The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-28
A Mans Home Broken Up and His Bust
ness Career Ended.
HIS WIFE SUES AND GETS A DIVORCE.
A Conscienoe.Stricken witness Confesses
TO False Testimony and the Main Wits
ness in the Case is Then Tried for
Perturbation of the Justieo


and to pay q fine Of $3.50 by Justice Tig-
nor on the charge OF perjury. preferred
by w. H. Brldgeforth. win neither go 20
Jail nor pay the fine imposed. as no sooner
was the sentence pronounced than an ap-
peal was entered Bnd satisfactory
bond given.
For years no case has been tried IN the
courts OF Elizabeth city county which
has so thoroughly aroused the people in
| general, as has this.
AN INTERESTING STORY.
The story OF the controversy is an ex-
ceedingly interesting one. Several years
ago j. y. Brittngham, OF Hampton, and
one Of the best known furniture dealers
| on the Virginia Peninsula had as part
! ncr W. IT, BridgCf0rth The partnership
was a mutual one. and by hard work and
strict attention 10 business the firm soon
| found itself in a prosperous condition.
! Customers were plenty and OF the sort
! that pay promptly. Thus ii was that from
| time to time the concern enlarged IT'S
quarters and finally an exceedingly grac-
ious patronage served 20 locate IT in one
| Of Hampton's most prctentious business
| blocks
|
mony which has been presented In court.
during the past few DAYS Mr.. Bridgeforth
| was called from the city.
A LETTER FOLLOWED HIM.
Hardly had he arrived at his destina-
ton. II is alleged, than ne received "a letter
from his partner 20 the effect that there
were a number Of ugly rumors I'm circu-
| Iation regarding his connection with GER
| tain women and that he had better not
return 10 Hampton. In case he should
| return. these letters intimated that he
would be arrested charged with a serious
crime.
It appears that while protesting his in
nocence. Mr. Bridceforth had confidence
in the advice OF his partner, and n few
| days later he accepted an offer made by
Mr. Brittingham for his share in the busi-
ness, which he now says was ridiculously
low. He also claims that he was bull
dOzed." as he terms -. into accepting
| this offer. and now has n civil suit pend
| ing against his former partner 10 recov-
er something like what he believes his
| interest I'm the busines 10 have been
worth.
SUED FOR DIVORCE.
Shortly after the sale Of his interest
I'm the furniture firm, Bridgeforth was
sued by his wife. whom he claims he low
ell dearly for "a divorce on the GROUNDS
OF inHdelty. The divorce was granted,
tho principal witness being Ashby. who
testified that ON divers occasions he had
seen Bridgeforth take young ladies into
J tho store during the night time. after
| business hours had closed. and remain
/ in the building with said women for hours
at a time.
There were also several other witnesses
who testified 10 practically the same
thing Latter ono Of these returned 10
the city and claiming TO be conscience
stricken said that he testified falsely and
that he had been paid TO do so.
HOME BROKEN UP
IN the meantime Bridgcforth's home had
/ been broken up and his business career
ended. Heartbrokcn. by what ne boliev-
| cd a cruel persecution. he had become a
social and q business wreck
After the above confession had been
made public. the unfortunate man discov-
cred that he had many friends.
PUBLIC SYMPATHY AROUSED.
Public sympathy was with him from
the start. and offers Of money were free
| ly made 10 him with which 10 fight his
case and gain the vindcation, which was
practically accorded him in the court
room yesterday The main point IN the
trial was whether or not Ashhy could
| have recognized two people entering the
rear OF the store. from where he claimed
10 have been standing al the time, which
was ON the other side Of the street. Many
witnesses were introduced and 70 was
on this point that the case chiefly hung
During the trial yesterday it appeared
that during the night previous Justices
Tignor and Saunders. who were trying
the case. had visited the place and made
n series Of tests.
A DRAMATIC EVENT.
This announcement served 10 dcvolOD
the only real dramatic event or the trial
Colonel Tabb. who was one Of the attor-
neys representing Mr.. Ashby, no sooner
heard a witness stating this fact. than he
arose and said that he considered this
action OF the justices improper. and de-
clined TO proceed further with the case.
lie then designated p. ST. George VIII
cox. OF this city. TO represent his client
l temporarily. I'm case Of an adverse de
cision. which he lntlmated he expected
under the circumstances, and left the
! courtroom in anything but pleasant
! frame OF mind
This explained why no argument was
made by the attorneys for the defence.
JUSTICES PECULIAR ACTIONS.
To-day It was found by The Times cor
! tices visited the grounds surrounding the
| Rrittingham store. whore tho act Of IN
fidelity on the part OF Bridgeforth IS al
| legged TO have been committed.
There they met Sheriff Curtis, Captain
| Daugherty w J. Daugherty, Councilman
| G.. Wray Booker, and several others. a
| number Of tests We're made, I'm one OF
| which Sheriff Curtis advanced within q
feet of Mr. Booker before recognizing
! him.
| WHAT COLONEL TABB SAYS.
The Times correspondent called upon
| Colonel Tabb this evening and asked him
! II the report that he had thrown up the
| case was true by no means replied
| the Colonel II left the courthouse be-
| cause of the action Of the justices last
| evening I intend TO carry the case on
| 10 the County Court; II necessary. 10 the
| Circuit Court. and 20 keep on with Il. II
! need he. 70 the Court Of Appeals Of Nir-
| I have an abiding conviction In the merits
! ~ tho case l do not believe that Mr..
Ashbv IS guilty of perjury. IL Is possible
] tbot ne has done some foolish talking
bnt he has not committed the offence OF
| swearing falsely
| Onlnfon as 20 the correctness Of the do
cielon IL divided. and II would be difhcult
| a, this time 10 decide on which side the
| weght Of public sentiment lies. The case
viii be carried 10 the County Court. and
will probably be tried al the ensuing
] term. two weeks hence.