The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-23
stage on TRIAL
FOR W|FE'S DEATH
CONVICTED .HERB DOCTOR" IS THE
PRINCIPAL WITNESS AGAINST
HE DENIES CHARGE
DECLARES HE HAD TO CONSENT
TO wiFE's WISHES IN THE
MATTER AS SHE THREAT
ENED SUICIDE.
HE DENIES CHARGE

James Tilden Stage, thirty five
years old. pleaded not guilty in the
Hastings court yesterday morning to
the charge of being implicated in the
! death Of his wife. Rose Inez Stage,
who died on March sth az the result
of criminal operation performed on
hen by Antonio F'readericie, negro
herb doctor. The latter il now under
suspended sentence of FIVE years in
the penitentiary for his part in the
crime.
The trial was begun at IL o'clock.
but it was some time before jury
/ could be enrolled. Shortly before 6
O'Clock the prosecution rested, after
having brought out very damaging
evidence against Stage. and a recess
was granted James l.. Shelton, attor-
ncy for 1he defense. in which to re-
tire with his client and the latter
witnesses. Stagg went on the stand
at O'Clock in his own, defense. and
remained In the witness chair for half
an hour, when court was adjourned
to 10 o'clock this morning.
Damaging Testimony.
FTeadericie. and G. w Adams.
brother of the dead woman. were the
chief witnesses for the prosecution.
F'readericie testified that he was aided
by the husband in the operation, and
Mr.. Adams testified TO a conversation
which he had with Stage. in which
the latter is alleged to have made
da maging Confessions Detective Ser
geants Wren and Wiltshire, who in
vestigated the case and made the ar
rest. also testified, declaring that stage
had told them he mad met r'readericie
and had taken him by rear entrance
into the house.
Stagg denied everything. except that
he had finally consented To the opera
ton because his wife had threa tened
to DESTROY herself If the operation
were not performed. He said that all
the arrangement were made by his
wife; and that they were made
against his wish. but that he had To
take one or the other OF the chances
To save his wife. He said he was in
the room only for Ave minutes on two
visits. F'readerfeie. re said stated to
him that his wife was all right, and
would recover. He returned to his
wife's room. He declared that she
said TO him. "Tilley. | am dying. Pray
for me" He attempted to soothe her.
but In FIVE minutes SHE WIS dead.
Could Not Summon Doctor.
He could not summon another ply
stefan he said. because Of FIVE little
children crying for him downstairs.
fSe aGN1uteu. however, tiat ne NpuAd
have employed F,readericie 10 attend
his wife in case of fever as he thought
the latter bore a greater reputation
than white physicians, and admitted
also that he had paid him fee of $40
for medical attendance some months
prior to the death of his wife.
The witness said that he had urged
his wife TO read the Bible when she
had come to him frequently asking his
permission for the operation.
Coroner Taylor had been notified of
the case by Undertaken A. c. Nielsen,
and Stage said that Nielsen. in order
that he might get the body at the
time and prepare 1t for burial. had
suggested that he (Stagg) give as
the cause of death heart trouble. This
had been previously contradicted by
Nielsen when the latter was on the
stand
The trial will probably be finished to-
day. commemorative Attorney Folkes
is being assisted In the prosecution by
Attorney Willis c. Pulliam. of South
Richmond.