Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-05-13
TRIAL OF CLUVERIUS.

RICHMOND, Va, May lo II Nc jury III ZIG
Cluverius murder trial this morning we're
photographed on the Capitol grounds, near
the City Hall. The sick juror had recovered
and appeared perfectly we'll. When the
court opened the prisoner was seen sitting
on the left of his counsel, and near the re-
porters' desk, his brother sat next to him.
After the Court had signed the bill OF excep-
tons made Monday to the jury panel, the
taking of testimony was begun.
L. w. Rose, keeper of the reservoir, where
Lillian Msdison's body was found, was the
first witness sworn. He began by defining
his duties and describing the place and sur
roundings. He was in the habit of making
a circuit of the works twice a day around
the walk on the top of the bank of the
reservoir. About o'clock on the morn
ing of March IA, in making his usual
round, he found Oh the walk, a woman's
glove and a broken shoe string. He
looked into the water at that point
aud noticed what appeared to be a
portion of woman's dress and leg
partly exposed. He Immediately called an
employee, and upon examination found that
it was the body of a woman. Looking
further, he discovered on the walk fur
rowed place in the ground made by the
footsteps of woman and behind them
tracks of mans feet, all indicating strug.
gle. Witness went directly to the Office of
the water works and reported to the super
intendent and also informed the coroner
The body was subsequently taken out of
the water and CARED off.
Ia answer to a question of the Common
wealth's Attorney, Mr.. Meredith, witness
said that on the night of March Is the wa
ter in the reservoir was about so inches be.
low the waste water line, having been
drawn off for the purpose of repairs. The
evidence of struggle on the walk was
about thirteen feet from where the body
was found floating.
Upon cross examination by the defense,
witness stated that there seemed to have
been quite struggle at the point named
After the body had been taken out of the
water severe confusion was visible over
the right eye. The inner walls of the re-
servoir were inclined towards the centre at
an angle of about Is degrees, and witness
thought person falling in might strike
against the bricks.
Cross questioning of witness by four of
counsel for the defence was prolonged and
tedious, and developed nothing of special
interest.
In reply to Mr.. Aylett of counsel for the
prosecution, Mr. Rose said the surroundings
outside of the reservoir grounds, particular
ly on the eastern and southern sides, were
dismal and particularly gloomy. especially
at night; on the eastern side being city
small pox hospital buildings mot now in use)
and on the southern side the place where
the small pox victims were buried.
The picket fence Immediately surrounding the
re ervoir on top Of the embankment, was three
feet four inches high.
Col. Aylett asked witness if he thought woman
in delicate condition could have easily gotten
over that fence and if it was likely lady with
out some escort would approach the reservoir at
night, through such dismal surroundings.
The defence objected to such questions and the
Court ruled them not proper ones.
Further questioning brought out no new fscts