Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-28
SENATOR FLOODS PEACE BOND.
Trial Of the Case Against Him In
buckingham Court.

Correspondence of the Dispatch)
BUCKINGHAM COURTHOUSE, VA,
April H.-The case against Hon. II. ID.
Flood, charged with breaking the peace
bond under which he was put by the
County Court Of this county last January,
when trouble was feared between himself
and Colonel X. T. HUBBARD, in making an
assault upon Senator Flanagan in the
Senate chamber on the 4th OF March,
came up in the County Court here to-day.
The Commonwealth was represented by
Mr.. ]. T. Rogers, the attorney for the
Commonwealth, Hon. h. w. Hubbard be-
ing one of Mr.. Floods sureties. Mr.
Flood was represented by Colonel II. Is.
Parr of Appomattox. Judge Moss pre-
sided. After the case had been stated,
Mr.. Rogers said he had summoned two
witnesses, who were summoned for the
Commonwealth against Mr.. Flood in the
Richmond case. He first, however, intro
duced the bond. which was in the penalty
of 5000 He then called Morris Parr,
who testified as follows: L was a page in
the Virginia Senate last session. l was
in the Senate chamber on March 4th,
when the difficulty occurred between Mr..
Flood and Mr.. Flanagan. 1 saw Mr..
Flood talking to MIR Little; he then
SldItSu
ed the aisle between the rows OF desks
he began to abuse Mr.. Flanagan. 1 saw
Mr.. Flanagan standing at the iron rail-
ing. He was then some distance from Dir.
Flood. AS soon as Mr. Flood began to
abuse him Mr.. Flanagan looked up, and
continued to look at Mr.. Flood until he
was struck. There were two Hicks. Mr.
Flanagan threw up his left arm and
caught the first one. He then put his
hands over his face and Mr.. Flood hit
him on the left side OF his head. Mr.
Flood then laid his stick down and walk
ed off,
BY Colonel Parr: Was Mr.. Flanagan
facing Mr.. Flood from the time he began
to abuse him.?
Eyes, sir"
tunity to put himself In a position to de-
fend himself?'
Eyes. sir
MIR. WATKINS TESTIFIES
Mr.. Il. b. Watkins was the next wit
ness for the Commonwealth. Mr.. Rogers
stated that Mr.. Watkins having gotten
in late, he had had no opportunity TO
talk with him. Mr.. Watkins testified as
follows: II was Sergeant-at-Arms OF the
Virginia Senate last session; was in the
chamber on the morning OF the 4th OF
March when the trouble occurred be-
tween Messrs. Flood and Flanagan, but
1 was in another part OF the room. When
/ looked around the two men were facing
each other. Mr.. Flanagan looked Ike
he had gone all to pieces He threw his
hands over his face, and Mr.. Flood dealt
him a blow on the left side or the head.
This caused the wound. Mr.. Flood then
put the stick down; 1 picked 1t up, but
IN
Flanagan, and some one got H."
BY Colonel Parr: Was Mr.. Flanagan
knocked down?
mo. sir"
"Was he unconsciousT'
mo. sir While / was bathing his head
he asked me to telegraph 10 his wife. He
said she might hear OF IL and be uneasy.
/ drove 10 Judge Waddilfs with him, and
he was perfectly conscious all the time"
The Commonwealth here rested. and the
defence introduced witnesses TO show that
Mr.. Flood had strictly observed the bond
in regard TO Colonel Hubbard.
MIR. BUTTON.
Mr., Joseph Button was then put on the
stand. He testified as follows: Il am
Clerk OF the Virginia Senate. / was pres
ent wen Mr.. Flood struck Mr.. Flanagan.
/ was coming in the door as Mr.. Flood
start y towards Mr. Flanagan, and was
very near them when the ticks were
given. Mr. Flood began TO denounce Mr.
Flanagan just as he entered the aisle. MT
Flanagan looked around. He mad plenty
OF time to advance on Mr.. Flood, 10 have
retreated, or TO have shot him, but ne
did neither. l suppose he was dazed, as
he said When MT. Flood got within
striking distance he raised his stick. Mr..
Flanagan threw up his left arm ana
caught the blow. He then threw his hands
over his face and stopped as II 10 AVOID
the next blow. The second blow was then
dealt on the left-hand side OF the head.
Mr.. Flood could easily have struck again.
but did not attempt IL, but went with
me TO my private office"
Mr. Button was here asked Mr.. F1ana-
CAMS attitude towards Mr.. Flood during
the latter part OF the session. He said II
was often offensive. and he cited Incidents
when Flanagans remarks in debate were
offensive TO Flood He also told OF Mr..
Flanagan's objecting 10 some Of Mr..
Floods local bills when the Senate was
working under a rule by which objection
on the part OF one senator would prevent
consideration of II. thereby killing IL. lie
told about the debate on the Parker bill
on Monday night and which occurred be-
tween Messrs Flood and Flanagan. said
that the report made of IL by the Times
reporter, IN which Mr. Flanagan was rep
resented as saying Mr.. Flood told "a de-
liberate falsehood." was incorrect. The
next morning Mr.. Flood. Mr.. Hay, and
- .a,a to~r ant N "A rauorfef