Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-14

IN MOO1BtOCh, behA tno l.'''
ter, steadfastly asserting Birchall's inno-
ceDce.
By this time tho murderer's motive
had been revealed. Two days after the
tragedy OF tho swamp he sent the follow
inc letter TO the father OF his victim,
Lieutensnt-C Colonel Bonweil, Chelten-
ham, England
"My Dear Sir. Your son has in-
spected all my books and all my busl-
ness arrangements, and L introduced
him to people who know me well lie
suggested taking other advice ], OF
course. was perfectly willing, and he
consulted barrister in London concern
inc the business, with satisfactory re-
suits. He has decided to JOIN me, as he
has found all that he wished TO be salts
factory, think we shall make very
good business together. The books
show a very good profit for last year.
81 think the best way is to place the
money in our Joint names in the bank to
The credit of our reserve fund. We shall
take tbe additional piece of land that |
mentioned TO YOU, as we shall now re-
ouire il for produce. The best way to
send money ont is by bankers draft.
Drafts for us should be drawn on the
Bank of Montreal, New York they have
a branch in London. | think the Lon
don and Westminster also do business
for them. A letter OF this kind should
be insured and registered.
owe are holding a large sale early in
March. Your son was somewhat anx-
ions TO share in the profits OF the sale.
which nm quite willing he should do.
So we have signed our deed OF partner
ship. and am sure be will never regret
dofnp so. Your son is, think, writing
YOU by this post. Kindly excuse bad
writing on nv part, but am rather in
hurry to catch the mail. My letters are
generally written by typewriter, as they
are 30 much more legible and clear with
no doubt as to the words. We are having
papers printed properly, and Will be
ready in a few days.
ii think you will be pleased that your
son has found things satisfactory, and l
quite agree that he did much the best
thing in coming out to see the business
first. ] shall send you weekly particu-
lars OF ali the business done. so that you
can sec for yourself how things 60 on.
This viii be satisfactory to you, l think.
Of course, in regard TO money, any bank
in New York would do for the drafts.
We have business account IN our Joint
names OF the American Bank. Your son
will Doubtless explain his views IN his
letter"
The envelope OF this letter was stamped
across the face, "Birchall q Benwel,
Lock.Box 3l3, Niagara Falls. Ont,
When arrested the keys Of BenwelPs
trunk. which Birchsll had taken from
the cus.om-house the day after the MUIR
der. were found in the prisoners posses
sion. it was plainly his intention TO
draw money steadily from Colonel Ben
vel, whom he prepared FOR the recep--
ton Of typewriter letters. lie conld
have cashed oil checks sent to "Birchal
& Benweu," as one partner in q firm can
draw upon Joint account without the
consent of the other member.
The presumption OF the Crown then
was that Birchall induced Bcnwell 20 90
into the swamp as a short cut to the farm
he pretended to own, really intending to
kill him and throw bis body luto tho
bottomless pond in the middle OF 1t.
During Birchall'sabsence, however, there
had been fire in the swamp, and the
fallen trees and burned stumps had
completely obliterated the narrow
trail which led from the road to
the pond. AS the body was found
not more than twenty feet from the
road, and nearly quarter OF mile from
the pond it is supposed tbatthis plan was
abandoned and the murder committed
there in the confident belief that the
/ body would never be found. 1t was
ouly by the merest chance that the two
[ Elveridge brothers went in there five
DAYS later to chop wood, thing that
/ had never before been done in the Tam
arack swamp, and at once stumbled
upon the body, with all the names cut
out of the clothing and the pockets
turned inside out.
The trial lasted week, For all Wood
stock it vas one long holiday. The peo-
] pie began gathering about the door OF
| The Town Hall, in which the courtroom
had been liked, as early as o'clock IN
the morning. The crowd was composed
not only OF towns-people, but OF farm
ers. who seemed to take a great deal
more interest in the trial than anybody
else.
Perhaps no man charged with murder
was ever before in such an apparently
easy frame of mind as Birchall seemed
to be. AS he sprang out OF the carriage
Mt tho entrance to the court each morn
ing there was a spring to his step and a
smile upon his face that would have done
honor to bridegroom.
When in the prisoners box it was i'm
possible for anything bat the top OF hi:
head to be seen, except when an uncom-
mon stir attracted his attention, and he
eraned his neck, and SO brought hi!
black eyes into view. On the stage sat
a number of pretty women. The tele
phone transmitters that hung over the
heads OF the Counsel and tho Judge
worked all day. The wires ran to no
tel, where the tubes were rented ut 2
cents an hour. There were also foul
tubes in q private room for ladies'
Before the proceedings began on thj
third day the petit jurors were excused
and told that they might leave the court
Not soul moved. There are seventy
two OF these jurors, and after his lord
} ship had waited q moment he requested
the Jurors to retire. Old Sheriff PER-,
said in quivering tones that the juror
would please step out and get their pay
and if they didn't get it now the.
wouldn't be able to get it at all. Thel
the jurors tumbled over one anothe
to get out.
In court Birchall amused himself mos
OF the time in sketching. He drew rattle
clever pictures of the jury, the Judge
the learned counsel, aud many Of til,
hundred and one witnesses.
J One afternoon at the end of the day'
hearing an enterprising correspondent
followed the prisoner to jail. He ha,
just finished his supper, and came dow
the winding iron stairs Of the prison int,
the little hall below. Ha Dickad mn