The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-10-07
Cluveri;,s to Hang.

Last Thursday, the President OF the
Court Of Appeals quietly handed to the
Clerk a paper, without it attracting any
attention. It was full of meaning and
fearful import. 1t WAS nothing less than
the doom of t. J. Cluverius, sentenced to
death for the murder OF Fannie Lillian
Madison, i'll March. 1885, at the old reser-
voir, Richmond, Va, where her body WAS
found floating in the water. 1t simply
stated that the petition for rehearing was
denied. Referring to the determination of
the Court, and the status of the case, the
Richmond State, of the 30th says :
1t will be two years on the 18th of March
since the body Of Fannie Lillian Madison
was found floating in the Old reservoir.
| The trial. as is well known was long one,
eliminating by the finding of verdict of
"Guilty.'
Cluverius was arrested at Little Plym-
mouth on the 18th of March, and waving
| an examination at the Police Court, he
was brought to trial at the May term Of
the Hastings Court. On the 4th of
June, 1885, the jury brought in verdict of
guilty" and he was sentenced to be hung
on the Goth of November following. A
writ of error was awarded by the Supreme
Court, and the rehearing of the case COM
menced in that court March Goth, 1856.
Judge Fauntleroy delivered the opinion
of the Supreme Court and this opinion be-
ing unfavorable to the prisoner, he appeal
ed for rehearing, which appeal was de-
MED to-day.
The opinion of the Supreme Court in
sustaining the judgment of the lower
court was a very elaborate one. An ex-
ceedingly minute RENEWAL of the case was
had and the court Of last resort speaking
through Judge Fauntleroy said in conclud-
ing its opinion:
1--WE have reviewed this most volumi-
nous record of the proceedings of the Hus-
tings Court in this protracted and difficult
trial and we find no error of law,or Of fact
which would Justify this appellate court in
interfering with the verdict of the jury or
the judgment of the court.
The prisoner has had fair and impartial
trial He has been defended both in the
Hastings Court and this court of review
by able, experienced and most faithful
counsel, and the law has been vindicated
in the result.
Justice to the prisoner, and mercy to
all the innocent public, whom the impuni-
after gall alike demand that he shall pay
the penalty of his crime, and answering
with his life for his foul deed, live not to
act another
"The judgment of the Hastings Court
is affirmed"
On the reception of the telegram in
Richmond, announcing the decree Of the
Supreme Court for rehearing, Mr.. S
Brown Evans, of counsel for prisoner, visit
ed Clevurius in his cell and informed him Of
what had taken place. He received the state
ment with composure and maintained thu
same balance that has marked his demean
or during his long contention for hi
life. Shortly after Mr., Evans left. w
W. Crump and Mr.. Beverly Crump. o
his counsel, also visited him, land after the.
left several reporters were admitted, who
wrote out the purport of an interview will
him, but which he denies as to the main
point, which was that he would make {
statement in regard to the matter at thu
proper time, duplicating others. 81
claims that the reporters were mistakel
in what he said. He did not say that HI
would make statement, but give an aft
davit, but in this he will be governed b.
his counsel.
Of course public expectation has agail
been aroused as to this affidavit, and what
will purport. Theories and speculation
are rife as to what it will be, but it is NOR
than probable no one will know until he
called up for resentence, when he will b
asked by the Judge whether he has anything
to say why sentence should not be pro
nounced. Then he will have an opportu-
, nifty to solve the mystery which shroud
the death of Lillian Madison and explain
what connection he had with the sad ter
mination of her life.