The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-14

cd as hypothetical rather than a
fxed opinion, and would be changed
were the evidence to change the facts.
Vile some time ago. efforts were mad
TO get jury which had read moth
Ing of the crime. The results were
that nearly every juryman save one,
who had been in the far West. was
blitesate. Many could neither read
nor write, The Virginia Supreme
Court has Indicated that such igno-
deed, with the wide attention that
has been given TO the Beattie case.
it would be hard to find in Virginia
any man OF education or intelligence
Who has no; read more or less of the
crime and formed some sect OF opinion
from the statement OF facts there
presented The crime wal committed
just on the border OF the county, near
Richmond
The officials believe that jury can
be secured from other parts of this
county sufficiently remote as TO be
devoid of any local prejudice, and YET
who may have both read and dis
cusseo the case without coming to ans
fixed opinion that cannot be altered
by the presentation of evidence In
court.
Bcattie Hears Choir I'm Jnil
For the first time in the history OF
the Henrico County Jail u full church
choir yesterday afternoon sang for
the benefit of the prisoners The chorus
of Christ Epi.copal Ch~rch was at
tracied to the Jail by the presenc..
there Of the Beauties and Beulah Bin.
ford, and for more than an hour hymns
conspicuous among which were Lead.
Kindly Light" and Onward. Christian
soldiers" were sung
The choir was admitted by Sheriff I.
ii Kemp and Deputy Lyme and escort
OF to rear portion OF the main part
Of the Jail. From O'Clock until near
j. the twelve or fifteen men ana
women sang
All of the prisoners appeared greatly
cheered by the voices and many Of
them gave their thanks 10 those wha
came as bit of sunshine to relieve
the gloom of the dun cells and grirn
corridors.
Arrangements for the reception =.
the choir We're made Saturday with
Sheriff Kemp. and he was on hand
yesterday 10 greet the members.
In passing through the Jail the Wis
nors had a glimpse of Henry Boattie.
sue OF the building, where they sang
Scene of Many Trials.
old Chesterfield Courthouse. situated
IN the centre of oae of the Oldest sec
lions of Virginia, the district having
peeh named for Thomas Dale, who
organized settlement in Chesterfield
county IN 1911, is perhaps the oldest
eounty court building in Virginia The
original building was erected in 17is
ana was partially destroyed by Are
nE BRUSH troops under Tarleton in
II was rebuilt in l1S. in tho
"ia walls The only reference made
on the court records. which are com
I!ete since the organizatio of the
.ouhtE' is in the case of n criminal
, mtai IN 1857 The record shows that
Heh INNS cause came on to be again
NeaFo. after = usual formula. the
prisoner, through his counsel. waived
ms right TO be tried within the four
Wills OF the courthouse. and the trial
was held in the bar of a nearby or
One of the famous duelins trials Of
..eihla history took place in the
ancient building when. in 1916. Thomas
Richie Jr., was charged with the M
Ger OF John II. Peasants. Both W..
M'Ge!F known newspaper writer's nj
we u"S peasants resented insinua
IONS MADE IN the columns of the Ricr.
"onu INQUIRER Of which Richie and his
liner were the editors, in which Il
vas limited that he planned to starr
en- aooiiuonist paper in Richmond
Coward" Led 10 Duel.
- p!easants denied the charge in he
Ne"s and Star. of Which he was edi-
tor The controversy became acute
ana was aided by certain corrasnon,
"thee IN Baltimore and Philadelphia
Enpers OF the day. Richie proclaimed
f'ea SAINTS a coward, and was promntIv
chaHenGed The duel took place on
the Chesterfield shore lust onnosi,a
Richmond. Peasants came armed yritt
revolver. bowleknife duelinc rts,.i
una sword-cane Richie carried sew.
tral pistols and a sword pIn,sss,s
ieH wounded in the breast, ana lived
out Two Gays Judge John B. Clopton
Iresided at the t!!nl. at which strong
array CT counsel appeared Mr. Richie
was FOUND mot gully.
In later years John s. wormlev was
T!ed in the same court room ana was
hanged In the jail yard The case was
'ried IN 1857 Wormley was convicted
OF killing his son-!n-law. Anthony T
Hoo!us, who was at that time sn,ne
1or divorce from Wormley's daughter
naming James Reid as CORRESPONDENT
Keid and Wormley waylaid Robius ana
WoFmiey shot him. Reid was acouit-
tea ana married the woman in the case
before the hanging Of wormley
IN recent years the death sentence
mas been twice pronounced In the old
court building, In both Instances on
negroes charged @!th attempted Grim