Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-08
GOODMAN : PARSONS.
The Venerable Pathsr Of Tho Murdered
Nan Present In Court.
SEVERAL WITNESSES TESTIFY.
Identincation Of the Conductor's
PistoI--story Of the KiImng Retoid
~ Tom Branch-Tilts Between
Lawyers-OpenIns Of Defence.

CHARLOTTESVILLE. VA, March L.
(special.)-The Goodman trial was re-
sumed and the prisoner came into court
early this morning.
The father OF the late Colonel Parsons
appeared In court for the first time. He
looks to be about 80 years Of age. and
keeps one hand behind his ear when any
important evidence 10 being taken.
The Hon. Grseniee d. Letcher has an
active connection with the prosecution.
He will take part in the argument
The brother Of Mrs. Goodman. Captain
Thomas Gentry. has been a regular at
tendant upon the trial. sitting for the
most Of the time by the prisoner.
The lawyers for the Commonwealth were
fifteen minutes late in coming into
court
The wife OF the prisoner. his two daugh-
ters. and baby were also present.
Ed. Brown, the colored porter. was
recalled this morning by Captain Woods.
He said that he looked into Colonel Par
sons's hip-pocket after moving the body,
but found no pistol. After that he
helped" to undress the body. but found
no pistol or knife.
TESTIMONY OF MAYOR DAVIS.
Mayor w. II. Davis. Of Clifton Forge.
testified that Captain Goodman came TO
him on the morning OF the tragedy. shook
hands. and said, II want 10 give myself
up" and handed the witness bis IistoL
Captain Goodman gave no facts about
the shooting, but said that when the facts
l~x L. -
be TO blame. The Captain then went into
the telegraph office to write Telegram.
Crhe pistol was here handed witness. VINO
failed TO identify it, Captain Coodn an
was cool at the time. The pistol II oo-
calibre, dcuble-action Smith Wesson.
JUSTICE .SEAD.
Justice s. A. Snead. OF Clifton Forge,
said the pistol shown was similar 10 one
Goodman surrendered on the morning OF
June 29th. Could not say 1t was the same
one.
Mayor Davis was here recalled, and said
that he had put the pistol that he received
from Captain Goodman away among some
boxes on shelf. and had great dlfncuity
in finding II when he wanted 10 give IL
to Justice Snead.
Mr. Parrish here remarked that III the
Commonwealth wanted to save trouble,
that Captain Goodman himself would
identify the pistol.
THE UNDERTAKEN
Mr. f. Il. Staley. the undertaken. said
that he took charge OF Colonel Parsons's $
body after the shooting. The body was In
the bIlliard-room in Charge OF Ed. Brown
Examined the deceased's pockets and
found no weapon. not even knife. Wit
ness then Identified the clothing worn by
Colonel Parsons on the fatal morning.
DR.. Miller said there was knife in Par
sons's pockets but Mr.. Staley was posi-
tive there was none.
INQUIRED FOR PARSONS.
Henry Burke, a l6-ysar-old youth OF
Natural Bridge, said that Captain Good
man INQUIRED OF the witness at the
Natural Bridge station " Colonel Parsons
was at the Bridge. Witness said he was
not This was on the evening before the
killing as Captain Goodman's train was
west-bound.
Mr.. p. l.. Wilson. who is the agent at
the Natural Bridge station. corroborated
Burke's testimony.
Mr.. s. G.. Byers. the Sheriff Of Allie
ghany county, then identified the pistol
given to him by Justice Snead day or
two after the shooting.
BRANCHS EVIDENCE.
Tom Branch. colored waiter at
Gladys Inn. was then called. He saw
Captain Goodman when in the dining
room, Just before the shooting occurred.
Captain Goodman did not stay in the din
ing-room long. leaving and going towards
the reading room. Colonel Parsons at the
time was standing by the fireplace. Cap
tain Goodman then went out to Colonel
Parsons and took hold OF the lapel OF
his coat, with his left hand. he thinks.
Both walked towards the front door
very hastily, Goodman still holding to
the lapel OF Parsons's coat Parsons had
a paper-back book Uhe railroad guide) in
his hand while at the fireplace.
After taking hold Of Parsons's coat
Goodman said. Here is that letter"
That was all the witness heard said.
Dranch's evidence was very much the
same as that given by Moody) Witness
said that after the second shot Goodman
let go of Parsons's coat, Parsons falling
towards Goodman. Did not know how
many shots were fired. After Colonel Par
sons fell witness saw and heard Captain
Goodman snap his pistol once. Saw no
demonstrations on the part Of Parsons.
Parsons was trying to push by Captain
Goodmans right
Here little tit between the lawyers
gave the witness a needed rest. Lawyers
DOhr III uiiP thpbtht NV tpiiih'h-
wealth's Attorney was trying to lead the
witness.
Witness said Goodman passed the body
OF Colonel Parsons as the former left
the hotel. but did not stop.
He saw Goodman and Parsons on the
porch, and said that the latter's ccat
was still held by the accused. After the
first shot Parsons never spoke and never
regained an erect position.
CROSS-EXAMINATION OF BRANCH.
On REORGANIZATION. conducted by Mr..
Parrish, Branch said that when Parsons
and Goodman walked off together he
thought they were "old friends. C.aying."
Saw nothing to indicate any approach OF
trouble until after they re-entered the
lobby and the shooting began.
Mr. Parrish here fired number OF oues-
tions at the witness and got him badly
mixed. His answers varied considerably
from those given at the former trial
Mr.. Parrish was once interrupted by
Captain Woods. and replied that he would
proceed II "these nervous gentlemen Will
allow me-"
Witness said there was no swapping OF
the pistol as Parsons fell, and only one
snap after Parsons had fallen.
THE PRISONER SMILES.
The only time the prisoner has yet
been seen to smile was when Branch said
that while standing in the dining-room
he might have moved his head or some
thing of that kind" What do you mean
by something like that--something like
your head?" inquired Mr.. Parrish"
Witness said In the former trial that he
had heard the snap but could not see
the pistol
Right here came the first real "spat''
between lawyers. Captain Woods had
read one Of the questions and answers In
the Branch examination on the former
trial, when Mr.. Parrish said. Now read
the next question and answer" In tone
which Captain Woods resented and he
replied: II don't acknowledge your right
10 command me to do anything" Expla-
nations followed and peace was restored.
Mr.. w. T.. Allen. the Commonwealth 8
Attorney OF Allegheny county. who con-
Quoted the prosecution at the former trial.
was nut on the witness-stand to identify
tho railroad guide found under the body