The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-06
Mr.. CRAWFORD BAlLED.
JUDGE WITT TAkES ms BOND FOE
$4,000. wIra MRS. SgOysRsURLIf.
In the Police Court Bail Was Refused, but
on Writ of Habsas Corpus '"e '"''
Wont TO the Hastings Court.

bozSlCmcnt or cei'ti" i"""S "''o"eN"s
10 Mrs. Catherine Pcyronnet. came up be-
fore Justice Crutchneid In the Police
Court yesterday morning.
Commonwealth Attorney Richardson
Win whom Mr.. George T.. Wise is asso-
ciatcd. stated that the Commonwealth
was not ready 20 30 into the case owing
20 the absence Of several important Wit
nosscs. and the desire on the part OF the
prosecution TO secure certain papers and
documents that would bear upon the case.
representing Mr.. Crawford Mr.. Louis
Mondenburg. stated that his side was also
anxious TO secure all documents relative
10 the case. for ne wanted all the facts
and circumstances brought out thorough
~. but ne would like to 30 into the case
as far as possible in order 10 secure bail
for his client
Mr.. Wcndenburg said that he was as
positive as he could be that there was
not the least showing OF wrong doing
on the part OF Mr.. Crawford. In giving
his side Of the case he stated that the
transactions between Mrs. Peyronnet and
Mr. Crawford dated back to 1881 when
she loaned him the sum of $500. balance
received FOR the sale of home.
In 1890 she loaned him $500. and paid
interest at the rate Of per cent until
last January when, owing TO lack OF
funds he was unable 10 pay and so IN
formed Mrs. Peyronnet
ACCEPTED PERSONAL OBLIGATIONS
Mr.. Wondenberg said that In order to
secure Mrs. Peyronnet his client gave
her his personal obligations, which she
accepted. He further went into the case
and argued IN favor OF granting bail.
saying that he did not believe the Com
monwcalths Attorney would make any
objections 20 allowing his client bail
Mr.. Richardson was willing TO 90 into
the case as far as possible in order TO
consider the question Of bail, and num-
Der OF witnesses were examined.
MRS. PEYRONNET TALKS.
Mrs. Peyronnot was first placed upon
the stand. She stated that Mr.. Crawford
was the administrator OF her mOther-n-
law. and not of her husband, as has been
stated. In 1889 a house was sold and
when the last payment was made Mr..
Crawford collected II and held for her.
In the summer Of 1890. she said. Mr..
Crawford knowing that she had $500
went TO her house at No 200 south Bolvi-
dere street and said that he knew Of a
party who wanted 10 borrow the money
at S per cent.
She objected at first. on the ground
that she wanted to buy two houses. but
he persuaded her to let him use the money
and If she found she wanted it she could
get II again on ten days notice.
She signed paper allowing him 10
draw the money from the Citizens Bank.
She did not loan IL TO him but gave II 10
him for investment. She was willing 10
trust him with all she had. for she look
cd upon him as "a most honorable man.
PAID INTEREST REG ULARLf.
He paid her the sum of s66 every three
months A paper was given her once
stating that her money was secured IN
the State Bank. 80 that II anything
should happen 10 her. her children would
be able to get the money. No negotiable
notes were given her, nor did she ask for
any.
Mr. Crawford told her. she said that
hers was the first mortgage and he
said nothing about a previous one. She
was sorry that these proceedings had
been necessary for she thought good
deal OF Mr.. Crawford. All she wanted
was her money. She did not want TO
prosecute lie offered her the papers, but
she told him she thought they would be
safe in the bank. She had been worried
recently and put the matter into the
hands Of her lawyer. Mr. John b. Gayle.
and he did what ne thought best.
Mrs. Peyronnct further said that she
was told that the property IN Charles
city county was worth $500 and that
she held the first mortgage. Mr.. Craw-
ford told her about three weeks ago that
the property was perfectly safe. She
wanted some money but Mr.. Crawford
had none.
NOT THE INSTIGATOR.
Mr. Meredith was the next witness lie
positively denied that he was the insti-
gator Of this prosecution. as Mr.. Craw-
ford had stated 10 the reporter Of The
Times, but that IL came In the nature
OF a surprise 10 him. lie was employed
by Mr.. Crawford in December. 1890. At
"a trustees sale in 1880 he purchased
farm IN Charles City county of some
1.120 acres. from Mr.. c. A. Crawford.
trustee for $3.50. AT the request Of Mr..
Crawford. the accused. a short time az
forwards the farm was decided to Mr..
Crawford for $500. and was subsequently
sold 10 two negroes, named Banks. Mr..
Meredith knew nothing OF their financial
responsibility.
The witness was questioned as 10 his
knowledge of the value OF the farm. and
summing up the matter. taking tho
amount OF cord wood, there al that time.
and the value OF the land itself, thought
that then there were probably 1900 cords
Of wood half OF II merchartable and the
other common. which was probably worth
sl.5O0 The land itself. he thought. was
probably assessed at 81 per acre. Every
thing that he did In the matter was at
the request OF Mr.. Crawford. Mr. Gayls
approached him some days ago and ask
ed him certain ques ions relative 10 the
transactions IN the matter Of the sale OF
the farm
LAWYER GALE TALKS.
Mr.. Gayle. the next witness stated that
I'M a conversation with Mr.. Crawford
a few DAYS ago. the latter gentleman
had told him that the mortgage cid by
Mrs. PeyrOnnet was first mortgage and
the farm was worth $1,000 and that in
1890 he had sold II for $500. Mr.. Crawford
also told him that the people were still
living there but were little behind at
the present time.
Mr.. H. T.. Richardson stated that Mr..
Crawford told him that he had prevented
the men from cutting wood and they had
left but he had man there taking care
II IL.
Mr.. CRAWFORD TESTIFIES.
The next witness was Mr.. Crawford, the
accused. who said that he got the $500
as a loan from Mrs Peyronnet. on which
he paid her per cent interest. lie gave
her his obligations, and she collected
the interest regularly. She came 10 his
Office, he said. In 1880 and asked him 10
take the $3.50. which he did giving her
his obligations. Mr. c. W. Walden secured
a lien on the property for $1,000 Later
the property was sold for $500. but the
purchaser. Captain John Lamb could