The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-17
THE DRINKERS FARM MURDER.
Msssrs. COLE AND Kyoxs TRIP TO ESSEX.
WHAT THEY LEARNED.
The Murdered Woman's Family.


terday from Essex county, whittier they
went to ascertain such further particulars
as were accessible relating to the wife of
J. J. Phillips, and throwing light upon her
fate. They reached the residence of the
widow Pitts on Saturday, and found the
family entirely ignorant of the supposed
murder Of Mrs. Phillips, formerly Emma
Pitts. The family consisted of the aged
widow, two daughters, and one son, B. F.
Pitts, Jr. They reside in Essex county
near the Caroline boundary.
The probable fate of Mrs. Phillips was
communicated first to the son, whose grief
was so uncomfortable that the other men,
bers of the family were necessarily imme-
diately informed Of the matter. The Off
GERS represent that they have never wit
messed scene of deeper distress. Mrs.
Phillips seemed to have been the centre
Of the attachments of the family, and the
news of her fate was dreadful shock to
them. Their grief soon brought sympa-
thisers, and the neighbors came to condole
with them, soon filling the house. Mrs.
Phillips seemed to have been greatly be-
loved in the vicinity, and was represented
with one accord as young woman Of the
gentlest and most affectionate disposition.
When feelings were somewhat composed
the family were questioned by the Of
fcers with reference to Phillips and his
wife good many facts were gathered to
be used in the trial. We may generally
state the main points as follows
J. J. Phillips was in the Confederate
army, and being taken sick in the neigh
bOrhOOd of Mrs. Pitts's, found shelter and
attendance in her house, where he re-
mained about nine months. Miss Emma
Pitts was exceedingly kind and attentive
to him. Her gentle ministrations during
his sickness were gratefully acknowledged
by him. Gratitude gave place to warmer
sentiment, which being reciprocated by
the lady, they were married on the 18th
July, 1865. Mrs. Phillips was twenty-five
or thirty years of age, and older than her
husband. She was in delicate health,
supposed to be consumptive.
Phillips only remained with his wife
three weeks after the marriage. He then
absented himself about six months. Re-
turning, he remained only few weeks,
and was again absent some five MONTHS
The neighbors considered his conduct un-
pardonable, and much censure was cast
upon him, his wife always earnestly de-
Tending him. She always treated him
with the most devoted affection upon each
Of his visits to her mothers.
Matters proceeded in this way until
February last, when he went to Essex to
bring his wife to IIenrico. He left Essex
with her between the 18th and 18th of
on the Fredericksburg railroad.
IL Al, g., Ln,, L. .,NH,
nation of her whereabouts, save through
Phillips's letters, of which there were
several. The officers procured the last
letter received from him. 1t is dated
"River View on James river, May A."
This place, it is believed, is entirely ficti-
tious. He states that he was living with
DR.. Dorset, ten miles below Richmond.
No such person lives thereabouts, and
Phillips was all the time employed by Mr..
Turner. He spoke in previous letters of
the comfortable manner in which he and
his wife were getting along-speaking Of
household matters, her success in raising
chickens, &c. He threw in, however, oc-
casional reference to the health of the
locality. 1t was very sickly, &c. In the
last letter, in addition to this suggestion
for alarm with her family, Phillips informs
B. F. Pitts that his wife has a whitlow on
her finger, occasioned by sewing, which
gives a great deal Of pain, rendering the
administration Of morphine necessary.
The doctor, he said, feared lock jaw He
speaks of family matters; wants to know
how his sister-in-law and a certain young
gentleman are getting on, and wants to
move to Essex wants Pitts to get him
Lot wa hrnnnhf II nv
the officers.
Mrs. Pitts and her daughters described
accurately the clothing of Mrs. Phillips,
which corresponded exactly with that
found upon the body in Drinkers woods
u Unfortunately part only of that clothing
is preserved. Under the order Of the
Mayor of Richmond, several pieces Of the
garments taken from the body were turned
over to the Chiefof-P Police of this city.
They were placed in the Old Market sta
ton and were, strange to say, recently
sold as rags for the paper mill by the negro
man who attends the place Fortunately
several pieces are yet in the hands of Mr..
Cole, and they will be produced at the
trial. 1t will be remembered that breast
pin found upon the body was lost by gen.
tleman who brought it TO town the day
after the discovery, to advertise it with the
hope of getting clue to the narneof the
murdered person. This pin, the officers
say, was accurately described by the la
dies.
B.F. Pitts had answered the last letter
of Phillips but accidently the answer was
not sent to the post-ofiice, and this letter
the officers also obtained. 1t is very
friendly and unreserved.
The exact day of the departure Of Phil
lips and his wife from Essex will be ascer
tanned before the trial. Mrs. Brown met
them after their arrival in this city on
Eighth street, and knowing Mrs. P, greeted
her cordially, and was introduced by her to
Phillips as her husband. The dates are
here important, and are no doubt easily
ascertained. Mr.. Dowden, toll-keeper on
the Williamsburg road, saw man and
woman pass by in wagon in the after
noon and in half hour or SO the man re-
turned alone. This was day or two be-
fore the body was discovered. The thread
of this mysterious and shocking affair
being discovered, much more will proba-
bly, be developed. In leaving Essex Phil
lips put his wife's clothing in a trunk
without lock and without name upon
it, leaving his own trunk which was bet
ter one and had his name upon it, behind.
Phillips, it is understood, had not in.
formed his relatives of his marriage, and
he denied that he was married when ar
rested. Officer Cole visited him yester-
day, and informed him where he had been,
showing to him his letter Of the l4th May.
Mr.. c., alluding to the Pitts family and
their deep distress, Phillips drew his hat
down over his eyes for awhile, and, raising