Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-18
HENRY'S SENSATION.
THE FOURTH DAY OF THE TRIAL
OF LESTER.
The Commonwealth Case Devei-
oped-AH Witnesses for the Prose
Davis'x Mother on the stand.

MART1NSVILLE, VA, December H.
(Special.)-Ths fourth day of the Lester
trial closed this evening. The Common
wealth's case has been developed as all
the witnesses for the prosecution but
one have been examined. Having proven
Testers interest in the insurance on
Davis's life to be sufficient motive for
the crime. the attorneys for the Com
monwealth have endeayored TO connect
him directly with the poisoning, or to
compel that conclusion by a strong chain
Of circumstances.
The first witness put on the stand to-
day was Mrs. Mary Davis. mother Of
tho poisoned man. She testified that In
the late afternoon Of the day of the
death Of her son she stood IN the door
way Of her house, and saw her boy APP
proadh walking and bearing small
bag Of meal When near the house no
put down the meal. sat down, and then
quickly lay down. He called her to come
TO him and bring salt and water. she
rushed to his side and found him very
sick, he soon passing into state or
violent convulsion. When he partly re-
covered she asked if he had been hurt
or kicked by mule, the team he drove
that day being vicious. He said, no.
She then inquired If he had drank any
liquor, experimenting that he had been
poisoned. He admitted that he had
drunk little, and that Lester had
given him a dram. Another CONFUSION
set in. and IN response to question
about having taken poison in that liquor,
he began TO reply but uttered only the
Icf
clinched and the sentence was never
finished.
SOMEWHAT CONFUSED.
Witness was somewhat confused on
examination, but adhered to her
story substantially. She further testi-
fed that her son had asked permission
to have his life insured, and she OPP
posed it; that on the Saturday previous
to his death he went to Martinsville on
business for Lester. riding Testers mule
and wearing his overcOat and trousers.
1t was on this trip to Martinsville as
sworn TO b. Ben May. the drug-clerk,
that he bought fifteen grains of strych-
nine, and told the druggist the strychnine
was to be used to kill moles.
a number Of witnesses testified to
Davis's good health and robust condition.
THAT DRAM AGAIN.
John Smith testified that he saw Davis
on his return from Martinsville. and that
Davis went 10 get some medicine and
fo take a letter TO Mr.. Ford. Lester
had told witness that Davis was IL
error. as he had sent him to Martins
Vile with a letter 10 Ford, and 8 10
be paid Sheriff Davis. Witness was with
Davis when he hauled the last load OF
cross-ties that afternoon before his
death. Witness got TO Davis soon after
he fell by tho wayside. and corroborated
the statement that Davis said Lester had
given him dram.
ALONE TOGETHER
Tony Ayres, a bright youth Of l6, tes-
tilted that on the evening Of the death
of Davis he helped Davis unhitch his
mules and feed them. As he and Davis
were coming from the stablo-lot to-
getber they met Lester going in.
and Davis turned back with Les
ter. and they were alone and
out Of witnesses sight for minute.
In ten minutes Davis got the meal and
started home. and at the same time
Lester and his wife and others rode OF
! home.
James A. Turner testified that Lester
tried TO get him TO use his influence 10
prevent a post-mortem, giving the cost
Ia the county as reason. j. w. Davis,
father Of the deceased, IS the last wit
ness for the State.