The morning times., 1896-07-08
FOR The BAYLISS MURDER
Trial Of Three Men Begun in
Alexandra.
They Are Accused of Complicity in
tue Mysterious Tragedy OF
Last Week

The police court was crowded to suffo-
cation last night when George Brown,
James Gift and James Reed We're placid
on tr1al for completely in the murder OF
MIR. Richard II. BayIiss, whose dead body
was found IA The uoc.s on the morn nlng OF
June %.
II wIii be remembered that the coroner's
jury, on June 80, rendered verdict
That the deceased came TO his death by
drowning. at the hands OF party or par
ties unknown to the jury, but frum the
evidence suspicion points to one Brown,
who WAS last seen with the deceased and
who, it is said, lives near OccoQuan."
Subsequently, Miss Bayliss, a daughter
of the murdered man, caused the arrest Of
Reed, Cliff and Bro wn, and the police have
been engaged for the past few days in
securing additional witnesses in the case.
The evidence last night was particularly
DANA ging to Gift ana Brown, who were
held for further hearing on Friday. July
II, while Reed was released under $500
bonds to appear when wanted.
The case was heard by Mayor Thompson.
and the Commonwealth was represented by
Mr.. Leonard Marbury. The first witness
was James Richards. who was evasive in
his replies when questioned by the mayor.
He stated that on the night of June 81,
committed, he went home at 10 O'Clock, and
did not come out again until the following
morning. when he was calle for by James
Cliff, who wanted him tRichards) to pur-
chase whisky for him. He went with Gift
to the Pioneer Mills wharf. He first
stated that Cliff gave him the money, but
later that the whisky money was supplied
by another of the party. Remus Beach.
Richards contradicted himself by stating
that he was at the fire which occurred
that night about l O'Clock.
Robert Meade testified that Richards had
int;mated to him that he knew something
about the murder, and that Cliff had gwen
him III oney OF the morning of June % with
which to purchase whisky.
Nessrs. Sutton and William Ha ydeD testi-
fled that on the Wednesday following the
crime Gift had been accused in their pres
ence OF knowing something bout the muir
der and had said. "Yes, l did il; /
took $3.50 from the old mans pockets.
hit him in the head with u stone. and
threw him overland George Griffin,
a small boy, corroborated the above state
ment.
Mr.. Charles Zimmerman. who testified
before the coroner's inquest, stated that
Mr.. Ba yliss came into his place 10 company
with Gift and stranger. who had on
neither hat dor Coat, just before IL O'Clock,
on the night Of June 81. The party had
a drink. and bought bottle Of whisky.
and left.
Hicks. a young man employed on Browns
boat, stated that the latter came aboard
the boat at 12 O'Clock on the night OF
the tragedy, and that he did not leave
again during the night.
The most important witness placed upon
the stand was Evans Brown. COUSIN OF
the accused. Eyans was in company with
william Brown. a brother Of George. They
met Cliff on Union street. and the latter
stated that he was going to bakery to
get some hot rolls. They asked Cliff where
they conId get some whisky. and he volun-
teered to take them where the liquor could
be procured. The witness and VIII
liam Brown accompanied Gift to
the Big Mill wharf. This was about
o'clock in the morning. They met man
there whom Gift called Peach. He also
saw a man lying on the wharf. to all ap-
pearapces dead.
Mr. James Goods testified to having feen
Mr.. Bayliss In company with George Brown
on the night Of the murder. Mr.. Bayliss had
several dollars in his hands at the time