The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-25
MANY ON TRIAL FOR MURDER.
SeYen Men In Jail Charged With tn
Capital Crime.
MASON NOW ON TRIAL FOR his LIPs,
The Marks Brothers Caught Writing Let
tcrs That VIII Damage their Chances
woman's FideIiiy-Jackson's Re-
spite VIII soon lie Out.


William Mason. son OF william B. Mason.
OF Glade Spring. charged with the muir
der of John Clark. In September last,
went to his trial In the County Court
to-day. The jury was selected this
morning, and adjourned until 2:3o Z. ~.
when one OF the principal witness for tho
Commonwealth. Harry Johnston, was In
troduced.
He witnessed the killing OF John Clarke
by Mason; had given Mason five drinks
Of whisky. Mason and Clark were not
on speaking terms. Clark saw Mason
coming with a double-barreIled shotgun,
and exclaimed to witness: "Yonder comes
BIZ with his gun; he is up TO some
devilment."
THE TRAGEDY.
When Mason had approached Clarke
within some ten feet he had the gun
pointing to Clarke, with muzzled inclined.
so that. If discharged, IL would shoot into
the ground when he had gotten within
some ten feet OF him, Clark said: What
in the HI are you pointing that gun
at me for; put II down"
and grasped Masons gun about the In
stant Il was discha rged. The load took
effect in Clarke's thigh. cutting the femo-
raj artery, and he quickly bled 20 death
The witness had already given Mason
five drinks OF whisky, and he admits
that three hours later he himself was
pretty full, and had gone 10 Abingdon
to aid in lynching Mason.
THE INSANITY PLEA.
The defense will attempt TO prove Ma
sons insanity. quite a large number OF
distinguished witnesses are present III his
behalf including ex-Congressman Eus-
tice Gibson, of West Virginia.
The case will be very stuDbornly fought
and none of the other alleged murder
cases can be tried at this term. Il. j.
Davenport. Commemorative Attorney IS
assisted by Preston Campbell, Esq. and
defendant is represented by Hutton and
Honaker and Hon Daniel Trigg and
Hon. c. +. Trigg.
OTHER MURDER CASES.
The trial Of George Dennison for COM
phclty with John Jackson I'm the murder
of Walter Leonard, Is set for next
Thursday. but will not be reached.
Those OF Mike Large. for killing
Jack Marks and Walter Marks for killing
c.ghty-one year old Rcbecca Carlton,
December 18th. and Earl Scott. colored.
Tor shotting Laura Beverly, colored, Will
be continued.
This Mason trial will be bitterly con-
tested and has attracted an im:"ensc
audience.
Including Mason there are seven men in
Abingdon Jail charged with murder.
The alleged murder Of Old Mrs. Carlton
by the Marks broth RS Is one - the most
diabolcal in the history Southwest Vir-
glnia.
It's scene was I'm Dcnton's Valley. eight
miles due south OF Abingdon and one
mile north OF .he Virginia and Tennessee
State line. Two letters recently discov-
cred, written by Walter Marks and clan
destiney delivered 10 outside parties fer
transmission 10 two of his friends.
TELL-TALE LETTERS.
These letters were found in the road
half way between Abingdon and the
scene OF the murder.
one of these Is addressed 10 the Miss
Long. 10 whose house some six hundred
yards distant from Mrs. Cartons, he IL
supposed 10 have fled as soon as he had
killed Mrs. Carlton. Between him am
the woman there were supposed 10 bo H.
licit relations. and In this letter he avows
he loves her more than anyone else on
earth that his attorneys assure him he
will be acquitted, and N he Is he VIII at
once marry her. and that she must keep
her tongue and refuse To tell anything
she knows. In confirmation Of this she
has refused 10 testify and declares she
will be killed before she Will TESTIFY. The
other letter was addressed To his brother
in-law by Jack Marks. telling that N
these Internal people should succeed In
convicting him. 10 send him a vial or
laudanum concealed In bag or smoking
tobacco. and he would commit suicide:
mo ton IA l.
ten these letters. but the prosecution ex-
pect to prove they are the authors.
DAMAGING EVIDENCE.
II Is further discovered that half an
hour after dark. the night OF the murder
Walter Marks was seen 10 cross the
fence near the Long house. exactly where
the sharp-tocd tracks OF the murderer
led from the Carlton house. Walter Marks
had declared he went 10 Longs before
sundOwn and remained there that night.
or course this more than breaks down his
aiibi.
The whole affair grows darker for these
Marks brothers. and public opinion ~
about unanimous as TO their guilt.
None OF the sensational murders In tho
modern history Of Richmond. Including
! the Cluverius case surpass, II they~~luai, !,
this cold blooded, cruel and dannabie
| murder OF an lghty-Oue-year-old lady,
who sheltered these accused brothers.
| one OF whom was her sOn-in-law.
Alexander Findlay. who vas said 70
have been dying TWO ddNs ago, u no"
| better, and has possibilities OF recovery.
| Peter Haynes the weil-knOwn and popu-
! lar but aged omnibus driyex O. Abingdon,
| Is very i'll and not likely 10 recover.
Mr.. Charles Harris. the greatly esteem
ed proprietor OF the Colonnade Hotel. Is
| very III.
DR. BAKERS CONDITION.
| Dr. John A. Z. Bakers condition Is un-
improved. Ills demcnta Is harmless. Re-
| ports that he had made. I'm his deltriun.
| an important confession. are absolutely
| untrue as 7 am credibly informed.
! Judge y. W. McBroOm IL said 10 be slat-
| ed TOR the Abingdon Dostoficc.
! The Governor has informed Sheriff Hor.
! tenstine that Jackson must be executed
! April Sth. and directed him 10 make his
| arrangements accordingly
| The clerk Of the United States Cir
cult Court here Is busily engaged gettinr
| up the transcript OF the record on the
/ large case OF ). r. Chapman. PLAINTIFF IN
error. vs.. Yellow Poplar Lumber Com
| pany which goes for a second time 10 the
| United States Circuit Court Of Appeals.
Grig~.' Nomination Reported.
| WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. H-Ths