Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-02-23
CHARLES R. LEWIS TRIAL.
Summary OF Proceedings Since
Last Issue.
CROWDS UNABArED.


Joseph Palmer stated that he had
been employed by Lewis in 1926 tc
run tomatoes. Lewis offered him
the job for '96, at the same tim,
telling him that he could make mon
ey at one cent per box, as he woulC
then have no competition and sc
would have all the tomatoes.
L. A. George, of Accomack, was
then examined and stated that after
Eallin had rebuilt his factory. Lewis
approached him aud asked him to
burn it, at the same time telling hin
that he burnt the other one. Wit
ness refused to burn factory.
Lewis Clark stated that Lewis
came to him on the night of the
burning and asked for the key tC
storehouse in which the gasoline wa:
kept, as he wanted to get some gaso.
line for an old woman. Returned
shortly afterwards and said he bad
not gotten any gasoline.
The first witness called on Thurs
day was Lulie Cameron, colored,
who stated that on the night of the
burning he was coming home, and a
little after he observed the fire he
noticed a small sail boat making in
the direction of Lewisetta.
John Jones, of Baltimore, was
then examined, the sum and sub
stance of his testimony being that
while living at Lewisetta Lewis had
several times approached him and
asked him to burn Fallin's factory,
which he declined to do. Lewis Of
fered him half profits in factory if
he would do so, but witness still de-
clined. Lewis told him that he could
be more careful than he had been.
for the flames from the guano bags
soaked in lacquer and gasoline, which
he had used in burning factory be.
fore, had burst forth so quickly that
the light was reflected on him and
the sail of his boat as he made his
way from the fire. Lewis said he
had carried "Old Long Tom," his ri
file, with him, and was not at all
frightened. This about ended the
testimony for the day.
Prisoner was not looking as we'll
Friday as usual. First witness called
was Jos. Henderson (colored) whose
testimony was worth nothing.
Ed Moore, sail maker, next tes-
tilted that someone had used his
boat the night of the fire and that he
found his boat the next morning
near Lewis house. Lewis told him
that he had used it to see after his
oysters. Witness was living at Lew
isetta at that time, but left there i'm
June, '97, when he sold the boat to
JAS. Carter. When shown receipt
showing that the boat was sold Oh
May 18th, 1896, he declared it for
gerry, and that he had not at that
time bought the boat.
A. j. Lewis, brother of the ac-
cused, then took the stand and
stated that he knew nothing of the
fire. HIS brother, however, had told
him he had done the burning. 1t
was brought out in the examination
that bad feeling was existing between
the brothers.
L. Ii. Fallin was then recalled
and went into the description of the
situation of the different buildings in
detail. With this the Common
wealth rested its case.
On Saturday the defence began its
fight.
JAS. Carter (colored) stated that
he bought the boat from Ed Moore
on the 10Th of May, 1896, for S24.oO
and got the receipt which Moore
hal declared a forgery.
Alpha Headley then testified that
he lived at Coan wharf and had been
across on the other side of the river
to church on the night of the fire
and after taking his friend home had
recrossed the river about IL O'Clock.
but did not see any one in boat OH
river.
Rev. @. n. Belts testified that il
was a bright moonlight night and
that he had preached at chapel and
had recrossed about $50 with Others
In scow, but saw no one on the riy-
er; and further, that luminosity existed
between Lewis and his brother.
Mrs. Lewis, wife of the accused,
next testified that she and her hus-
band had spent the night of the
goth of July, '96, together in their
home on the Island, and had watched
the fire with her husband from an
upper doorway of the house. She
further stated that she had gotten
JAS. Garter (colored) to give receipt
for boat to Moore for the purpose of
Introducing it in order to show that
Moore did not own boat at the time.
She did not know it was forgery
and when shown the receipt she said
t was not the one she had sent.
This was blow to the defence. She
'aId that Andrew Lewis was her hus-
)and's worst enemy.
Mrs. Lewis was on the stand quite |
! long time and was subjected to
'lgld examination. She was in good |
spirits and not at all nervous.
No court on Monday, 10th, Oh ac-
count Of sick Juror.
Court re-convened at ten o'clock
!. NJ. Tuesday.
Mrs. Lewis was again put on the
tand and cross-examined by the de-
.ence. She and Mr.. Lewis had oc.
,upied the same room on night of the
ire. She did not tell any one that
he had to wake him. Did not tell
her brother, who was in the house
he night. of the fire. Said Mr.
lewis told her it looked to be at Coan
Wharf. Had been offered kindness
~ A. j. Lewis, but did not accept on
4ccount of reports us to bis "a. J.'s)
towards @. r. Lewis, and |
vas convinced that A. j. Lewis was
It the bottom of this thing. Did