Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-08
PARSONS-GOODMAN.
Widespread Interest In the Murder Trial
Which Begins To-Day.
SPICY PROCEEDINGS PROMISED.
Distinguished Array Of Counsel on Both
sides-Witnesses and Documents In
the Case-The venire.

the morning OF June 10Th shot and killed
Colonel Henry C. Parsons, of Natural
Fridge. in the lobby of the Gladys Inn, al
Clifton Forge, Is fixed for tomorrow in
the Allegheny County Court. The indi-
cations tonight are that there will be
no delay, as both sides are anxious to get
through with the matter and think they
will have all things in readiness
THE tragedy was one Of the most sensa-
tional that has occurred in Virginia in re-
oent years, and great interest Is felt in
the trial.
fColne Parsons was widely known. not
only in this State, but throughout the
North and East.
Captain Goodman, who has been In the
railway service almost continually for
fifteen years OF more. had become a fa-
pillar figure with the travelling public
and, like his victim, he has hosts OF
friends who will await the result Of his
trial with deep concern. While there Is
no great excitement in the community. IL
Is expected that the hearing will attract
immense crowds. In addition TO the
county people, and those from along the
railroad lines near by. number of the
close friends OF both the conductor and the
late proprietor Of the celebrated Natural
Bridge property will come TO hear the
proceedings.
THE OPPOSING COUNSEL.
The trial Is certain to be interesting.
and the proceedings promise to be full
Of spice. The prosecution and defence
will both be conducted by able counsel,
and the legal battle Is sure to be a great
one. Mr.. William II. Allen. the Com
mOnwealths Attorney OF the county,
though quite a young man, has made a
fine reputation as a criminal lawyer and
especially as prosecutor. He has as
sociated with him Mr. William H.. Craig.
Of Stanton, who is one of the best crimi-
nal lawyers in the Valley.
The prisoner has a hard trio for the
other side to handle In Messrs. George
X. Anderson, of Clifton Forge, Robert
l.. Parrish. of this place. and Beverly I.
Crump, of Richmond. who will look after
his interests and try to show that the
conductor was justhable In taking the
life of the man who had preferred
charges against him, and was pressing
them with great persistence. Mr.. Par
rish stands at the head Of the Allegheny
bar, and was at one time Common
wealths Attorney of the county. Though
not yet an old man, and in the enjoyment
of full vigor and strength. he is the oldest
man in the case on either side. Mr.. An
dersOn was for several years the gifted
Commonwealth Attorney of Louisa, and
during his five years residence in this
section ne has taken high rank. Mr..
Crump Is among the best known criminal
lawyers in the State. and first came
prominently before the public az junior
counsel for the defence in the Cluverius
case. 1t will be seen that there can be
no lack of legal talent.
MAKING PREPARATIONS.
All five Of the lawyers named spent
most of to-day making final preparation
for the trial Mr.. Craig came up from
Staunton yesterday morning, and Mr.
CrUmp from Richmond last night. Mr..
anderson spent to-day here with his as
5ociates. and ran down home tonight, but
Will return early in the morning. 1t is
hard To say how long the trial will last
This depends upon several things, espe-
cally upon the latitude that Judge Moore
allows in the examination. II the testi-
mony is strictly confined to the shooting
and the immediate causes that led up to
IL. the case may reach the jury this
week: but II the attorneys are allowed
wider range much more time will be con-
sumed. The disposition Of all concerned
seems TO be- to introduce as little as pos
sblc that is not necessary. Counsel on
both sides. though as polite and pleasant
as possible. seem disinclned to enter into
any detailed discussion Of the case.
WITNESSES.
Mr.. Anderson told me- when ! saw him
late this evening. that the defence would
have at least fifteen or twenty witnesses
Commonwealths-A s-Attorney Allen. who at
II O'Clock tonight is hard at work with
Mr.. Craig at the latter's room, said he
could not yet say how many witnesses
would be on hand for the prosecution.
There will certainly be a great number.
1t is known that thirty-five or forty are
expected. and the attorneys had stacks
OF letters relating to those who may be
| put on the stand SO far as / am ad-
vised only two Of the Chesapeake and
Ohio officials will be here 10 testify.
These are Superintendent G. G. Walker.
who is summoned for both sides. and
Mr.. VI. l.. Akers, chief clerk to General
Manager Stevens, who will appear for
| the defence.
THE FATAL LETTER.
1t is expected that both of these gentle
men will be put on the stand In con-
necton with the fatal letter that Colonel
Parsons wrote to Mr.. Stevens early In
| June, complaining OF the conduct of Mr.
| Goodman i'm many particulars. Mr.
| Walker may be also questioned on Other
| points. specially as TO other difficulties
| that Goodman has had, and the per
| sistency with which Colonel Parsons Is
| alleged to have made war against him
| other Richmond witnesses will be Rev
| Dr. william f.. Hatcher, of Grace-Street
| Baptist church, of which the Conductor
| has been a member for several years
and Captain Il. Z. Hulce, of the Thirt
| Police District. Ex-Governor Fitzhugf
Lee has been talked Of as probable
| witness, but | am unable to learn thai
| he has been summoned
| THE JURY.
| The Court pretty well cleared its rou
| tine docket to-day, and will be ready tC
| take up the Goodman case at 3 y. NJ
| tomorrow, with two venires OF twenty
| men each, one summoned for this case
| especially and the other for the term
| 1t is thought probable that jury VIII
be gotten without very much difficulty
| or delay. This. however, Is hard TO fore
| tell. 1t Is said that the list OF names
| selected by Judge Moore for the cas'
| embraces some of the best men in ALE
ghany
The unsigned Parsons letter referred tc
above will play a conspicuous part II
| the trial.
THE FOUNDATION STONE.
The prosecution decline to say whether
they will introduce 1t or not. but II they
do not, and they hardly will. the defence
surely will offer it, and in all probability
make II the foundation stone on whicf
to build up the plea OF Justification
Readers OF the Dispatch Will remember
that Ii was this letter that led to I'M
| shooting. Ii was not signed, put Wa
| written on Colonel Parsons's business pa
per; was In his handwriting; contalnee
illusions that could hardly have beer
made by anyone else. and it was apparen
that he simply forgot 10 sign H. Whei
the conductor confronted him with II II
the lobby of the Gladys Inn, that rata
Friday morning. the Colonel without mes
itation admitted that he was Its authof
II was after few words following TIM
admission that Captain Goodman drew
his revolver and emptied II. three or rou
OF the balls taking effect upon Soiohe
Parsons. who died In about an hour.
SAW THE TRAGEDY.
The only eyewitness q TO the kiilihi
were Clerk Martin and the head waite
at the inn, who will be among the mos
important persons placed on the stahu'
| Captain Goodman, besides seeing NJ
/ ahor Of callers to-day