The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-14
URQUHART MURDER TRIAL
one Of the Most Interesting in the
History Of Nansemond.
VIM. G. Urquhart on Trial, Charged
With the Murder OF John E. Cav
at Magnolia Springs Nearly
Twenty Five Years Ago.
The Evidence.
Special Dispatch to The yirginiau

progress here. That of William j
Srquhart, charged with the murder OF
John +. Gay near the latter's residences
ut Magnolia Springs, four miles from
suffolk, on Tuesday, November Sth.
1S1O, nearly quarter of century
ago. The alleged murderer utter twenty.
tour years absence returned to The
nome Of his father, delivered himself
40 tho authorities and asked that ho be
accorded trial. On Thursday, July
25th, 1863, be voluntarily surrendered
10 the Sheriff, hau preliminary hear
rug before Mayor Brewer, was sent on
10 tho grand jury which indicted him
Monday,
The trial was set to be called yester.
day ut 1880 u. m, and some time prior
10 that hour the temple of Justice in
which the mars fnte Is to lie decided,
was crowded almost to suifocation by
cXpectGnt citizens Of this and adjoining
counties, a very veXatious delay was
experienced III the beginning because
OF the absence of certain witnesses, one
OF whom WAS sent for Mt his home. seve.
raj miles IN the county. During the
interval in which witnesses were being
collected the tanning, persplring, swelt
ering mass of humanity III the court
house clung to their positions OF van
asge with pertinent tenaciiy for fear of
permanently losing them in case of
temporary REIMBURSEMENT.
Finally about p. III. both sides
Common Attorney L. Il, Hol.
land and Merritt Briggs for the prose
rution, and Judge John Medley, of
Norfolk, aud W. S. Holland. of Wind
cor. for the defense-anuounced them
selves ready for procedure. tho prisoner
at the bar stood up and Deputy Clerk
tomer read the indictment, to which
accused pleaded not guilty. Out OF Il
veuire OF eighteen jurors, of which two
were pronounced incompetent, and
She following we're empaneled: Willis
n Austin, j ohm l. Benton. L. Parker
Brinkley, James Britain, Frederick
Srinkley, w Ii Brothers, w Howell,
w q Peel. IL S Dowdy, john Il
3tawles. X Frank Rogers and Bruce
Smith
Before proceeding with the witnesses
court adjourned till 2:30 p. m., ut
ghlch time the witnesses were sworn
and she charge read to the jury in sub
stance as follows: If they lind the
prisoner guilty OF murder in the frat
degree say so and no more; second de-
gree, term OF Imprisonment in the pen
atentiary from five to eighteen years:
voluntary manslsughter, peniteutisry
from one to five years; involuntary
manslaughter, county Jail not more
shan twelve months and fine not TO
exceed $500.
On motion Of Judge Neely all wit.
hesses were excluded except the one
ON the stand. Mrs. John l., Cav.
widow OF the murdered man, testified
that her husband left homo at 8 IL. ID,
on November Sth, 1870, which wss the
Hast time she saw him alive, for Isle OF
Night county with u load of corn. She
next saw him at 1 p. III. 100 yards from
Sue lot gate dead, with bullet wound
on left side, whip clasped in hand and
pistol lying ten feet from body. He
had left home with pistol, which was
of the cavalry make and six shooter.
She henrd pistol shot in morning ten
sninutes after husbands departure.
On cross examination, she said she
Semalned with body from ( to O'Clock
when Coroner's jury arrived. The
pistol had not been discharged but two
caps were missing. Her husband had
only few ponnies in his pocket On
redirect examination witness stated
shat she had not seen accused since
her husbands death till the prelimi.
nary hearing.
80 ~S"s'oA, vi luc
Coroner's Jury. was then placed upou
the stand, aud stated he saw GAYS
BODY on day of death, lying fifty yards
from cato with right hand thrown for
ward and left hand under him; whip
was two feet distant and pistol six or
eight feet away.
Witness examined wound, which was
on left side aud ranged upward; said
pistol was not discharged, and that all
she caps were missing. On cross ex
animation he sRid the pistol was twelve
60 fourteen inches loug. Mr.. w. $.
Holland here produced ali old cavalry
pistol, which witness declared was sim.
tlar TO the one carried by Gay; said
body was doubled with legs drawn up.
DR.. Thomas f.. Cropper was then
called. He did not Know Gay: saw
Grquhart once; was summoned OH
Coroner's Jury by late Thomas kilby;
was graduate of Philadelphia College
and had been practicing physician,
examined wound which entered on left
aide between fifth and sixth or sixth
and seventh ribs and ranged upward
shrouRh the heart; assisted DR.. j. Il.
kilby at autopsy and the said wound
caused death. He was not cross.ex.
amineds