The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-17
MURDER TRIAL
OF W. E. GRAVES
He Killed HALLS Estes Near Mineral
City.
A JUROR WAS TAKEN SICK
Tho Defendant Was the Only Eye
Witness 10 the Shooting and
Claimed Self Defence = Knife
Found I'm Pocket Of Estes.

LOUISA. VA. May 1e.-speciai.-ln ai'e
trial of w. L. Graves for killing Hollis
Estes. the evidence is now all in and
instructions are being prepared. The eva-
,dence IS favorable TO the accused, and 1t
IS believed that the killing was jutitia-
bic and that the jury will so decide
ItIiE KILLING.
On the e6.h of March. last, Hollis Estes
was killed by w. F. Graves, on the prem
Uses of the Arminius mines. Estes was
raised in the vicinity, and had worked at
the mines He was about twenty years
bid and had the reputation of being
I'D young man. His father at one time
l.sd him arrested for some mis6emeanor.
Only d few weeks before this occurrence
Hollis Estes had Deen on trial for crini-
nal assault on small girl. on the high
way In the vicinity of the mines. The
jury disagreed. The judge, E. w. Sims,
said the evidence was not sufficient 10
convict him OF the charge. At the Alext
trial the charge was changed to assault
and battery Tie had forclbIy prevented
he. -;GieIly pursuing i.er way. On this
charge he was found guilty and light
punishment imposed. lie returned to his
old launts and began his old course OF
GiSOi1t-i4y Low o14otS
The killing he was at the commissary OF
The Arnlinius mines, and created dis
turbance and was ordered away by w.
Il. Graves, a. salesman. who has charge
in the absence of Mr.. Ford, the proprie-
tor.
WANTED TO FIGHT
On the e5th he came again and became
disorderly, and was again requested by
Graves to leave. Estes cursed Graves
I lit a pn
him. Later Graves went TO the well TO
get IA bucket Of water. some distance Oh.
Graves was Intercepted by Estes. and
the quarrel renewed, Estes cursinS and
threatening Graves. When Graves would
approach Estes. the latter would retreat.
When Graves would stop Estes would re-
new his threats. Again he would retreat
when Graves approached him. After get
ting probably one hundred yards away
from the point they started from Estes
declared he had him where he wanted
fhifn and one or the other had TO die. lie
had a knife. Graves at once drew MS.
| pistol which he carried night and day,
end began to lire, and shot four times,
I Two shots took effect. One entered the
hip and the other entered the back OF
the head. IL is not which of the shots,
Nirs; second third or fourth, took effect.
TIE manner of the killing was known
only TO Estes and Graves. The latter, on
the stand, gave the above account. The
knife. with the smaller blade open. was
found in Estes pocket. The blade was
long and strong enough to do very effec-
tive work. lie had borrowed it while at
Che store from one OF the men around,
and had declined 10 retu. n it when asked
TO do SO.
THE ACCUSED.
Graves belongs TO the fanny of Graves
of Orange and Spotsylvanla. his fatner
was Benton Graves. now deceased, who
lost a leg during the war. His mother is
diving ar Mineral City. w e. Graves is
probably twenty-five years old. He mar
ried Miss Nucllels about eight months
ago. For several years he was engaged
IN the livery business with Dr. Coleman.
at Mineral lCily. A large number Of Wit
nesses testified 10 his good character and
+. to the bad character Of Estes
This case was gone Into yesterday
.norning r.. L. Gordon for the Common
wealth. and w. +. ISlop ana Jonn L. Lee. OF
rynchbure, for the defence. The Jury
WAS out several hours to-day, while the
instructions were being prepared. At
about 800 p NJ. they were ready for the
argument Soon after Mr.. Gordon began
his opening speech one of the jurors was
taken sick He soon rallied and apparel
in i:is seat. when the lawyers on both
sides stated that they weuta submit the
case a $ 1t stood, in view of the probability
OF his getting sick gain. but the jury
-1ear insisted he was all right so they, at
q p NJ. went into the argument.
1t is likely the case viii be given to the
jury tonight.