Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-28
JETER PHILLIpS's CASE.
THEDRINKER-PARMTRAGEDK.

THEDRINhEf-FAHM1 1hAIbDi.
A Brtef ssiaerv OF q Famous Csse-Arres''
Two Trials. septenee, Confession, and
Execution Of the Prisoner.
Constant inquiries made Of the Dis
match as TO facts connected with the
Jeter Phillips case give assurance not
only that brief history Of 1t will be
read with interest, but that it Is de-
manded by the public.
The dead body Of the woman, who
was afterwards found to be Phillips's
wife. was found on Drinkers farm, in
Henrico county, four and a half miles
southeast ofthis city, February %, 1867.
Phillips lived on an adjoining farm and
PASSED for an unmarried man.
The woman was unknown in the
neiehborhood, and only on June 18th,
when Phillips was arrested, was his
name publicly connected with hers.
Constable Cole and Detective Knox
made the arrest. Mr.. Knox approached
Phillips as the latter was passing
through q corn-feld, and said, 81 ar
rest you for the murder Of your wife,"
Phillips changed color, but replied
with tolerable firmness," You shock
me I've got no wife," Mr.. Cole then
spoke: "Tell us where your wife is.
and that will end the matter" But he
still persisted in his first assertion, and
the detective responded, You say you
have no wife, but before We get through
with you, you will wish you had one."
Phillips had the usual examination
before the magistrates, and was twice
tried before the Circuit Court Of Henrico
Judge Joseph Christian), and, having
been convicted, was, on Friday, July
10, 1863, called up to say why sentence
should not be pronounced. He an
swered Nothing, sir; no more than
that | am innocent, before Almighty
God and man."
Then Judge Christian, whose court
had sat during this trial in the hall Of
the House Of Delegates, pronounced
sentence Of death, and November 9th
was fixed as the day Of execution.
Phillips assumed an air Of jaunty
gayety on his way back to prison.
Throughout both trials his conduct had
been distinguished by the utmost un-
concern and levity.
He appealed to the Supreme Court,
which gave an adverse decision. Next
his counsel sought the intervention Of
United States Judge Underwood on a
technicality. That cxpedient also
failed. Governor Gilbert @. Walk
er having now come into office,
he was besought to commute the SEN
tence of the prisoner, but refused, and
July %, 1870, in Henrico county jail
yard, Phillips was put upon the scaf-
fold, fully confessed, and was executed.
In the prosecution Of Phillips the
Commonwealth was represented with
extraordinary ability by Colonel John b.
Young. In the early stage of his case
Phillips had as counsel johnson d Gui-
gon, and Colonel Spalding and Mr.. G.
W. Thomas. When the trial came on
Judge Crump was also secured by the
prisoner. Finally. Johnson & Guigon
and Judge Crump had sole charge of
the case.
When the Legislature met Judge
Christian, who had tried this case. and
exhibited conspicuous judicial capacity,
was elected member OF the Supreme
Court of Appeals. Mr.. Guigon, who
had been of counsel for defence, was
chosen Judge Of the Hastings Court Of
and made great name and
fame in that position, and was judge Of
the court until his death. Colonel Spald-
ing is long since dead. Mr.. G. W.
I homas has term after term been elected
Commonweallh's Attorney Of Henrico.
Colonel Marmaduke johnson, who was
one Of the best beloved and one of the
most eloquent members of the city bar,
has been dead several years. Judge
Crump remains at the head Of the Rich
mond bar.
The Details.
On the 2sth Of February, 1867, Mr..
George +. Drinker, Of Henrico county,
through the woods on his
farm, found the dead body of woman
lying almost Immediately in his path.
There was bullet-wound in the right |
side OF her head, the impress Of fingers
was upon her throat, one of her shoul-
ders was dislocated, and on her neck,
face, and other parts of her body were
other marks of violence. She lay face
and under one of her breasts
there was seen what appeared to be
pool of blood and water. She appeared
to have been not more than twenty
years of age; was blue-eyed, of fair
and was clad in garments
Of domestic manufacture. There was
the print Of mans foot near the head |
Of the corpse.
Mr.. Drinker failed to recognize the |
corpse, and had heard Of no one miss
ing in the neighborhood. Under the |
he did what was best.
He at once notified the nearest overseer
Of the poor, and preparations were
made to give the poor woman burial.
A PAUPER S BURIAL.
The corpse was therefore placed in a
cart and carried to the residence Of Mr..
George Turner, where it was viewed on
The second day after its discovery by
Jury Of inquest summoned by order of |
Justice George ID. Peasants. In the |
mean time inquiries had been made |
the county and in the city |
Of Richmond. but without eliciting any
OF the decomposing re-
mains. The jury therefore contented |
with the simple verdict of |
- Death by violence at the hands of |
some person or persons unknown"
But the excitement caused by Mr..
Drinkers discovery did not so quickly |
subside. The newspapers spread the
intelligence far and wide, detectives
were active everywhere, the affair was
talked about, and probable and i'm
probable surmises ss-e made as to |
who the victim was Snt. how she met |
her bloody death.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
The result was seen in several cases |