The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-11-30

The third day OF the Mitchell trial
began promptly yesterday morning at 9
o'clock. J.T. Engleby, the first witness
called, testified that Mitchell was one
Of his Sunday school scholars and was
quiet nd'inoffensive and he considered
his character good.
j. Is. Andrews, Of tho firm of Huff,
Andrews & Thomas, stated that he had
known Mitchell about eighteen mon tbs,
and considered him an inoffensive
young man.
j. b. Fishburne, cashier OF tn o
National Exchange Bank, testified that
he had known the prisoner about two
years, and always found him straight in
his business transactions and considere d
his character good,
j. B. Chewning. the wholesale gro cor,
testified that he had had business re.
lations with the prisoner, and he always
considered him to be an honest, straight.
forward, inoffensive young man.
Pryor Woodson, the last witness for
the defense, was at his home sick in
bed and could not attend court Deputy
Sergeant Wright went and took his
written statement.
DR.. J L. Stone deposeo as follows: "I
am physician, and have resided in
this city sinca 1887. In my practice |
have had considerable experience in
surgery" The coat worn by Mr.. Dyer
when he was killed was produced, and
the nature OF the wounds were ex.
planned. DR.. Stone then said that the
most probable theory of the cutting was
that one stroke inflicted both wounds
The knife struck the arm, and, while
both parties wore engaged in the fight
and were cXerting all their strength,
the arm was thrown up, and the knife
slipped through the arm and coat, and
inflicted tho fatal wound in the neck.
w. Il. Dixon testified that he had been
to tho store in which Dyer was killed
and he had experimental and found
that man could easily strike another
across the counter and show case.
ii. q. Campbell stated that this morn
ing he visited the store in which Dyer
was killed, in company with Mr.. Dixon,
and experimental and found tina man
could strike another with ease across
the counter
G. M. Dooley corroborated the state
ment made by both Dixon and Campbell.
James III. Morgan also corroborated the
same statements.
Tho statement made by Mr.. Woodson
was read by Mr.. Scott, counsel for de-
Tense. The statement was to the effect
that Mr.. Dyer had owed the witness
money and when he had asked him for
it several times he had been repeatedly
put eff. Witness then told Dyer that
Mitchell had said he would not pay his
debts. Dyer said ne did not owe
Mitchell cent.
TESTIMONY IN REBUTTAL.
This closed the witnesses for the de
Tense and the commonwealth then
introduced rebuttal testimony. b. H.
Rlves was the next witness and stated
that he had known the deceased for
twenty years and testified to his good
character.
At this point the counsel for the de-
Tense objected to the testimony and the
point was argued by counsel. Judge
Woods decided in favor of the common
wealth and the examination of Mr..
Rives was continued. He further stated
that Dyer was an honest, upright and
inoffens ive young man and had worked
for him for two years. He had never to
his knowledge taken a drink of whiskey
or swore an oath.
Judge 5. G. Williams stated that he
had known the deceased for several
years, and always found him to be q
kind, courteous, atfable gentleman.
A. Blair Antrim testified that he had
known Mr.. Dyer for about two years
and considered him to be o quiet and
peaceable citizen.
II. M. Darnall deposed that he had
known the deceased about four years,
and always considered him an excep-
tionally moral, quiet and peaceable cit.
iZen.
S. l.. Crute stated that he had known
Mr.. Dyer for about four years and
thought he was genteel, peaceable
young man.
j. ii. Cook car record clerk for the
Norfolk and Western, stated that Mr..
Dyer had worked in his department for
about ten months, and considered him
to be an exceptionally good, quiet young
man.
The above statements in regard to
MIR. Dyer's character as good, quiet,
law-abiding, peaceable citizen were cor
deputy commissioner, and w. +. Bryant,
deputy clerk OF the Hastings Court.
COMMONWEALTH RESTS IT'S CASE.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Bryants
testimony the commonwealth rested
the case.
Mr.. Hancock, an old gentleman re-
siding in Bedford county, who could not
reach the city yesterday, was allowed
TO testify in behalf of the defense His
testimony was to the effect that he had
known the prisoner at the bar for sew
eral years, and that Mitchell had lived
with him about four ye ars and that there
was no young man in the county who