Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-14
PErERssURG, Dec s.
ASSASSINATION

! Il ia ovr painful duty to notice an occurrence,
the particular. OF which should have stated in
our last publication, hut for the uncertainty which
! then impended over the fate Of the lsmented vic
tim but noD we feel under no restrainst, for he,
alas! is removed beyond the reach Of any thing
sha, can be said done in this world! Still it is
q tale Of mystery, and catastrophe of horror.
I Last Tuesday night, between eight and nine
o'clock, Mr. Sceva Thayer, one of our most res
pectable, peaceeble citizens, being on his return
from service at the Presbyterian Church, received
from some unknown hand a blow on the head,
! doubtless inflicted with sharp bat weighty in
| struuent; which through his hat and several folds
Of paper, laid open the fore part of his skull, and
! penetrated considerably into the brain. In th.
| truly shocking condition he was discovered with
! in twenty yards of bis own residence ON Old
Street; TO which having been Immediately borne,
and the best medical aid called in, every exeriion
that professional skill or the affection of friends
could devise, was made to him, but in vain.
He expired on Friday morning, without having
been able we learn 10 give any satisfactory ac-
count OF the affair, and TO this moment the whole
| matter, except 20 much as ne have above stated,
remains unexplained!
! The Coroner summoned an inquest on Friday;
but the jury, Notwithstanding they snxiously
adopted every method promising TO lead to the
truth, could obtain no fact tending in the remotest
degree to raise suspicion OF guilt against any per-
son as the pefpetrator Of the crime The deceased
was an honest, Industrious Citizen biameless in
his conduct, inofensive in his department Re.
! lisious Man, not 30 in profession merely but he
sustained the character of consistent Christisn-a
kind neighbor, afectionate husband and father
| a most humane and considerate master. Could
such man have enemy upon the face of
! The Earth, so Ievengeful as 10 thirst for his
blood 80 wicked IS to raise his ruthless
hand against his life 10 the dark ito cut him down
III the midst OF his usefulness in society, to snatch
him away suddenly from his family? II were
| almost a libel on human nature TO think So Yet
| This good man has been murdered in one of the
| most frequened streets OF this populous town, at
an early hour in the evening, while returning
home from public worship Who after this among
US will consider himself safe 1t would appear
that design 10 rob not the object of the as
! sassin, as we informed that Mr.. Thayer had
about him considerable of money which was
not taken from his pockets What then are we TO
think The whole occurrence seems most unsc-
countable. But will the author of such deed
escape detection altogether? No. The hue and
cry OF Of an indignant outraged community is
raised-rewards are offered Heavens all-seeng
eye that witnessed the act, still fixed upon him.
and strould all human Efforts fail, hitherto they
nave not been attended with success, we trust TO
that Providence. whose ways though inscruiable
to man are always just, for clue to trace the
monster 70 his hiding place, for some means TO drag
him from bis concealmeEt TO due punishment
On Saturday morning, the rem'ins Of Mr..
IHAYER, attended by the Petersburg Benevolent
Mechanic Association, in which he filled the Office
OF Director, besides many other friends after be-
Ing conveyed TO the Presbyterian Church, Of which
he was member, aud eloquent discourse pro-
nounced By the Rev. Mr.. RICE, were inferred in
Bi'ndiord Chutch-Yard, with the most solemn
marks OF respect, aud every manifestation of deep
sorrow. After the Funeral. the following was
published in the form Of bsndb: I'M.
$3.50 REWaRD.
Where's, on Tuesday night last, Mr.. SCEvA
THAYER, Citizen Of this Town, pesceably re-
turning to his home from public rorsh p, was way
laid and MORALLY wounded; and II beng the wish
OF the Petersburg Benevolent Mechanic associ-
alton, as well 10 shew their respect Tor the mem
DRY OF their most worthy deceased Associate, az
TO manifest their adherence of en- offence alike
against the laws OF God and man, the said Socie-
~ have in general meeting. held on Saturday the
@nd December, come 10 the determination 10 offer
Reward OF $50 Dollars for such information as will
lead TO the detection and conviction Of the sssas
sin; which sum, in The name Of The Association,
is hereby Offered accordingly.
FRS. q. YANCEY, Pyest.
Henry WHYTE, See'ypro. TEN.
Dec. 2, 1896.
bankrupt BA.--By reference to our journal Of