The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-12
THE MASSEY LIBEL SUIT.
MRS. Massey and the Parson Both on tho
witness Stand Yesterday.

MRS. Massey and the Parson Both on tho
Witness Stand Yesterday.
NORFOLK, Va, July 11-Mrs. Massey,
wife Of John e. Massey, plaintiff in the
Massey libel suit, involving $50
600, WAS the first witness examined to-
day: She said she brought with her
S2,s50 which was given her by her
brothers. Mr.. Massey furnished the
balance which he got from secret
drawer in her bureau. Witness said
she gave Mr.. Massey S1.O for invest
ment in 1890, and $500 at another time;
all obtained from her home in Alabama.
Mr.. Massey's friends in Richmond had
given him $500 as marriage present.
make any marriage settlement upon
her. nor was such q thing ever dis
cussed.
After Mrs. Massey left the witness
stand, where she WAS kept two and one.
half hours by 8 rigid and searching, but
perfectly respectful, REORGANIZATION
conducted by Capt John 8. Wise, of
New York. the plaintiff, her husband,
Rev. John E. Massey. was sworn and
testified at length. He gave a history
OF his political life and his connection
with the free schools OF Virginia and
denied that he had ever received any
his official acts.
AS to the Ash Lawn farm transfer to
his brother. he said that prior to the
war he was in good circumstances; that
when the war closed it left him very
destitute as compared with his previous
circumstances; he had paid $4,000 In
cash in Confederate money in payment
on the Ash Lawn farm, for which he
WAS to pay So2, 500. The end of the war
left him owing about $40, 900 on Ash
Lawn farm. He sold another farm for
$4,000 and paid 1t on the Ash Lawn
farm; made good crops just then and
ing him owing about 1000 on Ash
Lawn.
Continuing he said that his entire in
debtedness after the events above men
toned WAS $4,000. He then told the
history of his brother. also a minister,
and concluded by saying that when
this brother came to Virginia to attend
the funeral Of their father he (Mr. J. E.
Massey told the brother Of his (J. e.
Massey's) financial difficulties. aud the
brother agreed that if he q. e Mas.
sey) would deed him (the brether) the
Ash Lawn farm he (the brother) would
assume all Of his 81. E. Massey's debts
One OF the stipulations was that he e..
E. Massey would stay on the farm and
apply the proceeds from the
same to the payment of the debts. and
these proceeds, with money furnished
by the brother, paid the debts.
Mr. Massey narrated the circum-
stances OF the suit brought against him
as surety on the bond OF an adminis-
traitor (Williams), IN which case judg-
ment was given against him. AS to his
financial condition, he said that his
average income per year has been 81, 400
since 1880. In the past FIVE years he
hos averaged net income of $500 from
the farm. Has netted as high as 81, 900
in one year since 1880.
In regard to witness De LEAFS testi-
mony that he de Lee), saw Mr.. Massey
and Mr.. Womack coming out OF the
Planters' Bank of Richmond, Mr.. Mas
sey having roll Of money In his hand.
Mr.. Massey said it WAS entirely untrue,
and that nothing De Lea said while on
the stand WAS true. In regard to the
investments for his wife he said that the
school superintendents OF Virginia pre-
scented his wife with $500 as q bridal
present. the presentation speech being
made by Superintendent Murray, of
Norfolk. This money and other money
OF hers he invested for me.
In regard to the purchase Of the Char
lottesville property he said that it was
due to his having to leave his wife
alone at Ash Lawn when he WAS away.
They decided, therefore. either to build
or buy In Charlottesville. When Mrs.
Massey said to him ION her return from
Alabama) that she had So, $50 10 pay on
the purchase OF o house in Chsrlottes-
Vile, he gave her S2,75O more, which
made the $4,000 Mrs. Massey deposited
In she bank In Charlottesville in 1894