Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-29
PErEaSBuRG AND VICINITY.
ON TRIAL FOR HIS LIFE.

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PETERSBURG, VA, Jan. %, 'S6.
TIE trial Of George Clarke lcolored),
Indicted for the murder Of Anne
Clarke. his vie, at their home, on Mar
kst street. 10 this city. ia November
lass, was begun IN the Hostings Court
tAis morning. Clarke Is strong, pow
erfully built negro, about forty years
~ sge, Of dark color, aud unprepos-
seesipg seetuses. He looks like man
81 strong passion. He occupied seat
On The floor Of the courtroom, but
not beside his counsel. The axe,
still bearing the stains OF blood
with which 1t is alleged the
murder Was committed, vas placed
beside the attorney for che Common.
wealth and shown to the jury. was
found beside the murdered woman after
Clarke had fed from the house. Ply
sicisns testified that the womsn's death
resulted fropa the blows infiicted with
heavy blant instrument like the back
Fart OF an ara struck with great force.
The skull eboye the right eye was
crushed, and the bones driven into the
brain. Another blew crushed the
upper jaw-bone. Still a third wound
vas cut in the arm with the blade. The
woman, though she fingered two or
three days, never spoke. A struggle
between the parties was witnessed
through the thin window curtains by
persons in en- adjoining house; cries
were heard, and then fall. Soon after
Clarke came out, and being askei what
the matter was, replied that his wife had
one of her bad spells; that he had left
two women with her and that he was
going for some medicine. He went
off, and was not seen again until ar
rested in Norfolk. Officers we're sum-
moned to the house, and found the wO-
men weltering in her blood and the
brains oozing from the skull and the
bloody axe on the floor. The deed
caused great indignation and excitement
among the negroes, and when Clarke was
brought back from Norfolk they crowded
about and followed him to jail, uttering
threats against him, which probably only |
failed Of being carried into execution by |
the presence Of a strong force Of police.
From information received the sergeant
deemed it necessary to guard the Jail
for some nights with armed men.
During the progress Of the trial the jury
visited the scene Of the alleged murder
and made close examination of the room.
The prisoner was marched with them in
the custody Of officers. The trial lasted
all day.
The grand jury will meet again to-
morrow to continue its investigations
after parties suspected Of gambling and
selling liquor to minors.
Mr.. Samuel Stevens, Jr., one Of our
popular young citizens, and Miss Lizzie
Prince, niece of Mr.. r. L. Watson, an
accomplished and attractive young lady,
were married this morning at I O'Clock.
The ceremony took place at the Tabb-
street Presby terian church, in the pre-
sence Of q large and brilliant assem-
blage. The bride was attired in travel
ling dress. The noon train bore the
happy couple away on bridal tour to
the South.
Mr.. Robert II. Boykin and bride,
nee Miss Venable, have returned from
me-. trip to the North.
Strong opposition is manifested aG:ang
our citizens to any and all propositions
looking to the purchase by any private
capital Of the city's water-works. The
people would prefer this valuable prop.
srty to remain in the keeping Of the
city.
The wet weather and bad roads have
reduced the receipts Of ceun-
Try produce of all kinds in this market
since the first of the year. Very little
is coming by wagon.
What Petersburg greatly needs, and
what it is hoped we will have at no very
distant day, is well-improved or macada-
mixed roads leading from the corporate
limits through the adjacent counties.
We have really not one road, running
IN any direction, that may be called
good for a distance of two miles from
lewn. ROBIN ADAIR.