Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-19
BESSIE MORRISON.
TRIAL IN wAsHTNarOs OF TIE oIRL
CHARGED WITH STEALING MONEY
IN slCHg0sD.
Singular Scenes In Court, Where Much
chivslry is Shown Maynard
Womsn.

HfpNOftcNH OF yesterday
Bessie Morrison. very handsome,
pc'ifc. eighteen year old brunette, with
clear cut features and neat Y dressed, oc-
copied the attention >, jnry all day
yesterday in the Criminal Court. She
was charged with the larceny Of SG97
from GEORGE ". Blanchard alias d. W.
Donaldson at Richmond, Va, on De-
cembcr 18th last Assistant District
Attorney Shepherd prosecuted for the
Government, and Messrs. Campbell Car
rngton and 4. c. Taylor appeared Tor
the defendant.
While Blanchards show, consisting Of
a few monkeys, freaks. siackrope
walker, caunon-ball tosscr, and snake
chaTmer, was exhibiting at Ishpemng.
Michigan, last summer. Bessie, in com
pany with a girl companion, attended
tho show, and attracted the atten-
ton Of blanchard. who sought an
interview and induced her 10y
promise of an enormous salary 20 join
his "grest moral exhibition " Dazzled
by the tinscl and the wonderful promises
of success held out 10y Blanchard that
she would soon be receiving the piaudits
Of admirug thousands Miss Bessie
abandoned the quiet of her happy home,
leaving word that She had secured a
place, renowned her companions and
society, and Joined the show.
The prosecuting witness, George W.
Blanchard. testified that be missed SG97
IN Richmond, and had Bessie arrested in
Baltimore for the theft
Blanchard, who is a tall, dark man,
about thirty five years old, while giving
his testimony leaned carcles,ly against
thu witness.stsnd. twirling his silk hat
and smiling at the audience and ut the
crying girl in front of him.
ACQUITTED.
From the girls story it appeared that
she and Blanchard passed as man and
wife. Blanchard knew that she had this
money; bee as good as gave 1t to her
and never demanded it until he found
that she was under necessity about to
leave him to 60 bnch 10 her mother
The case was submitted to the jury
without argument at 2:45. and after be-
ing out five minutes they returned,
having agreed on verdict.
Justice Montgomery SAID it was evil
dent great interest was manifested in
the ease, and hc hoped those present
wonli preserve order IN the courtroom.
We then directed the clerk to take the
verdict, which was "Not guilty.
y he audience endcayored to preserve
order, hut the bMlils efforts failed to
drown the applause.
TIE MONEY.
NJ Taylor asked that the Court or
der the S597 Toe returned to Miss Bessie
OF once, $50 as to put 1T out Of tine
power of this man Blanchard, who is
mean enough to do anything, 10 replevin
il.
Blanchard Immediately started for the
door to institute rcplcvn proceedings,
but WIS stayed until decision was
reached byJustice montgomery, saying
Ell ho dii thai, ne would not get 1t, as
this Court would simply take manual
possession Of the money" which
brought another burst of enthusiasm
and was renewed when the foreman Of
the jury stated land it Is the request of
tins jury that the money be returned TO
Miss Bessie as her property.
Mr. Coyle assistant prosecuting at
toruey, was sent for 10 Inform the Court
whether it was the general custom TO re-
urn money to prisoners acquitted. and
said 1T had always been the custom,
Your Honor. whom the jury has acquitted
D defendant 70 return the property, and
the money can only be held from her by
force.
TIE CROWD CHEERED.
This announcement was the signal for
another outbur,t, and Immediately the
crowd arose aud cheerod. On silence
being restored Justice Montgomery or
dcred the return OF the money. the court
was adjourned. and the Judge hastily It.
bred.
Miss Bessie was Immediately surround
FL by crowd of sympathiztrs. and
warmly congratulated 10y each member
1i the Jury. while Mrs. Russell, the ma
ron of the jall, took her IA her arms and |
ave her motheIly hug and kiss. The |
.u.i1,, and IN fact all VINO could reach |
i,r crowded around and shook her |
bands and complmonted heron escaping /
um "that wretch. -
Blanchard had been hanging around, !
.4j finally succeeded 10 getting close
auch To phil her sleeve, saying: II |
, .,t Co talk TO YOU" Miss Bessie pulled |
sa is and sought protection behind Nh |
,uacton, who said "Do You want /
o. a TO him. Bes,ic?' "No. never
va.' ID see him again. w Nov, You
a,e his court room, ~ said Mr. Caring
r. cor We will string Won up. The
,urag crowd took mp the words, and
'Haug him, 90" Lynch him, String him
.n. ra-ouudcd through tine ROOM and
crowd made 70 rush for Blanchard,
uuruing chairs and spittoons, the
41, being utterly poweriess to pre-
f the demonstration.
BLANCHARD.
ln tine confusion Blanchard managed
90 reach tine street and hurried away.
u-ued by the Infatuated people, but
lost sight Of on Pennsylvania ave
% order that Miss Bessie might not be
H'f ft bN MY uAtNth lt' ~ I'M 49,
.u,y bv force She was escorted 10 the
"ceof Mr. Darlington 10y a body guard .
abo1, fifty people, the jury heading
b., procession, which attracted great at
la0n On arriving at the Office three
beers were given her.
a number of spectators lounged .
round the office in the hopes that
blanchard might appear, as the opinion I
has freely expressed " Ee deserved a
oat of tar mj feathers" and they
ecmcd ready AMI willing to lend hand
"a the application.
owner for "a Bible Wanted.
Postmaster Cullingworth has received
be- following
ORANGE. IND., January 9, 1888.
Dear Sir, have in my possession
,ible picked up in the camp after the
yacuatlon 10y the southerners at the
attic of Cheat Mountain. la it is writ
IN &C. Ii. Frith's book, bought June
1 1861 Richmond. Va. also. the