Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22


case was taken up promptly at II
O'Clock. and the accused was on hand
with his counsel. Messrs. D. G. Richard
son and James Lyons. The Commits
sioner explained that he had received
telegram from the District-Attorney, Mr..
+. X. Lassiter. who was in Norfolk
saying that he would not. be ready to
go into the case until Tuesday at noon.
WANTED TO co AHEAD.
Mr.. Lyons stated that the defence de-
sired to go into the case at once.
I'VE are entitled TO a prompt lea: irg
OF this charge" he said 1.-THE defendant
Indignantly denies that there is any
truth in it. and. naturally, wishes to
vindicate his character WITHOUT delay"
Upon the Commissioner further ex-
pressing his unwillngness to proceed,
however. counsel for the accused sub
mitted gracefully.
The Commissioner then fixed tho date
for the examination Tuesday the 9th
instant. and Mr.. Lamkin's bail bond Of
81 900 was renewed. with MI. b. G. Mayo
as surety. Mr.. Mayo stated thai he
acted in the matter for NJ. Thomas At
klnson, his personal friend, who was cut
of town.
The accused and Miss Layne were both
present. as were also tine following wit
nesses, all Of whom were recognized for
their appearance Tuesday: Il. d. Layne
Gather of Miss Layne), Isaac OVerbL,
James T. Thacker, and Percy Bowry.
Chief Howard explained to a Dispatch
reporter yesterday that there were two
reasons for his withdrawal from Mr..
Lamkin's bond. One, he said, was that
when II was poposed that the bail should
be increased from $500 to $1,000 he could
not continue as surety, because he owned
no real estate. and the other reason was
l. go II. tsG 80
made Ii improper for him to have gone on
the bond. which he had first done. be-
cause of his personal friendship for OIL
Ger Lamkin. without having considered
the matter.
OFFICER LAMKIN'S STATEMENT.
Mr.. Lamkin yesterday made the follow
ing statement in his own behalf:
"All that 1 care to say at this time Is
that l never wrote the girl letter, nor
did / attempt to take advantage of her.
as alleged. 1t is true that have talked
20 her, but 1 have never uttered an i'm
moral word to her, or made a suggestive
utterance to her. never asked her to
accompany me to any immoral place.
When l heard OF the charge went to see
her father. He was not at home. / sat
down and waited for him in the presence
of his wife and two daughters When
he came In he babe them leave the room.
/ asked him to let me see the charges,
SO that / could know just what he had
against me. He refused, saying that 1
would know soon enough. He said that
he wanted satisfaction.
II was approached by Layne three or
four weeks ago. He wanted to borrow
$50 TO pay bill. / refused him that
amount, but told him II he needed money
for groceries L could spare him several
dollars.
II knew of the charges soon enough
10 have got away. and would have done
SO had / been guilty.
II ask that my friends and the public
withhold judgment in my case until i am
Judged innocent or guilty"
THE GIRLS CHARACTER GOOD.
Leila Layne has the reputation of being
n girl OF spotless character. She has been
at work for year and a quarter at the
Kinney Branch OF the American Tobacco
Company, where, the management say,
she has conducted herself well. She is
only 16 years old, and rs quite a pretty
girl. rather petite, and Of graceful figure.
Mr.. Robert Curtis. the mail-carrier on
the route upon which Mr. Layne lives.
was a witness In the case before the
Board OF Police Commissioners, but he
refused TO testify as to the delivery OF
the letters. Yesterday Mr.. Welsh a men,
Der OF the Police Board, called upon Post
master Cullingworth and reported Mr..
Curtis. The Postmaster sent for the car
r!er. and the latter explained that his
reason for declining to give evidence re-
Harding the case was that he did not
think he would be doing his duty to the
service TO discuss Its private affairs ex-
cept In a court, without first having con-
suited with the Postmaster. Captain Gull
iingworth decided that the carrier was
right In the position he took
The case OF Mr. Lamkin will be re-
sumed before the Police Board at O'Clock
tomorrow afternoon. 1t Is said that the
lefence has fully twenty or more wit
nesses yet to be heard.
The published statement that Mr.. George
y. Wise had offered his services as coun-
sci for Mr.. Lamkin was erroneous as
Mr.. Wise IL not associated with the case
IN any way. In a note 10 the Dispatch
Mr. Wise says that he has the nSoss
friendly feeling for Mr.. Lamkin, but has
not volunteered his services.