The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-25
PETERSBURG NEWS NOTES.
The Case Of the Commonwealth, ~
Doc Jones.

Petersburg, Va, March 24.-(Special)
On opening of the Hastings Court
Judge j. NJ. Mullen. presiding) this
morning. ut 10 o'clock. the trial OF the
case Of the Commonwealth VS.. Matthew
Jones alias Doc james. a negro charged
with the murder of his wife, was re-
sumed. The evidence IN the case hav-
Ing been concluded yesterday afternoon,
the first proceedings of ;hc court this
morning was To give the instructions to
the jury. This having been done the
argument was begun, and was opened
by Mr. William IL. Jones. the attorney
for the Commonwealth. He was follow
I'd by MessrS. Charles Hall Davis and
Charles Trotter Lassitcr. for the defense.
The argument. which was concluded at
half-past / o'clock this afternoon. was
closed by COMMUNICATIVE Attorney
Jones. The jury went into retirement
TO deliberate upon the case and a true
verdict render between the Common
wealth and the accused. At quarter
to O'Clock they came into court with
their verdict. which was that Matthew
Jones the prisoner. was guilty of muir
der In the first degree. The prisoner
appeared but little moved when the
verdict was read TO him. Counsel for
the defense moved the court to set aside
the verdict on the ground that It was
contrary to the law and the evidence
in the case. and motion 70" 4 new trial
will be formulated and argued at some
later day of the court.
The murder was the result of jealousy
on the part of Jones, who suspected his
wife of adultery. Jones' the murderer
Is about thirty-five Of forty years of age.
and at the time of the murder had been
married TO the woman lie killed abou,
four years. For two years he was en-
ployed in the depot yard OF the Atlantic
Coast Line, I'm this city.
There was quite snow storm here last
night. which set in about IL o'clock and
continued until carly hour this NOM
Ing. But little of the snow, however
remained on the ground
The Appomattox Boat Club held it's
annual meeting last night and elected
the following officers for the ensuing
term. President Carter H. Bishop;
Vice President. Arthur b. Wood: Urea
surer John Moyler; Secretary. Peter +.
Spotswood. Jr. Dircctors-Robert Ca
bantss. ID. b. Dunlop, Jr.. and Hugh r.
smith. Jr This club was organized
eighteen years ago and is the oldest
boat club in the State. Its membership
Is limited To forty
The Board of Supervisors of Prince
George county held meeting Yesterday
AZ the County courthouse, aud passed
on bills The principal matter which ,9c
cupied the attention of the board was
mat III reference 20 increa sing the conn
~ taN-levy. Mr.. Charles Conner Tho
treasurer of the county. stated to the
board that the last assessment of real
estate in the county showed a decrease
OF $4,000 in value. In view Of this fac,
me board found 1t necessary in order 10
delray the expenses of the county either
10 reduce the salaries of the county Off
GERS or increase the county tax-levy.
~ WAS therefore, decided to increase m,
tax rate from - cents on Tho slO0 ~ IN
cents. Wv
Inc shipments of coal over the Norfolk
ana Western railroad is very heavy now.
Last evening fourteen sections of one
train passed through PETERSBURG r,r
Norfolk. from which point this coal is
shipped North. -