The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-12-12
Atrscious HInrder in Norfolk.

Atrecious Murder in Norfolk.
The Norfolk Argus furnishes the following
particularso Of an atrocious deed Of blood, per-
petrated in that city on Friday last:
One Of the most brutal, diabolical and mys-
ferrous murders ever pcrpetrated in any com.
munity, civilized or barbarous was commit
ted yesterday afternoon at about O'Clock. in
lodging room ON the fourth floor OF the Ma
tfonai Hotel the victim, Vfrginius Leonard,
an uAonending defenceless child, but eleven
years old, and we are deeply panied to say.
the only son Of A. +. Leonard, ESQ., senior
editor Of this paper.
We have never known our community more
shocked or more excited by the perpetration OF
crime; we have never known greater an xiety
70 discover and punish blood thirsty black
hearted hend, or more sincere sympathy for
those whose hearts are wrung with anguish
too deep and fearful for utterance, and which
heaven only can relieve.
The particulars of this heart.-ending out
rage, so far as known, enshroud it in mystery,
and show II to be arnong the most yindictiye,
unprovoked and extraordinary &C q on x&C0xx1;
The child went to the hotel fir ON school, a
little after three o'clock, assembled the stairs
with his satehel, to the room of his parents
who were absent and he was seen sitting
down in the passage-way at haif-past three
o'clock. About half-past four o'c lock, Lieut.
Murphy, L. s. ~, whose room is next to that
occupied by Mr.. Leonard and Lady, on at
tempting to enter, found the child lying on
the floor inside, his body pressing against the
door, without any sign of life--a frightfnl
cash having been cut in the fore part Of the
neck.
The alarm was given, and Or. Andrews
formerly of this city, and DIR. j. b. Holmes
both OF whom are stopping at the National
were Immediately in attendance, but medical
skill was of no avail The heartiess murderer
had done his work most effectually his dag.
ger, long and keen, had been driven deeply in
the neck, reaching the upper part of the yer.
tebrR, causing a terrible and deadly wound
such AS, it would seem, could only be given by
some practiced assassin.
Strange to say, there were no traces of blood
no noise, no weapon found, by which thu
ek-hearted villain could be detected. At II
O'Clock no clue to the dark deed of blood had
been discovered. No one is able to explain tbs
mystery-no suspicion sufficient to justify
arrest is expressed.
The hellish deed was done quickly, with
consummate precision and skill and the per.
petrator, whether he has fed or remains
among us, is still at liberty. We hope he may
not escape the scrutiny and vengeance of an
outraged community; that jus tice in this sad
case may claim the guilty wretch, who, if hs
has heart that is not remorse less, must al.
ready feel the keen anguish of guilty con.
science, cosequent upon the perretration of thu
horrible crime.
Col Garrison's room being Immediately op
posite that in which the deed was committed
Mrs. G. heard a noise, as of one falling anl
looked out to ascertain the cause, but seeinj
10 one and heariEg no further noise, suspect tee
no violence. 1t is probable that if she had at
tempted to enter the room in which the blow
was given, there would have been another aw
ful act in this dreadful tragedy.
| Later intelligence, by telegraph, states tina
the jury of inquest rendered a verdict that th
child was accidentally killed With a shot gun
by his own hands.