The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-01

"a PECULIAR CHILD
Mrs. L. Z. NunnaIly, OF Reams, Va,
was the first witness for the defence to-
day. She had known the Riddicks since
Roane was ten years old, and had seen
much of them.
She said Roane, while a good boy, was
very peculiar child. She had known him
to shut himself up IN a room for hours and
talk to himself. He had fits of melan.
cholia and moody spells. Often he would
shun other children. At other times he
was bright and cheerful.
Mrs. Nunnally said Mr.. Riddck was not
deaf when he went off 10 school, but when
he came back. he could hardly hear at
all When Mr.. Riddick was pastor at
Reams it was generally believed in the
ntiet borhood that he was insane. His
mind was so much impaired he had
hardly any memory. He did things often
that he would not. when in mis- right mind
have done, for his right arm. Mr.. Rid
dick. she stated, sometimes would go on
visits 10 friends and his Observation-Disclosures
would carry him miles ont of the way
TENDER WHEN NOT MOODY.
The witness said when Mr.. Ridd!ch was
not in his moody spells. he was tender
and loving Christian gentleman and was
greatly beloved by everybody in the
neighbornood. He was at Reams four
years. and Tie people were grieved Wnen
his time there expired by limitation.
The witness said the accused had told
her the cause OF his fits OF depression
were due to his deafness and the loss OF
memory.
On cross examination, Mrs. Nunrally was
asked if, when Mr. R:ddck visltea hef
nome, she took any steps to protect hel-
self against any possibility of an out
break of insanity. = She replied lhat sue
did not apprehend any trouble.
M. Buford asked Mrs. Nunnally 10 re.
late one Of those things Mr. ElodicK
would not have done for his rlSht ARM
when in his right mind
She stated that on one occasion MI. Ela-
dick invited herself and her husoaiiu ~
his house to spend the day Ihe preacilei
forgot ali about it, and went to Ietels-
b,lry. leaving his wife sick in bed. On
his return he was surprised to find visit
ors in his house. He took no notice OF
his wife, to whom he was devoteols
attached, but went on to talk with MI.
Nunnally.
DID NOT EXPECT EVIL.
Mrs. Nunnally said. while she knew Mt
Riddick to be insane at times, she @ ulu
not think any evil would come Of it. She
was not surprised. however, when sne
learned that he shot DR.. Temple. She
never discussed Mr. Riddick's insanity
with any one except her husband.
Mrs Nunnally had often heard Mr. Rid
dick preach. and regarded his sermons
as sound He preached the religion OF
the Bible. She was unable to tell whether
or not he preached from notes or manu-
script.
At the conclusion of her testimony
recess was taken.
The court was little late in reconven-
ing after dinner. Mr.. B. H. Moss, law
yer of South Carolina and a member of
the Legislature of that State was the
first witness. He was with Riddick at
college at Spartanburg two years. ana
during one session roomed with MN.
SUBJECT TO SPELLS.
He noticed several times that Riddick
was subject 10 spells of melancholy and
depression Often he would hold his head
in his hands for half an hour. Sometimes
he would be away from his boarding
house for whole day. On his return he
would be unable to tell where he had
been.
One day he walked into creek, lost
his hat and came to the house wet from
head TO foot. He was unable to give any
account of what had happened to him.
When not under these spells Riddick was
bright and cheerful, and was a favorite
at college
Occasionally when the four room mates
were sitting down studying their lessons
Riddick would suddenly look up and ask
his companions to stop talking about him,
whereas no one had referred to him. He
was deaf when he went to college, and
this affiiction grew worse while he was at
school When asked about his troubles
Riddick would say his people wanted to
make a preacher Of him. and often would
use profane language and swear that ne
would not enter the ministry. AT school