The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-12
THE GRYMES TRIAL BEGUN.
The Fist Step In The Hastings Court Yes
terday.
INDICTMENTS CLAIMED TO Be DEFECTIVE.
Argument by Counsel Heard Upon This
Point-Judae Took Time TO
Consider.

r
Arty in the Hastings Court. The charges
against him are forgery and embezzlement
Eight indictments were brought IN against
him by the grand jury, but only one OF these
WAS used Yesterday. -Four were for alleged
embezzlement of public funds and four for
alleged forgery of public records.
IL was twenty minutes 70 II O'Clock yester-
day when the trial began, Judge A. III. Aiken
OF DanviIle, presiding.
Iuot q fau moments before that time Mr.
Grvmes entered and seated himself directly
in front of the Court and on the second row
tehind the bar. He was accompanied by his
wife mother and brother, Mr.. Peyton
Grymes.
The prisoners counsel sat immediately IN
front and came into court hut a few seconds
after Mr. Grymes. They are Hon. George ID
Wise Major Charles H. Stringfellow, Colonel
M. H. Spotswood and Captain A. b. Guigon,
and as soon as they were seated the court
room was sllenced.
The room was warm. and the crowd present
did not make matters any more toiersole
The petit Jury occupied the greater portion
of the room. but seated at the bar were sew
oral we'll known lawyers. The usuai contih-
rent of loafing negroes we're also present, pc
sides the men that make attendance on TRIALS
The case was begun by Sergeant Epps call
ing "E. Buford Grymes," and the latter signl-
Tying that he was present.
ENTERED A DEMURRER.
Attorney Smith then stated 30 the Court
chat counsel for the prisoner and hlmseii nau
agreed upon an indictment uhder "nl0n MI
Grymes should be tired. Gil.
The indictment was handed Major String
fellow and after reading the paper lew mo-
mepts he said he desired 10 enter demurrer
against the counts in the indictment.
~. l. ~
n Judge Aiken replied that ne WouId AZ once
hear argument, and Major Stringtellow Tor
considerable time argued that the indictment
did not allege forgery. That IT had been
drawn up with the care that would distinguish
a painstaking lawyer and representative OF the
Commonwealth, but did not make direct
charge. - :.
In other words. he contended that the lp
dictment was legally defective; that Mr..
Smith was not TO be blamed, but with the
facts, or alleged facts. at hand, no one coulo
have done better than present the indictment
that has been presented; whlcn Inc mayor
said was defective in both counts -.
MAJOR StringfellOw quoted many authorizes
in support of his point
He was ably replied to by Mr. Smith, who,
in his speech, said that the paper had been
drawn up by following the indictment that
had been used in the celebrated Coleman case
which was tried before Judge Guigon.
The Indictment in the Coleman case was
carried to the Supreme Court and held to be
valid by that court.
GAs-BuL BOOK.
Major Strngfellow. in speaking of the sec
Ond count questioned the ownership OF the
eas-bill book Mr.. Smith in reply said that
the question of ownership was not necessary
for the charge of forgery but that descrip-
ton was all needed.
Such were the points discussed. and after
Mr.. Smith had taken his seat MAJOR String
fellow again opened his batteries. he was
responded 10 by Mr.. Smith. and the matter sub
mitted TO Judge Aiken.
Judge Aiken requested counsel TO give MN
aIist of the authorities quoted and stated that
he would consider them and render his de-
cigion at 10 O'Clock this morning.
The court was then adjourned until that
hour.
No case within the past five years has caused
so much comment and interest as TINS one,
and the proceedings at court yesterday re-
minded many of the celebrated Cluverus
trial This was especially true with the re-
porters who have not occupied the desk as
signed them since that case for any great
length OF time.
OLD PAPER.
In removing the trash from the drawers of
the desk yesterday one OF the reporters found
daily paper bearing the date the day
Cleverius was found guilty by the jury. This
newspaper has been TeposIng quietly IN the
drawer since 1884.
Judge Aiken is presiding in the case, mas
much as Judge Witt, besides being warm
personal friend Of Mr.. Grymes, is also his
official bondsman Judge Aiken is rather
distinguished looking man, IS not unlike
Commonweath-AttO Smith, and Is very
like Hon John Goode. He has quiet dig
nifty about him, but not that austere appear
ance common with some lawyers.
Soon after taking his seat a court attendant
nut on the desk in front of him pretty
bunch of blush roses card was attached
on which was inscribed: Hon. A. NJ. Aiken.
From the people
lows:
"On Wednesday. March 4th, Grymes was
euspended from Office and placed under
arrest by order of Mayor Elyson. Justice
Crutchfeld baiied him for his appearance in
court the following Saturday.
On the day set the witnesses for the Com
monweaith were examined In one case, after
which the accused waived an examination and
was sent on TO the grand jury on four charges
of felony. Bond was gwen In the sum of
$1,000. with Messrs. T. P. Campbell, S. NJ.
Page and l.. b. Thaw securities.
Grymes. after a little while, went to Big
Island. where he spent some days. For some
reason Messrs. Campbell and Page decided to
deliver up the accused, and on Thursday,
April 9th, Sergeant Alex. Tomlnson was sent
after him and returned TO the city with
Grymes the next afternoon.
He was carried to the Second staton-h house,
where he spent the night The next morning
he was carried to the Hastings Court. and
from there TO the city Jail, where be remained
for ten days.
EIGHT INDICTMENTS.
On Thursday. April 18th, special term of
the grand jury was held to inquire into the
cases. After four days investigation that
body returned eight indictments against
Grymes. -Four of these were for misappro-
priating public funds placed in his hands as
an officer of the city and the other four were
for forgery in making false entries in the Au-
ditor's books.
Tuesday, April 2lst, Grymes was brought
into court and bailed by Judge Witt in the
sum of $1,000. with General T. NJ. Logan,
Colonel Tazewen Elicit, AIr. John p. Branch
and Mr.. w. 2. DeSsussure as sureties.
The witnesses summoned for the Common
wealth are Mayor j. Taylor Ellyson. City
Treasurer John k Childrey, Auditor Turpin,
Gas Inspector w. p. Knowles, Bill Clerk
Joseph NJ Shelton Expert Accountant II. b.
Boudsr. Emmett Schaeffer, s. L. Martin, J.
n Warripor and JOeaph /, law