Norfolk Virginian, March 28, 1889

GUILTY OR INNOCENT.

Moral -- Murder

The Eastern Shore Poisoning Case will Likely be Ended Today.

[Special Dispatch to the Virginian.]

ACCOMAC COURTHOUSE, Va., March 27. The trial of Mrs. Virginia Taylor was resumed this morning.

Witnesses for the Commonwealth testified that Mrs. Taylor was notified of the suspicions entertained against her, and of the proposed disinterment of the body of the deceased, that Mrs. Taylor violently opposed the disinterment and remarked that she had rather lose the $2,000 insurance upon his life than have it done; that she was anxious for the immediate burial of deceased; that she had marks cut upon the marks used in bricked-up grave to prevent any one taking up the body without her knowledge. Servants employed at Taylor's house testified that they did not know of the presence of any poison.

Witnesses for defense who testified that deceased and prisoner never quarreled, that Taylor had strychnine purchased for the purpose of killing rats, was put upon the stand.

Mrs. Taylor's statement merely corroborated that of other witnesses in regard to Taylor and herself being on good terms and to her having administered several doses of medicine to deceased. She said she had never administered any poison to deceased. She owned having bought poison, but said she gave it to deceased, who used it killing rats.

Then she explained her opposition to having the body exhumed by saying that she did not want to see him cut up. She said what when she was informed that the law would not respect her wishes in regard to the matter, that she consented to have the post mortem held. She confessed to having spoken hastily to a neighbor concerning her husband, and to Taylor having told her if she did not mind people would begin to talk about the conduct of Dix and herself.

She denied that any improper relations ever existed between Dix and herself. She confessed to having hugged and kissed him; and that Taylor and Dix were the best of friends. She contradicted all the testimony against her except that mentioned above. Her testimony occupied almost the entire afternoon. She was the last witness examined. Immediately after getting through with her testimony court adjourned until tomorrow morning.

The argument in the case will commence immediately upon the reassembling of court. The case will probably be given to the jury tomorrow afternoon. The court room was crowded with curious spectators again today. Mrs. Taylor created a good impression throughout her testimony. She was subjected to a long and rigid cross-examination, but her testimony was not shaken in the least.

Eugene W. Barnes Set Free.

Moral -- Property crimeMoral -- Alcohol

ACCOMAC COURTHOUSE, Va., March 27. -- Commonwealth's Attorney Jas. H. Fletcher to-day entered a nolle proseque in the case of Eugene W. Barnes, who has twice been convicted in Accomac County Court upon the charge of embezzlement.

The grand jury of Accomac County Court to-day found a true bill against John H. Hart for the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors in Atlantic district.