Named Entity Results
The Daily Dispatch: June 10, 1863., [Electronic resource]

Examination of Robert S. Forde,charged with the murder of Robert R. Dixon [reported for the Richmond Dispatch] Hustings Court, June 9, 1863 --Present: Recorder Caskie, and Aldermen Sanxay, Gwathmey, Timberlake, and Jonse. The first case taken up was that of Robert S. Forde, on the charge of shooting and killing Robert E. Dixon, in this city, on the 24th day of April last. Messrs. Randolph and Crump appeared for the accused, and Mr. R. T. Daniel for the Commonwealth. Dr. Peachy was the only witness for the Commonwealth ascertained to be absent. Several witnesses for the defence were not present. Gen. Randolph, prisoner's counsel, asked a postponement until Thursday, to afford time to hunt up witnesses believed to be in the city. The Court refused to continue the case, but sent an officer after absent witnesses. The witnesses for the Commonwealth were then sworn. Washington Goodrich was the first witness, who deposed: That on the 24th day of

scharged Forde, and would have taken him back but for threats made in a letter written him; Dixon told witness he did not desire to spill any man's blood, but did not wish to be killed himself; he than asked witness to take a drink with him, which he did, and when the party came into the street again another gentleman was met, when Mr Dixon asked witness to take another drink with him, which was declined; Dixon went in and took another drink; after he came out again we walked together to Jack O'Connell, corner of Bank and 10th streets, where we took another drink together; we then came out of O'Donnell and stood on the corner; witness was facing towards Main street, and whilst talking some one shouted "Look out, Goodrich," and turning round, saw Forde on the sidewalk of the north side of Bank street, near the gate of the Capitol Square; Forde was armed with a navy revolver, which he pointed at Dixon and fired. During the firing Forde advanced some three feet towards the middle of the

Examination of Robert S. Forde,charged with the murder of Robert R. Dixon [reported for the Richmond Dispatch] Hustings Court, June 9, 1863 --Present: Recorder Caskie, and Aldermen Sanxay, Gwathmey, Timberlake, and Jonse. The first case taken up was that of Robert S. Forde, on the charge of shooting and killing Robert E. Dixon, in this city, on the 24th day of April last. Messrs. Randolph and Crump appeared for the accused, and Mr. R. T. Daniel for the Commonwealth. Dr.Robert S. Forde, on the charge of shooting and killing Robert E. Dixon, in this city, on the 24th day of April last. Messrs. Randolph and Crump appeared for the accused, and Mr. R. T. Daniel for the Commonwealth. Dr. Peachy was the only witness for the Commonwealth ascertained to be absent. Several witnesses for the defence were not present. Gen. Randolph, prisoner's counsel, asked a postponement until Thursday, to afford time to hunt up witnesses believed to be in the city. The Court refused to continue the case, but sent an officer after absent witnesses. The witnesses for the Commonwealth were then sworn. Washington Goodrich was the first witness, who deposed: That on the 24th day o

, called out, "Are you ready, sir;" two reports of pistols were heard, and the fire was nearly simultaneous; if anything, he thought Dixon's pistol went off first; witness said he was the party who cried out to Goodrich to "Look out;" Forde fired three times, and, to the best of his judgment, Dixon about the same number; Dixon fell while in the act of cocking his Derringer. On his cross examination witness stated that his attention was drawn to Forde by the remark of O'Donnell. J. W. Robinson deposed: Was not present at the shooting. What he knew of it was what he witnessed from his office window. Saw Forde about three feet from the curb; heard a pistol report from the opposite side of the street, but did not see by whom fired. Forde's pistol snapped, and then he took deliberate aim and fired. Witness saw nothing of the transaction before; that was the last shot fired by Forde. Cross-examined: Knew Forde in Washington city. Was employed in the same office with him,

to believe that the pistol was fired by the man on the north side of the street; there were in quick succession several reports; did not see Dixon till I had proceeded further up street; he was then near the window of Manassas Hall; he was near there when Forde's last shot was fired; saw Dixon fire twice, to my recollection; Forde fired three times and snapped. The cross-examination of this witness was somewhat protracted, but no additional facts to those above given elicited. --Cardozo deposed.--This witness did not see the shooting. His testimony consisted of a detailed account of one or two interviews with Dixon a short time prior to his death, in which deceased made allusion to the letter received from Forde. Deceased told him on the morning of the shooting that Forde was hunting him, and said he would reinstate him but for the threat in the letter. In his cross examination the witness stated that Dixon had on Thursday evening two small pistols and a bowie knife

ther Forde had said anything about him; I told him Forde had not spoken his name; advised deceased not to have any difficulty, but to go and have Forde arrested; Dixon's reply was, "Well, come and take a drink;" this, I think, was near 12 o'clock in the day; if Forde had remained where he was when the page saw him he would have been met by Dixon; Dixon did not tell me he came down there with a view to meet Forde; he said he had been informed by the page that Jack O'Donnell, Wash Goodrich, Major Harris, and Forde, were standing on the corner together; he had come down to see if Forde had been talking about him; and that he (Dixon) was prepared for Forde — that he was fixed, and wound up by saying "let's take a drink;" here the conversation was ended. The first knowledge I had of Forde's presence some one yelled out, "Look out, Wash; you'll get shot." I turned and saw Forde advancing from the fence around Capitol Square to the flagging; he had a drawn pistol in his hand; raised is and p