The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-07
Jury
IN NEWSOME TRIAL
Sixteen-Year-Old Emporia Boy
Is Charged With
Murder.
COMMONWEALTH RESTS CASE
Defense Expected to Finish by
Noon, and Verdict May Be
Rendered To-Day.

ESPECIAL 70 Inc IlHlES- IlSUdtcE.J
Emporia, Va, February 6.---The trial
OF Thomas Newsome. for the murder
OF Wade Ferguson. was resumed this
morning before Judge Jesse +. West
I'm the Circuit Court upon the arrival
OF the Petersburg venire. which com
prised sixteen prominent citizens of
that city.
The FIVE Jurors selected yesterday
from Greenesviile County were dis
charged. w. II. Thorpe, OF this num-
Der. being excused upon a technical
fly, while the defense. claiming its
right under the law. secured dismis-
sal OF the remaining four veniremen.
This procedure left the court open TO
secure a complete jury from the venire
brought here this morning by Deputy
Sheriff Joseph Bailey. of Greenesville.
The men who were elected To serve
are as follows: John a. wilkins. J.
J. Msgee. Robert T. Roland. William
G.. Malone. John T.. Hubbard, Irving
j. Hartley, Otis 5. Harding. Lemuel
H. Gates, Richard +. Dyer, W. y.
Burge. r. L. Bowen, Jr.. and Edward
l.. Allen.
Both the Commonwealth and the de-
Tense apparently arc satisfied with the
selection Of the jury. The courtroom
throughout the day was packed aim ost
TO suffocation. and standing room was
eagerly sought by men. women and
the youth Of the community
This trial has probably attracted 10
the courthouse Of Greenesville the
largest crowds within ~ hlstory. CO.
pie are here who live fifteen TO twenty
miles distant.
The first witness for the Common
wealth was J. l.. Williams. the white
man in whose store the tragedy oc-
Cured. The witness stated that young
Ferguson came into his place. trying
to avoid a crowd OF boys who had been
following him around the streets The
boys. six or eight ia number, presently
came in. when Charlie Newsone, the
slayer Of Ferguson. began Quarreling
with the dead boy. y said. Don't fight
I'm here; get out" he continued. when
tie tw boys Newsome and Ferguson,
got together. the latter hitting New
some with his first giving him blow
which knocked Sewsome partially
down Upon arising NewsOme struck
Ferguson a powerful lick near the
front portion Of the neck, when he
staggered back. threw up his hands
and said. The bOy has cut me TO death,
get doctor quick
Drs. - =. Wood and ". II. Tredway.
who attended Ferguson. stated that
AR artery had been several Dy the
stab wound. that the body also sno" e1
two small cuts over each shoulder.
which were insignificant insofar as
feinE dangerous 10 life. Tn- cut IA
the dead boys neck was stated by the
physicians as being from four 10 nVe
and a half inches long and about one
half inch deep: that the injured boy
was to all appearances practically iife-
less when they reached his side. owing
20 the fatal injury 10 the blood vessel
and the subsequent loss Of blood
DR.. wood further testified that
Ferguson lived only long enough 10
gasp three or four times For several
months Ferguson. the dead boy, was
in the employ of DR.. Wood. who gave
him a splendid reputation
sherman williams. colorcd, an eye
witness TO the TRAGEDY. proved 70 be a
star for the prosecution. Williams
stated that Ferguson came In the store.
where he was attacked and was fol-
lowed shortly by a number Of boys.
Charlie Newsome, the defendant. being
among the crowd. Newsome and
Ferguson began TO wransle and passed
ticks Presently Ferguson struck New
some. which partially Knocked him
across a barrel of pickles When he
arose. the witness continued. / saw him
with a knife in his hand, and lunging
forward toward Ferguson He struck
him with the knife just above his col
lar. and when he did. Wade threw up
his hands and shouted. I am cut to
death l then carried Mr.. Ferguson
10 DR.. Woods drug store. around the
corner" williams stated that while
carrying Ferguson a distance OF about
zoo feet. the blod from the wounded
bow freely sprinkIed the sidewalk
The coat and shirt worn by the dead
how were exhibited before the jury
The coat showed that II had been cut
in thre different places. while the shirt
presented near the collor-b2nd a cut
mace approximately four inches in
length
A number of schoolboys testified dur
ing the afternoon that Ferguson and
Newsome were not enemies. but that
i, appeared to be a case OF the town
how" attempting to haze and annoy a
country bred youth During the AFTER
noon the fact was developed that New
some was sixteen years old last Au-
gust, and Ferguson's age at the Tune
OF his death was nineteen years
IL is the intention Of Judge West 10
close the case by tomorrow noon u
posible. - Commonwealth having
rested its case late this afternoon, DC
ueving it made out strong case
against the defendant. Upon petition
Of the counsel for the defense, Judge
West agreed to adjourn court at $50
o'clock this afternoon until $3.50 O'Clock
to-morrow morning. when the defend
ants counsel will put forth every pos
sible EFFORT TO break down the case tue
Commonwealth has woven around the
prisoner at the bar
~