The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-02-25
A MURDERER ON TRIAL.
First Days Proceedings of the
Conway Case.

The hustinSs court assembled ut $50
yesterday evening to hear the case of the
commonwealth $. Robert Conway for
murder. Before the hour set for the
trial the courtroom was full and by the
time for the trial TO commence had ar.
rived the room was packed.
Both the commonwealth and the de.
Tense announced they were ready for trial
aud the following jury was empanne led:
j. w. Minnick, j. j. Landlord, r. ID.
Diggs, 9. u. Marston, H. G.. Herrick, c.
r.. Bear, III. ID. Vellines, Y. p. Eliason
w. s. Holden, a. NJ. Shepard, p. Iillis.
j. Il. Updike.
The court then proceeded to the hearing
of the case The first witness for the
commonwealth was II. n. Dyer, chief of
police, who testified that he had been
chief of police for three years; was in the
city on the 10th of December, when the
report that Conway had murdered his
wife was sent in. Went to the house
and found Conway's wife laying on the
floor with her throat cut. Arrived ut
the house about 10 O'Clock. Entered ut
the rear, found the woman lying to the
left Of the he'd in II pool of blood Was
not dead when he arrived. Bed had
covering turned down; might or might
not have been occupied. Was in the house
about twenty minutes. Wasn't there
when she died. Cross examined, said:
Body laying with head nearly under edge
of bed. Did not examine bed clothes
carefully and only looked ut them. One
lamp burning in the room TIT the time
Had found razor aud produced same in
court.
When the razor was produced Conway
appeared very eager tn see it and watch
ed it continually rs it passed from one
juryman to the other. The razor was
covered with blood and had become rusty
Rev. w. w. Brown testified that he
was pastor of High Street Baptist
Church Had known both Conway and
his wife for Il number of years. Had
never seen any trouble himself Bob
Conway called to see him about two
years ago and told him his wife had left
him and wanted hin, to 90 aud persuade
her to come back. Went to Ann John
sons to see her. but she was not there.
This trouble was before CCnway's wife
was turned out Of the chvrch
> John Gregory, colored, testified tnat.he
lived on Seventh avenue II. e. and ,'worked
for w. *. Andrews &; Co. Had known
Conway nearly all his life. Conway had
lived i'll the upstairs part of his house.
Heard trouble up there enc night and on
going up found Conway attempting to
strike his wife with an axe. Heard Con
ways wife say ''Pleasc don't kill me-
Axe caught on II clothes line that was
hung up in the room. Thinks he had
just picked up the axe. This happened
before he had the fuss with Conway.
Cross examined-Had had IL fuss with
Conway ut Andrews coal yard Had
thrown rock ut Conway and Conway
attempted to strike him with one. Was
not on good terms with Conway. Hadn't
SDokcn TO him since
Sam Robertson testified: Never heard
Conway threaten his wife. At the time
of the separation Conway came to him to
get his wife. Went to Ann .Johnson's
Conveys wife mt first refused to see him.
Finally did see him and he had asked her
to 20 back home and live with him again
SAID he did not mean anything by what
he had done. Thought she was afraid of
him. She.would not come eat the time,
hut would come next evening. Cross
eXamined-This occurred about Il week
after she had left. Went to see her
twice.
G'homas Ward testified that he had
been with Robertson and Conway and
his testimony about the same as Robert.
son. Conway's wife refused to shake
hands with him. Cross examination
She said she was afraid of him.
DR. Joseph iiale testified that he was
ASKED 10 20 and make an autopsy on the
body on the lth of December That
death was caused by loss of blood and
suiiocation caused by IL cash in the
throat. Had she had medical attention
ut the time of wound her life might have
been sarcd. Cross examination The
cash in she throat would not have been
necessarily fatal had it received proper
attention. Did not see her until next
day after the murder. Noticed some
marks resembling finger marks on her
throat
DR.. j. y. Lewis testified that he was
city coroner and had been called to make
autopsy on the case. Noted finger marks
on her throat and that there We're two
gashes made in her throat. -.
Sergeant Manuel testified that he went
with Chief Dyer to the house; was there
when she died; found razor lying Oh the
chais. Found Lowry and ThaXton and
some other people there ut the time
Didn't see Conway.
Coart then adjourned until 9:30 this
morning.
laye car of nice dry, wide, rough
boards. Cheap j. II. WILKINSON.
TO BE REPEATED.
The entertainment given by the young
ladies Of the First Baptist Church last