Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-23

PROSECUTOR PROSECUTED.

pre.e,sment Asssnst the Csmmsnwealth's
Au.ruey or nssehssseS asd Mr. Bswss,
Hu,iser- some or sbe Facts.
The grand jury of the Hastings Court
of Manchester has brought in the fol-
lowing presentments: J. I. Bowen,
for forgery; c. L. Page, for perjury.
Mr.. Bowen is well-known builder
there. and Mr.. C. L. Page is the Com
monwcalth's attorney. The action Of
the grand jury is the subject Of much
talk. and the cases have excited un-
usual interest, the parties accused be-
jpg 50 well known and having so many
warm personal friends.
II appears that carly in the spring OF
the year 1884 Mr.. Bowen placed in the
hands of Mr.. Page, as his attorney, q
claim against Mrs. Lucy Jane Cersley,
of that city, of $3.50, with instructions
to collect the same by suit II necessary,
and at the same time placed in Mr.. Pages
hands note purportin6 to be signed by
Mrs. Cersley acknowledging the debt
and promising payment.
Mr.. Page being unable to procure a
settlement from Mrs. Cersley. brought
suit, and at the July term, 1884, Of the
Hastings Court obtained a Judgment
against her for the amount Of Mr..
Bowen's claim.
THE NOTE IN QUESTION.
Upon the trial Of the cause the note
mentioned was used in evidence, and
owing TO the unexpected absence from
sickness of Mr.. Bowen, it became ne
cessary to prove Mrs. Cersley's sigma
ture by other means.
Mr.. Page thereupon had himself
sworn, stating at the time that he re-
gretted the necessity of becoming a
witness. being counsel in the cause,
and then testified that he was ac-
ouainted with Mrs. Cersley's sigma
ture; had seen 1t very frequently, and
that to the best Of his knowledge and
belief the signature in question was
hers.
For this Mr.. Page has been presented
for perjury, Mrs. Cersley, it is sup
posed, having testified before the grand
iury that the signature was not in fact
hers. The justice of Mr.. Bowen's claim
is not disputed, and what motive for
forgery could have existed does not APP
pear. Mr.. Page. as soon as the pre-
sentiments were returned, arose and
stated that it would be improper for
him to act as attorney for the Common
wealth while the charge against him
stood undisposed of. and thercupon the
Court appointed Mr.. b. A. Hancock to
represent the Commonwealth in Mr..
Pages stead.
THE PRESENTMENT.
The presentments returned by the
grand jury are as follows:
To the Honorable Judge Of the Hust-
ings Court city Of Manchester {;
We. the grand jury. on our oaths
present Charles J.. Page for perjury, in
that on or about the Goth of July, 1884,
in a certain suit or cause held before
the Hastings Court of the city Of Man
chester. he, the said Charles l.. Page,
| did under oath swear that the sigma
ture Of Mrs. l.. j. Cersley TO a certain
paper hereto attached, used as evidence
in the said suit. was genuine, and the
signature of said Mrs. l.. j. Cersley,
when it was not, but, on the contrary,
a forgery of her name. This against
the peace and dignity Of the Common
wealth of Virginia and the statute pro
yided. BENJAMIN B. WEIsIGER,
Foreman.
The grand jury also returned thu
following:
We, the grand jury, on our oath'
present j. 7. Bowen for forgery, il
that he did write OF cause TO be writer
a certain note or letter, Of which thC
following is copy.
MANCHESTER. Va, Dec. .. 1884.
"Mr. BOWen
My lawyer was here to-day. ant
said he will bring the case up before
the court on the third Monday in the
month, and then | will try to let yor
have the whole amount. ] have no
sent Mr.. Cersley word about the rent
as / prefer to pay you the whole.
Respectfully,
IL. J. CERsLEY."
And that he signed. or caused to b'
signed, the name of l.. j. Cersley to th'
said paper, without her knowledge o
consent, and we find that the said pape
was used for the benefit of the sale
Bowen, and produced as evidence in th'
suit between himself and the said Mrs
l.. J. CerSley, tried in the 1ustlng
Court of the city of Manchester TIN
Goth day of July, 1884. This againS
the peace and dignity of the statut'
provided.
BENJAMIN b. WEIsIGER.
| Foreman.
ACCUSED UP.
Mr.. Bowen'S case is felony and Mr
| Pages is IA misdemeanOr.
Mr.. BOwen's case was brought up II
the Mayors Court yesterday morning
ex-Judge William !. Clopton and Mr.