The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-23
court GOES TO
! sCFNEOF MURDER
Stephen Baptist on Trial for His
Life.
CHAIN OF EVIDENCE STRONG
The Negro Seems to Enjoy the Notoriety
and Importance of His Case-Mili-
tary Guard Kept Constantly ut
Courthouse Door.

EOYDION. VA, May 22.-SpeciaI.-
Promptly at 10 O'Clock this morning
Stephen Baptist was brought into court
in the custody Of the sheriff. Last night
was unusually quiet in the town, and the
soldiers with the prisoner spent the night
undisturbed in the courtroom, as the
Jail is not suitable for the acconmoda-
ton of the military.
After the sheriff had made the usual
proclamation. the jury WAS empaneled
and the witness sworn. The jury is an
intelligent body of men. A military COM
pany in a courtroom is a rare sight in
a Virginia court. but this is the case to-
day in one of the courts of Mecklenburg.
Such scene as this looks strange in a
court of justice. There may be more
justification for the angry indignation
which Is felt on the part Of the people
Of the Buffalo Springs neighborhood than
as usually the case, as this the second
time white man has been murdered by
negro Of Baptist is suilty) within the
past ten OF twelve years, but even that
is not sufficient cause for such violent
measures as has been threaten and
which makes it necessary for the mill
tary to preserve the law. 1t is travesty
upon justice. What is left Of Virginia s
Semper Tyrannis, when military force
has to be used to enforce obedience 10
the laws of The State?
COUNSEL FOR PRISONER.
AT the opening of the court Common
wealths Attorney E. c. Goode. the prose
cutor. announced that he was ready for
trial, and at the request of the court,
Mr. Harry Smith is serving as counsel
for Baptist
The COURTROOM is fairly crowded with
spectators The prisoner is rather
bad looking man, and appears unconcern-
ed as TO what is going on. He is sur
rounded in the prisoners dock by squad
Of soldiers. The Comonwealths wit
nesses are sworn and the trial is now
going on.
Persons here who saw the negro Cot
ton, Who was lyncted at Emporia, say
that Baptist very much resembles him
SCENE OF MURDER
BOYDTON, Va, May 22-Special.-In
the case OF Stephen Baptist the judge,
jury, Commonwealth attorney. and, in
deed. the entire court, together with the
detail Of soldiers and the prisoner, with
his counsel left here this afternoon by
rail for Buffalo Lithia Springs. TO visit
the spot where the dead body Of Old I'm
Gle Peter Jones was found onAthat fatal
Sunday morning. and further that they
may near Inc evidence MISS J ones.
the aged sister of the murdered man,
who is too infirm 20 attend court. They
will return tonight on the train which
passes here between and o'clock.
THE EVIDENCE.
There were quite number Of witnesses
examined this morning, and portion of
the evidence was quite damaging to the
prisoner. All the evidence is purely cir
cunstantial, but it is claimed that when
ii is all in it will weave an unbroken
chain of evidence so convincing as to
leave no doubt il the minds OF the jury
of the guilt of the prisoner.
The examination of witnesses will be
resumed tomorrow and the case will
not probably reach the jury before Thurs
day. The prisoner is guarded with the
same vigilance as though death watch
was placed over him. ] think he rather
enjoys this notoriety that is being given
him. as his air is that of great impor
lance.
a LARGE CROWD.
A large crowd attended the trial in the
forenoon. but in the courtroom every
thing was orderly and quiet. a guard is
kept constantly al the courthouse door,
and the stricteSt orders are given by the
court to prevent any intercourse between
>the jury and the people. The judge. in
his order. laid great stress upon the i'm
portance OF the prisoners having a fair
and impartial trial. Commonwealth At
( torney Gco6e is Sitting closely every word
OF the evidence, and is prosecuting the
case with great vigor.