The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-14
THE DRINKER's FARM MURDER.
Arrest OF the Supposed Murderer.

Perhaps there was never an affair upon
the criminal records of Richmond which
was enveloped In 80 much mystery or so
much horror as the murder Of the young
woman on Drinkers farm on the 10th of Fe-
bruary last. The finding of q female so
young, evidently the victim of most foul
murder, under circumstances 50 myste-
rious, rendered the affair one of extra.
ordinary interest, and no effort was spared
on the part of the officers Of the law to
discover the author Of this awful tragedy.
Their investigations were followed by q
series Of the most astonishing cases of
mistaken identity ever heard of, each one
making the occurrence more mysterious,
and seeming oset the efforts of the officers
more at nought. The failure to find even
the name Of the murdered person was o
matter Of great wonder, and the absence
Of name caused, in time, public interest
to decline and probably the Drinkers
Farm murder would have scarcely been
thought of again but for the sudden de-
velopment of a new chain of circum-
stances which have led to the arrest of q
young man named James Jeter Phillips,
who stands charged with the murder of
Annie Phillips, his wife, who is said to
have been the young woman whose body
was found on Drinkers farm. We have
gathered the following concerning his ar
rest and what led to 1t:
AS we have before stated, the officers of
the law spared no efforts to gain some clue
to this horrible affair. Justice Wade
wrote letters to every portion of the State
to find out what he could about it; and
among the rest was one to Mr.. Marshall,
the sheriff of Caroline county, written
upon information received, making inqui-
ries concerning Phillips, his marriage in
that county, etc. He received reply to
the effect that Phillips had married young
lady named Annie Pitts, in that county,
on the 18th Of July, 1865. He also re-
ceived letter from the Rev. W. A. Bayn-
ham, who married the couple, which cor
roborated the statement of the sheriff.
He then learned further that the couple
had subsequently moved into Surry county,
where they lived together until some
months since, when Phillips came alone to
Henrico county, and shortly afterwards
took employment as farm hand with
Mr.. George Turner. He was noticed
to pay a great deal Of attention to a
young lady in the neighborhood.
Mrs. Phillips, as Justice Wade was in
formed, came to Richmond in the begin
ming of February last to see her husband,
and since that time nothing has been heard
directly from her. Her mother and rela-
tives had received letters from Mr.. Phil
lips, one of which was written not moro
than ten days or a fortnight ago, stating
that his wife was ill.
Having traced the affair thus far, Justice
Wade made inquiries concerning Phillips
since he had lived with Mr.. Turner, and
learned among other things that when the
body Of the young woman was found in
Drinkers woods, Phillips was one of the
few persons who did not go out to see it,,
and that when the inquest was held, he got
on his horse, rode of, and did not return
for two days.
Being satisfied with the chain Of circum-
stances as sufficient ground for arrest, the
Justice issued warrant for Phillips, and
on yesterday Constable Cole, accompanied
by private detective Knox, proceeded to
Mr.. Turner's farm, and found Phillips at
work in field. Approaching him, they
informed him that they had to arrest him
under the charge of numbering his wife.
Phillips turned very pale, and seemed at
first much agitated, though he soon re-
covered self possession, and protested that
he had no wife, and that he had never been
married. Upon searching him, the likeness
of female was found in one Of his pock,
cts. In his trunk were found several book,
with the name "Annie Pitts" written on
the fy-leaf. 1t appeared as if efforts had
been made to erase the name. He was
then conveyed to the county Jail and
placed in cell.
A gentleman called on Phillips yester-
day, who states that he recognized him,
that he was married to Miss Pitts in 1865,
and, furthermore, that he attended his
wedding.
James Jeter Phillips is young man of
about twenty three years of age. lie is OF
handsome appearance, is about five feet
nine inches in height, has dark auburn
hair, ruddy complexion, and an open coun-
tenance. He is very reticent, and refuses
to answer any questions.
Next to the feeling that must arise at
the contemplation Of the murder Of q
Young woman under such horrible circum-
stances, we give ourselves to sadness that
a young man Of such good antecedents
as are possessed by young Phillips
should be arraigned for the commission OF
so foul q crime. He is the son of Dabney
Phillips, ESQ.,, formerly sheriff of Henrico,
but more latterly of Surry, and better
character for honesty and integrity than
his but few men bear. His sons were all
regarded as young men of great promise
and of the best behavior. They were all
gallant soldiers during the war, and
nought was ever brought against any oi
them. Those who know James Jeter Phil.
lips cannot believe him guilty of the crime
of which he is charged. But while we
sincerely regret that the circumstances
against him are Of so suspicious nature
we earnestly, hope that they may prove, as
in cases heretofore, nothing but one Of
those remarkable chains that make fact
stranger than fiction.
1t is supposed that the examination o1
the accused will take place on Saturday
We hear that Colonel Marmaduke John.
son has been retained as one Of his coun'
sci.
DEATH OF VENERABLE MAN.-Died ir
this city yesterday morning, in the seventy
third year of his age, John Jones, one o
the Oldest and most estimable of the citi
zens of Richmond. He had been for abon
forty years engaged in the tobacco trade o
this city, and was widely known as mos
capable and reliable man in his business
His correspondence was most extensive il
this country and in Europe, and whereve
he was known, entire confidence was re
posed in his judgment and his honor ant
integrity. He was one Of the purest mel
we ever knew. Throughout his Ion,
life he bore q reputation without spo
or blemish. He was man of dec
/ niatu In hia social intercourse he wa