The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-12-19
CRISMOND TRIAL
CONTINUED.
Contempt Proceedings
Against SpOtSylvania
Citizens Dismissed.
ETC., Etc.

A large number OF representative citl-
zens assembled at Spotsylvania 1. Ii.
Thursday to be present at thecommence-
ment OF the CrismOnd trial. sixty seven
OF this number were summoned 10 an
swer contempt to the court Tor signing a
petition. which was presented at last
court, requesting Judge Waller not slt
In the Crismond case.
Az soon as the court convened Judge
A. Il. Embrey, representing the slgners
of said petition, arose and stated 10 Ihe
court that said petitioners had no lnten'
ton whatever OF rejecting on the court
aud that they held Judge Waller IN hign
esteem. both as citizen and Judge, and
asked that contempt proceedings I've ais
missed
Then Mr.. st. George r. Fitzhugh con
Cured in the request OF Judge hmbrey
and said he had not the iaintest con
ception that these citizens, VINO were
among the best in the county, INTENDED
any contempt towards the court Judge
" aller in reply said that he telt that the
court had been insulted by the petition,
but upon the representations Oh Judge
Embrey and MIR. Fitzhugh dismissed ,he
proceedings, but gave warning that II
any similar paper was presented ne
would not let il pass without a severe
penalty.
Then Attorney Graves said that MT. Il.
Lindsay Gordon, Of Louisa, on behalf OF
a number OF citizens Of the county, had
been retained as prosecuting attorney IN
the Crismond case and asked that he DE
accepted as such and sworn in. Ihls
Judge Waller granted and MIR. Gordon
was sworn. lie then stated TO the court
that be came into the case without
any notice or preparation and asSe'
that continuance be granted.
Mr.. Fiizhugh, counsel for Crismond,
said: IL desire to say to the court that
we are ready and anxious for trial, as IL
is hardship TO my client that any delay
shall occur, "a we have ample evidence
which will prove the Innocence OF tue &C
eused end remove the stain under whleh
he is now resting.
Judge Waller acceded 10 the request
and named Tuesday, January 5th,as the
day for trial.
Then one of the most remarkable incl
dents ever seen ia Virginia court IN
session occurred. Mr. Fitzbugh turned
to the deputy sheriff aud said: Please
call Mr.. Hayden and order my carriage,
and the deputy sheriff did 80 in open
court, and the carriage came and Mr.
I Ftzhugh was soon en- route to Ffeder-
/ icksburg.
After this Judge T. ~ We'ch ask The
court. in a few we'll chosen remarks, 70
remit the foe imposed on Attorney { u
/ Foster at the last term Of the court Mr.
I Foster was called into court and dis
claimed any intention OF contempt AT
this Judge Waller said: Mr. Foster, did
you write that petition Mr.. Foster
said. " did not" Then" said Judge
Waller, you, as lawyer, should hav.
known better than to have presented
such a paper. and ! hope it may be
lesson to you and any other young law
yer, but under the circumstances ! re-
init the hne"
Judge Waller showed that he ielt keen
ly the presentation OF the petition, com
ing as il did from men with whom h'
had been assoc dated the most OF his life
1t was stated that II the contempt pro
ceedings had been enforced that they
would have been bitterly fought by TIT
petitioners 1t was happy outcome o
most unfortunate conditions.