisoner, and said
thAt she had seen him before. She first
knew him by the name Of Merton. That
was in 1882. She did not remember who
introduced him to her.
HIS IDENTITY BETRAYED.
She first found out that that was not his
name while out riding with him ana an
other couple the gentleman calling him
by his right name. She had known the
prisoner a very short time; she bad not
seen him since 1857. He WAS thon col
lege boy. At the conclusion ot the evil
deuce Of this witness Dir. Meredith, ~ the
prosecution, said that this was the last
witness tney had 10 put ON The stand at
present, ana that they probably would
not have any more, and SUGGESTED that
after the recess the defense begin the in
PRODUCTION OF lbs witnesses.
Judge Crlmp. of the defense, opposed
forcing their side 30 such action. They
desired some hours no least 90 prepare
their line OF defense, and be- hoped that
the court would not iudorse the prosecu-
zion IN making them begin this evening
with their testimony.
Judge Atkins said that he would wait
until after the recess 20 decide.
WANTED THE KEY TAKEN APART.
At the afternoon session Mr. Meredith,
OF the prosecution, made n motion that
Herman joel, who bad previously testified
regarding the watch key, be allowed 10
take the key apart and give Buch testi-
mOny as he might, either for tde benefit Of
one side or the other. The dQfenfo opposed
this, 90 they thought there might be a
time during their testimony that they
may desire 10 have the key examined by
experts. The prosecution thereupon
waved the motion for the time. reserying
the right tO aaatu make 10 at another
stage Of the proceedings.
Judge Atkins EXPRESSED a desire 10 have
Mr.. Dodson and Hunter Hunt (c0l0rcd),
a.