Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-10
JUROR WOOD AND HIS CRITICS.
The Foreman Of the Webster Jury Replies
to the Structures Made Upon Him.

To the Editor Of the Neao York Sun:
Sir.-Some statements have appeared in
the Sunday papers, uttered by Burton G.
Webster, under indictment for murder,
and by his lawyer, William z. Howe, attri-
buting to me motives other than the evil
dence for my vote In the jury on the ques-
ton of guilt or innocence in his late trial.
Webster says / am prejudiced against
him because he Is a southerner and L am u
veteran of tho Union army. know that
he swore on the stand that he was " born
near Richmond, Va.," but that his father
was northern man. But as he IS only 81
years old, he is clearly too young to have
taken part in that contest. The question
was never raised in my mind as to which
side his sympathies were on, as IN this case
1t did not matter to me.
But there was gentleman on that jury.
Philip G. Slaughter, who was born not far
from Richmond, and who fought with
sBobby Lee" from the beginning to the
end of that terrible conflict. His was the
clearest head. most cultured and fairest
mind, and nOblest hesrt on that jury. he
agreed with me from the first as to the
essential points III that case, and be-
lieved with me that the physical facts IN
the case that could not be dlsproved sus-
tanned Goodwin's dying declaration. he
did not and could not justify the shooting.
Mr.. Slaughter demonstrated beyond
reasonable question that at the distance
Goodwin was proved to be from Webster.
Webster could not have been injured by q
cuspador in the hands of Goodwin. He
gave q juryman the privilege of striking
him with q cuspador. but before the other
could strike he had him by the arm IN q
manner that made him powerless to do
do harm.
Mr.. Slaughter, willing 10 give the pris-
oner the benefit of every possible doubt,
thought that justice might be satisfied
with verdict of manslaughter. But the
"eieht sensible iurymen" that Mr. Howe
talks about could not be induced to reason
on this line, denounced Goodwin as vile
monster. unworthy of any belief, and
claimed that as they had large majority
of the jury We should give in to them aud
acquit.
Webster says that unless the prosecu-
tion can get jury like the foreman they
cannot convict him. Ii they get jury
composed of Union and Confederate yete-
rams like those that were on that jury will
guarantee verdict in five minutes that
will put Webster where he will never whip
out his revolver again and shoot down an
unarmed man on his own hearthstone.
MIR. Howe makes point against tno
foreman which is worthy of his peculiar
abilities. He says. am Methodist, "
"psalln-singing Methodist" Now, as q
matter OF fact, am passionately fond Of
good singing, but my throat was not made
for IL, and if / should be heard singing
ANYTHING and some one should shoot me
for It, doubt if he would not be iusti-
fed. When man makes statement al
random, Is did Mr.. Howe, that under the
slightest investigation would be proved ia
be false, there is . question IS 10 his honor.
am not Methodist. but In my life
have known q great many of them. They
have been honorable, peaceable, God-fear
ing Christian men and women. am com.
plimented by being called . Methodist
Mr.. Howe's insinuation against the prin,
ciples OF that great denomination Is dis.
grace TO him. For two years sat under
the preaching of DR.. w. W. Page, OF the
New York Presbyterian Church, an ex.
Confederate and fighter. know OF nc
man whom love more. / want to take this
opportunity to deny-and this is the main
object Of this writing-that Union veto
rams are prejudieed against southern mer
or Confederate veterans. True soldiers ot
either side honor and respect each other
and frsternixs on the most friendly terms
but both loathe and despise cowardly ~
A1Bnr B. woop.