The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-18
CLARK'S TRIAL Is OVER.
THE VERDICT FIVE YEARS IAfPRTs-
OyMENT IN THE PExITEyTIARY.
The Effect Upon tho Prisoncr-The Jury
Cornri.mcnted-Cea for the he
Tense VIII Move for New Trial.

IDANNilLtt, VA, req. H.-opcCldi.-
The great Clark trial is oyer. and the
verdict has been rendered. When the
hustings court convened this morning at
O'Clock the rain was falling and cold
raw Northwest wind made II very dis
agreeable The dense crowd. which has
thronged the courtroom. was not on
hand. The attendance was much smaller
than usual. and there was not a woman
In the court. Immediately an procuring
order the deputy was sent TO the jury
room They had been there less than
two minutes. when loud rap on the
door announced TO the court and the
crowd that the jury was ready with
report. perhaps n verdict. Following the
lead OF an officer Of the court the jury
fled In the room. and being asked II they
had agreed, answered that they had.
The clerk instructed the prisoner TO look
upon the Jury, and the jury upon the
prisoner. Clark arose. and, though ne
made q powerful effort TO control him
self. he showed great nervousness, which
passed away after the clerk had read the
verdict, as follows:
we, the jury in the case OF the Com
monwealth against J. T. Clark. find the
prisoner at the bar guilty Of voluntary
manslaughter as charged in the indict-
ment, and ascertain his term Of imprison-
mont IN the penitentiary OF this State at
five years" And so say you alp asked
the clerk. and the jurors answered In the
Affirmative.
The prisoner sat down and looked
steadily into vacancy. II was plain that
ne was making desperate effort not TO
show by his face the emotion that was
moving his breast. One of his uncles.
who had sat by him during the long ana
tedious trial, spoke to him in whisper
and that seemed TO remove the spell. lie
then raised his head and with a smile.
said In an undertone, 81 guess 1t is all
right" Whether this remark had refer
ence TO what had been said to him or TO
the verdict is not known, most probably
the latter. Judge Aiken addressing the
jury. said IL was improper now for him
10 say whether the court approved or
disapproved the verdict. but he could
say and would say most earnestly that
he had never known a jury TO give more
careful and patient attention TO case
than had this jury. They We're entitled TO
the thanks OF the court, the Common
wealth and this community.
Counsel for defense made a motion
without argument for a new trial. which
was overruled. and then counsel asked
TO prepare bills of exceptions. which was
granted. II is understood that counsel
will file these bills tomorrow morning
with a view of taking the case 10 the
supreme court of appeals. Mr.. Harrison
of counsel for defense, addressing the
court before the jury was discharged.
said In the heat of argument he had said
some things which Colonel Aylett, Of
counsel for the prosecution. had con-
sidered at the time as personal refec-
ton. He disclaimed any intention of re-
fecting personally on Colonel Aylett.
Colonel Aylett arose and said he had
had a perfect understanding with Mr..
Harrison and knew already that what
he at first thought was a persOnl refiec-
ton was not so intended, and hence he all
the more appreciated this public dis
claimer.
The court then asked Colonel Aylett
20 state his complaint against Deputy
Sergeant Womack, against whom the
Colonel had lodged an implied complaint.
when on Friday evening he had asked
that that officer be no longer allowed TO
have charge Of the jury. Deputy Sergeant
Womack, being sworn. was questioned by
Colonel Aylett, and said: ON Wednes-
day he had had a talk in JEST with two
officers Of the North Danville police in
regard TO the probable verdict. but it
was all in Jest.
Juror Arthur ConnelI. OF u nchburg.
asked 10 be heard. and said never had
jury been better treated - the officers Cf
the court than had this one. AM that
Sergeant WOmack had strictly carried
out the instructions % the Court AMI had
never talked with ths Jury about the
case All he Jurors gave their assent
TO this and Judge Aiken dismissed tn
matter. II is UNDERSTOOD that when TIN
jury first went oct they stood seven for
voluntary nanSlauEht-r and i've for muir
der in the second degree. On an informal
ballot some OF the Jurors voted for ac-
quittal and some 1Or murder in the first
degree. These votes, however were
thrown out az feeisrs, and he first formal
ballot showed FIVE for murder in the
second degree and a sh0r; term and seven
for manslaugater. During last night the
verdict as rendered was agreed upon
Several days ago n drummer named
Tom Washington hired hack at Axton.
station on the Danviile and Western
and started out On a tour Of the country
stores IN Henry and Pittsylvania counties.
His driver was a white man named W. II.
Reese. Last night they got lost In the
darkness, drove into Dan river which
was greatly swollen by recent rains,
and Ksesee was drowned. Washington
climbed on the top Of the hack, and his
cries for help being heard by men on
shore he was rescued In the struggle in
the stream the horses were released from
the vehicle and swan ashore. Keesce's
body has not yet been recovered. The
drowning occurred near Wilson's, nine
miles from here.
DENSE FOG IN TIDEWITER