Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-23
FINE THE OFFICERS.
Judge WIckham Imposes Penalties on
MesSrS. Solomon, Russell, and Lafus.
THEY MEANT NO CONTEMPT.
The Answers Dfsciaim Any Intention
of Disrespect or Disobedience to
the Court-smith to De Tried I'm
uenrico-Brief County Items.

The cases OF Sheriff Simon solomon,
Deputy Lew Russell, and Speeial-Deputy
w. T. Holdsworth, who were charged
with contempt OF court, in that they
permitted outsiders 10 visit the gold
brick jury. which was intrusted to their
care, and that OF Mr.. w. T. I.arus. De-
puty clerk, charged with contempt, In
that he visited the tury-room In dis
obedience Of the orders of the Court, we're
brought up before Judge wlckham yes
terday, and Messrs Solomon and Russell
were fined $50 each. Mr. Larus was as
sessed SIS. and the rule against Mr. Holds
worth was dismissed.
The proceedings were short. and OF
very formal nature. As soon as the cases
we're called the four officers, against
whom rules were issued Monday, flied
their answers in writing, and they were
read by the Judge and ordered 20 be
made a part OF the record In the now
famous gold-brick case.
In rendering his decision Judge Wick
ham said, while there was no reason to
believe that there was any corrupt ac-
ton on the part of any OF the officials.
there had been serious negligence
displayed in the keeping OF the
Jury, and he felt II to be his
duty to take such steps as would pre-
vent n recurrence of such conduct. In
the case of Mr.. Holdsworth, who was
sworn in as a special officer. the Judge
thought the facts did not call for the
punishment due the regular officers. IL
J. ale hot
only went to the door of the Jury-room
when Mr.. Holdsworth was in charge.
THE DEFENDANTS ANSWERS.
The answers fled by the defendants
set forth fully their side OF the case.
That OF Mr. Larus was full and COM
pletc, and those Of Sheriff Solomon,
Deputy Russell. and Mr. Holdsworth
were in the same strain. They all gave
clear and satisfactory explanations OF
their conduct, and disclamed any in
| tention Of at any time dsregardIng the
orders of the Court, or wilfully being in
| contempt.
In his answer Mr.. Larus says that he
went to the Exchange Hotel by appoint
ment with Mr.. Russell. and that he slept
| there by invitation OF Sheriff Solomon.
He gives the following version OF his
! talk with the jurymen:
| while your respondent. the Sheriff,
! Mr.. russell. and five OF the jury were
| in the room together your respondent
! suggested, in a jesting way. that II was
| rumored at the courthouse that the Jury
stood eleven to one for acquital and one
] for conviction. and that Mr.. Withers
would give $50 Il the other one would
come over, as he wanted TO go away.
! Your respondent did not address this re-
mark, thoughtlessly made, 10 any person
| in particular, nor did he desire, believe.
or intend that II could or would exercise
any influence upon the jury. The Sheriff.
| Mr.. Solomon, Immediately told your re-
! spondent that II he said anything about
the trial he would have 10 leave the
room, and thereafter nothing was said
by any one in any way relating to said
! trial. Soon after all retired, your re-
spondent sleeping with Mr.. Solomon"
NO IDEA OF IMPROPERLY.
This" the answer OF Mr.. Larus con-
cludes, lis all this respondent has done.
and he respectfully submits TO the Court
that he had no idea that he was saying
or doing anything improper. or that he
was guilty OF any contempt OF this hon
orable court The remark, which did
not touch the evidence In the case or
carry any idea OF the state OF opinion
or sentiment of the public, was thought
lessly made, and regretted as soon as
| L
desire or intent 70 influence the jury or
TO acquaint them with the views OF and
opinions OF the public. but thoughtless-
ness, and your respondent regrets deeply
that IL was made. Your respondent hopes
that this statement, freely and frankly
made, will be sufficient TO exonerate him
from this charge and TO satisfy the Court
! that he has not wllfully or knowingly
disregarded its orders, or been In con-
tempt thereof And now, having fully
answered, he prays that said rule may be
discharged" Mr.. LaTus stated verbally
that County-Clerk Waddiil In whose
office he is employed, knew nothing OF his
} visits to the hotel.
TO BE TRIED IN THE COUNTY.
Frank Lockwood Smith, the gold-brick
, man, will be tried in the County Court.
as previously arranged for. There is now
, no question as to the accuracy 'of this
statement The United States Court
which had raised the question Of juris-
dction with the County Court has laid
. down its hand, and the game will now
! be played out In the County Court.
! When the case was called In the United
States Court yesterday DlstrIct-Attorney
Lassiter, In accordance with a previous
arrangement. as foreshadowed in the Dis
patch, arose and made a motion that J.
|
TO by the Court, and the case goes o..
then indefinitely. The new trial In
County Court is set for next Monday
and all arrangements have been made
. for H. Witnesses have been summoned
and there will hardly be another con
{ tinuance
NOT GUILTY OF TRAIN-WRECKING
Sam Davis, the negro boy who wa
arrested some weeks ago on the charg
: OF attempting TO wreck a train on IN
, | Chesapeake and Ohio railway. was trie'
, in the County Court yesterday, and &C
quilted, there being no evidence 10 con
= meet him with the crime. He was de
2 Tended by Mr.. w. II. BeyeTidge.
THEY GO TO THE PENITENTIARY
Charles Evans, the 15-ycar-old colore'
boy who was caught ia the residence o
Mr. V. Hechler. Jr, in Fairmount abou
month ago, vas arraigned in th'
County Court yesterday aud PLEADED
guilty He was sentenced TO two year
, in the penltentlary.
Joseph Nelson, who was charged Will
= | stealing pair OF pants and SIS from y,
= John NJ. Lewis. also pleaded guilty, 2
: a verdict OF three years In the pen!.
airy was agreed upon for him.
Mrs. NJ. +. Anderson, OF Lousla. WI
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