Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-22

mother. Mrs. McNamee. q rather hano.
some woman. OF medium stature. nen'
eyes and hair, and OF refined features.
maintained upon this occasion the same
calm. vet solemn, bearing that charso-
terized her presence In the courtroom on
the first day Of the trial. She was d.
rected to retire on the second day, OWING
10 the fact that the lawyers for the de.
fence expected d put her on the stana
to testify in behalf OF her husband a. "
the insulting language alleged 10 nav
been used to her by Atweil. Once CURING
the examination OF the little BOY snc
tempted 10 speak 10 the child. but she
was promptly checked by Mr.. Smith ana
the Judge simultaneously. She said tnas
she only intended to tell Robert to take
his finger from his mouth, In order tnat
ne might talk more audibly. She was
told that she must not even do this. ana
dId not again attempt to speak duf'ns
the afternoon. She kept her eyes upon
the boy throughout his testimony as uiu
the prisoner and every one else In inc
courtroom.
Before the examination OF the lad began
Ar Ricba rdson asked him who told MIN
how TO answer those questions ABOUT
God. and he declared that no one did.
The Court here stated that 1t was per
fectiy competent for the child to nave
the significance OF an oath explained "
him. 1t was even proper for tne Cour'
to appoint some one to do thL. III
Richardson said that he was aware VI
this fact.
TELLS ABOUT THE TROUBLE.
Mr.. Carter then began his examination
by asking Robert IL he went over TO M..
Atwell's one day and had some trouDie
about his veloclpede. The child answered.
In the affirmative.
"Did you 20 back home and tell your
mamma what had happenedT cohtihueu
the counsel for the defendant.
yves. sir" replied the Juvenile witness.
"Wby did YOU not go back after your
velocipede?"
because Mr.. Atwell looked so mad
and was afraid" .,.
"Dld your mamma go back with you!
Eyes. SIR"
"And what took place then?'
"He quarrelled at her."
"what did he say to your mammaE
questioned Mr.. Carter -.
"He said-I done forgot. He cursed her."
"Did your mamma cry there?'
Eyes. SIR"
The little witness was then turned over
TO the counsel for the Commonwealth
but they had no interrogations 10 pro-
pound to him, and Robert stepped ASIDE.
Mrs. Atwel was then told that she was
no longer a witness In the case. and That
she could take a seat beside her h,bs-
band IL she wished to do so. She and
Robert then took chairs beside the ac-
cused. and sat there during the remainder
of the day. ..
Court here took a recess for dinner IL
was nearly 8 o'clock when IL reconvened,
and very little was done during the al
ternoon sitting.
The Afternoon Session.
John Muse (colored), Of Manchester
husband Of the Old woman who testified
during the morning session. was ex-
amined. and said he lived right near
Mr.. Atwell and remembered that
he was killed about Christmas
Mr.. Smith asked the witness II he re-
membered that his wife told him some
thing concerning Mr.. Atwell. He said
he did. Mr.. Richardson then objected to
this line of interrogating the old man.
Mr.. Smith stated that inasmuch as Mr..
Richardson had endeavored to prove by
Mr.. Hcldcraft during the morning ses-
sion that the old colored woman made to
him a statement different from the one
she made on the witness-stand, ne
wanted TO show that she made the same
statement TO her husband on the might
of the killing that shc swore to In court.
The Judge ruled the evidence out. and
the defence said that that was all they
had TO submit.
Judge Witt said that inasmuch as the
case could not be concluded last night
as the Commonwealth would probably
have q large number of witnesses to put
on the stand in rebuttal, he thought the
court had better adjourn until 10 O'Clock
this morning. This was done, ana one
of the jurors was permitted to so, ac-
companied by deputy, to see his Wie'
who was sick.