davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-15

NEW YORK. Nov. 14.--Cotton quiet;
middling eulf. \ 1916. middiing, '-lb'
net receipts los bales. gross receipts,
S''f bales. exports TO Great Britain, aol.
bales: Continent 2f1l bales; sales. 80
bales. all spinncrs. stock. J'2,t'o Daits
Futures steal sales. Se'. in1 bales no
pember SO. December, 81; January.
s.2g, February. s3l; March. 500, April.
so. May. s4l. June. s.is: July, 81;
August, s.a4. October, siS.
local to-oey--Nct receipts, Zo.ob' nalcs;
exports 10 Great Britain. lo,oW bales;
Continent 3olo bales s'oe"'
bales. ,.--
1otal 80 far this week-Ne; receipts.
i6e. or bales. exports 10 Great Britain,
55.O7i bales: France l1SS bales; 'onu-
ncni. 70 $50 bales.
Total since september lst-Net receip s.
1876 bales. exports 70 SIeal Braun ,.l'..
4Sf915 bales: Fra nee, 1%l,rp pales' 'V'-
tineut. ilO7p2 bales. ,...
NEW ORLEANS. la. Nov. li.-cotton
futures steady: sales 5000 bales NO
vcmber. 1876; December. s"". JahuaIS'
sos. February. sos. March, az. Apihb
Sfs. NAV S19: june. S.2,: July. ST.
LIVERPOOL. Nov. l4.-lZ."V - h.-~
Cotton. Good business done ana prices
castor American middling: 80 sai,s.
1900 bales. American. i3lvV" pa'es'
spocnlafion and export. 1000 bales; re-
ccipts 1000 bales: American. $500 bales
Futures opened easy and demand idlr >
American fnildiing low middlinS causc'
December and January. 2i-Dfri S9-1t
January and February, 2'-Dioi -O-S4
February and March. 2s-G4; Dlarch anu
April 4 gs-Gfq4 2S-6i, April ana May
4 6fN1 2g-Gf. May ana June, 32-o'1
30-cf: June and July. 33-b; July ana
August, ! 3I-H. Futures steady al the
decline. ,-.,,..<.,
p. M.-American spot grades declined
1-lc. American middling, iair S-|2
GOOD mi1diing. i1-iG; mddling. D-l6;
low nriddling 1872: good Ordinary
1872: ordinary. 4 5-52: November,
25-G4ai poet sellers; November ana
December. 25-Gi, buyers, December anu
February Z 1851. buyers; February and
March / 2G-Gi buyers; March and April,
4 21-Gl buyers April and May. 4 &s-e4.
buyers: May and June. 2s-D3pt @v-oi'
sellers. June and July. Z %,,"s.'f yi-pi,
huvcrs. .Iulv and August. S2-6a, sellers
August and September. 3l-6i, buyers.
f.ttftrre closed steady.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-15
MARINE INTELLIGENCE.

IMMATURE ALMANAC. NOV Is, 1895
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21


CWho Delivered the opinion OF the Su-
preme Court Denying a New TriaD.
dealt with similar questions while the
sixth was to the action OK the court In
admitting the evidence showing the pos
session by the accused Of an auger cor
responding in size to the holes In the
boat. which was the alleged means
Of the murder. The Supreme Court said
1t was always pertinent 10 show, as an
element connecting an accused person
with the crime charged. that he possessed
the tools and instruments by which the
crime had been committed. and that the
Circuit Court properly admitted this tes-
timony.
PURCHASE OF STRYCHNINE.
The evidence regarding the purchase OF
strychnne by the prisoner. and the CIV
ing Of the same to the wife Of James
Mills, and the direction from Nicholas
10 her 10 administer IL 10 her husband In
his coffee or milk, and the further test-
mony that about this time James Mills
had three or four violent attacks of sick
ness. suggesting poisoning by strychnine.
and also as 10 previous threats and at
tempts on the part OF Nicholas TO take
the life Of James Mills, was held as COM
petent evidence upon the question OF de-
liberation and premedtation. Exception
eight complained that the Court did not
rule out certain evidence about Nicholas
having stated TO several persons just
prior TO the drowning of Mills and Wilker-
son that the former had heart-disease
and was liable to die AT any time. The
Supreme Court perceived no error in the
admission Of this
The ninth exception was to inmate
rial evidence about previous fuss be
tween Mills and Nicholas as to half
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21
One Grand. Sweet Song.

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. July l6. 1885.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
The letters OF Mr.. Cleveland have al
vavs been noted for their strength and
eloduence. and heartily agree with your
editorial reference last Sunday TO the
letter he wrote to Mr.. Graves. in which
ne alluded so beautifully and tenderly 10
his married life. lie could not have
written otherwise upon such theme, and
the American people over whom he pre-
sides will be gratlfied, though not sur
nrised. AT this view Of n man who has
chiefly Impressed them with the rugged
force and honesty OF his public utterances
upou governmental affairs. THIS glimpse
OF Mr.. Cleveland as lover should be an
added laurel to his wreath OF honor anu
will serve as another trait wnlch the
men of America, irrespective OF party
can most heartily applaud. =,
me Dispatch is in error. however. IN
a,trihuting 10 Mr. Cleveland the inven
tion OF the phrase. zone grand, sweet
song" used as descriptive OF his mar
rIed life. The words occur in "A rare
we'll" by Charles Kingsley quote:
"Be good. sweet maid, and let who VIII
be clever;
Do noble things-not dream them-al
day long;
And so make life, death. and the vas
forever,
One grand, sweet song"
II Is doubtful whether kingsley MIN
self was the originator OF this exquisite
BIT OF imagery. The words seem to II
so naturally that any writer might anc
many doubtless have, used them' no.
knowing that they were used by kingsley
and doubt whether Mr. Cleveland hae
I'm mind the poem from which l quote
above when he wrote the letter re
ferred TO.
Yours respectfully, d a. l.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21

while: "he will not be seen for seven or
eight days, and tomorrow, X you are
anxious, / will write"
The dead bodies Of Mills and Wilkerson
were taken from the river December
18th. On the night OF December 10 ls32.
about / o'clock. the prisoner was arrested
by officers Hall and Tomlson. OF Rich
mond. accompanied by Mr.. Rugg, the
magistrate They found the prisoner In
Mrs. Mills's room. He showed no sur
prise; SET ned TO be expecting TO be ar
rested asked no questions, and imrne-
diately commenced putting on his clothes.
He asked Mrs. Mills for his money. She
felt under her bed-clothes. got the pocket
book out. and handed II to him. Officer
Hall SAYS that whenever he would ask
the prisoner a question he would reply
that he had lost his recollection since he
got into the water; that he had been crazy
nearly ever since. and his memory was all
gone. from getting water into his mouth
and ears.
PRISONER AND MRS. MILLS.
The evidence fully established the
fac, that the prisoner had been guilty Of
criminal relations with Mrs Mills for
twelve months prior TO the drowning, and
mos, probably for a much longer time;
TIA, ne had on several OCCASIONS proposed
% Mrs Mills 10 leave her husband and
live with him; that ne told Mrs. Wilker-
con linn Mills was hard TO get along with
and he thought he would get rid OF him.
he also told this witness he had diff
entity with Mills about his wife. and said
Mills was superstitious. II was further
rroved that on the night Immediately
toI1oving the day OF the drowning pris-
oner again told Mrs. Mills she must now
live with him, and he would do all he
could for her, aud the next morning after
,be drowning he was seen In Mrs. Mills 5
room in her bed.
II appeared from the evidence that
several months before the drowning he
bought strychnne from j. Y. L-wls'
d,,,ggist in Richmond, took 1t to the
| house of Mills, put IL in Mrs. MISS desk,
called her attention TO II. explained tnat
one grain in milk or coffee would XIII
mar and told her TO administer II 10
| her husband. 1t further appeared that
| IN several occasions, about the time this
| poison was shown TO be in the mousse
| that Mills became suddenly and Vioien.y
| sick, appearing to paralyzed III ,no
mouth. great redness over the face, COM
niotred of hurting all across his heart
| and limbs. foaming at the mouth, Jerking,
| etc These spells were described as oc-
curing early In the morning. when the
missioner and Mills had just taken drink
| together. When IL was proposed TO senu
| for n doctor on one OF these occasions
the prisoner objected, saying that doctors
were not what they were cracked up 10
be. 1t appeared that on repeated occa-
eions during the times James NILS was
having these attacks that prisoner stated
at different times TO friends and relatives
OF the deceased that said James Mills
had heart-disease. and might die at any
time. The prisoner stated while In jail,
"If this woman will hold her tongue it
will helm me-"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21

The Black Spots indicate
offer a short prayer. and will himself tell
the deputy when he IS ready As soon
as he signifies fhet he has concluded his
prayer. tie cord. which IS attached 70
block communicating with the room in
the basement OF the courthouse. Will he
pulled by Deputy Noegler. and almost
instantaneously the trap will be sprung,
and Nicholas VIII be precipitated through
to the END Of his rope.
WILL BE WELL DRESSED.
The murder will be dressed in a new
suit Of black clothes. provided for the
occasion by Sheriff solomon; will wear
q white shirt. and low, turn-down collar
and a black tie. lie will be neatly
shaven the morning before the eNecu-
ton, and will present much nicer .ap-
pearance than he has done for some
time.
During the entire term of Nicholas's
confinement In tho inil Sheriff solomon
has been his custodian, and has been
more than attentive TO him. For many
months now he has supplied the murderer
with food from his own table. and has
given instructions that he be given what
ever he wanted in reason
Mr.. Russell is Sheriff Solomons chief
deputy, and as jailer has been thrown
considerably with Nicholas. Both he
and Mr.. Voegler CHis ASSISTANT are eX-
ceedingly solicitious of their prisoner 3
comfort. and are very considerate TO-
ward him For a long time, until the
sentence OF death was passed on him
Nicholas was permitted to occupy a large
front room on the second moor OF 'ne
tail Immediately over the Office; but now
ne Is confined In strong iron cell by
himself. and dcath-watch IS Kept on
him. ,,r,,.r,,
Nicholas does not seem 10 fear death
but. on the other hand. appears TO De,
Ueve that he Will be simply TRANSLATED
Irom the eallows 10 Heaven, and. instead
az drcading IT, as would be supposed ne
apparently looks upon the event as
rather unusual. but not altogether un-
pleasant. one. He seems TO resAtu mn
ser as a hero being sacrificed, ana rain
enjoys the notoriety which ne mas sdlheu
IL is a shrewd, sharp man, ana assumes
si0cront roles for different occasions
when ne has visitors he lengthens ms
face into lugubrious kind Of expression
ana talks in graveyard tones; out 10
the reporters and jail oihclais' win
whom he rs on familiar terms, ne sho" >
,,uch irritation. but at times INDUCES IN
chastity Jokes at his own expense. Ills
mind is not altogether well balanced
4 RATHER UNUSUAL CRIME.
The crime for which Nicholas IL 10 pay
the death penalty was an unusnal o"9,
and he employed a unique methou %, ol
decreasing of Mills and WilkcTson. Inc
readers Of the Dispatch are familiar WIN
the leading facts In this rather notaoie
case but ia view OF the near approach
o. the execution a review Of its history
and sAe facts that led 70 the convection
e. Nicholas will prove interesting.
Nicholas was indicted In the County
Court OF HcnricO. December "a lS-'
charged with the murder of James Muls
and William Judson Whkerson. lie elect
ed TO Dee tried In the Circuit Court, ana
after protracted hearing was on octo-
her II. 1898. found guilty Of murder IN me
first degree. and ten days i&'er sentence ,l
. be hanged. From this judgment he took
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21

ing early 10 the river to examine his
traps. And 1t appears from the evidence
that on the morning OF the day the
drowning occurred he went TO the river
about daylight and returned about break
fast time, and when questioned about II
said: II did not 40 10 my traps TINS
morning; was sick He afterwards
told Mrs wiIkerson he did not catch any
thing. Everything being In readiness 10
carry out the plan for the day, these
three men started from home about
O'Clock In the morning, equipped with
everything necessary for taking The bee
tree, having with them two buckets, hold
ing two and one half TO three gallons each
for the honey. two axes, one hatchet,
and a piece OF netting to protect the per-
SON from the bees. The boat used De-
longed to one Joseph Bruin. and on their
way to the river an uncle OF the owner
was asked II they might use the boat,
and was told that they could get the
kew. which unlocked the boat from lis
fastening 10 the bank from Brun, the
owner. The prisoner replied that he had
n KEY OF his own, and had often used IL
before without permission.
THAT BEE-TREE.
II appears that they landed on the
Chesterfield side OF the river at point
one mile and half from where any one
lived. and proceeded TO the bee-tiee, which
was ore mile from the point Of landing.
Investigation showed there were no tracks
about the point OF landing but those OF
III. three men going from and return
Ing TO the boat II further appears from
the statement Of the prisoner that after
reaching the tree they concluded not TO
cut II. because Il was a large tree near
the main road. and might get them into
trouble. and for the further reason that
the hole was small and II might not have
any honey In It. anyhow. CHE tree was
afterwards cut by order OF the magis-
trate. and found to be fun OF honey)
IL further appears that the boat was
small one. about ten feet long, and about
two and a half feet wide. and that both
in going over and returning the prisoner
sat in the extreme rear Of the boat with
his face 10 the front. and that Wilkerson
and Mills sat in front OF him with their
faces to the front and their backs TO the
accused
This position OF the parties the prisoner
admitted very reluctantly when questioned
about It. When returning, and about
fifty yards from the Henrlco shore, the
boat suddenly filled with wafer and Miils
and WilkersOn were drowned anu Nip
prisoner swan TO shore. The next Gay
the magistrate Of the district was noti-
fed OF the occurrence, and an investiga-
ton was set on foot. The boat was got
ten out Of the water. ard 1t was found
that Immediately under the seat where
Nicholas sat there were three holes.
freshly bored with an inch and nall
auger The evidence Of the owner OF
the boat shows that on Tuesday evening"
the 9th Of December. he used his boat
and 1t was sound. II was taken by Mich
olas for this fatal trip Thursday morn
ing, the Sth OF December. Further In
vestigation discovered fresh pine shaw
ings corresponding to size of the holes
and TO the wood the boat was made or
which had been thrown Into the water
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21
HANG ON THURSDAY.
Preparations for Tho Execution Of
Nicholas Viii Begin Tomorrow.
SAYS HE IS READY TO d..
He Will Probably Make a Statement
UPan Ascending the SCafOld.
FULL REVIEW OF THE CRIME.
History of the Case md judge Hhr-
rIsop's Review of the Evidence
Tint Led IN COnviction-Aii APP
penIs Were In Win.

Tomorrow morning carpenters VIII be-
gin erecting the eailows on which Philip
Norman Nicholas is 20 be hanged next
Thursday. and by Wednesday afternoon
all will be In readiness for the eXecu-
ton.
The scanold viii be the same used in
the execution Of the negro Morris Hop
kins. but the rope will not be a new one
The execution will take place about noon
though Sheriff Solomon IS given the
choice of any hour between 10 in the
morning and In the afternoon.
Sheriff Solomon win read the death
warrant 90 Nicholas IN his cell In the
county Jail. and the door Of the cage viii
then be unlocked and the condemned man
Will be led forth. Tho gallows will stand
just in the rear Of the courthouse, and
20 this Nicholas will be escorted by Sheriff
Solomon and Deputies Lew Russell and
John Vocgler. At the foot of the steps
leading % the scanold the Sheriff will
bid Nicholas roOd-by, and will then enter
the basement OF The courthouse. where
the rope that is to spring the trap when
The signal for execution is given VIII be
pulled
ASCEND THE SCAFFOLD.
The two deputies, with the murderer,
will ascend the scafold. and Nicholas viii
b. given an opportunity to make any
statement that he may desire. 1t is pre-
sumed that some one Of the ministers Of
this city viii 80 TO the scafIold with him
ana conduct some sort Of service, but
Nicholas has not yet made known his
wishes In this matter.
Upon the conclusion Of the doomed
mans statement or tho religious ser
vice. Nicholas viii be made to walk to
the centre Of the platform and stand on
the trap. Deputy Russell viii adjust the
rope around his neck. and as quickly
thereafter as possible the black cap will
- put on HIS head.
Tho doomed man will be given time to
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21

THE FAMOUS NICHOLAS BOAT.
the Holes Through Which the Wa e
days work. while the tenth was 10 the
action Of the Circuit Court in refusing to
give the instructions asked for by the
prisoner. and in giving others in lieu
thereof The Supreme Court In the latter
respect says that the lower court clearly
and fairly laid down the law applicable.
to the case, and says that was sufficient
The eleventh exception was 10 the ac-
ton Of the court IN overriding the prison
er's molten I'm arrest Of Judgment on
failure of territorial Jurisdiction, the Su-
preme Court deciding that the evidence
showed conclusively that the drowning
occurred in Henrico, and not Goochland
county.
Tx reception twelve was to the action OF
the lower court in overriding the prison.
er's motion and arrest Of judgment upon
the ground of after-discOvered evidence,
and for receiving and considering counter
afidayits filed by the Commonwealth In
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21

r Entered the Boat.
I but had drlfted upon the shore near the
point where the boat had stood fastened
to the Henrco side; there were also found
corn-cobs, which had been cut 20 exactly
fit the holes In the boat, which had also
drifted to the same point
HE HAD THE AUGER.
1t was shown that the prisoner had in
his possession an auger just the size or
the holes. This the prisoner at first de-
MED, but afterwards said II must be about
the place somewhere. Dlligent search was
made for this auger. but il was never
found. When the magistrate went the
next day after the drowning 10 get the
prisoner TO assist In making these inves-
legations, and TO show exactly where the
men were drowned. he declined to 60
saying that his head, eyes. and ears were
full Of water, and that he was feeling
badly. The magistrate returned a Sc
cond time, the prisoner again declined to
60, making the same statement as be-
fore about his eyes, ears, and nose
being full Of water. but when told that he
would be arrested IL he did not 30 he
yielded. The prisoner stated when re-
turning from the Chesterfield side that
the holes burst into the boat, ard 1t com
menced filling with water rapidly; that
he urged the men TO remain I'm the boat
and bail out the water with the buckets,
and he would take them safely 10 shore;
that. notwithstanding this, they jumped
out, and the last he saw OF them they
were swimming very strong. He also
told Mrs. Wilkerson that the last he saw
OF her son he was swimming finely. At
another time he said III did not know
whether they We're swimming or not. He
told Officer Hall, who arrested him. near
ly three days afterwards, that when he
found the water was coming into the boat
he hallooed to the men TO jump out, that
the boat was sinking.
WENT A CIRCUITOUS ROUTE.
1t appears from the prisoners state
ment that when he swan to the shore
he climbed out with great difficulty, and
lay upon the bank in an exhausted con-
dillon for some time. 1t further appears
that he went home, to Mills's house by
circuitous route, avoiding acquaint-
ances and neighbors, 10 whom he might
have at once communicated the shock
ing occurrence 10 which he had just been
an eyewitness. When he was 200 yards
from the house, and before he was near
enough for any one TO tell his condition,
or 10 see that he was wet. he was seen
by Mrs. Mills, the wife of the drowned
James Mills, who commenced in a most
excited way screaming and wringins her
hands, saying. Jimmy (meaning her hus-
banD is drowned; yonder comes Mr..
Nicholas" The prisoner went immediate
ly into Mrs Mills's house. and. according
10 the testimony, was wringing wet, and
stood for fifteen minutes without saying
word, and when he spoke said TO Mrs
Mills. They are drowned" Mrs Wiiker-
son. alarmed as 10 the fate OF her son,
sent messages seven times 10 the prl-
sorer, begging him TO come to her room,
that she might ask about Judson. Mrs.
Wlkerson was an aged cripple. and could
not get about. The prisoner. after the
lapse OF two hours and a half went TO
Mrs. Wilkerson. she said: pray tell me
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-21
RELIEVE IN THE MAIDSTONE.
Two I'm Prince Wiilinm-A Pheasant
Entertainments.

MANASSAS. VA, July 2o.-(SpeciaL)
Mr. II /. Belts, farmer residing near
Bealton. Fauquier county, accompanied
NV his little daughter a child Of II, passed
through this place on their way 10 nave
the maidstone" applied TO the little girl,
who was severly bitten several days ago
by a rabid dog. The stone IN question ~
owned by Mrs. John ): Ewtll' OF hlch0ly
Grove, this county ana Is oiS vi t"c % -, -
nal stones brought from India by an an
cestor OF Mrs Ewell previous to the war
of lsl2" Much has been said ana written
ABOUT the efficacy or these Monderiul
"madstones," and their virtue Is beyohd
question. The one owned by Mr.. Edmund
TYLER. OF Aide, Va, and the one above
mentioned have been used repeatedly, ahI
when used in time no ill-ehects have ever
been experienced in cases or mad-doS anu
snake bits.
A PLEASANT ENTERTAINMENT.
An entertainment given under the au-
snlces OF the Manassas ball team at Bios
SONS Hail Thursday night proved quite
a success in pleasure as well as pfoht:
The programme consisted in the FARCE
"a Uappy Pair" rendered by Miss lone
DIVER OF the American Academy OF ORA
matte Arts. OF New York, and MIR. II. b.
Iarkin. of IN, United States Naval Acad-
e,ny. Annapolis Tais was done to periec-
ton. bringing down the house as the
curtain fell on the last scene. MISS
:
tion of the wnol. audience, showing, as 1t
did. remarkable talent and thorough train
ing She was ably supported by Mr.. Lar
kin In the role OF the happy 90 husband.
SELECT REGULATIONS.
This play was followed by several Sc
lect Rotations by Miss DSysr, whose
talents in this line are in good keeping
with her talent as an actress. The pro-
gramme was interspersed with music A
quartette, composed OF Messrs Sillins ana
Merchant and Mrs. Huntington and Miss
Silllng. sang "Come Where the Lilies
Bloom" also an original production. max
ing some good local hits
Miss Marie and Mabel Latimer, OF WASH
ington. are visiting Miss Lucy Adams.
Miss stone OF Warrenton. Is on visit
10 Mrs. Meredith.
Miss Florin- Keenan,, or Baltimore, Nd,
IS Visiting Miss Katie Hornbaker.
Mrs. Robert Portner, who has been very
unwel for several days past, Is now con-
yalescent