The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-02
The Riadiok Trial.

be found q synopsis Of the murder OF
DR.. Temple by Rev. J. K Il Riddiok,
and the opening events OF the trial.
On the second day Of the trial the
prosecution suddenly rested its case.
The defense called the aged father Of
the prisoner TO the stand Ia the ef-
forts Of the counsel for the defense to
prove the accused was insane, the
father was called upon to relate some
family matters, painful. not only to
himself, but to those who had to listen
TO the testimony.
He had to tell about how his grand
father and father had been accustomed
TO drink too much and when under
the influence of liquor had acted CO.
OCCASIONALLY like madmen. He had to
tell that his uncle, for whom the wit
ness was named, had been adjudged
insane In that very county.
Further than this the witness had 10
relate how two Of his other children
had been mentally afflicted az his son.
Nor did the fathers pain end here. He
was called upon TO tell Of the strange
conduct of his son to himself of how
he imagined that the father had insult.
ed the young wife and had made
threats against the parents The elder
Riddiok had also to explain how the
son had tried to force him TO pay q
debt when he was unable to do so and
before it was due.
The father made a very good witness.
He was fully convinced in his own
mind that the son had been for long
time mentally unbalanced Many Pc
culiar things he did, coupled with
strange religious views he entertained.
convinced the elder Riddick that the
younger Riddick was at times not re-
sponsible for what he said and did.
OPPOSED THE MARRIAGE.
II was brought out In the further
ross-examination Of Mr. Riddick that
he and oil the family we're opposed,
for reasons he did not state, to the
marriage Of his son. but he stated that
after marriage Mrs. RoAne Riddiok
was treated as one Of the family.
HIS ANCESTOR FREAKIsH.
Rev. Riddick's plea Of insanity has
revived stories Of his grandfathers
queer mental characteristics. Rid
dicks ancestors lived in Suffolk. A
favorite diversion Of the grandfather
was TO get in a carriage and play coach
man for his negro servant Landon. He
compelled Landon to act master and
order him about. Another legend says
while Landon was on a roof old man
Riddiok got gun and made him dance
for his life. There are related other
eccentricIties of the prisoners uncle.
The hereditary weakness skipped his
father.
DR.. Temples dying declaration was
submitted Thursday. 1t is as follows :
II went to see Mrs Riddiok Wednes-
day night She was about to be con-
fined. l told them-Mr. Riddick and
wife-I had examined her. and did not
think 1t was necessary for me to stay,
and told them to let me know when she
needed me. did not hear anything
more until this morning. Mr.. Riddick
came here this morning about half-past
O'Clock. He knocked at the front
door. opened the door before finished
dressing. He did not speak to me, but
drew his pistol, and / had no way to
defend myself. ran out the back way
and be ran after me and got in close
range and shot me four times. know
Of no cause why he should have shot
me. 1 had neglected some Of my prac.
tice, expecting TO hear from him.
DR.. r. 8. Powell testified that Rid
dick stopped at his house after the
shooting. and said to him: II have put
four bullets into DIR. Temple. / wish
you would go up there and stop the
blood. have vindicated my family,
and I don't care now If the Doctor gets
we'll I"
A South Carolina gentleman, who 20
years ago was a class.mate OF Riddiok.
and DR.. Thomas Duncan regarded the
prisoner as eccentric and mentally I'M
balanced.