Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-23
SWAMI is CONVICTED
MANCHESTER MAN GIVEN THREE
YEARS FOR BIGAMY.
INTERESTING DETAILS OF The TRIAL.
sergeant Fitzgerald Breaks Down In
the Testimony-A Friend Tor Forty
Years-Jury aud Officers OF Court
VIII Ask Governor to Pardon HIM.

Charles w. Swami was convicted in the
Hastings Court of Manchester yester-
day Of bigarny, and sentenced by Judge
ingram to three years confinement in the
State Penitentiary.
The circumstances Of this trial are, In
many respects. remarkable. The counsel
for the defendant pleaded guilty for his
client; the Commonwealth Attorney
asked the lightest possible sentence, and
a few moments later united with the jury
IN signing a petition for pardon for the
condemned man.
Few people believe Mr.. Swami will ever
go to the State prison, but are assured
that Governor Tyler will listen to the
unanimous appeal-unanimous and urgent,
save one voice, and that the voice of
woman-of the city for the pardon of
this man who erred and violated the law
with, evidently. no attempt at conceal
ment, and no knowledge that he was
doing so.
The facts Of the case are well known
TO the people and may be stated briefly
as they came out in evidence: Charles
W. swami MdS tlblll Sttio d5o
granted a partial divorce from Mrs.
Swami. No. l. on the ground of cruelty
and desertion. He went to his counsel
10 ascertain what his rights then were
and was informed that after five years
the court would grant him an absolute
divorce He waited five years and ten
months and then went TO North Carolina
and married Mrs. Swami. No 2, appa-
rently losing sight of the condition named
Ia.Fl 80
Manchester and has resided here and
worked at his trade as carpenter, ever
since
DETAIL OF PROCEEDINGS.
The court convened at 10 o'clock, Judge
Ingram presiding, and the case of Swami
was called. Captain A. c. Attkisson rep
resented the Commonwealth and Mr.
Charles /. Page the prisoner The fol-
lowing jury was secured: w. L. Porter
foreman. c. d. McRae. j. W. Toney,
Cary b. French, j. r. Holiday. j. r.
Redford, +. a. Lamb, w. f. Fisher, John
j. Walker. w. f. Kahn. NJ. II. Jennett,
and Charles ii. Sharp.
Captain Atkinson. for the prosecution,
Put several witnesses on the stand, among
them Mr.. ]. Frank Brinkley, Clerk
of the Court Of Halifax county. n. c.,
and Mrs. Martha /. Swami. Mr.. Brinkley
testified that he had issued marriage
license TO Mr. Swami, which he presented
I'm court The prosecution also brought
certificates of SWANS two marriages 10
Mrs. Martha /. Swami and to the present
Mrs. Swami.
SERGEANT FITZGERALD OVERCOME
Mr.. Page. when the prosecution rested
had several witnesses called, who tesu-
fed to Mr.. Swann's character and stand
ing in the community.
Sergeant Fitzgerald the veteran ser
geant OF the court, was among those put
on the stand, and his testimony had great
weight with the jury. No man stands
higher in Manchester than Sergeant Fitz-
gerald; the people have the greatest faith
In him and the warmest regard.
Mr.. Page asked him IL he knew the pri-
soner. His reply was that he mad known
him forty years.
what can you say of his character /
and standing?" asked the attorney.
He Is a better man than am" replied
Sergeant Fitzgerald, greatly moved. In
fact. his feelings overcame him so that
he could 20 no further in his testimony.
Mr.. Page, after that, stated TO the jury
that his client had technically violated
the law: that he had married under the
impression that he had the right TO do so,
and there was nothing for them to do but
convict him. The jury, through their fore
man, Mr. Porter, brought In the verdict
and fixed the punishment as stated
above. Every member then signed a pc
tition for Swann's pardon, and so did Cap
tain Attkisson. Clerk DuVal, and every
officer Of the court. Judge Ingram stated
that he would do nothing 10 prejudice the
Governors mind against the application.
When Judge Ingram had passed SEN
tence the prisoner was conducted to jail,
but will not be taken TO the penitentiary
unless the Governor rejects the appliCa-
ton for pardon.
WAR BETWEEN CITIZENS.
A case Of some interest in the Police
Court this morning will be that Of Benja-
min Baber, charged with assaulting VII
liam Anderson, both well-known resi-
dents of this city.
Mayor Maurice called 1t for hearing yes
terday morning, but neither side was
ready. and so went over
ANOTHER ROAD TO MANCHESTER.
II is announced that the Earmville and
Powhatan railroad will soon be extended
from Chester TO Manchester. and Judge
Clopton has already appointed the follow
ing commissioners TO condemn land for
the route: Messrs. j. S. Taylor. j. A.
Brown, Henry IL. Harnish. Henry Heth-
rsden, and T.. NJ. Perdue.
These gentlemen had their first meeting
in the city on Monday but adjourned on
account OF the absence OF the railroad
engineer until Friday. December 18th. II
this road does come 10 Manchester II will
serve 10 develop Chesterfield end Powha-
tan counties to great extent.
PERSONALS AND BRiEFS.
Mr.. Emmett Gregory is detained at
home by sickness.
Mrs. IDA Darlington left Monday for
her home, In Selma, n. c.
Mr. Stephen White left Monday night
for Springfield H.. TO Join HIS regiment
The condition Of Superintendent William
Allen, OF Maury Cemetery, Is very n:u'.h
improved.
Mr.. w. s. Goode, OF powhaian corniy.
was III the city yesterday. the guest of
his brother, Mr.. John -. Goode.
The post-ofi.ee will open until 10 A. NJ
70 morrow, and the carriers viii make