Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-27
agreed upon a verdict" aAkod Clerk
Lawton in distinct tonea
A vRRDrcr OF NOT GUILTY.

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.
Foreman Wallace, as he slowly arose,
said 1--WE have"
A thrill Of delight seemed to pasa
throughout the entire audience, for everv
mind, as il by intuition, appeared to
read what was then upon the lips of the
juwman who faced the Court.
William s. Dashiell, stand nm"
commanded the Clerk, and then turning
to the jury he added, "What is your
verdict 2"
Mr.. Wallace then read from paper
which he held in his hands these I'M
portant lines; 1--WE, the jury. find the
prisoner, not guilty as charged IN the in
dictment."
No grander picture can be described
than that which followed those words
The prisoner, who stood without culver
ing feature or relaxing muscle, turned
to his gray-haired father and grasped his
hand in fondest clasp. Enthusiastic de.
light. which perforce was suppresseds
beamed upon hundreds Of faces, and tho
general congratulations given Mr.. Da-
shell were numerous and cordial.
Judge Witt stated to the court that he
wanted no manifestations on the part OF
the audience, as the court was still
in session. Commonwealth e. Attorney
Smith arose and in few words stated
that he had endeavored In this case to
do his full duty. He said that he had
given to the prosecution all the strength
within his power, and that he did not
feel that 1t was necessary to give the
prisoner or his family any further trou-
BILE or sorrow, therefore he would enter
notle prosequies in the other charges.
THE CLOSING SCENE.
A feeling of thankfulness could be
depicted in the eyes of the prisoners
friends for what Mr.. Smith had said,
and Judge Witt followed him by saying
that the Commonwealth Attorney had
given his side OF the case his strong and
able effort. The Judge then turned to
the jury and SAID : "Gentlemen Of the
jury. l desire TO rhank you for the con-
scientious and honorable duty that you
have performed, and | will add that you
have performed that duty very efficient
ly. You are now discharged"
Mr.. Dashiell was then almost bereft
Of his limbs, so many were the admirers
who were pulling at him and congratu-
lating him from all sides. He was fair
ly picked up and carried from the court
room, and after portion OF the crowd
had gotten without the doors there was
tremendous cheering and rejoicing be-
cause Of his acquittal.
This ends one of the most celebrated
forgery trials that has been known to
have occurred in the history OF Rich
mond or of Virginia.
HE HAD MANx CALLERS.
Mr.. Dashiell's last day in Jail was not
spent in q wholly unpleasant manner for
he was the recipient of homage through
out his period of incarceration. He was
visited on Sunday by Hon. John s. Wise
and Captain Sol. Cutchins, members OF
his counsel G. ID. nj. Cobb, his part
ner J. Parker Dashiell, his brother
John b. Lightfoot, Jr., his brother-in-
law DR.. Lewis Wheat, Messrs. H. c.
Wallace, l.. r. Warren, James Q. Bruce,
George s. Vashon, Jr., Alexander IL.
Meyers, Warner Waring, Ellis @. Stacy,
DR.. Il. t. Baker, surgeon of the Blues
Clarence Wyatt, lieutenant of the Blues,
and many others.
Among his early callers was Mr.. Will
liam NJ. Flanagan, Commonwealth's at
torney ef Powhatan county, who became
acouainted with Mr.. Dashiell several
years ago when they were interested on
opposite sides OF an important case that
was then being tried in Cumberland
county. While Mr.. Dashiell was under
the care Of Sergeant Epps he received
all kindness and attention that could be
given prisoner, and he feels deep
gratitude for the Sergeant, his genial
SON Claiborne. Deputy-Sergenats Fer
neyhough and McCabe, and Turn
KEYS Kerse, Saunders, and Mes.
CO. His friends were ever kind
to him, he says, and every day some one
remembering that he was an inveterate
smoker, sent him. bundle OF cigars
Mr.. Thomas Adkins. one OF MIR. Da'
shells ardent admirers, sent HIM
breakfast yesterday morning, which was
the last meal the prisoner ate III jail Ii
embraced all the delicacies of the season
and was gotten up in Small's best style
DIR. pAsHIELL's GRATITUDE.
The most touching feature OF MIR
Dashiell's acquittal was the manifes'
gratitude of Rev. DR.. Dashiell, the vene
rable father of the accused. This be-
loved gentleman in speaking to DIS
PATCH reporter yesterday said he fell
deeply grateful for the letters and ex
pressions of sympathy that both he anf
his son had been recipients OF since thu
arrest, and especially The proffers OF dis
tinguished professional services lion ron
such lawyers as Hons. John ~, .. % ah'
George ID. Wise. Edmond Waddlli. bev'
erly T. Crump, Ex-Governor cameron
| and others.