Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1865-02-16
mysterious Tragedy in)Korfolk

correspondence Of the Philadelphia fressl
NORFOLK, VA, Fec 9, 1865, GA Tues
,2av evening, at 10 o'clock, the Rev. :. H.
Boykio, Methodist Epis 'ops' clergyman, was
brutal}y murdered BY sem ooe at pGesehs IN
known. Mr. Doykin was rhemher Of tie
Vnsni4 Conference OF t1e Nicholas Eplsoo-
nal Churo|1, but since tne breaking o15 OF the
war he has been thrown from his position.
In 1862, upon the occupation OF Norfolk
Sfr, Bovkia took the oath, anu mas eyer Oeea
represented a. having been one ol the most
inoffeusi7e OF persons. tie has, Iof the pdsV
wear. been employed IS chief clerk IN Il me l,
rhojlasale house OF Mr.. A. L Hill Mr.. Hill
IS at present in the city of Alexandria, where
he represents in the State Legislature the
Comfy Of Norfolk The circumstances at
tending the murder were these:- Mr. Boykln
for loug time has had charge OF one OF the
Methodist churches in Nor ok, which, by
order CT General Shep|ey, has been closed On
account Of the disunion prooliVltles OF It's mem
hers. The General at the SINE time al
lowed Mr. Bnykin to lease it to any loyal
PARTIES that might wish it f,r any, RELY
IRONS purpose A number Of colored men
waited unon him some time since, and request
"a the use Of the basement for the purp se or
holding religious meetings on Sundays, and on
certain evenings Of the week. The reverend
gentleman kindly allowed them to have It by
the paying of small rental:
A few months atterward the congregation or
the colored people increased to such an enor-
nous extent as to warrant their seeking
larger place of worship. Accordingly com.
miftee waited upon MIR. Boykin, aud ask d
the privilege Of worshipping in the body OF the
church This Mr. Boykin respectfully refused,
saving that his authority did not extend that
far with the people OF color,
Another committee waited upon him, but
With no different result. He received within
The following week two anonymous notes, both
~ which breathed 'threatenings and slaugh-
tor" One note as nesr as | eau learn, was re
ca;ved on Wednesday of last week. There has
been no direct evidence as yet TO place the
o1,;t upon any one. The feeling against the
colored population IS most INTENSE and were II
not for the presence of the military the saoie
race would suffer in most summary manner.
4 lad gave in his testimony yesterday morn
inc. before the coroner jury: IN the following
LANGUAGE: Il was coming down Charlotte
street. at about 81 O clock on tuesday evening,
and was met by two negroes, one OF them
Vow tall and the other about medium size.
One of the negroes put his hand in his peck
ct and stopped me; he looked me IN the face
and said tWell, I don't want you" then
passed on | heard the report OF the pistol
after T had gone about two squares tur5her
the night was dark aud stormy; | should not
know either of the negroes if | should again see
them all the negroes in that>helg hoorhood
are supposed to have pistols. :,
This was all that the lad knew, ana although
very intelligent, he said that he did not know
ANYTHING more concerning 1t. -.
iii not Ikelv that any more will be known
concerning this mysterious affair." Col. Mann,
the Provost Marshal of Norfolk has instituted