Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-17
PARSONS TRAGEDY.
SENTIMENT IN ALLECHANY COUNTY
GREATLY DIVIDED ABOUT IT.
Coodm.p Visited Daily In Jail by His
wife aud Chiidrcn-His Cell Luxurious
IL Furnished Flowers. Etc.

| CONVICTION. VA. July I6.-tSpecials)-
/ The sentiment OF the community here
concerning the Staying OF Colonel Parsons
has been much divided. and many widely
| varyi.s stories have been told about II.
Recently Il was rumorei that other eye
witnesses 10 the affair had been found.
and that their sworn statement would
make CAPTAIN Goodman's prospects still
| darker: ON the other hand. the prisoners
friends claimed that evidence mad been
discovered showing that Colonel Parsons
had many times threatened the prisoner,
and that at the time of the shooting the
Colonel was in the act OF drawing pistol.
or course. the sentiments OF the imme-
date friends Of the principals In the affair
remain unchanged. but among those who
knew neither of them. there Is a steadily
growing feeling that some punishment
should be meted out TO the slayer OF
an unarmed man. What that punish
ment shall be. they are slow to state,
but II is generally believed that verdict
OF murder in the first degree VIII not be
reached. Much sympathy Is felt and eX-
pressed for Captain Goodman innocent
wife and family. but the consideration Of
the deadly facts against him have done
much TO lessen sympathy towards him
self The prisoners wife and children
are all in Covington. where they have
relatives. and visit him every day In his
cell In jail.
STRONG JAIL.
Allegheny county jail is one OF the
strongest in the State. The walls are over
three feet in thickness, and the windows
are long narrow Sits like those OF the
Norman castles in days of old. These
Sits are scarcely inches wide and
are closed by small wire-cOvered panes OF
glass. Three Of these Sits open into Cap
tain Goodman's cell. and afford him ample
light during the day The prospect. how
ever, as en- through them is not eX-
tensive. on account OF the thickness Of
the wall.
Everything possible to render the cell
comfortable has been done by Jailer Ham,
who was directed by the Brotherhood
of Conductors. Of which the prisoner Is
n member. to spare no expense. The
floor has been carpetcd. tables ana lamps
furnished, and furniture and pictures pur-
chased. Excellent special meals are
served. and bouquets OF flowers. fresh
every day. brighten the cell, and drown
the musty jail-odOr. common 10 all
prisons.
The prisoner is confined in the first
cell to the right, up stairs, next 10 the
iailcrs residence. and looks out OF the
narrow Sits that take the place of win
dows. upon the main street Of the town.
He is generally calm. Of undoubted gen
tlcmanly dcmeanor and reticent concern
ing the shooting. Some sad scenes have
taken place i'm his cell. however be
tween himself and members OF his family.
and could the jail walls testify il Is
probable they would repeat his regret
and penitencc for what h. had done.
He seems confident Of acquittal though.
and hopes to be- free man after the
August term Of the County Court.
The trial is set for the second day Of the
"Wednesday. August s. lS9i-and a
the courthouse is not a very large one.
it is probable that even standing-room
will be hard to find.
AN INTERESTING CASE.
THIS case in the history of the county
has attracted general attention, and
aroused great interest. and 1t Is not
unlikely that some difficulty will BE-
experienced in obtaining a jury Of men
who have not EXPRESSED an opinion. What
his defence will be IS not known, as his
counsel do not wish To expose their hand
until the trial is reached. 1t t. not
thought. however. by the lawyers her
that he will plead self-defence. The law
Of the State is too plain that man
cannot provoke quarrel. make an as
sault. and then plead self-defence If the
assaulted party resists and he Kills him.
II is reported here that Hon. ID. +.
Moore. Of Rockbridge. has been en-
ployod to assist Commonwealths-A ttor-
ney W. r. Allen in the prosecution. and
that John S. VIE. Beverly 7. Crump,
and r. l.. Parrish are engaged for the de-
fence.
It is impossible to verify all these re-
ports however. as neither the attorney
for the Commonwealth nor any Of the
recognized counsel for the prisoner Will
discuss the case.