Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-06-25
The Drinkers Farm Murder.

from the Richmond DispqteA with referenc.
to this tragedy, which has 50 long remained
envelOPed in mystery. In February last the
body of a murdered female was found in
Drinkers woods. about i've miles from the
city of Richmond. and although repeated ef.
forts had been made to discover its ideD,ftv
it is only within. the past two weeks that
light has been shed upon the dark tr.ps,c-
ton, and the murderer discovered, as well a.
the murdered identified. No case has ever
excited greaterinterest in Richmond, and the
local columns of the daily papers are filed
with the accounts of the preliminary exami-
nation of the accused man, Who seems to have
murdered deliberately and in Geld blood. the
wife of his choice, The relatives of the nur-
dered woman visited the prisoner in his cell
during last week, when the following inter
view took place We copy from the Rich
mond DisPaseh of Wednesday -
About an hour after the adjournment Mis-.
Roxana Pitts aud Mr.. B. F. Pitts, sister and
brother OF the missing woman. having arrived
In the afternoon train, by REQUEST of the
magistrates visited the Jail, in order to have
an Interview with the prisoner. VS. give be
conversation exactly as il occurred. The
party being ushered into the cell by Constable
Cole, Phillips arose and exclaimed:
How are you, Frank? How are you,
Both drew back, and the brother ex-
claimed:
Don't touch him, Roxy Philips re.
Peated: Don't touch mel" and with head
hung, retired to another part of the cell
Miss p then asked NJ
is my sister whom you took from us on the
10th of February" NOreply.
In moment after the prisoner manfred
when Mr.. Pitts left home The latter cx-
claimed "Home! what home? whose honeg''
No reply was given. but Phillips sat down.
ard Mr.. Pitts continued:
''Where is your wife Did YOU carry her
to Surry as you said?" Still no answer
Miss Pitts then asked in tones which would
have touched the sternest heart:
"Oh deter, do you remember what occurred
IN our Parlor on the 18th of JULY"
"a great many things"
do You remember Miss Annie Dishman 2''
81 think | ought to-"
"DO You remember when Won sat upop tho
sofa and she asked you were YOU frightened
You told her no. aud asked it your voice
tTembied when you said Il will You said
En- was more frightened than YOU"
The prisoner again hung his head.
Frank Pitts then asked: ''DO you remember
promising to protect her, saying clearly Won
would Z! Receiving no reply Miss Pitts
asked do you know that DR.. Bayuham is
with us?"
81 have heard so"
Can you face him?"
Eyes"
Can you face our mothcr?o
GGNos |
Your mother?"
Yes | can face any person." he answered,
with a slight SMILE
Miss Pitts then remarked in a low tone
81 left at home a heart broken mother and
sister, who have not tasted food since Saturday.
You have disgraccd one mother and broken
auother's heart"
continued:
"lIere We stand side by side, with lust
God looking down upon us eau you deny
that you murdered my sister,"
u refer you to my counsel for an answer
to that"
81 left at home" continued Miss Pitts. "a
mother who wants to know the last words of
say?"
The prisoner was still silent. aud the parfy
rose-NIiss Pitts exclairning as she looked
once more upon the prisoner: 'My, Godl
My God! Could he offer me the hand that
cIasped my sisters throat 2" Phillips turned,
away, with tears in his eyes.
After the party had left the Jail, Miss
koxana Pitts described infinitely every article
OF ladies apparel in Phillrps's trunk.
At last accounts the examination of Phil.
lips was still in progress, and the circum
stnntial evidence as to his guilt, is of the most
conclusive character