Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-02-16
BOT, To pe Hanged.


MANASSAS, Va, Feb. 12.-Court opened
at $50 this morning aud the usual mill
tary guard of twenty-five men placed IN
and around the bar. After the prelim-
inaries the case of Ben White, colored,
for criminal assault was called, and his
victim, Mrs Elliott, was the first witness.
She is eoodlcohipg Young woman,
twenty years old, a bride Of only three
months, is a native of Fauquier couniy
and has been in Prince William only
since her marriage. She was Miss Ida
Kidwell. Her testimony was the same IS
that given in the case Of Robinson. and
was most conclusive. The whole affair
in all of ITS sickening details, was brought
out by the questioning of Mr. Jeffries and
Mr.. Thornton. During her testimony the
great crowd stood IN breathless attention,
and mrny were visibly affected, ore Of
the jurors freely using his handkerchief
White sat with downcast heal, mecbani.
Jdl4g bu1lu- Nluu HIS udts
The oss-examinalion was very severe,
and Mrs. Elliott broke down under the
searchiug questioning but never wavered
from her direct testimony. At last wher
one question was more sickening than the
others she hesitated and looked appeal
iogly at Mr. Thornton and then at Judge
Lpscomb. who decided that she need not
answer. Mr.. Green, one OF the counse
for the defense, said: 81 except to YOU
honor's ruling and know of no rnle to tina
effect" Judge Lipscomb replied: "Ther'
is this rule here: | do not propose TO a,
low counsel to badger and torment wit
cess in this fashion,
Mrs Hahin was tie next witness anC
corroborated IN the main all Of Mrs
Elliott's testimony.
The facts rs brought ont make this one
of the most a;rocious crimes ever cor
mitted in this section.
As the other case, Mr. Mayhugh ties
ii 4 ID to the condition Of the ladies' wheI
they reached his house.
After several unimportant witnesso
the prosecution rested its case, and Eel
minutes was allowed for a private con
versation between White and his counsel
and be left tie room under heavy mill
tary guard.
On their return to the court room coGnse
foc the defence sprung genuine sur
prise on the court by satiug that, relying
upon the exceptions already taken in th'
case and confident that a new trial wOulC
be granted their client that new tria'
would he granted their client By the
Court Of Appeals. they would decline t
either introduce witnesses on his behal
or argue the case before the jury, wbethe;
counsel for the State argu ed the case o.
not.
Co1nsel for the state suggested that tb'
WITNESSES summoned on behalf of the pr.s
oner be called to show thst they were
present, ready to testify. That was done
and then. after the law relating to the
crime charged lad been read to the jary
they retired at 1877 to consider the case.
The Jury returned az l2.il. and in an
sNer to the formal question Of the clerks
stated that they had fonud White guilty,
and fixed his punishment at death Tie
usual motions for new trial and in arrest
of judgment were made after the jury
had been polled and promptly overruled,
aud than recess was tsk'n until o.
clock.
When cour. reassembled codnsel for
the defense fled seven bills Of exception
IN Whites case and three in Robinson's
Both prisoners were then brought in and
sentenced to be hung March 30 next
Robinson received his sentence with ap'
parently stold indifference. while White
showed much emotion. They were taken
back to Jail and at 40 with their military
guard, left for Alexandria, where they
will be kept until the date Of their han
glug.