Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-22
FOUNTAIN HELD FOR MURDER.
He Is Sent On for Inflicting the Blow that
Caused Couch's Death.

sherman Fountain, the colored man
charged with assaulting. wOunding. ana
killing James Couch. had preliminary hearing
before Justice Crutchneli In the Police Court
yesterday morning.
When The case was called Mr.. ID. c. Richard
son arose and addressing the Court said that ne
Ind been employed by friends Of the prisoner 70
assist IN his defence, but rs the senior counsel,
Mr.. X. X. Fauntleroy, objected 20 his appearing
IN tho case he would withdraw and return the
retaining fee 70 the parties from whom ne had
received II. and taking up his hat Mr. Klchard-
son left the courtroom.
TIE FATAL BLOW.
Tho examination was then proceeded win
Thomas y. johnson, keeper of the house IN which
the difficulty occurred, was the first witness ex-
amined. Mr. johnson testified that on May leth
jim Couch aud four women came IN his place.
Couch and three Of the women passed on 10 the
bar-room and took drinks. While they were
standing at the bar Sherman Fountain ana PM.
Hil camc in the bar together. Couch turned
and asked Hill 10 take drink, when ne de-
clined. Couch then invited Fountain to drlhS
and he also declined saying, go ahead ana en-
10y yourself and Immediately threw rock NJ
COuch. striking him on the head. Sherman after
striking Couch left the house.
Just az this point Giles Is. Jackson came INTO
court AMI stated 70 the Justice that hc had been
asked by the friends OF the deceased 10 prose-
cute tho accused and he would IKE 70 near we
whole testimony Of the witness on the stand
The Justice thereupon directed Mr. johnson To
he did.
THR LIBRARIAN ASSISTED.
Tho cross-examination was conducted by Mr..
FaIn'lcroy. When he had gotten through Mr..
Thomas II. Fowler librarian OF the Court oi Ap-
peals who was sitting behind The bar. said to the
isfice that while he was not n practitioner NJ
the bar he was present 10 assist Mr. fanhilcroy,
ani If there was no objection he would IKE 20 ASK
tho witness some questions. The request was
readily granted. and MIR. Fowler by bis interroga-
tories showed that be was well versed IN the laH
ana in criminal practice
TIE CORONER on TIE STAND.
Coroner Taylor took the stand and stated that
be made a pet 1aoTtcn On TIE body OF Jhules
Couch On The 18th Of July. He found wound
over the loft eye, but II had healed nicely. ON
cutting down through the scalp he found tho
skull fractured and depressed. lro'eeulnk
urihcr with tho examination ne iouhd me 7"ult
fractured through and through, an oIusion oi
blood on the brain, aud the brain very much HI
lamcf.
The posf Iloyfera revealed the fact that the de-
Chased had died from the effects Of blow.
Other Witnesses were examined, Out no hu'i-
lional facts were brought out.
Tho case WIS sent on to the grand jury. II
seems almost miraculous that man should Nv"
nearly two months with his skull badly irac-
OTHER cAsEs.
Julia Johnson and Belle Lcwis Doth colored)
were zach fired -. 80 aud costs Tor fighting IN
the street aud Jonn shinauli Wa ilned F-.''
or costs for throwing rOcks NJ anu breaking q
Kiadow Of a street-car.
Joseph Harris (colored) was failed for thirty
days for steahne ~ from Edward Allen an 1
iI0nry Lee Harris Was fined $40 anu costs lor
b. ltiug his wife,
Elcnora Cousins t'olored) was fned 80 and
cp Is tor being drunk and was sent on 10 M"
Flrstings court for violently resisting Policeman
Foster IN the discharge Of his duty
Fdward Allen and Joseph Harris Doth col
oredl. drunk and disorderly on the street. Each
fined $3.50 aud costs. ..
Robert kellam, william kell1m, r. W. hlu'
mud O,eorgc Coleman the Hanover mnrket-man
who hal fight Monday In Buffers alley, nc1r
tbc FIRST market were each fined 3 ard costs.
Edward Toran ,c0lOred) was fined 81 for bcins
CisOrdrTly ia the strCrt.