The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-17

DeIOre III o CLOCK. Inc Judge is man
OF fine physique, broad shouldered,
heavy set and slightly gray. Although
unacquainted with tho docket or any
cases before the court, he displayed the
tact and talent of master, and every
thing was soon working smoothly.
Judge Grattan is native Of Bucking-
ham county, where he was born about
forty-f1ve years ago. lie was educated
at the University OF Virginia, and began
the practice of law at Staunton shortly
after the war.
He was appointed four years ago to
fill the vacancy in the judgeship of that
court, and year later was chosen by
the Legislature.
In that capacity he has won the es-
teen and regard of all who praci 'ce in
this court. He is quick to perceive, Of
strong mind and eloquent address. His
manner is courtly and dignited: yet he
IS modest and unassuming and has a
kind word for everybody.
The court room was pretty we'll filled,
principally by colored people, and the
judge knew very we'll that ono of that
color was to be tried.
~ WOO IHC CdSc Vi W llllaHl lJunlCr on
trial for the murder of Nat Ncwson on
the night of the eth of last April
Mr.. Randolph counsel for Lanicr, said
he was not ready for trial when the LIST
OF witnesses had been called, but Judge
Grattan sent The deputy sergeant after
those who failed to respond and began
hearing some other business.
The recent indictments by the grand
jury were then taken up. j. w. Carper,
the young white man who raised Nor
folk and Western check from S34.71 to
SOIL, was brought into court, and held
Il short consultation with his counsel,
Captain Bcrkelcy who announced that
he would be ready for trial today. Mr.
Berkeley is also counsel for Sam Wright,
charged with house breaking. His case
Will hardly come up before tomorrow.
Carper was then taken back to Jail.
The case Of Rufus Zeal, charged with
killing Albert IIadcn, will probably
come up this term, as Mr.. Powell, his
counsel, announced that he was ready
as soon as Bcal was apprchendcd, he
not having been taken into custoday
Since his Indictment 10y the grand Jury.
Pretty soon the sergeant came in with
the other witnesses in the Lanier case
and MIR Smith, who is assisted by Mr..
Powell in the prosecution, announced
that they were ready.
a jury was empanncllcd as follows
Is. II. Franklin. j. ID. Smith, Henry
Houser. j. A. Wager. A. b. Woodbridge,
w. L. Mcclure, j. w. Miller, j. w.
Greenwood, Edward Lind, c. f. Teller,
n. b. Cook and c. T.. Roberts.
large number of witnesses were ex-
amined, among them being Tom Waugh,
who was previously indicted jointly
with Lanier on the same charge, but
who opuniffpl of M oe
the court.
Tho testimony did not vary materially
from that given before the coroner and
before the examining committee. w.
,. Young was the most important wit
ness, and it was through him the first
and only facts were obtained directly
after the murder.
His testimony is that he heard Lanier
call for Newson, who went into the
crowd where Lanicr was. Directly he
heard several blows, which were fol-
lowed by one heavy blow, as though
struck with Stick. 1t being dark, he
could not recognize tho parties.
Bob Jcflrcy's testimony was similar.
Mir. Randolph has had an idea that
Bob was the man who struck the
blow in consequence of a rivalry be-
tween him and Newson. He cross
questioned ali the Witnesses very closely
on this point, but failed to elicit anv-
thing tending to show that j, ffteys was
responsible.
Slowly the testimony was gone
through with Each witness had his
tale to tell of how Nat Newson stood I'D
In the floor when the dance was going
on and fired his pistol; how Lanier come
in with bed slat and ordered every
body to get; how they all went to the
front door and some the rear door, and
how they heard rumors when the dance
was resumed of man getting knocked
down outside.
Tom Waugh said in addition to this,
that Lanier told him while locked up in
jail, that he struck Newson, but did not
intend to hit him so hard
Christ Pegram and young negro
man named Fields saw the difficulty on
the outside, but could not say who
struck the blow as it was too dark to
recognize anyone.
Additional testimony showed that
Newson after being struck down laid
unconscious for some minutes, and made
his way to the top Of the hill, where he
fell again, and getting up disappeared
in the darkness.
Lanier testified in his own behalf and
denied going out Of the room at all.
The case was argued by Common
wealth's Attorney Smith, who was fol-
lowed by Mr.. Randolph for the defense.
Mr.. Randolph maintained the theory
that Newson received his death blow at
some other place than in Lanier's yard.
MIR. Smith closed the case for the
commonwealth, after which it was sub
mittcd to the jury. They retired and
after being out over 80 minutes said
they could not agree. They were given
till 10 o'clock this morning to reach
conclusion