Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-03
THE Defence OF CLUVERIUS.
Speech Of Hon. A. Brown Evans,
of MiddleSex.
Mr.. POLLARDFOLLOWS
The Argument to be Closed To
Night, II Possible.

In the CIuverius case yesterday
morning Mr.. A. Brown Evans. of Mid
6esex. Of counsel for the prisoner, con-
tinued his argument begun on the eve
ming before, and said In my closing
remarks yesterday evening | was en-
deavoring TO present to you the charac-
ter Of Thomas j. Cluverius as far as
the evidence adduced before this court
throws any light upon his char
acter, and ] propose, in immedi-
ate connection with that task, to in
tToduce TO your consideration the char
acter and life Of the deceased Fannie
Lillian Madison, as far as the evidence
throws light upon her character. | had
traced Thomas j. Cluverius through his
introduction into the family Of his uncle
during the last hours Of that good
raan's life; had exhibited him before
you in the character Of an afiectionate
nurse, ministering 10 the wants and
sufferings Of that loved and loving con-
nection. had followed him through
his early school-boy life into the
country school at DR.. BANDS, into the
Academy at Aberdeen, and into the
halls of Richmond College, from which
he graduated for work in the noble pro-
fession with which he connected him
self, and Of which | feel that | am au-
thorized to say, although young, he
was an honorable member. You have
heard the evidence that relates to
his reputation and to his character
in all the relations Of life-pro-
fessional, social, moral, religious
and ! undertake to say, gentle
men Of the jury, that no young man
could have been introduced before you
more highly endorsed than has been
this young man, Thomas j. Cluyerius.
| do repeat that he is panOplied in the
amor which protects him against sus-
picion. and that a character like his for
integrity and purity Of conduct in life
can only be aSsailed by ndisputable
proof. 1t is useless for me to follow
him in the details Of his life. Of his
business. Of his church work. Suffice it
TO say that there is nothing that exists
in the nature Of the charge, or of evi-
dence, to convict him, until after his ar
rest, of any improper intimacy or asso-
citation with his cousin. Lillian Madison.
And never was there one single word
uttered detrimental TO his character, as
far as the relations between himself and
his cousin existed, until after the COM
mission Of this tragedy at the reservoir
on the night of the 18th Of March. You
have heard evidence regarding two
visits Of his made to the city Of Rich
mond, and before | turn and ask your
attention to the life and character Of
Lillian Madison ! will briefly review
the circumstances and facts connected
with these two visits.
THE JANUARY VISIT.
Mr.. Evans, having briefly reviewed
the character Of the prisoner and de-
clared him panoplied in an armor that
protects him = unless the same is strip
ped from him by indisPutable proof,
went on TO show that in the January
visit Of prisoner to Richmond the
motive was to attend the Moody meet
ings, to collect from the city interest
due his aunt, TO see the Auditor, &c.
You may say that it is a strange
coincidence that Fannie Lillian Madison
left Bath the same day, if indeed F.
l.. Merton" is the same as Lillian
Madison. But admit that she was here.
Upon her arrival he was at the
Moody meetings. The next night
he was taking tea at Mr.. Bagby's.
What proof is there Of the meeting and
association Of the two? There are but
two witnesses that the Commonwealth
have on this point-Mr. A. W. Archer
and Henrietta Wimbush," Never until
she got upon the stand here-never in all
her previous interviews--had she said
anything of the alleged meeting of the
two in the evening on the steps in the
Exchange, when il is now given out that
he said to her, "I'll wait for you in
the parlor." That was an after
thought; that was probably made up
to suit the necessities of the case.
But suppose she did hear such con-
ycrSation. You are not TO suppose that
the purpose was criminal. Take it for
what it is worth, but not necessarily in
the light Of a eliminating act, but rath-
or as what any gentleman might have
said to any lady.
Who is the other witness-Mr.
Archer--a gentleman who stands well
here, | have no doubt-a gentleman OF
commanding presence, and who an-
swered the questions asked him can
didly but Mr.. Archer only claims to
have seen the prisoner for a mo-
ment, when he was impressed with his
indifference.
Mr.. Evans then recounted the visit OF
Mr.. Archer with the two newspaper
men to the Jail - to see this poor young
man." They would take 10 denial ;
they must see the prisoner. The turn-
key brings him up to the dispensary,
and here now comes the damaging
testimony" upon which the Common
wealth relies. Mr.. Archer, instead OF
finding a young man with moustsche,
found one with no moustache instead
Of young man with long hair, found
one with short hair. And yet he was
certain that the prisoner was the man
that he saw at the Exchange in Janu-
airy. He said he would eat every bar
in that jail window " if it wasn't SO.
Mr.. Evans would cast no imputation
upon Mr.. Archer, but - say that he is
mistaken; he had the impression, but
il was a mistaken Impression. 1t is
impossible that he could have carried
that mans face in his mind, consider
ing his limited opportunity Of looking
at him and the vast number Of faces he
meets in the course Of month"
THE MARCH VISIT.
Mr.. Evans then proceeded to claim
that prisoner had business that com
msnded his presence here on the 18th
Of March. lie came openly and in-
yited friend after friend 10 accompany