The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-26
ANOTHER NATHAN MYSTERY.
Brutal Murder Of an Old and Wealthy Citizen
Of Petersburg, Va.
First Clubbed, Then Placed on the Railway Track
and Afterwards Thrown Upon His Own
Premises-No Clue to the Assassin.

PETERSBURG, Va, April "a. 1871.
If New York has her Nathan murder, with all its
eoncomitant horror ana mystery, so Virginia has
now her ''Friend MURDER which Is equally sur
rounded by horror ana mystery. Just one month
ago to-day there was perpetrated beyond the sub
urbs OF this city murder which for atrocty, bar
barity and mhumanity has scarcely parallel IN the
records OF crime and real clue to which has since
haed the skill and ingenuity Of the local detectives,
only Of this city, but also those OF the neghbor-
ing city ana metropolis OF the Commonwealth, Rich
mond. About one mile and half from Petersburg
and not more than 800 or 400 yards nom the line Of
the City Point Railroad stands
THE RESIDENCE OF MR. CHARLES FRIEND.
the unfortunate and amented victim OF the recent
murder The structure is beautiful modern villa,
surrounded by all the appliances or comparative
wealth ease and comfort and having about tin
the shrubbery, shade trees, tastefully arranged
walks and neatly kept garden plots-an air OF re.
fnement and elegance seldom surpassed In the
South MIR. Charles Friend, the owner and proprie-
tor OF the villa, was at the time OF the murder,
about fifty years old, and was possessed OF kind,
amiable and generous disposition.
HIS LAST VISIT TO PETERSBURG.
On the evening of the cath OF March last Mr..
Friend walked alone from his residence TO this city
for the purpose OF purchasing some spool cotton.
Having completed the purchase he started on his
homeward, Inflated way. Before leaving town he
was requested TO carry O small basket containing
pair Of his sons pants, which had just been finished
by tailor, and putting the spool cotton in the
basket. he again set ont IN the direction OF
his home. II was after seven O'Clock
and darkness had nearly succeeded the
dusky twilight when the venerable gentleman
got beyond the limits OF the city, the gaslights
of which were twinkling in every direction.
Nv 1a lta1
ing that his footsteps were logged by cowardly
assassin. On walked Mr.. Friend, stealthily pursued
IN the darkness by his murderer; and when about a
mile from this CITY, and not far from the bridge
which crosses the river. he was
liz DEALT A TERRIFIC BLOW
from behind. which descended with such force on
the back and top OF his head as TO completely
crush in the whole back portion OF the
skull, telling him 10 the ground instantly,
stretched On the track. An umbrella, which
Mr.. Friend carried with him, lay beyond
his head, where 1t was thrown when he fell, I'M
broken. The basket lay beside him. The assassin
stlll lurked in the vicinity. Ten minutes elapse,
In that snort time the unfortunate victim had been
partially restored 10 CONSCIOUSNESS. His ASSASSIN
still watches from the darkness. Now the
snRlLL WHISTLE AND ROARING NOISE
of the tram from city Point is heard rapidly ap-
preaching. The assassin probably thought that the
tram would finish his bloody work and leave no
trace, clue or suspicion that human hand had
committed the murder. Unfortunately however,
for his designs, the victim. comprehending
his danger, and with what feeble strength
and consciousness he possessed-and selfpreserva.
ton beng uppermost even with a nafinurdered
man-Mr. Friend slowly raised himself, and, with
the greatest difficulty ana exerlon succeeded in
dragging himself from the track, and as the train
DEAN. Another short space Of time elapsed. when
the balf-mufdered man heard footsteps approach,
and then he felt himself assisted TO his feet as If by
some friendly hand. and was halfcarred and
walked towards the bridge in the direction OF his
home. Unable to speak himself he uttered
any remark. They reacn the narrow plank
which makes the iootpath across the trestle work
OF the bridge, and the dripping blood from his
wounds mark every step they take. Just then other
footsteps are heard and a
WOMAN CONES CLOSE BEHIND
them also crossing the bridge gong IN the same
direction. She passed them ut the farther extremity
ness. Gong steadily on Mr.. Friend was conducted
from the railroad into q lane, or enclosed pathway,
leading TO his residence, out when within few
hunured yards OF that house he was
thrown violently 10 the ground and struck
several terrible blows with the murderous
club across the face breaking his nose, shatter dg
one OF his cheek bones and nearly putting al an
eye. With all the energy which desperate IA could
muster Tor a third attempt 10 escape dG-ih on that
terrible night he cried ont. what dc,you want 10
AXE YoU GOING TO MUIR. sk MEY'
Could the woman mat pass :. them at the bridge
have heard this appeal for ,sercy9 and II so why
ala she not render some 1ccor to Q, dying fellow
cries Of the mur-sred man, and was
seen no more. - Friend lay writing Ia
AGAIN renewed -cr1es for help which, fortunately,
were heard q negro At his house, VINO, win
Others, carries HIM to the mouse, bloody, mutated
and with Z. Jbrain oozlng IRON the wounds on the
head, bu-' still alive. Medical assistance was at
once d PATCHED Tor, but Mr.. Friend beyond the
rowe' OF all human aid. he recovered, however,
sufficiently 10 relate III ineoherent manner the
circumstances of his murder asserting his belief
ihat the murderer was
BLACK MAY.
At twelve O'Clock midnight he breahed his last.
The citizens, IN large numbers. greatly excited,
secured the eDtlre .neighborhood and surrounding
country IN search Of the murderer. The only clue
they possessed OF was the dying declaration OF
his belief the part OF Mr.. Friend, that the muir
deTer was black, and, consequently, every sus-
pcious negro in the neighnorhood was rlgidly made
10 account for his Whereabouts the previous night
ana many, IN terror not being explicit, were threat
ened with summary vengeance.
Two negroes who have been arrested by the police
of tins city are notorious
THIEVES AID vAGABoNDs,
bp' from the evidence adducedat Their preliminary
examination IL must re luire an extraordinary
degree OF detective skill and ingenuity TO asten the
murder on them.
Experts incline TO the opinion that the
WOMAN WHO CROSSED THE BRIDGE
after the assassin carried Mr.. Friend II, and
breIa walking ahead Of her toward Mr..
Friends house and that she afterwards heard his
cries Tor help, knows more about the matter
man she IS at all Willing 10 relate. On
Fer testimony, when II IS eXtorted from her. would
seem 70 hang the only clue which might posi-
bly, lead 70 the arrest OF the actual nLrderers.
Governor Walker has offered the pltiiul reward OF
500 for me arrest and conviction OF the murderers,
but the CITY and citizens Of Petersburg, more mag
Unanimous, have offered nearly $1,000, Which IL Is
hoped may prove Il sufficient indaeemcnt for some
skiGl olGsr To secure Inc arrest and punishment OF