Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-07
AN INTERESTING CASE.
The Trial of Morgan for Killing Coles
Correspondence Ot'hc Richmond Dispatch.l

| lCOrres pOndence of tho Richmond Dlspatch.l
CUARIoTTEsvIIF, December 3, 1899.
In the County Court on yesterday the
case of Mr.. Francis G.. Morgan Us. the
| Commonwealth was taken up.
Mr. Morgan is on ,Iial for the killing of
| Mr. John s. Coles, wealthy farmer this
! county, on Saturday, August II, 1889.
/ The tragedy occurred on the Coles e5-
/ tate. i'll the southeastern part OF the
/ county near the village of Warren. The
/ ease has postponed for several months
/ and has excited some interest, especially
/ among the English residents of the county.
/ The whole Of the morning session of the
/ court Yesterday was taken up IN the selec-
/ ton of jury. The following Is list of
/ the Jurors who will have to decide Mr..
/ Morrans fate: J. +. Oncill. w. Z. Leake,
| William A. White, Jr.. X. 4. Yancey, Il. H..
/ Bates, p. W. Garland, Jerry NJ. White,
( George w. White, J. Is. Jarman, II. W.
Durrett, Joseph Griffin, and John H..
Petit.
There is quite an array of legal ability in
/ tercsted IN the case.
The defence Is represented by Messrs.
George Perkins, Il. 4. W. Duke. and Judge
n. T.. W. Duke. Jr.. of Charlottesville, and
Mr.. Thomas Martin, of Scottsville. while
the prosecution is represented 10y Captain
NJ. Woods, Commonwealth attorney. as
sisted by Hon William Il. Aylett, Of KING
and Queen.
The only witness examined yesterday was
Mr.. John Alexander, a resident of this
county, who lives on a farm about mile
from Coless place, and the village of War
rem separates the two farms. The witness
stated that he had known Morgan for three
wears, during which time he (Morgan) had
lived with him as a bOaTder and farm
pupil. On the morning of August oath
the witness and Morgan started to
Scottsville. and on their way pass
ed through one of Mr.. Coles fields,
which was considered a shorter way.
They were on horseback, and after
going three quarters of a mile they were
overtaken by Mr.. Coles who rode up and
spoke 10 Mr. Alexander. Mr.. Coles opened
the conversation by referring to some tur-
keys which were on the roadside; but he
soon turned the conversation TO the sub
iect of trespassng. and said 10 witness
that neighbor had sent boy through his
place Some DAYS before and that the boy
had left the gates all open. Mr.. Coles fur
ther said that he did not allow people gen.
orally to pass through his place. Morgan
then said Il was not aware this was
your land. You told ID lie
about me to DR.. Wingheld. and when
get You together will make you swallow
it," Coles said IN reply to MIR. Morgan:
You area scoundrel and coward" Mr..
MOI gan then jumped down from his horse,
and going 10 Coles pulled small switch
out Of his (Coles's) hand and struck MIR.
Coles about the legs and called him a
scoundrel. Coles then pulled his pistol
and fred in Morgan's face. Morgan also
drew pistol and fred at Coles. who fell to
the ground and soon afterwards died.
Mr.. Alexander's evidence was very much
the same as that given in by him at the
coroner's jury. The prosecution will en-
deayor to impeach his memory.
The Court was engaged to-day in hearing
the remainder II Alexander's evidence and
"A number of other witnesses. The attend
ance both yesterday and to-day has been
large. There are some thirty live or forty
witnesses TO be examined.
Morgans mother and brother-in-law are
in attendance upon the trial. w.