The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-04-06

COUNTY NQUEST-FURTHER PART1CU
LARs.-In Saturdays Dispatch we gave th'
particulars, as far as could then be learned
of the murder of -Emanuel Gross, on tht
Charles City road, on Thursday night last
On Saturday our reporter attended the
inquest, and learned further particulars:
The body of Gross remained all day
Friday at Jordan's Horse W ater, where i,
was found by Mr.. Gathright. Towards
night the body was removed to house
near by, formerly occupied by Mr.. Tracey
and on Saturday the inquest was held
there by Justice Thomas L. Plessants.
The following is list of the jury empan-
nelled:- Messrs. John W. Gathright, John
NJ. Gathright, James q. Crittenden, Sr.,
James q. Crittenden, Jr., Dudley Will
liams, Berry Gordon, Richard Truemsn,
W. j. Goodman, W. T. Rawlings, Lewis
Bottoms, and Milton Eyler.
A close examination of the body was
made, when it was found that the skull
was fractured from the sbot-wound under
the left ear almost to the centre Of the
forehead. In probing the wound, there
were a large number of shot, some wad-
ding, piece of the hat, and grains of
powder found. The whole appearance of
the head indicated that the wound had
been made by guns hot; that the person
who fired was standing above his victim,
and that severe blow had been dealt
upon the head after the shot was fired.
Why the blow was given, no one could
surmise. Death from the shot must have
been instantaneous; as the hands we're not
in the least bloody, which would have
been the case if he had lived even few
for the first impulse of wounded
man is to feel his wound.
The place where the body was found was
then examined. No marks of a struggle
were found.
The jury stated that they had no wit
nesses to examine, and then general dis
cussion ensued in regard to the affair !;
from which the following facts were
learned, which tended to show that the
murder had been committed several miles
above where the body was found-some-
where on the Charles City road between
Hughes's tavern and Blankinship's shop,
and near Mrs. Eacho's house. We stated
that Mrs. Eacho said that about 9
o'clock on Thursday night she heard some
voices near her house. The persons SEEM
ed to be excited, and at last one Of the
voices said /: I" The road is wide enough,
and there is no use of your coming through
the field" A few moments afterwards
she heard the report of a gun or pistol. A
gentleman living near this lady said that
be also heard 8 shot fired about the same
time.
"A gentleman said that he saw on Friday
spots of blood on the road be-
tween the two places mentioned, and that
be tracked the spots for some distances
Cross was met coming out from town
about 8 o'clock Thursday night. Mr..
and others state that Gross
never missed: stopping at his store on his
way to or from town, and had stopped
twice every day of last week up to the
night of his murder. That night he did
not stop, but his horse and cart did pass.
The horse is known as the best horse that
IS driven to charcoal cart in that section,
and those who say that they saw it pass
say that they could not have been mis-
taken.
After Cross was shot, he either fell or
vas laid upon the bags of oats, with his
feet hanging out in front of the cart; for
when his boots were taken off they were
illed with water, which had evidently got
ten into them when the cart crossed deep
creek few yards above, where he fell
from the cart and was found.
From these facts it is conclusive that
he man was murdered near where the
voices were heard in angry discussion
hat he was not murdered. for the purpose
IF robbery for though one pocket was
,urned inside out, small amount was
'ound upon the body, and the rest of the
money shown to have been properly dis
posed of by Gross.
It.was mentioned that Mr.. James q.
Jrittendep, Sr., Zone OF the jurors,) had
had q difficulty the week before with
nan named Burnett, and that Gross inter-
ered, and prevented Crittenden from vent
ng his wrath upon the latter. By this
move Gross displeased Crittenden, and he
therefore has incurred some suspicion
With what justice we know not. ,
Further, the opinion was more gene
that the poor fellow was
shot while driving in the field Of q citl-
zen between the places we have several
;imes mentioned merely to avoid muddy
.oad. This opinion gains credence from
he exclamation overheard by Mrs. Eacho,
Ind which was so quickly followed by the
.eport of gun.
After fully investigating the facts brought
orth, Justice Pleasants gave the case to
;he jury, who rendered verdict that
he deceased came to his death by gum
hot wound by the hands of some one to
hem unknown. .r -s..
After the inquest, Mr.. Gathright took
charge of the body, and doubtless had 1t
,uried Saturday. !,
The Justice, in dismissing the jury, told
hem to be on the alert, and be ready to
again if there was need.
This is the third mysterious murder in
Henrico within the past eighteen months,
md the intelligence falls with startling
orce upon the citizens, while the murderer
If Mary Emily Phillips has not been
brought to justice, and may be yet at
arge. Let the authorities Of the county
AXE this matter promptly in hand, and
spare no efforts to trace the crime to Its
.uthor. If necessary, let a reward be.
offered, as was urged by this paper when
he victim of the Drinkers Farm Murder
vas first discovered. That Emanuel Cross
vas poor boy and comparative stranger
s an additional reason for prompt action.
BE has no friends to take the case in hand,
md the county should, therefore, supply
heir place. .' 49,
SMAsH-Up.-On Saturday evening 8
horse attached to buggy belonging to
Mr.. David Hughes, in which was a gentle,
man and negro boy, became frightened
near the corner of Thirtieth and Main
streets, and dashed off at rapid, rate.