The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-02
WIS He INSANE?
BEGINNING OF THE RIDD1cK NUE.
DER TRIAL IN BRUNSWICK.

BEGINNING OF THE R1DD1cK MUR-
DER TRIAL IN BRUNSWICK.
The trial Of Rev ]. Z. Il. Rlddick
for the murder Of DR.. W. II. Temple,
which promises TO be a notable one,
opened this week OF Lawrenceville,
Brunswick county. The defense indi'
Gated by questions and the names Of
the witnesses summoned that the pris-
oner's plea will be insanity.
The prominence Of the parties con-
neoted with the case makes it one Of
the most interesting known in the
State for many years. The accused was
the pastor of the Methodist church in
Brunswick and one Of the best-known
members of the conference Of that dc
nomination in Virginia. His father,
the Rev. ]. f. Riddick, is the presid-
ing elder OF the Richmond circuit
The tragedy occurred at the home Of
deceased early ON the Sabbath morn
ing, March IL. On that morning the
accused visited the residence of Dr.
Temple. When the doctor opened the
door and extended his hand to Mr.. Rid
diok the latter, with some words Of q
threatening nature. drew 3 revolver
and attempted TO shoot
The weapon at first failed to dis
charge. and Temple retreated through
the hall. As he did so Mr.. Riddick
pursued him and fired the first shot
which lodged in the wall Temple ran
out into the yard, and there Riddick
fred four shots, all Of which struck the
physician. After the third shot his
victim fell, and Mr.. Riddick started
off, but seeing Temple endeavoring TO
arise he again shot him.
DR.. Temple was the family physician
OF the minister. and At she time was
attending his wife, whose infant was
born soon Afterward. The physician
was about 81 years old and enjoyed a
large practice in the county and sur
rounding section. He was extremely
popular.
Mr.. Riddick is also greatly beloved,
and is regarded by many as one Of the
most popular ministers that has ever
been on the Brunswick circuit for
many years. He is somewhat deaf, and
this afliotion Is said to have at times
ocoasioned him some embarrassment
DR.. Temple lived about ten days after he
was shot
Riddick declared that he had shot
DR.. Temple on account Of some offense
he had given Mrs. Riddick. presum-
ably on the occasion Of the visit Of the
physician on Wednesday evening pre-
ceding the shooting.
The prisoners father. wife. who is
young and extremity pretty woman, and
sister, Mrs. Walter s. Poage, are
attending the trial.
Mr.. Davis, of counsel for the defense
submitted q motion for jury to be
drawn from another county. This
motion was denied by the court.
DR.. r. s. Powell. the independent
member of the House Of Delegates.from
Brunswick, who attended DR.. Temple
after he was shot, testihe d that the
general sentiment Of the people wa
that Mr.. Riddiok was deranged. They
looked upon the murder as q very cold
blooded one.
| DR.. Powell said DIR. Temple talked
very freely with him about the shoot
ing before he died. He said II Riddiok
was found to be orazy he wanted hin
confined In an asylum for life, but II
Riddick should get of by any techni
calIty of the law be wanted his friend
to look after him.
Turner Thornton, the mulatto wh'
witnessed the shooting. testified tina
after three shots DR.. Temple fell, anC
Riddick ran past Thornton, leveling hi
, pistol and saying: II have killed on
grand rascal and If you bother me vii
kill you. " Thornton's brother rushed &
Riddiok who snapped the pistol at him
Riddick then turned again on DR.. Tsra
pie and fred another shot. He thel
8 raised the weapon aloft and, crying :"
have another ball here for you. mount
. ed his horse and rode away.
DR.. s. II. Mosely testified as to th
1 effect Of the wounds. He said he asko
DR.. Temple If he knew any cause 70
z Riddick shooting him and his repl
was: "I have not the remotest idea Uh
he should have shot me. / don't min
dying, but it is hard to be killed In thi
2 manner without cause. 4"
The constable who arrested Riddle
8 stated that the prisoner said to hir
that he would give his life for Dr. Ten
o ple's; that perhaps he had been q litt'
hasty. The constable took Riddiok
o visit his wife at the parsonage. b
left the husband standing at the doc
!. while they talked. He heard Mr.
RIddick say to her husband; "No sil
d I did not tell you chat" Subsequent
Iy as RIddick and the constable drov
n along the road together Riddick said
well Joe, ! was mistaken ! asked m
o wife those questions and she says sh
did not tell ne what thought. "
! The constable also said that Riddle
!. told him thas his temper was bis Il
o setting Gin. The prisoner also sai9