The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-09
THE NOTTOVAY
ASSAULT CASE
Nm. H. Wilson Sentenced
for Eighteen Years.
JURY OUT ONE HOUR.
A Motion TO Set Aside Verdict Was
Promptly Oweruled.
SENTENCE PASSED AT ONCE.
Prisoners Counsel sVithdraws the
Appeal, and Judge Goodwin Di-
rects That Wilson Be Taken
to1he peni,cnitentiary.
An EXcitin: Scene
in Court.
SENTENCE PASSED AT ONCE.
tspecial Dlspatch to The Times.

NOTTOWAY c. H., VA, Feb. S.-Wil-
liam II Wilson, the negro charged with
criminal assault upon Mrs. w T. Wat
kins. was found guilty this afternoon and
his punishment fixed at IS years in the
penitentiary.
Mr.. Hugh Gordon Miller, Of Norfolk
counsel for the defense, moved to set
aside the verdict. The motion was over
ruled and the case continued thirty days
10 allow counsel time to prepare bills Of
exceptions to take the case to the Su-
Dreme Court. But after consultation with
The prisoners father, counsel decided not
TO take an appeal, and the judge SEN
fenced the prisoner.
JUDGE PASSES SENTENCE.
Judge Goodwin, in sentencing the prs-
n1,fsr. reviewed the trial and the Terdlct
a. 1he i,1ry at some length. The prisoner
a,5a5 reminded that the verdict masht
have been death The judge spoke at
considerable length on the enormity OIL
iile crane ana told The prisoner ne iiau
been ably defended by as good couflSei dS
1llere was in the State, VINO lao idtsso 49,
ey.zry question that coGlc laVe been raised
l.n6.r The law He paid d splendid COM
s,1.,,,e,,r 10 the courteous and able manner
=, which the defense had conducted ats
case. c:.,e,
he thanked the soldiers for the faithful
service rendered, and Lieutenant SAlp"Ith
RESPONDED for the military
The Judge said % Mir. Miller ne lliouSii'
ne mad achieved a great victory IN saving
tba 3ira Of his client under the clrculn-
.stances. ana many officers and soio!erS
,.,7,or-,r,Iiated counsel for the prisoner on
3ls fine address 10 the jury
wilson stood completely surrounded pE
1Ia military when the verdict ana sen
1.,,ce were read He seemed TO pe
startled, but made no demonStfatloh. '1e
,S..,.I7,,ad his innocence to the last. When
- INV he felt. he said: Il feel
,nighty bad. but thanks God mat my NE
HUSBAND HAD A PISTOL.
There was no evidence Of disapproVal
when the verdict was read There were
o7I,- :, few persons in the courtroom eN-
cept the soldiers and court of1lcefs-
When The jury returned, MI NatElhS
lyll, was Il fractiouS witness, proven IA
obstruction TO the court and military
Sergeant Barlow suspected mm OF oe-
slnn 10 harm the prisoner yesterday and
watched hin, closely He was seen in a
suspicious attitude and was taken into
the Jury room where he yielded MS pistol
To Lieutenant Skipwith.
During the argument to-day Mr. Miller
referred in scathing terms to the at
tempt of Mr. Watkins to burn Wilson
and his wife and children. lie said If
there is an unhunS scoundrel it is Nat-
iltnss.
Mr.. Watkins became indignant and
threatened Milers life Miller was then
rut under protection OF the military and
sent To Petersburg on the special train
which left here at 8 o'clock, taking VIII
son back to Petersburg to await his
transfer 10 the penitentiary.
Mr.. Watkins pistol was taken from him
again this afternoon, and a squad de-
tailed to keep watch on him.
OUR SOLDIERS MADE FRIENDS.
The scldiers under Captain Shackelford,
rendered most efficient service. Not
= complaint was made against them and
despite their mission. they made friends
with the citizens OF Nottoway. Most Of
chem were glad 10 leave for home but all
enjoyed the "trip and the change, 1t was a
jolly-gooi crowd. and they got some fun
out of their excursion.