The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-19
JACOB FEITIG ACQUITTED.
EXAMINATION BEFORE THE HEN
RICO COUNTY COURT.

Several Physicians Give Testimony, Exc
planning the Nature Of tho wcund Re-
ceived bv Observation-Disclosures Wit
nesses-Thc wife Also Discharged.
Mr.. Jacob Feitig. who was arrested by
Captain Tyler, the detective, some ten days
ago, charged with the murder OF sammox
Rossdeitcber, was before the Henricr Coun'
" Court yesterday morning, on prelimi-
nary examination. The county officials
had set the hour for the trial at 10 O'Clock,
but it was 1890 before the Magistrates
Court opened. The delay was occasioncd
by Mr.. fcitig returning to his home
for his wife. The same Heterogeneous crown
was present at the trial as was in the court
room when Adams case was called lew
DAYS since. and the poor ventilation Oh the
Mace made the work Of those Interested
anything but snecure.
fhe colored Justice, squire Jonathan,
presided, and az the opening Of the case
CommOnwealt<Atto Thomas stated
that Mrs. Fcitig was in his room, and could
be called when necessary
FIRST wITssss,
pr. A. l.. Leflwich was the first witness
called. He stated that he was county
coroner andIhcld an inquest over Rossdeitch-
or. II was the usual inquest held in such
cases. Three witnesses were examined, ana
the verdict was that the deceased came 10
his death by blow from some blunt lnstrn-
ment in the hands Of person or persons I'M
known. post-mOrtem examination was
held seven days later, and although he
could see considerable depression OF the
brain, the brain had so decOmposed that he
could not tell the extent of the injury.
DIR. i.eftwich was asked what was the eX-
tent of the wound,
.,The fracture OF two to two and a-hali
inches" he said. "and a fracture OF two
inches, forming an l.. 1t must have been
made with some blunt instrument, as a
sharp instrument would have made gash.
IL was pretty severe blow, injurng the III
ternal table Of the skull, and was sufficient
TO cause death. | am satisfied that he dled
from the effects of the wound. The only
wonder is he lived as long as he dld. l 40
not know what he technically died Of. The
fracture was above the nose on the forehead,
and was not as wide as the blunt end of an
ordinary axe. A scar, however, does not
show what a wound may be, as wound
when healing draws up. My impression Is
that it was made with some heavy instru-
ment."
DR.. Leftwich ut this point was cross-eN-
amined by Mr.. E. Y. Meredith, counsel for
Mr.. Feitig, and he said: II saw Ross
deitcher before he was buried. Mr.. Davis,
superintendent Of the pOorhouse, notified
me. He came into the pOorhOuse when /
left. | told him | was going away, but
asked him what he thought of an inquest.
Feitig said that he thought that the man
had been fOully dealt with. and that the
Commonwealth Attorney should be pres
ent. do not think gun barrel or horses
foot could have inflicted the blow
DIR. BRYANT.
Dr. Bryant said: IL called in the after
noon after ROssdeitcher was beat. and
found him i'm "A scmi-cOmatOsc condition,
occasionally answering questions, but at
times incOherent. said he hid his money,
and then said he locked it up. He was sui
tering with a depressed forehead and a
wound over the right ear. The next day |
received a note from Feitis TO attend
Rossdeitcher, which | did. He seemed
to be in perfect health before the
blow. He was n muscular man. but a
small one. The wound seemed TO be the re-
suit of an aNe-blOw, sledge-hammer, or some
hard metallic substance. If received from
a gun-stOck the blow would have had to be
a severe one. ! paid him thirteen visits.
He did not complain very much at any
time. know nothing Of his previous con
diti0n. After his walk Tuesday he was in
disposed. and Wednesday more So The
case was aggravated, producing violent in
fammati0n BY his walks 10 Richmond and
his drinking wine. regarded him as get
ting well, ana think he would have done
so if had be followed my injunctions. ! don't
think he would have ever been the same
man again
MIR. Hugh Davis, who is keeper Of the
county pOOrhOuse, was called. but was
reported sick in bed. He had only been
summoned to prove that Rossdeitcher died.
w. X. sMITHEA.
The next witness. W. X. Smithea. said
II went to Mr. Fetig's 10 gather up Ross
doitcher's effects, and was 10 take the gun
that belonged TO ROssdeitcher to a man at
seven Pines. got the gun out of back
room in the second story. II was broken in
the stock, and had been tied with cord and a
brace Of brass. ! think the gun has been
sold. ! am certain MIR. Feitig told me
seven Pines"
MARTHA GEORGE.
Martha George (colored) said: Il am
cook at the county pOOrhOuse; was there
when Rossdcitcher made a statement about
the murder"
Was Mr. or Mrs. Feitig present;
"They were not
The point made by Mr.. Meredith was that
no evidence as to statements Of ROssdeitcher
cOold be admitted that had not been made
in the presence of either Mr.. or Mrs. Feitig.
Mr.. Thomas agreed 10 this.
MRS. FANNY BETHEL.
II saw him." said Mrs. Bethel, Sat Mr..
Jones', and heard him make Il statement"
objected to by Mr.. Meredith.
Virginia Jones said: Il was acquainted
with MoX. The Monday before lac was
buried | saw him. Mr. and Mrs. Feitig
were not present" Objected to by Mr..
Meredith.
II. \. Woodall said; IL know nothing
about the case that will aid the Common
wealth or the detense.'
Mr.. ;. stern, pawnbroker, seventeenth
street, said II went out to Mr.. Feitig's
and found a bloody axe. Mrs. Feitig SAID
LII a. e 4 a..