Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-24

Greatly needed and ardently sought was
the long recess on the Campbell inqui
sition that Chairman Southall decided to
grant at the finale of the proceedings
yesterday
The morning session had been a brief
one, lasting but little over an hour, and
when the decision was announced wave
of relief passed over the faces of the
committeeman, the learned counsel on
both sides. and Judge Campbell.
1t is but a brief respite for the last
named, however. and. as he frankly ac-
knowledged, there is a herculean task be-
fore him.
In the short session more damaging
testimony had been brought out against
the defendant, and as the tide Of pub
lie sentiment has set strongly against
him. the work that he has mapped out
for himself during the interim will be
exceedingly difficult
Men Of less determination and will
would not undertake it, for a strong
element of the people Of Amherst is bank
ed in solid phalanx against him, and
he must tear down this fortress-iike wall
that will even. in small degree. in
fiuence the committee.
Major Conrad made plain what this
work is to be In an earnest appeal yes,
terday. Now, said the Major. in that
pleasant, moderative fashion of his, that
Judge Campbell had been 'intelligently
apprised'' of what he will have to meet,
it would De necessary for him to go into
the far corners Of Amherst to see his
frto fo1 70 nd find Irtoa
they are willing to testify to, and whether
or not this testimony would be of suf-
ficient value to necessitate the journey.
The Judge, said the Major, would want
to talk to the jury that acquitted him
and find out what they will testify to,
and whether their testimony will be. of
any value.
There were some of the members Of the
committee who were not adverse to an
adjournment, and as Judge Loving also
has other engagements, it was finally
agreed that the case might go over.
Eest for Campbe1i.
The friends Of Judge Campbell think
that this concession on the part OF the
have happened to him. as 1t will give
public sentiment an opportunity to mod
crate.
Meanwhile the atmosphere of the time
worn hall, which has been surcharged
with the Amherst warfare, will have q
chance to clear. Could the walls echo.
like phoncgraph. the bloodthirsty re-
citals that have been sounded against
them and Suggested by the evidence.
referred to sin a roundabout way and
brought out indirect evidence. a hate. red
will, human blood. more suggestive Of a
Deadwood Dick mining camp than a.
county Of old Virginia, would be re-
counted. II
Over nearly every one OF the principal
witnesses and the defendant hovers some
tragic romance that savors strongly Of
anything but peaceful community.
John L. Lee. the attorney who testified
in the case yesterday. figured as the
principal i'll one of the shootings not so
many years ago. It was about the old
story that seems to have been Amherst
bete noir. wfiskey.
Mr.. Lee was lying out on the court.
green. A local option election was in
progress. Judge, Carnpbell's father. Joel
H. Campbell who was on the whiskey
side Of the election, called Mr.. Lee up
and began to upbraid him for being
among the temperance cohorts. Some
words were passed. and Mr.. Campbell
very injudiciousy called Mr.. Lee liar.
The latter promptly struck him, where
upon Duiltu gun cltlo SAoI
twice at Air Lee. Campbell Carrington,
a relative of Mr.. Lees. grabbed him and
held him, but the latter freed himself
and shot Campbell in the abdomen. The
latter died as a result of the wound Mr:
Lee was promptly acquitted.
Sheriff John P. Beard killed John II.
Parr, an uncle of Judge Campbell's wife,
abou: two years ago, in self-defence. He
too was acquitted.
ol.aI ESxyo,,
down and kicked him. The son of the
latter, who is now the Commonwealth's
Attorney of the county, Otto l.. Evans.
went to Judge Campbell to protest against
tho treatm of his father. Judge Camp
bell shot him.
Nothing was done to Judge Campbell.
Propensitfcs Very General.
But the pistol propensities are not con-.
fined to the active white element of AM
herst. The other day an old colored man
named Hal Smith offended a white man
named Martin. The latter organized an
armed posse and went to Smiths mouse
for the purpose of having a little fun. The
negro. his two sons. and a nephew. We're
nrepared, and the Martin posse returned
TO Amherst, rapid transit some eight OF
them wounded.
These are a few OF the little incidents"
that make life worth living. and serve TO
Iybilc away the time in Amherst, which
would nerhaps be otherwise dull.
Just what bearing the tragedies thar {
have been brought into the inquisition VIII
have on the case cannot be foreshadowed.
The committee will probably have: TO
take into consideration the fact that
T,,f,re Campbell himself has. on one or.
two occa sions. shown himself not adverse
ia taking part III these little Amherst.
,y,,, sen,ents. and the cowhidins OF DE-
Crawford is directly in line with the 1ao
for3. nhysica, punishment which seems 70
prevail IN the county.
Viewing the innuisition from an ap-
solIteiy impartial standpoint, Judge
Campbell appears now to be IN a a very.
delicate position. The prosecution rested.
its case Yesterday Will, absolute conil-
dence. The personnel of the witnesses H
VINO have been put on the stand #has. 5,
with q few exceptions. been OF q hlgn
order. The representatives of some OF.
t,,e most prominent people of the commu-s
,,itv have. to man almost given testls
=, ,ny 3of q description well calculated 70
arrny the committee against Judge
a,ni,ersl is not a particularly popnlous.
..,a,,,,Iv and what one ms has forss up-EE
~. ,,art OF the county I. pretty
gs,eIerally ge, known BY the people on TIE
other side.
campbeli,s Witnesses.
rh... witnesses openly boast thai 5pAEs5