Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-18
CALLIGAN In COURT.
HIS ACCUSED AssAILANT KIDD SENT
ON TO THE GRAND JURY.
Hon. George D. Wise Retained as Counsel
For the Defence-statement OF the
Wounded Man. &c.

wounded Man, &C.
In the rear of the Manchester market.
house is q small, low-pitched, warm
loom, in which his Honor Mayor Tay-
lor holds court when there are any
persons reported for violating any law,
either Of the city or State. The con-
tinued case Of Lewis P. Kidd, charged
with unlawfully and maliciously shoot
ing Thomas Calligan, with intent to kill,
was called for preliminary examination
here yesterday morning. Cases OF this
character always excite either interest
or curiosity, and it is surprising to see
the large number Of people who will
pack themselves into small area OF
space 70 witness the preliminary ex-
aminations. The crowd here yesterday
was no exception'to the rule. Every
available inch Of space was taken up
with eager spectators, and the audience
around the outside Of the windows was
sufficient at times to almost keep out
the little but much-desired air which
was circulating.
TIE PARTIES ARRIVE.
This court is usually opened at .
O'Clock in due and solemn form. A
few minutes before the appointed time
the accused, in company with his father
and younger brother, came into the
room, ard the three took seats to the
left Of the Mayors seat. His counsel
Judge Clopton and Samuel NJ. Page,
Eso.-csne in later. About five min
utes after DR.. Archer, who has been
attending Calligan since be was shot,
June 26,h, walked into court followed
by bis patient, who leaned heavily ona
walking-stick. Calligan looked wan,
pale, and feeble, but much better than
any one expected to see him. lie was
neatly attired in suit of brown 1.-THE
same one which he had on when shot,
wore q turned-down collar, black tie,
and white straw hat. The place under
the right corner of his lower lip, whore
the ball entered, was hardly percepti-
bic. lie had handkerchief around the
back Of his neck to protect it from either
cold or heat.
THE WITNESSES.
The case was called about 9:30
o'clock, and the following witnesses for
the Commonwealth answered to their
names William Holt, Chief Police
James A. Lipscomb, Thomas Dunn,
Oswald Merritt, Ed. Ovens, Henry
Harris (colored), DR.. Edgar Archer, A.
c. Harding, and A. KnOrr. The de-
fence had not had any witnesses sum
moned.
WANTED THE CASE CONTINUED.
Before the witnesses were sworn Mr..
Samuel NJ. Page, Of counsel for the de-
fence. asked for a continuance OF the
case for ten days, or shorter period,
if that was too long. he said that the
defence, not expecting the Common
wealth TO be ready on account of the
disability of Mr.. Calligan, had not
made the desired preparation for the
preliminary examination. lie urged as
another ground for continuance that
| Hon. George d. Wise had been engaged
as one of the counsel for the defence,
| and desired to be present at the pre-
liminary examination. Mr.. Page, pro-
ceeding, said that he could not see
what injury could come to the Com
monwealth by continuance. In con-
clusion, be reiterated that Mr.. Wise
was anxious to be present at the pre-
liminary examination, and this reason,
together with others, he hoped would
induce the Court to grant a continu-
ance.
THE COMMONWEALTH OBJECTS.
Commonwealth's-Att Charles
l.. Page said he was unalterably opposed
to any further delay in the case, and in
reply to the allegation that delay Of
ten DAYS would work no injury to the
| Commonwealth, said: " 1t is well.
recognized fact that Monday the grand
jury of the Hastings Court, to which
this case will go, will meet. 1t IS a
well-recognized fact also that Judge
French mas grand juries summoned only
at quarterly terms; so if this case es-
capes the grand jury at this term de-
Law Of three months will occur. Now
that is the injury and harm which may
accrue to the Commonwealth by a con-
tinuance.
| THE NOTION OVERRULED.
Judge Clopton insisted on continu-
ance, and said he did not think Judge
French, OF the Hastings Court, had laid
down any arbitrary rule to the effect
that he would not have grand jury at
any other than a quarterly term if the
exigencies Of the public service de-
handed it. lie said further that Judge
French, under the law, as he under
stood it, applying to corporation courts,
could have a grand jury at every term
and every day of the term. The Judge
said that they were in favor of speedy
trial, but not without being prepared
for it.
| The Court decided that sufficient
grounds for continuance had not been
shown, and, in referring to the absence
Of Mr.. Wise, who is kept at Washing
ton by bis duties in Congress, which,
it is supposed, will soon close, said that
the movements of politicians and the
United States Congress are too uncer-
tain for criminal trials.
MIR. CALLIGAN's STATEMENT.
The motion for continuance being
overruled, the witnesses were sworn
and separated, and the examination pro-
ceeded with. The first two witnesses
examined we're Captain Lipscomb and
DR.. Archer, whose evidence, in SUBJ
stance, has been published in the Dis
patch in former reports Of the case.
The next witness called was Mr.. CALI
gan, the wounded man. lie was sit
ting to right of the Court. and was
allowed to give his evidence from where
be was. After some preliminary ques-
lions the witness was told to tell what