Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-02
CASE OF UNCALLED-FOR ASSAULT
The Justice So Declares in seh"i"s
Hanson On-Ayres Goes Free.

HObsOn On-AyreS UOts
The case of ex-Conductor S. L. Hobson'
charged with assaulting am beating lred-
surer George Il. Fisher, Of the Rlchmonu
Railway and Electric Company, was car
ed in the Police Court again yesterday
morning and after an exhaustive hearing,
lasting two hours, the defendant was SEM
on to the grand jury. Justice Crutchneid
allowed Hobson bail in the sum OF Sl,OOO'
which was promptly given, with MI T.
G. Kelly as surety.
There was q long docket before Justice
Crutchheld, but the crowd that packeu
the courtroom waited until all was over.
Hon. f.. G. Folkes represented the pfl-
soner and Commemorative ttorney
Richardson conducted the prosecution.
Mr.. Fishers face was still patched with
court-plaster. Dr. Jacob MichauX was
present as a witness, and Messrs. Wynd-
ham r. Meredith and A. 3. Guigon, both
OF counsel for the Richmond Railway and
Electric Company, as friends OF Mr..
| Fisher.
MIR. FISHERS VERSION.
There were a number Of witnesses, out
there was little new in the testimony.
Mr. Fisher said as he was hurrying from
CAPTAIN Pizzini's office to catch a car
Hobson stopped him and said he wanted
TO talk with him. He replied that he dld
not have time, but would see him later.
Then, as he tried to pass, Hobson struck
him in the face, knocking him down.
After that, while lying on the street, he
struck him in the face several times.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Richardson, Mr..
Fisher stated that he had had a former
talk with Hobson, and had promised him
to look into his case, which he had done
the same evening, and when Hobson as
saulted him he had something to tell him.
only he had not time then to do so. He
stated further that Hobson had not been
discharged on the report of man nameI
McGregor, and that no men were employ
ed by his company to watch the men
and report them for negligence of duty.
WHAT MIR. HOBSON SAYS.
Young Hobson followed Mr.. Fisher on
the stand He said that MIR. Wilbur had
told him he had discharged him because
directed by the general offices in New
York, and he (witness) was sure that this
was done because McGregor, o "spotter,"
had reported him. He presented a note
signed by McGregor, declaring that he had
made a mistake, and did not intend to
report him QHobson). He went 10 find
Mr.. Fisher, and saw him enter the Office
Of Captain Pizzini. He and his COM
panion, Mr.. George Lamb, waited on the
outside until he came out. TLNn ne APP
preached Mr.. Fisher and asked to talk
business" with him. Mr.. Fisher showed
him off and tried TO pass him. Then he
struck him. He said, when cross-ex-
amined, he did not remember now many
times he struck him.
THE CASE SENT ON
Several other witnesses were heard, and
the case was argued at some length, MT.
Folkes contending that the offence was
81 nd hof
should be punished by the imposition or
q fne. Mr.. Richardson insisted that the
assault was a felonious one, and should
be so dealt with.
Justice Crutchfield said: II find very
little trouble in deciding this case.
think It is one of the most uncalled-for
assaults / have ever seen, and send the
prisoner on to the Hastings Court
Case of the Burned Woman.
John Lee Ayres, the colored man
charged with burning Rosalie Smith to
death was also in court yesterday, and
was discharged. He stated that he had
a "scufile" with the woman over some
money she had taken from him. and she
struck him with lighted lamp. which
exploded, covering him and her with OIL
He was burned, but ran away, not KNOW
ing that she was, and heard nothing
more of It until the next day. when ne
learned the woman was dead. lie then
gave himself up.
John Logan and Thad Stevens are two
colored youths, who are alleged 10 have
been engaged in the huckstering business
az the Second Market without license.
They were each fined $50 and costs.
p. II. Bryant, S. C. and j. J.. Brvant'
charged with creating a disturbance In
"a bar-room on Marshall street some days
ago, and assaulting officer Curle, were
fined $50. SIS. and $50 respectively.