The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-07
K1LLED.-Ambrose f. Mitchell, SEC
s1,x,. 4. .ss.sa m

K1LLED.-Ambrose T. Mitchell, a sec
ton master on the Virginia and Tonnes
sec railroad near Forest depot, was found
dead on the Orange Railroad track about
half mile beyond the railroad bridge
about daylight Sunday morning. The
morning train, which passed short time
before tho body was discovered, had evil
IDENTIFY run over it, the right leg being
severed completely in two between the
knee and the ankle, and also nearly cut
off at the thigh. His right hand was also
severely gashed, as with knife or other
sharp instrument, and he had bruisc in
the forehead between the eyes, and also
what appeared to be three sided wound
in the right temple, Of such character as
could not, it is believed, have been made
by any portion Of the train. The body had
no other marks upon it.
1t is the opinion of some that the de-
ceased fell asleep on the track and was
killed. Others think he was first MUIR
dercd and then placed on the track, that
the train might pass over the bod y and
conceal the crime. The circumstances
would seem to render this conclusion not
improbable, as but little if any blood
flowed from the wounds made by the
train; aud also from the fact that the
Waterman on the road passed the spot
where the body was found about thirty
minutes before the train arrived, and no.
thing was then on the track. He returned
Immediately behind the train, and in less
than an hour from the time Of first passing
the place, and found the dead body as de-
scribed.
An inquest sat on the body yesterday,
Justice Adams acting as coroner, at which
the foregoing facts were elected. Their
verdict had not been rendered when our
informant left.
In addition to what is given above, we
! may add that the last trace of the de-
| ceased alive is that he left the house Of a
man named Coleman, between the toll
and railroad bridges on the Amherst side,
about II o'clock Saturday night, stating
his intention to be to go home, and it is
| not known that he was seen by any person
afterwards. The fireman of the train
which ran over him states that near the
spot where the body was subsequently
found he saw some six or eight negroes on
the side of the track, apparently standing
as though they had gotten out Of the way
OF the train. In another place not far
from the body he noticed two or three
other negroes in the same position.
Neither he nor the engineer saw
the body on the track, and knew no.
thing Of the accident until seve-
raj hours after it occurred, nor did
Mr.. Jones, the Waterman, see these nc
grocs, which is, to say the least Of it, some
what remarkable, as Mr.. Jones was on the
track short time previous to the trains
passing, and for an hour or more after
wards. Whether the deceased came to
his death by foul play, or whether it was
accidental, will probably never be known.
The circumstances lead to the suspicion Of
the former; but if so, who were his 1nur-
derers there appears to be no clue to guide
| in search for them.
The deceased was between forty-live
and fifty years Of age, and was hard
working, industrious man. He leaves a
wife and five children, residing near Bu-
ford's station, in Amherst, five miles from
the city, and was on his way to visit them
when he met his death.-LWchJug Ne1rs.
|