Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-12


donce Of the witnesses as compared with |
the first trial. All who heard the testimony |
regarded il rs strong against the prisoner, |
and looked TO a verdict of conviction. The |
speecbes of Messrs. Powell and Davis were |
models in character and ability for the de- |
fence. and no man accused of capital crime |
eyer had ADLER or more faithful counsel. |
The instructions of the Court were very |
full, and were prepared with great care; |
They were twelve in number, and cover all |
the legal points raised in q case OF such |
importance.
GUILTY AS CHARGED.
The case was given to the jury last night |
about o'clock and the Court soon after |
adjourned until this morning. Promptly |
ut 10 o'clock the jury was brought III and
retired TO their room. They were not ont |
more than thirty minutes before they re-
turned and announced they had agreed |
upon their verdict. There was deathlike
stiffness in the courtroom when the Clerk
read the verdict handed him by the fore
man: I'VE the jury find the prisoner Ran
dali Watson guilty of murder in the first
degree, rs charged i'll the indictment. Inc
prisoner did not manifest any emotion but
looked calmly and quietly at the Court and
Jury. Judge Hancock then discharged the
jury and took occasion 10 compllment them
on the manner in which they had conducted
model Jury, richly deserving the.praise and
commentator ofthe Court and the public
generally.
THE EXTREME PENALTY.
Tho Judge then, in most feeling and 4
impressive manner. proceeded to pass SEN
tence upon the prisoner: " The sentence
of the Court is that Randall Watson be
taken back TO the Jail of the city Of Peters.
burg, there to be safely kept until the 2lst
day Of March, 1890. when the Sheriff OF
this county shall bring him here, and be-
tween the hours of sunrise and sunset Of
that day hang him by the neck until dead"
The Judge reminded the prisoner of the
awful doom awaiting him and advised him
to make use of the time allowed him IN
making preparation TO meet the same.
Mr.. DAVIS asked the Court to set aside
the verdict as contrary to the evidence.
The Court overruled this motion and the
counsel are now preparing the papers to
take the case up. This terminates case
that has been in the courts for several
years and has attracted great deal OF no.
tice throughout the State. From the pres
cpt outlook il would seem that it will be
finally ended March DIST. The prisoner
has been ably aud zealously defended IN
both trials and his counsel have used all
means to save him from the galloWs.
ANEW INDUSTRY.
4 tract of land Just outside of the city
has been purchased. upon which 1t Is de-
signed TO establish fruit and vegetable can
merry. Operations will be commenced tins
wear on quite and extensive scale. Though
vast quantities Of fruit and vegetables are
raised in this immediate vicinity IN conse-
auence of tho increased and increasing
trucking interest, yet this IS the first IN
dustry of the kind ever established here. II
properly conducted it IS believed II will
ft.I la M on IL II
less give employment TO large number OF
hands of both sexes.
IN snMoE1AM.
Senator Jovensteip's joint resolution re-
commenting that active measures be taken
bv the people in every county and city 70
raise tho amount necessary for the compile
! ton of the monument and statue OF Gene-
raj Robert +. Leo meets with hearty en-
dorsement here, and en- organized effort
will doubtless be made AZ once to secure
| liberal contribution in Petersburg; II IS
understood that the individual members OF
the Legislature will lead of IN the move
ment with handsome contribution.
THE GRAIN-ELEvAToR.
The handsome new grain-elevator. which
has been erected by the Atlantic Coast
Line railroad in this city, will be opened
for business about the middle of next
week. with Captain John Il. Patterson as
manager. The capacity Of the elevator is
100 600 bushels. It's conveniently located
both to water and rail-for the reception
and distribution of grain Of all KINDS, ana IL
is expected Will do large business, Inc
Chamber of Commerce and our merchants
generally have long been advocates OF the
erection of an elevator here.
POLITICAL NOTES.
The failure of the United States Senate
Inc for 20 most H.
portant of President Harrison's appoint
ments IN Virginia has awakened the public
to the fact that the fight between the Re
publican factions in this State did not end
with the election Of last November. 1t
is evidently being vigorously carried on at
| Washington IN the matter OF these APP
pointments.by both parties, and will be
/ carried on in Virginia until the Republl-
cans can decide which faction shall be re-
cOgnzed. Some people are disposed to
| believe, and among them many Republl-
cans. that General Malone, buried as he
was under majority Of over 10000 last
| fail, will not III the future be disturbing
factor in politics, but the General himself
/ has said that he IS still the head OF his
party, and intends to remain there until
| the people ordain otherwise. This evil
IDENTITY means that he will make at least one
more fight, if for nothing else than to show
| to the enemies of his own party that he IS
! still q power to be respected.
| Candidates for municipal Office at the
May election are becoming quite numer-
| Gus, and canvassing is progressing active
| ". Three gentlemen have publicly an
nounced themselves for the Office of COM
! missioner of the revenue and two for the
! Office of city sergeant. The probability IS
that our present hOnored chief magistrate,
| Mayor Collier will have no opposition, but
| there are other offices to be heard from.
4 fItt sfrra AN
| eedented in interest and excitement.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
| The tobacco market has been quite brisk
and active this week. and good prices nave
| been realized on all offerings OF body and
! character The receipts have been Tree but
mostly in hogsheads.
The peanut-planters in this section are
| rejoicing over the fine prices obtained IN
! this market, and such as are not disposed
to hold for higher prices are sending in
their stock freely.
The shipments of meal South from this
| city this week amounted to about 1000
| bushels.
The quarterly term of the Hastings
| Court will open next week with o full
| criminal and civil docket. The grand ana
petit juries have all been summoned and
! the term promises TO be an interesting one.
The receipts of cotton since the lst OF
September have been only about 5000
bales, marked decrease as comparedwith
the receipts for the corresponding period
of last year.
The Petersburg Benevolent Mechanic
Association, one of the oldest charitable IN
stitutions of the city, will have their an
nual supper and election of officers on
Monday night. .,
A number OF school-boys were before the
Mayor this morning on the charge of dis
turbing the peace of the community by
blowing horns and grinding out other
music Of a similar kind during the quiet Of
last night. They We're reprimanded and
| discharged.
| A great deal of interest is still expressed
| here as TO the fate of the charter OF the
American Tobacco Company now before
hccommittee of che Senate on the bill TO
repeal sent over from the House OF Dele
gates.
Postmaster Boiling to-day received
letter from New York making inquiries
about the relatives of q lady. q native Of
Petersburg, who recently died there and
Uhose children are now cared for in one of