Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-10


II coliared him and gave him all i hau,
the Conductor answered.
Colonel Bryant said Goodman had talked
with him repeatedly about the trouble be-
tween himself and Parsons. but he could
not remember any OF these conversations
In detail. Goodman had never told him
what was in the Parsons letter. and he
did not remember having either given or
been asked any advice. He had only a
general recollection OF his talks with the
Conductor lie was on close terms OF
friendship with both Parsons and Good
man.
Porter Brown was recalled after the
dinner recess, but his testimony was not
important.
GAVE HIMSELF Up.
Mayor W. H. Davis, of Clifton Forge.
testified as to what occurred when the
prisoner came 10 him. soon after the
shooting, and surrendered himself, say
ing that he did not wish 10 evade the
law. The Conductor gave the Mayor
his pistol which he took from his right
hip-pocket, but did not say why he wish
ed to give himself up. Witness had al
ready heard Of the shooting at the inn.
but did not ask the railroad man any
thing about the occurrence Captain
Goodman did not say anything further
than that when the public knew all the
facts he would not be blamed for what
he had done. The Captain went back
into the Mayors Office TO write tele-
gram, and said he wished 10 get break
fast. Mr.. Davis did not know Ia whom
the telegram sent by Goodman was ad-
dressed or what were its contents
Mr.. G. II. Connell accompanied the pris-
oner to breakfast. and then took him 10
the Office of Justice S 4. Snead. The
pistol. a 3s-calibre. double action smith %
Wesson. was identified by The Mayor,
Justice Snead. and Sheriff Byer.
IDENTIFIED THE LETTER.
There was a stir in the courtroom
when Mr. NJ. L. Akers, chief clerk
to General Manager Stevens. was called,
as 1t was well understood that when he
took the stand the famous and fatal let
ter. which is given above. would be
offered In evidence. Mr.. Akars was only
on the stand "A few minutes. and his testi-
mony was confined to the letter. which
he identified as in the handwriting OF
Parsons.
Mr.. Stevens referred the letter TO SUI
perintondent Doyle. with the following en-
dorsement on the back in blue pencil;
&C. T.. ID. AS this is addressed to the
Superintendent. suppose 1t is intended for
you. If Goodman is such as reported,
he should be dismissed. G.. W. s:
Assistant-Superintend G. c. Walker
testified as to how the letter came To him
through Mr.. Doyle. and said he referred
il TO Captain Goodman. whose reply.
given above. was handed him IN person
on the morning Of June 2Sth. not twenty
four hours before the shooting.
4 LEGAL BOMB.
1t was here that the prosecution threw
a bomb into the proceedings, TO speak
figuratively by trying TO get before the
jury testimony which they claimed would
help to show the motive of Captain Good
man TO slay his accuser, Parsons. \ man
and woman of rather humble appearance
had been seen to enter the room, but no
special attention was paid them.
When the name j. II. Staples was
called the man left the side of his com
panion to take the chair. lie had
story to tell but ne did not tell it, though
he may hereafter. Staples is section
master at Sprngwood. on the James
River Division, which is about five miles
from Saltpetre Cave. where the woman
whom Parsons charged in his third speci-
hcation. that Goodman tried TO ALLEVIATE
from her husband, was said to I've 1t
was at this place. too. 1t will be seen,
that Captain Goodman said In his answer
that he had trouble about putting OF
woman whose reputation was not good.
DEFENCE OBJ4-O is.
The crowd now began to see what was
coming. and when Mr.. Craig asked sta
pies If he had ever had any trouble with
Goodman about the latter making i'm
proper advances TO his wife. Mr.. Parrish
promptly objected, and his manner az
well as his words censured the proSecu-
ton for taking this step.
Mr.. Craig explained to the Court that
81, cf, IN 1uc, test m
10 prove the third allegation In Colonel
ParsOnss letter, and he called upon the
witness TO produce two letters that he
had in his pocket bearing on this matter.
The defence also objected 10 these letters.
and Judge Moore sent the jury out, so
that the question of admitting them and
Staplcs's testimony might be argued Mr..
Parrish opened by declaring that in his
long practice this was the first time he
had ever known the Commonwealth to
try TO break down the character OF
prisoner on trial for his life. In law man
was rightly presumed to be innocent until
proved guilty. and any violation Of this
principle should be condemned. He had
no objection To the Introduction Of the
| legal evidence to prove Parsonss allega-
| tions. but further than that the Common
| wealth could not 60. Mr.. Parrish closed
| his pointed and dramatic speech by cha
| racterzing the proposition Of the other
! side as Shocking and monstrous.'
a BREEZY TILT
| Mr. Craig proposed to read the letters
| in hearing Of the Court, but Mr.. Parrish
| said he did not wish to have such shock
| ing stun read to the crowd. Mr.. Craig
| said the room could be cleared. but Mr..
| Parrish contested this too, and said the
| letters could be examined by counsel for
| the defence and then passed upon by the
| Judge. This course was taken, and after
| the two communications had been curso-
| rily inspected. Mr.. Craig began his speech,
| which was quite long, and at times spicy.
| He read an extract from one of the let
| ters which was written by Goodman to
| Staples. and in which the writer said he
| had started TO put woman off the train.
| but one of the train hands paid her way
| to Saltpetre Cave.
! Mr.. Parrish asked If the woman In
| court was the one put off by Goodman,
/ to which Mr. Craig replied:
| "No, sir; this is the wife whom Good
mar tired to take away from her hus-
| band and children"
| The Judge interrupted with the state
| ment that counsel could introduce evil
| dence to sustain the charges in the Par
sons letter. but nothing further tat
| could affect the prisoners character.
| r..
| intended to prove by these witnesses and
| the two letters from Goodman TO Staples
| that the third specification was true, and
| that this was the motive for the murder
| Their object was TO show malice on Good
| mans part. Here was a man who had
| actually proposed TO Staples's wife 10
| leave her husband and four little children
| and so to Richmond, under the very
| caves OF the home of his own wife and
i'children. where he would provide her with
| a room and keep her better than that "old
| man could" He then took the life OF Par
| sons the leading witness against him. 10
| destroy this testimony. in an investigation
| that would doubtless have been made by
the railroad authorities. and could but
| have resulted in his discharge in dis
| grace.
Mr.. Allen followed in much the same
| line as his associate, and both handled
the prisoner and his case quite roughly.
AROSE WITH A SMILE.
Mr.. Crump arose with a smile, and said
! he felt like throwing up his hat. and
| saving hurrah for George Washington.
after hearing the Fourth-of-Juy orations
| of his friends of the prosecution. Those
| E,l IA 20