Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-11
THE TRIAL OF CLARK
EXPERT TESTIMONY FOR THE De-
FENCE IN ReBUTTAL.
Did Mofrett Die from tho Wound or tho
Surgical on;-Prtsoner's
story OF the Encounter,
Special telegram to tho Dispatch.l

DANvIlLr. Va, February l0.-lnterest IN
the Clark trial is undated, and the crowd
in the courthouse to-day was greater than
usual. The prisoner looked somewhat
haggard. showing that anxiety Is telling
on him. The testimony for the defence
began this morning. and several witnesses
were introduced TO break down the evil
dence of Adams and Grant Clark. who tes-
tilted that at Blackwelps store Clark had
said of Moffett the - - scOundrel did
try TO perpetrate a fraud, and the sooner
he leaves North Danyille the better"
Three witnesses testified that they were
in the store at the time and Clark used no
such language. DR.. B. b. Temple was put
on stand in rebuttsl of expert testimony
given by Drs Robinson and Hsrvie. attend
Ing physicians.
EXPERT TESTIMONY.
DR.. Temple did not believe in formal
laparotomy, but IN the expectant treat
ment He ridculed formal lsparOtOmy
and said that IN cases of shock II amounted
10 malpractice. IL was admitted that
Moffett was suffering from shock when
the operation was performed, ana Ut.
Temple said the operation annihllated oil
chances of recovery. Asked If Mofett
died from the wound or the result of the
OItTdiiNU. At stitl luhl hl hANNNA Nh'
yond human ken, but that wounds quite
as serious had been successfully treated by
the other method. DIR. b. VI. Walker was
next examined and his testimony was
much the same as that Of DR.. Temple.
CLARK on THE STAND.
In the afternoon J. T.. Clark, the prisoner
at the bar, was put on tho stand, ana ms
testimony was heard with intense interest.
He said that on the day of the shooting no
had gone 10 the country to see MS Wlte'
returned about or O'Clock IN the eve
ming to North Danville; then came 70 Dan
VILE and went 10 the Masonic Hall TO
meeting. When be left there he was joined
| bv II. ID. Flynn, who first told hlm OF the
article in Ant-Liqtor. FLYNN said the arti-
Gle was very personal. H0 went back -
North Dauville and tried 20 get the paper;
failed 10 find It and returned 10 DaDyilie;
went 10 Brydon's drugstore and GOT tue
clerk % telephone 70 the Danyllle heg,,S7
office for a copy OF Amh-Lhqnor. Inc
Regisier Office replied that the editor was
engaged.
AT THE OFFICE.
Then he went to the Register Office, AMI
saw MolIett and Editor Copeland at the
| table with their backs turned 90 him;
/ SAID nothing. but turned and left the Office.
! He walked up Main street as far as Fer
rells furniture store about half a square,
stopped and looked IN a show-wlndow
remained there tor some little time. then
walked slowly back. Ho denied that he
crossed tho street and came back. as
! charged. or that he stopped and leaned
! against post ON the sidewalk.
TIE ENCOUNTER.
As he got back to this point. half way
between Ferrelps and the ReJjs'r Office, he
met NoIett: that MoGett rushed az HIM
| and caught him by the lapel OF bis coat,
| forced HIM back, and then threw his hand
| behind him, and rs he thought. drew
pistol and shot him IN the wrist. He
/ knocked NoHetts hand down and then
/ drew his own pistol and fired at Mohett;
! had DO recollection of having shot but
once. He was very much excited IN theen
! counter. In reply % aquestlon he sad that
| he shot Mo6ett for the purpose OF protect
| mo hls own life: said also, thar 10 had
| been his custom since ho was 10 years old
! 70 carry pistol. On cross-examlnetion he
/ SAID be was a Baptist; did not think no
/ told b. 7. jefferson that he held Mofetts
/ life IN the hollow OF his hand. HE had
/ often said, however, that It wasal he coull
! do 20 keep his friends off of Moiett. Asked
/ II he did not once say positively that MOI.
I fett had pistol and shot HIM, said he dld
| not remembe 10 have assorted 1t a. tact,
thought so thon and thought 80 now, but
might have been mistaken.
LEGAL ADVICE.
About this time Mr.. Massie. the Com
! monwealth's Attorney. asked Clark If he
did not come 10 him Massle) and ask his
advice about the fine imposed against him
CLARK III the Mayors Court Of North Dam
vile.
Clark said: Yes. and Won sand that III
! better not get you 20 90 over there, a. you
/ might prosecute me-
And what did advise you to do?"
asked Alr. Massie.
You told me-" said Clark. " to get a
stick and beat Mofett's head, IA that was
what he needed"
MIR. MAssIF DENIES,
| This made something of a sensation, but
| Mr. Massio denies having said anything Of
| the kind to Clark.
| The prosecution then wanted 10 put Or.
! William Nelson on the stand III rehutial OF
! DR.. Temples testimony. but the Court
ruled that DIR. Nelson should have been IN
! troduced IN the examination IN chlct.
| The court then adjourned.