Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-05-26
TRIAL OF CLUYERIUS.

In the Cluverius murder trial yesterday
J. r. Vaughn, of King and Queen county,
was sworn-Was at Centreville on March
14th: saw the prisoner on the porch at the
postofice sticking up notice, and Mr..
Bland, who was present, said to nlm that
he was looking badly; witness said to the
prisoner that be must be IN love- the prs
oner said no, he had missed the train the
evening before, and had not slept the night
preyious: the prisoner subsequently lett,
saving he was not feeling well, and would
60 home. H..
knew the prisoner by the name OF Merton;
that was in 1882. Found out that was not
his name while out riding with him and
another couple, the gentleman calling him
bv his right name. Had not seen him since
1882: he was then college boy.
At the conclusion of the evidence OF this
witness Mr.. Meredith said this was the last
witness they had to put on the stand, ana
suggested that after recess the defence begin
the introduction of its witnesses.
Judge Crump desired some hours to pre-,
pare the line Of defence. Judge Atkins SAID
he would wait until after recess TO decide.
At the afternoon session MT. Mereolth,
of the prosecution, made motion that der
man Joel, who had testified regarding the
watch key, be allowed to take the Key apart
and give such testimony as he might:
The defence opposed this, as they thought
there might be a time during their testl-
mony that they may desire to nave the Key
examined by experts.
Judge Atkins expressed desire to have
Mr., Dodson and Hunter Hunt (colored), OF
the American Hotel, testify further in rela'
ton 70 the torn note. Hunt was first put
on the stand, and said they were the same
Dieces that were gathered from the SCRAP
basket. and that the envelope was the same
kind as that given him by the lady it was
sealed when he gave it to the messenger.
Juseph Dodson was recalled. He said the
note was handed to him by the coloreo
messenger boy, when he brought it back tc
the hotel. 1t remained in the office unit
Saturday evening, when he opened it, reac
it. and then tore it to pieces and threw 1t II
the waste basket. On putting it together
The following Monday, he made out the gu
perscription az T. j. Clemens did not make
it out Cluverius.
Judge Atkins then stated that the note
had been sufficiently identified, and that ht
would therefore admit it as evidence. The
note was then read, as follows II will b'
there as soon as possible, so do wait to
me-" 1t was not signed, but the envelope
was addressed to "1. ]. Cluverius." Coun
sci for the defence took exception to the
ruling, both as to the envelope and the not'
} in it.
The prosecution next introduced lette
received by Mrs Fannie Walker, grand
mother of the deceased, from Lillian, datee
March If, in which she informed her tina
she was going to Old Point Comfort with
lady friend TO remain some time, and TIA
all her expenses would be paid.
Robert Carruthers, assistant postmaste
at Richmond, said the letter had been drop
ped in street letter box knew it by thu
stamp on the envelope it must have beer
dropped in the box the night OF evening o
the 18th.
The prosecution here rested their case.