Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1896-04-18

he trial. noticed Mr.. Davis leaning |
on the left side of the bar OF the court.
on the eastern entrance TO the court
room. The place was denseiy packed /
with some of our best citizens OF Rich
mond and vicinity A few faces might
be seen OF the colored, the body being |
white What excited the spectators F,
was at the time when the foreman, Mr.
Bolts. and the rest OF the grand jury
walked through the western entrance
and took their seats in the jury box. /
came in the BODY and about TO take
nv seat near Mr.. Bolts l looked over
the crowd and cast my eyes at Mr..
/ Davis. He looked on me and smil-
ed. then the whole body burst almost
i'm general laugh. l could but smile
as was the object of attraction TO the
lockers on as well as MIR. Davis, being
the first black man ever seen on jury
in this country,
MIR Bolts handed the bill of indict-
ment TO Mr. Chandler, the District At
torney for the Eastern District of Nir-
ginia
the grand jury of the U. S, because of
A a speech delivered in the convention
j that was held at the Old African
$ Church now known as Rev LIST Baptist
Church This was the first conven-
u
= the republican party Hon John
Hokshouse of Alexandria was presi-
a dent of said convention
The number of colored men on the
g grand Jury was six, DIR. Fields Cook
!. aessrs. John Oliver, George Seaton
Simms. Hon. Rosina Beckley, with
O your humble servant, Cornelius LiggaI
W Harris. The number of whites on said
IS Jury was twelve, viz: Hon. John Minor
N Botts, foreman, the Hon. John hoX
-e house, Mr. Baivin, of Prince William
Co. Va. MIR Peter Couch, Hon. Jos
in eph Segar, Mr.. UmDarSer and othe
gentlemen of distinction whose name
h. cannot now remember.
One more thing / shall note
n the Federal execution required bonds
men influential in the republican par
MT tv of the north and Mr.. Greedy be
Is, ing especially named seemed as a mat
tn ter of Justice considered as legal, an
wv no motive from personal regard. Mi
Greedy and Mr.. Garrett Smith wer
ee bondsmen for Mr.. Davis.
CHI I am unable to say how many of m
comrades remain to survive with MT
lot | know not. but it is certain the for
~, man. Hon John Minor Bolts. MOI
ties Joseph Segar and Mr.. George Seatc
Us, have gone the way of all the earth
MT am left to tell what happened.
az 1t will be gratifying to the reade
d when I say that MIR. Davis was repr
scented by that we'll known giant mil
" the Hon. Charles Oconor OF New 20
oe City Will ] ever forget the poll
lS5 mode in which he addressed the couI
oiu Two hundred thousand dollars( 2OOOC
-. were the required security, 1T being
III hand Counsel for the defendant pl
ing missed the court when ever Mr. Da'
VIII should be needed he would be iol
coming. The requirements being n
naC the court adjourned and the ankle
'ses spectators went to their several pla'
= 80 w of abode
I,C.L. Harris was born in Buck II
ham County, Va ir 1888 Nov ~ '
brought to Richmond at six months
age NV mothers name was Cece
Harris, formerly Cecilia Ltggan
was the wife of Isaac Harris,as reco
of the clerks office of the Husti
Court of the city of Richmond
show.
lived in Richmond, Va, ever 81
oSo' 1884 until the time of my removal !
re- -. 1890. Since that time have re-
uoh' ed in Newport News. 1t is proper
wing me to state in this connection tn
mt married lady in 1865 by the nam
.. Matilda Jane Howell, daughter of {
Es- nv Howell of Powhatan County, "a
Ohm We have recently celebrated
a amer fortieth marriage anniversary.
Der are blessed to be in good health.
ssrs; Respectfully yours,
ana @. l. HARR