The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-06
Four Men Being Tried for
lnciting Street, Car Riot
GREAT LEGAL
BATTLE EXPECTED
Mayor Taylor is the First
Witness Put On.
WENDENBURG SAYS
CQMPANY'S MEN DID 1T
Biting Charges Made in Opening State.
ment Against Newman and Hanks
the Men Who Are Alleged to
Have Escaped--Fine Jury
Secured-May Consume
Several Days

The trial OF the five men alleged to
have been active in the Fulton street car
riot on July 18th was gone into in tbs
Hus ings Cour. before Judge s. b. Witt
yesterday. and will probably consumc
several days.
It required the entire morning session
OF the court to secure Jury, many citi-
zens having been called. examined and
excused after having indicated that for
some reason or other they were not eiigi-
tle to service. When the jury was finally
secured Judge Richardson made brief
opening statement. and the court took
a recess for dinner.
The four men on trial are former street
car employes-A. 3. Jordan and John
Lammie. 2. Kane and John Kane-who
are alleged to have been in. the party on
the night In question. They are belnG
tried Jointly, and there are four charges
against each. but it is only upon that OF
riotous conduct and throwing and shoot
Ing at cars that they are being tried first.
If conviction Is secured on this the
other charges will likely be dismissed.
Strong Counsel
The prisoners were all in court. accom-
panied by their counsel. Messrs. L. O.
Wenden burg and Ro. II. Talley, and
Commemorative Attorney D. c. Richard-
son Is conducting the case for the State.
The jury Is composed Of twelve business
men, and Is regarded as one OF the best
that ever sat in the Hastings Court.
The following we'll known citizens COM
pose the jury: Messrs. W. c. NoWland
C. p. Burress. C. H. Ryland, Jr.. c. H.
Sutton. S. A. Ellison. B. P. Cardoza, r.
6. Pegram, Jr., T. NJ. Hundley. "A. Blair,
Jr., Fred Jurgens, W. H. Shervin and
7. l.. Blanton.
The fight opened UP In such manner
as to Indicate that the trial will be full
OF public interest. The court room WAS
crowded. and long list Of witnesses
are 10 be examined on both sides.
The opening statement of Judge Rich
ardson was brief, but strong. He called
attention to the seriousness OF me
charges against the accused. cited the
law to the jury and expressed confidence
In his ability to convict.
Mr.. Wendenburg Speaks.
He was followed at some length by
Mr.. Wendenburg on behalf of prisoners
and the latter contended that it was a
deem laid scheme by agents OF the COM
pany to create sympathy, and that New
man and Hanks, acting for the company
had committed the only crime actually
committed, and had then been allowed to
escape.
The only witnesses examined Yesterday
were Mayor Taylor. Chief OF Police HOW
ard and Motormon Aubrey Spence. who
ran the Ill fated car through Fulton on
the night OF the trouble. They were all
put on by the Commonwealth. but only
Spence was cross-examined, He was
rigidly questioned by Mr.. Wendenhurg,
but he hued pretty close to his orlgina
testimony and declined to lose his heao'
Afternoon Session.
Immediately upon the reconvenins Q
the court. Mr.. Wendenburg arose TO max
his opening statement.
He said the facts to be proven woul'