Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-13
THE SMITHER'S CASE.
HeNRIco GRAND JURY DIRECTED TO
INQUIRE AS TO ALLEGED FRAUDS
Judge Wickham's First Day ON the Bench
Several Indictments Found-Lirzie
Will Go Free.

The March term OF the County Court
convened yesterday at IL o'clock. wnen
Judge T. Ashby wickham assembled the
bench for the first time. Without any
formality whatever he proceeded at once
to business, like an old hand at the work.
and produced vary favorable impression
on all in the courtroom. This Is grand
jury term and considerable interest Is
manifested In the Walters and Walton
case, every one being curious to know
whether or not the jury will bring IN an
indictment against these prisoners, VINO
are charged with the murder OF Solomon
b. Jenkins. Commonwealth's-Attor
Sands said yesterday that should the
grand jury call upon him for an opinion
in the case he would advise that not
true bill be found against them.
JUDGE WICKEAMS CHARGE.
The grand jury was sworn in shortly
after the court convened. and Judge Wick
ham delivered his first charge. in which,
after briefly defining n grand jurors du-
ties. he said:
"The law, gentlemen, throws around you
ample security and gives you full power
to perform all the responsible duties II
has placed upon you, and upon you VIII
depend how this trust is executed. feel
that It IL not necessary, and therefore not
becoming In me- to enlarge upon the du-
ties that you owe TO yourselves and 10
the community OF which you are a
part and will simply say that IN this
business In which you are now engaged,
as In all the other business of life, there
are no better guides to a right conclusion
than common-sense and good feeling.
With these two guides, gentlemen OF the
grand jury. you cannot, in my judgment.
go far astray.
THE ALLEGED ELECTION FRAUDS.
There is a matter about which there
have been many rumors and much talk,
TO which your attention should be d.
rected. IL has been said that violations
of the election-laws were committed IN
our county at the elections Jed last NO
vember.'
1.-THE charge IL a grave one and reflects
upon the good name OF the community
and II from the knowledge Of any mem
Der Of your body or from the testimony
of any witness who is brought before yot
you believe there is any foundation fol
such a charge. you will give the matter
proper investigation, so that II wrong has
been done the wrong-doers may BE- pun
ished; and If there has been no wrons
these reports, so Injurious to the fair name
of the county, may be set at rest.
1T is made my duty to charge you par
Al. .rI., Inc fntA viz tinna nj
the revenue laws of the State.
Il will render you all the assistance In
my power in conducting your investga
tons"
SEVERAL INDICTMENTS.
The greater portion OF the time OF the
court was occupied in setting dates fol
the trial OF cases to come up this term.
The case of Morris Hopkins, charged will
the murder of Mr.. Parsons, was post
roned until the next term Of the court.
At 2 o'clock the jury came into court
and presented the following true bills:
Commonwealth VS. John Williams, mis-
demeanor; Commonwealth VS.. william
Thornton, misdemeanor; Commonwealth
VS.. q. T.. Morton, felony; Commonwealth
W.. James Beverly. felony; Commonwealth
W.. Taylor. misdemeanor.
The grand jury then adjourned until next
Friday at ii o'clock.
BRIEF COUNTY NOTES.
The magistrates OF Henrico have not had
much to do this year. There were onlS
six prisoners committed to Jail during the
entire month Of February.
on Thursday, twelve miles above Rich
mond, the large barn on the estate of the
late o. G. Brown Miss V. l.. Cauthorn
ADMINISTRATIVE was burned and all X
contents lost. The fire occurred between
1 and 2 o'clock in the daytime. and is sup
posed to have been the work OF an incen
diary.
Mr.. II. S. Garnett, who was bitten by
stallion on the hand. was at the court
house yesterday. The wound was pain
full one. and the gentleman came neal
losing his hand. He will be Scared foi
life.
Judge Minor and Mr.. Walter Grant VS.
tied the court yesterday