The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-07-21
THE oHEs TER, TRAGEDY.
DEATH OF b. F. LINDSEY.
CoRONER'S INQUEST.
RRAIexMEYr IN r OF cAPTAIN HAYWARD.
lie Is DISCHARGED BY THE EXAMINING
MAGISTRATE.

He is DISCHARGED BY THE EXAMINING
MAGISTRATE.
We gave on yesterday morning brief ac-
count of one of the saddest tragedies that
has ever occurred, and which, in its causes
and effects, is one of most revolving na-
ture. Our reporter visited Chester yester-
day and ascertained the facts given below.
At about half-past 8 O'Clock yesterday
morning Lindsey, who was shot by Captain
Hayward, died, after night of great suffer-
ing. As soon thereafter as possible arrange
ments were made for an inquest by Consta"
bic Chalkley. "a .............
THE INQUEST.
The following g-named persons were. sum-
John .. Perdue (coroner), +. Will
liams foreman), D. Garner, G. F. Hill, 2.
+. Marble, James Rudd, John r. Harton,
j. L. Snead, J. FL. Snead, Fl. A. Angel, r.
H. Toone, r. Butler, w. Wood.
The following facts were elected : Benja-
min f. Lindsey, the deceased, arrived at
Chester on Wednesday afternoon on the
800 2. NJ. train from Richmond. BE went
to the store and took q drink. Captain Hay
ward met him there, and told him that a
gentleman in the hotel wished to see him.
He took him up stairs very cooIly, and, ap-
preaching the bed, said "Let me intro
duce you to your son and the victim of your
villainy." With, this he turned the bed
clothing down and showed him newborn
infant. Turning to his daughter, who was
lying in the bed, he asked her if this
was not Lindsey's child? She replied
that 1t was. He then remarked: "You
have heard what my daughter says, Mr..
r s,,SJ J,,t, f1 t.
replied, 81 am taken so much by surprise
that I do not know what to say.".' Captain
81. put the question again, and Lindsey re-
piled, "That is my child if she says so."
Upon this Captain Hayward drew small
Smith & Wesson fOur-shooter and COM
menced firing. Lindsey, who was sitting
upon the bed aJ this time, arose, but made
no resistance. Captain Ii. discharged the
four barrels, two of the shots taking effect.
one in the fleshy part of the leg, and the
other in the abdomen. The wounded man
fell, and was taken to his room, where he
fingered through the night and died at OK
o'clock the next morning.
The jury ordered post naortena eXami-
nation, which was conducted by Drs. Wool
bridge, Cheatham, Friend, and Ingraham.
The fatal ball was found to have passed in
upon line two inches to the right of the
UWOlRCuS, QlSplaCiilS Ille ll.CoUilios} uo'!hS
one of the meSenteric arteries, and lodging
in the spine. The cavity of the stomach
was found filled with blood.
The jury, upon the investigation of the
above facts, came to the following verdict !:
"That the said B. F. Lindsey came to his
death from pistol-shOt wound from pis-
tol in the hands of William FL. Hayward, in
the house OF the said William IL. Hayward. !.
ARREST AND EXAMINATION.
Captain Hayward was arrested at o'clock
by special Constable James Toone, and ar
raigned before Justice j. o. Perduc. Colo
mel Ambcrs appeared for the Common
wealth, and Captain William 1. Clopton for
the defence. DR.. Insraham testified that he
twas called in at about Il quarter to o'clock
ON Wednesday, and delivered Miss Hay.
ward of II male child. The remaining facts
elected before the coroncr's jury were also
brought ont before the Justice. "
Mr.. Rudd further testified that Captain
HAYWARD came into Lindsey's room after ho
was shot, and said j.: "Ben, you know you
have done wrong, as this is your child"
Lindsey acknowledged that he had done
wrong. and that the child was his.
Colonel .Ambers, for the prosecution,
Yielded that the prisoner should be dis
charged. .....
charged the prisoner.
ADDITIONAL FACTS.
| Miss Hayward, the young lady SO fot1lly
wrongcd, is about eighteen years Of age, Of
pleasing manners and retiring disposition.
She resided in this city since her father
moved here. Her condition was not sts-
pected up to the time of her delivery.
Captain Hayward is well-known citizen
of Richmond. He commanded a cavalry
company during the war, and has been for
some time proprietor of the Dime Saloon.
Recently he took charge, with the deceased,
Of Chester Hotel. lie is 4 gentleman. OF
great popularity, of quiet and unassuming
demeanor, and could only be brought to
such deed under the greatest proyocatlon.
He conducted himself calmly during his
examination, but it was evident that he was
laboring under great distress.
man OF great local prominence In Ches-
tertield. lie has occupied various positions
of trust in that county, such rs presiding
Justice, registrar, SC. He was the Con-
servatiYe candidate for the Legislature at
the last election, and was also candidate
for the nomination to the Constitutional
Convention in 1867. lie lived for some
years in this city. He was man widely
known and generally much liked. Lie was
married to Captain Hayward 8 eldest dauSl-
ter last December. He suffered very much
after he was shot, and seemed satisfied
throughout that he would die. He denied
that he had had any criminal intercourse
with his victim since his marriage to her
sister, but he expressed himself satisfied
that he had met his just fate. He made
will concerning the disposition of his pa
pers, the manner of his burial, NC.
His fate was the source of great surprise
among his friends, and has created much
sensation in the community. There is but
little further to be said concerning this sad
and revolving affair. The facts speak for
themselves. The injured father will not be
censured for what he has done, and charity
and consideration for those the deceased
has left behind him demand that comment
should cease with the life of the guilty one.
MERCHANTS AND PLANTERS STEAMBoAT
CoMPANY.-The circuit court has granted