The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-04
CARDwELLG YEARS
PLEADS GUILTf AND IS GIVEN
THE LOWEST PENALTY.
The Result Of the Trial Causes . Crest
Deal OF Surprise and Regret
Peculiar Case.

Richard w. Cardwcll, late book-keepet
OF the State Bank OF Virginia. who was
on Monday mornIns arrested on ths
charge OF making false entries upon the
ledger OF that financial institution, has
been sentenced to serve two years 10
the pententiary as Il penalty for these
offences. On Wednesday afternoon the
accused and his counsel Hon. George -.
Wise and Judge ii. w. Flournoy. agreed
that he should plead guilty II he would
be insured the lowest punishment au-
thorized by the law in such cases. which
was the term referred TO above.
IA. TRIAL.
AS result OF this .onclus,cn, II. W,
Cardwell and his attorneys appeared ~
the Hastings Courtroom yesterday morn.
ing, and Captain Wise and Judge riour.
noy, calling Commonwealtlis Attorney
Smith into an ante-room. communicated
TO him what their client desired 30 DO.
Mr. Smith at once sent Tor Mr.. John ..
Elicit. president OF the state Bank. ana
Mr.. Lewis II. Blair. foreman OF tns
grand jury which returned the true bil!
OF indictment against Mr. Csrdweii.
These gentlemen speedily responded. and
whereby the ends OF justice would De
speedily NEE a.d the community salts.
hed. was held. All the gentlemen agreed
to the proposition Of cardwclls counsel.
and without more TODD the case was
called In tho Hastings Court, and the
tedious reading OF the counts began. inc
accused stood erect, with a calm look
upon his somewhat blanched face. ana
when asked by Deputy-Clcrk Christian
whether he was guilty or not guilty. nc
replied, 'n firm voice, Guilty"
rHE HIGHEST PENALTY.
Commonwealth Attorney Smith then
recommended TO the jury that. inasmuch
as the accused had practi ally come
back TO Richmond and surrendered HIM
self and had admitted mis- guilt. the low
est degree OF punishment which would
be two years in the pcnitcntary. be
imposed upon him. The jurors agreed
10 this without leavin, their seats. ana
Judge witt Immediately passed sentence
upon the prisoner at the bar.
Cardwell was then turned over 20 the
custody OF the City Sergeant. who took
him by his home before he took him TO
GAIL
II was the prisoners intention 10 go at
once over TO the penitentiary. but az u
was necessary for him TO make some
arrangements before he went. r. Will not
be transported to that prison until to-
day.
GENFRAL suRPRIfY.
The course pursued by cardwell and
his counsel causes general surprise. II
had been so earnestly hoped by the
friends Of the accused that he would
be able 10 explain the Irregularities IN
Mr. :. r. Nelson's account at the bank.
sts. Init. Ion ~ A. eng "A
great shock 10 them. IL Is. however.
stated. upon good authority that MIR.
Nelson has given Captain Wise an af-
fdavit 10 the effect that cardwell d'i
not receive one dollar OF the money
overdrawn from the bank by him. Both
the bank officials and Cardwelis coun-
sci refuse to discuss the case, and all
that commemorative Attorney Smith
will say Is that he thinks the demands
OF justice have been complied with, but
that this sentence was not taken 10
cover anything wrong That appears, or
may have appeared, in any other ac-
count at the bank.