The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-29

Especial to The Richmond yirginian.)
WYTHEyILLE. VA. May 2s.-Two
of the Allen prisoners testified today
In the trial of Claude Allen.
Floyd Alien. father Of the defendant.
did not conclude his testimony begun
this morning until o'clock this at
ternoon. He was followed by Victor
Allen
Floyd. who Vas recently convicted
OF the murder Of Commonwealth
Attorney Foster. placed the entire
blame for the Hilisviil4 tragedy on
Clerk Dexter Goad, whom he said
fired first
II It hadn't been for Deck Goad.
ia gone with the sheriff" said ola
man Floyd.
Swears Goad Sho4 First.
Victor Allen swore the first shot
came from near Goads position; that
he raised his eyes and saw Goad fire
the second shot at hts father. Shoot
ing then became general, and he left
as soon RS he could get out, the wit
ness declared. According to his
story. he came to Hillsville to bring
Sid Edwards as a witness AS a mail
carrier he said he had a right TO GO
ga A'EH. ne 'rdfliSu 10 I1iiISFilie pkS-
stol obtained from his fathers home.
The next morning Claude took it from
the table in their room at the hoteI
and huckled it on. He identified the,
pistol taken from Claude as the one
the latter took from the table.
Court Adjourns Early.
Court adjourned half an hour ear
her than usual, no more witnesses be-
ing on hand. The defense has only q
few more. and II is expected the EVIL
dhncs ,.wnl probably be concluded to-
morrow afternoon.
Floyd Allen said he saw Goad with
his hand on his pistol before he him
self arose. Just as the sheriff started
towards him he swore Goad made on.
step forward and drew his pistol. II
amt going with you, Deck" he said
Was his remark, the act of the clerk
having aroused his anger, He turned
and the next minute Goad shot him.
according TO his own version, the clerk
and the sheriff firing about the same
time.
Saw Goad Wink.
The witness said shortly before the
shooting he saw Goad wink at Sheriff
Webb. He was asked regarding the
shooting on the courthouse green. II
shot when somebody shot me I'm the
hhcS. hc oatos looked pdCk ana
saw Mr.. Goad on the steps shooting
towards me and thought 1t was him
that shot me. and think SO yet" con-
cluded the witness. looking directly
into the eyes OF Dexter Goad. smii-
ing as ne uttered the last clause. Goad
did not smile.
Knows OF Conspiracy.
The witness swore he knew OF no
conspiracy TO make an attack on the
court. Asked this morning why he
carried his pistol into court. E,Ioyd
Allen said he intended to leave 1t
with someone. but was late when he
reached Hillsvilie and did not have
time. His excuse for carrying 1t at
all was that he had heard Pink Saun-
ders and another man were carrying
guns for him md he buckled on his
for selfdefense.
He once told Judge Massie the cir
cumstances. he declared, and asked
for permission to carry 1t. The judge
refused TO give him any such permits
sion, but. according to the witness,
told him that. IF were In your place
and knew man was carrying a gun
for me. | would carry one too
He aud Goad Met Friendly.
He admitted that he and Goad. were
not on firiendly terms. and said during
that Goad said If he would work for
him, the clerk would get jury that
would not convict him
Denies Threats.
The witness denied the alleged
threats he made against court Of
ficials before his trial as related by
witnesses for the prosecution. He said
he was shot by Clerk Goad and did
not draw his own weapon. until he
was down. when he shot twice. both
bullet going wild. He then arose
and shot Deputy Clerk Quesenberry
who was firing at him. On his way
out he dropped his pistol and at the
door snatched a weapon from the
hands OF Sidna' Edwards. He denied
Claude Allent felt his pulse the eve
ming before and that he asked II all
the boys were ready. He did not know
where Claude was at the time OF the
shooting.
The defense through e. d. Wilker-
son, cashier OF the Rank OF Carroll
showed that Sidna Edwards deposited
on March 9Th. and 11th total Of
s6s1.71 and that only about $40 had
bean checked out at the time OF the
snooting. Several character witnesses
were also placed on the stand at the