Dispatch, January 10, 1889

Untitled

Moral -- Property crimeMoral -- OtherMoral -- Alcohol

Onancock, January 8, 1889.

Yesterday was the sixth day of the December term of Accomack County Court, and the crowd was nearly as large as on the first day. The important cases that were to come before the Court drew the crowd. The case of Eugene W. Barnes, who was convicted last week of embezzlement and sentenced to the penitentiary for one year, and who on Saturday was released from custody on account of informality in the empanelling of the jury that convicted him, came up yesterday, and Judge Garrison decided that he should have a new trial, and admitted him to bail in the sum of $2,000. Barnes was evidently surprised and disappointed in the Judge's decision, as he confidently expected that he would go clear. The other case against Barnes for obtaining goods by false representations has been dismissed.

Another case, though not so important, but far more interesting to the public, was that of two respectably-connected white women who appeared, one as plaintiff the other as defendant, in a suit of damages. The trouble originated last fall at a church-festival in Chessnessex Neck, where a Mrs. Scott and a Mrs. Watson became involved in a quarrel. Mrs. Watson called Mrs. Scott an ugly name, whereupon the latter struck her full in the mouth, drawing blood and disabling her antagonist. The case was called early in the afternoon. The court-room was packed with people. A large number of witnesses -- mostly women -- were examined, and the testimony from beginning to end was rare, rich, and racy. The two combatants confronted each other and both showed pluck. It was their first appearance in the court-house, but their sharp answers to the attorneys and their refusal to answer improper questions showed them to be sharp, shrewd women. Mrs. Watson was especially clever on the stand, and in every instance where she refused to answer the questions of the lawyers she was sustained by the Judge. The trial was one continual scene of fun, and at times judge, jury, lawyers, spectators, and all joined in the universal laughter. So entertaining was the trial that the crowd lingered til nightfall, when the case was submitted to the jury without argument, but the jury could not agree and they were adjourned till to-day. Such a spectacle has not been witnessed in the court-room here for many a day.

Semi-official returns from all precincts of this district show that the local-option election Saturday resulted in a victory for license by about 120 majority.