The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-10
THE MOFFETT SHOOTING.
CLxRK,s TRIAL ATTRACTIN
GREAT CROWDS.
Several Witnesses Introduced by the Siate
and the Prosecution Rcsts-bNe'y
Tilt Between Lawyers.

DANvIJI.E. VA. Feb s.-Special.-The
trial of the case OF ]. T. Clark continues
20 attract great crowds. When the hust-
,nes court opened at 10 O'Clock this morn
ing the courtroom was crowded almost
10 sufYocation. Examination of witnesses
introduced by the prosecution was con-
tinuea. b. +. jefferson. of North Dan
VILE was the first witness. The day be-
fore the shooting Clark asked the wit
ness II he did not think the time mad
come for the good people Of North Dan
VILE 10 drive Moffett from their midst.
Clark said ne held Moffetts life In the
hollow OF his hand, and a thousand men
in the country could be called TO drive
Moffett away. Witness had heard other
people condemn Moffetts extreme poiltl-
cal course, but had never heard any one
else threaten TO drive him away or lnt-
mate anything of the kind. Witness had
known Moffett several years. lie was
pastor OF the North Danvilie Bapust
church and editor OF Ant-Liquor'
strong Prohibition paper His course III
the last campaign was vigorous ana o.
fensive TO many Of his former irenus'
Witness saw Clark before the shooung.
and heard him inquiring FOR a copy Oh
Anti-Liquor: also saw him after tne
shooting, and heard him say that Mohett
had shot him in the wrist, infiicting only
a scratch wound.
ID. T.. Dyer, telegraph operator. VINO
was in charge of the Daily Register
press wire in the Register office. testihed
that some one teephoned TO the Register
office on the night Of the shooting TO
know II a copy Of Anti-Liquor containing
Moffett's editorial attack on Clark was
there saving Clark wanted 10 see H.
Moffett was at that moment in the
Register editorial rooms. consulting win
the editor about a card he proposed 10
publish Witness replied that the editor
would answer in a few moments. WINE
Moffett and the editor were still taking
and standing with their backs 10 the
front door Clark came in the Office ana
seeing Moffett ne turned without saying
a word and left the office. Moffett soon
after left the office. and the shooting oc-
Cured lust above the Register ONCE
few moments later.
half dozen or more witnesses VINO
heard the shooting rushed 70 the scene
and saw part OF the difficulty, &c, were
introduced and examined. DINERS were
introduced who saw Clark standing on me
street near the scene OF the hoii'i~iN'
before the shooting.
The vest and underclothing worn by
Moffett. showing the bullet hole ana
powder burn, were introduced ana ldeh-
titled.
w. w. Moffett. OF Salem. Va, brother
of the deceased, was put on the stand
He reached Danville the night oil the
homicide TO attend the Baptist Generai
Association. then in session I'm this city;
was met at the depot by the deceased
and they started together TO the FIRST
Rantist church. where he Association
was I'm session Before reaching there
deceased left witness. saying he had 10
leave a card for publication at the regis
ter office and would join witness at tne
church. The next time witness saw MS
brother he had been shot. and was lying
on a lounge In the doctors once ~
Mr.. Moffett was greatly affected while
on the stand. and at times was overcome
with emotion. He was not cross-exam-
ined.
The diving declaration of Moffett was
Introduced and verified. and the bullet
a 3s-calibrc. found in his intestines at the
autopsy. was produced. There was quite
a tilt between the counsel when the
prosecution put a witness on the stand TO
prove Clark's statement on application
for bail on the morning after the shoot-
ing. when the Commemorative attorney
said the testimony was introduced De
cause he feared the prisoner would not be
nut on the stand. The denfense replied
that he will certainly so on the stand.
The commonwealth attorney then
rested it's case. and Immediately the coun-
sci for the prisoner, by motion, asked
the Court to compel the Commonwealth
10 put Green Williams, chief OF police,
and p B. Gravely on the stand. These
men are acknowledged TO be the only
eye witnesses of the difficulty, and had
been summoned by both sides. 1t was
principally on their testimony that the
Indictment was found. The motion was
followed by vigorous legal discussion,
INDUCED in by Messrs Masse and Aylett
for the prosecution. and Peatross and
Harrison for the denfense, and numerous
authorities were cited. 1t was lively
fight for position. 1t being n well-estab-
lished rule in law that neither side can
contradict its own witnesses. Each side
was therefore, endeavoring TO force the
other to the necessity of putting these
witnesses on the stand. Judge Aiken de-
cided that the Court would introduce and
examine the two witnesses. which would
put each side on an equal footing The
decision has been highly commended by
all the members Of the bar.
After a recess of one hour the Court
nut the witnesses. Williams and Gravely.
on the stand. The main point In the
testimony was that Moffett and Clark
had quite a struggle before the firing
commenced.
Up to the hour Of adjournment for the
day the defense had introduced only one
witness OF their own, whose testimony
was unimportant.
The court reassembled at p. NJ. and
the fury was sent in in charge of officers.
and. accompanied by the judge, counsel
and the prisoner. went to and viewed the
scene Of the tragedy. the location Of the
Register office and other landmarks made
famous by this now celebrated case.
william F. Cheek, surviving member
OF the banking firm. has purchased from
the widow OF the late John NJ. Johnston
her interest In the banking house Of
Johnston & Cheek, and II is understood
that he will conduct the business alone
in the future.
Active steps are being taken to make
the forthcoming Danville centennial cele-
bration a grand success. President Penn.
of the Tobacco Association. has appointed
a committee OF ways and means and
meeting of the same has been called for
tomorrow afternoon TO put the ball
in motion.
"P4GE-PULLER" CAMP