Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-08
STORY OF MRS. MILLS.
HER EVIDENCE IN The NICHOLAS
CASE RATHER SENSATIONAL.
sh. was pntrue 10 Her Husband. but
Thoushs Hts Drowning Was Acct.
denta,--other Witnesses Testify.

qhe evidence given IN the Nichoias Case
Yesterday was OF a decidedly sensational
nature. and Il looks very much as IL the
pr,soner is becoming entangled In a web
OF circunstantial evidence. He appeared
pa,er and more haggard than ever.
though his features show but little emo
ton
Tho courtroom, az usual, was packed
With spectators, but the personnel OF the
succtntors was by no means an attrac-
i've one and taken az whole. the as
sennbIy was mainly composed OF 'po' whlte
folks and niggers."
The proceedings OF the tribunal began
with the testimony OF an airy, coiored
darnsel. who responded TO the classic
appellation OF Virginia Octavia Mallory
She saw Nicholas when he came BACK
home after the drowning. He was very
wet.
MRS. MILLS OK THE STAND.
when virginia Octavia retired from the
stand her place was taken by Mrs. MINIS,
the widow OF one OF the drowned men,
and a most important witness In the case.
Every eye was turned upon her and every
ear was strained to catch her words she
was totally disqualified to meet the ue-
mands OF such curiosity. In the nTst
Mace she spoke almost In a whisper.
and what is worse, she failed TO impress
the crowd as being pretty. The woman
Is suffering from consumption ana iooKeo
very badly At times she sobbed ana
shed tears, but IL is evident that she uoes
not fully appreciate the extent Oh her
evil-doings. She confessed her intimacy
with Nicholas and told how the prisoner
reported the drowning.
The woman stated that Nicholas and
her husband had never had any quarreis
about her, but that the two once had
a dispute about some money.
Mrs Mills told the court that Nicholas
had bought some poison TO XIII NILS Wlth'
and had asked her to administer H. She
declined 20 do so. The accused told her
a grain would kill man and advised
her TO put II In the coffee OF the deceased
The witness said she had not seen the
nojson. but that after its purchase her
husband was frequently taken sick, and
complained OF pain In the heart
Mrs. Mills said her husband first sug-
qestod the trip to the bee-tree. She ex-
pressed the belief that the drowning was
an accident as tho prisoner was always
kind TO the deceased.
PHILIP BOUGHT THE POISON.
Mr. J. Il. Lewis, druggist, who Keeps
n store on Broad street, testified that on
September 10th the accused came TO ms
shop and bought co grains of strychnine.
Mr.. Lewis produced his poison register
10 show this. Nicholas did not know That
the names Of persons who purchased
poisons were recorded and hesitated some
what when asked TO give his. He was
C1alIy put down as Z. n. Nicholas, Sab
ITS Island, Goochland. This was not
true address. as he lived in Henrico
unty. The prisoner. who was identi-
by Mr.. Lewis shortly after his ar
2. told the druggist he wanted ~ XIII
- and rats with the poison.
ne afternoon session of the court
asan with the testimony of Mrs. VIII
tnson. a venerable lady. who has reached
or allotted three score and ten. She
Is the mother Of one OF the unfortunate
mon who lost their lives In the river.
Mrs. Wilkinson said Nicholas induced her
on TO accompany him on the bee-tree
expedition The witness stated that a
month before the drowning Nicholas and
iIrs. Mills We're in her room. The ac-
cused said I'm going TO shoot William
Green's dogs for killing my turkeys"
Mrs. Mills remarked: you needn't shoot
them. you have got something you can
Get rid of them with"
Tho prosecution brought out this evil
dcnce TO show that the prisoner told
an untruth when he said he bought the
poison to kill dogs with.
Several witnessss testified that the ac-
cused frequently made the assertion that
Mills was liable TO die Of heart disease
at any time.
The proceedings Of the court ended for
the day at $50 Z. NJ. and will be re-
sumed tomorrow at 10 o'clock. The evil
dence will probably be concluded by Mon
day night. The jury is quartered at the
Exchange Hotel.