The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-21
FIFE SENTENCED TO DEATH,
THE JURY OUT THIRTY-FIVE MINUTES,
The Trial Began Yesterday Morning at io
O'clock and Ended Last Evening at
B:53 o'tlock-Tbe Testimony and
the Argument of Counsel

Joa Fife has been condemned TO die for
attempted assault, and the Nichmoho
public is relieved Of tension tha' mas
been pressing them for nearly a week
on last Thursday morning young ne
gro was arrested at his home in this city
by three of the shrewdest detectives III
the State He was ch irs u with attempt
ing TO commit naIneless crime upon two
young ladies. and within very few hours
after his arrest he was identified by both
ladies, and the next morning he was
given a preliminary trial in the Poll
Court.
A SPEEDY TRIAL.
The entire city was very much excited.
and precautionary measures were at once
taken by Chief of Police Howard. The
Commonwealth indicated that speedy
trial would be given the man, however.
and public feeling subsided 10 some ex-
tent.
A grand Jury was summoned, and the
regro was indicted. He was carried into
tle Hastings Court on Saturday morning
and efforts made TO secure jury, but
without success. The deputies OF the
ccurt were sent TO Lynchbnrg for spe-
oiai venire. They reached the city on
their return Monday night, and yesier-
day morning the jury was completed. the
evidence heard. the arguments made, the
verdict render ed, and the sentence pro-
nounccd few minutes before o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
WITHOUT EMOTION.
The prisoner sat in his seat as stohd
a. a rock when the result was reached,
and not even when his poor old mother
broke down and was carried out or the
court praying and screaming, did ne
move a mnscle of his face or turn his
head in her direction.
Cheers after cheers greeted the an
nouncement OF the verdict as II was car
ried through the corridors OF the great
city Hall, and a satisfied populaoe went
10 their homes, glad that the reputation
that Virginians were always. ready 10 up
mold and protect the virtue of their wo-
men WAS sustained.
All the counsel In the case were prompt
ly on ,land. and at 10 o'clock sharp Judge
Wit went upon the bench In the Hust-
ings Court yesterday morning. The tales
men from Lynchburg who reached the
" at the Imperial Hotel. were in their
seats. and responded TO their names as
called by Clerk Christian.
The prisoner was brought into court.
and presented a neat appearance, having
evidently prepared himself TO make as
favorable an impression upon tho court
and jury az possible amid his forbading
surroundings.
THE LYNCHBURG TALESMEN.
into the serecants office and each one
called
The first man called. Mr.. r. ]. William
son. was accepted. Then tho names of
Messrs T. W Gillian, t.. NJ Heard, l.. c.
Talbot J. NJ Cleland. w, II. Claiborne,
George H. Polling, II. j. Berndt. III. A.
SSuthaii. James II. Wall, and ii. ID. John
son were called in order, and they were
accepted making mp the panel OF sixteen.
ON these sixteen the defence exercised
its right and moved the following names
be stricken from the panel: q. Il. Sydnor,
w. h. Wilkinson, II. II. Ralston, and
George Bargamin.
Col. spotswood. counsel for the negro.
sprang surprise by objecting TO the
jury as il stood on the ground that they
were not from the Congressional Dis
trict in which the crime was alleged 10
have been committed.
Asked by Judge Wit 10 give his au-
thoiity Col, Spotswo0d read the Sixth
Article Of Amendment to the Constitu-
tion OF the United States.
THAT applies TO the United States
Courts" said Judge Witt. "and l oyerrule
The objection"
The jury was sworn and the witnesses
answered to their names
Joseph Fife. the prisoner was then told
u stand, and the indictment read by
Clerk Christian.
The witnesses for the defence. at the
request Of Col. Spotswood. were then
sworn, and taken from the room.
Fifteen minutes We're allowed the de-
fence, the Witnesses for the Common
wealth not having all reached the court
room.
THE OLD WOMAN FINED.
During tho recess Sergeant Dpps
brought into court an old negro woman
who had assaiied him near the door Of
me jail Monday afternoon when he was
putting f1fo into that institution as re-
lated exclusively IN The Times of yester-
CAY. She had used che most foul and
Indecent language to the Sergeant in con-
nection with the trial of Fife.
She gave her name as Martha McC'uIlen
and when questioned by the Court she
stoutly maintained that she had said
nothing. Sergeant Epps was positive she
did however, and Judge witt said:
Unfortunately am in no position 10
give you what should like. but I'm GO
ing 10 do all | can. Such people as you
are the ones tina. head mobs and incte TO
riot and there is no telling what should
be done with you
IN fine YOU so and give you ten days
IN lail, Besides, you will have to give
,l.on security fer your good behavior for
twelve months
The frs, witness 10 testify was Mrs
mhs'hs, ,hs ana Judge Witt promptly cleared
the courtroom.
TnE FIRST WITNESS.
Mrs. Marks testified substantially 10
what has already been published in The
Times.
She stated that on the day OF the at
tempted assault she was alone In the
house. friends who had spent the pre-
yious night with her having gone away.
About $3.50 O'Clock she heard knocking
~ what she thought the back gate. and
thinking II q messenger with some fruit
that she was expecting. she went TO tho
back door.
just as she opened the door leading into
the kitchen she was confronted by a ne
gro mar whom she identified az helng The
prisoner, She asked him what he wanted
and In reply he grabbed her by the throat
and In 4 struggle threw her TO tho floor.
She fought desperately and screamed
but tho assaFlant choked her almost into
insensibillty. Some children In an adjoin-
ing yard were playing and their noise to-
yether with her screams scared the as
sailant of.
Mr.. Grifith was the next witness. his
testimony war also about the same as
that given In the preliminary hearing In
tho Police Court. lie said that on the