Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-09
NOT ABLE TO APPEAR
MATTE NEWMAN TOO UNWeLt TO
CONE TO The COURTHOUSE.
The Case of Her Grandfather Ia There
fore Continued -Circumstances
of tho Arrest.

Tho case Of William Bennett. the white
man arrested Tuesday on the charge or
having caused the ruin Of his i6-year-old
granddaughter, Matte Newman, came up
for investigation before Justice Barney
Frischkorn, Of Henrico county, yesterday.
The accused was represented by Mr. II.
II. Smith ns counsel. while Common
wealth's-Attorney Sands appeared on be-
half Of the prosecution. Dr. J. Ambrose
Thomson, the physician who attended
the cIrl during her Illness, stated that
Matte was still quite sick ana worid De
unable to appear in court for NJ least
fortnight. Mr. Smith asked a continuation
OF the case. and O further hearing was
postponed until the 18th. There were TWO
other charges against the prisoner -threat-
ening the life Of his son. Charles Ben
nett, and that of the wife OF the latter.
These were withdrawn.
EMPHATIC IN his DENIAL.
Bennett was seen yesterday afternoon by
representative of the DISPATCH and
asked about the crime with which no Is
charged. He declined 10 talk about the
matter. but when asked II he denied the
charge he replied most emphatically that
he did. His tone seemed TO imply that he
was the victim of some conspiracy.
Constable Samuels, who arrested the
prisoner, stated to the reporter that the
peighhors of the accused were greatly ex-
cited and were highly incensed against the
old man. lie said that the misdemeanor
warrants which were sworn out by the
prjsoner's son. Charles, were the hrst
placcl IN his hands. and that II was while
whiting to execute these upon Bennett
that he heard about the more serlous
matter He was III the, nelghoorhood
(Which IL near Sidney and While expect
ing the accused to appear he received IN
formation of the girls CONDITION. As ne
noticed signs of great excitement among
people residing IN that section he pro
coeded 10 investigate.
VISITED THE GIRL.
DR.. Thompson further enlightened the
Constable. and finally the two, accom-
panied by Mrs. Thompson. went TO Matue
Newman's house and saw the SICK girl.
She was forewarned by the Constable 70
be very careful IN her statements and to
tell strictly the truth rs several witnesses
were present TO hear what she had to say;
Realizing that the statements OF the glrl
were very important. Constable Samuels
had them written down, and when the
GIRL finished what she had 10 say, be asked
her 10 afix her signature. She declined
to do this. saving she was too weak, but
placed her mark on the paper. II was
this information which led the officer TO
swear out another warrant against Ben
nett, charging him with the girls ruin.
Constable Samuels III his conversation
with the reporter showed quite plainly
that he thought the girls statements were
very damaging to the prisoner. lie said
he fully impressed upon her mind the aD-
solute importance OF telling the truth.
COMPLICATED CASE.
There seems to be considerable discord
in BENEFITS family, and the circumstances
involved in the case are very complicated.
II Is an open secret that the prisoner was
not Oh good terms with his son Charles Oh
the latters wife. HIS other son, John.
evidently thinks the old man X innocent
of the offence with which be is charged.
ana censures his brother Charles for the
actl III ne has taken against the accused.
Bennett keeps a small green grocery lus'
outside the corporate limits, in the luc ka-
hoe District. and was at one time buck
ster in the Second Market. He lives a
short distance FROM his son, Charles. Yes
terdav he gave Mr. Smith a deed placing
the attorney in possession of his property.