The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-07-26
SUFFOLK LOCAL.

SAu ana SiU, Sec advertisement ana
apply as directed, if you lost it.
MIR. Ice Britt, Superintendent of
Schools, Will hold the examination for
white teachers on August 9th, aud for
colored teachers August 9Th.
The Portsmouth District Methodist
Conference which had been in session
at Benu's nj. Il. Church. Isle OF Wight
county, adjourned yesterday after a
harmonious session.
Mrs. Samuel Darden aud daughter.
Pauline. of Portsmouth, are visiting
Mrs. y. IL. Primer, Main street.
SCHOOL CENSUS RESuLrs.-Mr.W WAL
ter II. Eiey has completed the semi.
decenuial school census of Suffolk com.
prising oil persons between 8 and II
years. Following are the official re.
suits: White males, 337; white
females. 329; total white, G66; colored
males, 1852; co!ored females, 1872; total
colored, BOD; total school population,
1.020. The total in 1870 was LAO,
the present year showing decrease of
l2O.
URQUHART's PRELIMINARY HEARING
The preliminary hearing of William
j. Urquhart, accused OF the murder of
John h. Gay, on November s, 1870,
took place yesterday i'll tho county
court house before II. L.. Brewer, Jr.,
mayor OF Suffolk. The crowd i'll at
tendance was the largest which has
gathered in the building for several
years. Notwithstanding she rain storm,
spectators began to assemble some
time before the proceedings were be
gun. and when order was cal led almost
every available space on the floor aud
gallery was occupied.
Shortly after II o'clock the defen-
dant as per previous engagement with
the sheriff walked into the tenn.
pie of justice and voluntarily
surrendered him self. after beng for
more than twenty-four years q fugitive
from Justice. Ae he walked i'll and sat
down by his counsel his Bonded for IN
and white beard and locks were the
oynosurs Of all eyes. His age is fifty
seven, but appears much older.
The Mayor read the warrant, both
sides announced their readiness Tor
procedure and the Sheriff called the
witnesses, the first of whom to testify
WAS Mrs. John l.. Gay, widow oil the
deceased, whose statement was as fol-
lows: She last saw her husband alive
at 3 q. III. on November s, 1870,
when no started with load OF
corn for Isle of Wight county.
from his home at Magnolia station.
She next saw him at 4 o'clock III the
afternoon lying dead in the path d
short distance from home, with bullet
hols in the lett side. She remained by
him TIL the coroner's Jury met ut y.
III. On cross examination she stated
that her husband left home with
cavalry pistol in his pocket, which WAS
| found ten feet from his body.
Il. b. Dumville, &. ". Lassiter and
DR.. L. T.. Chopper, members of the
| Coroner's jury, were then examined at
length. testlfyinG the position OF body
! when found, the supposed relative post.
tons of the murderer and murdered,
the spot where the ball entered and
| range Of bail. The evidence OF these
| witnesses on some points was contra
diciory. Messrs. w. S. Holland aud
Merritt Briggs, counsel for deisnse md
prosecution respectively, had several
spats about the admisalbility of certain
statements.
George w. Barnawell, ono Of the
Commemorative witnesses, was under
the influence OF liquor aud made him
| self rather conspicuous. He was
elected from the room by the Sheriff
before being called to the stand.
| John Cartwright was called and asked
III CI(lunnrt nau ever con eSSeQ the
killing to him. Witness answered ia
| the negative, at first. and later said he
did not remember; said be was related
| to accused by marriage.
The strongest witness for the Com
| m on wealth and the most damaging TO
the defendant was +. n. Gray, who
testified reluctantly, snying the father
of the accused had been q great friend
to him. He stated that Urquhurt hnd
confessed the killing of Gray in d prl.
vate conversation, saying that it was
done in self defense.
After short argument by counsel the
case was submitted to the Mayor, who
sent it on to the grand jury. Motion
for bail was argued at length and re
fused, and the prisoner committed to
await the grand Iury's action.
The unusual circumstances attending
| this case. the lapse Of time since the
commission OF tho crime and tho vol.
unary surrender of the accused.
after on absence of nearly quar-
ter of a century have attracted in touse
local interest. Many persons had for
gotten the murder, white G greut msny
more had never hoard OF 1t till the
murderer's return from his long won.
behring's. Those who knew of the
circumstances bad supposed Urquhart
to be dead years ago. 1t Is said that
detectives followed him for months
after his departure, but he was never
arrested.