Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-01-08
CORRESPONDENCE.
Attempted Murder near White
SuIph SprinEs-ShOcking
ffSair

w Hi n tOIIllN0o, W. A.,
January 1, 1875.
Our community was thrown into state
of great excitement yesterday morning by
the report that Il daring attempt at MUIR
der had been committed at Greenbrier
Bridge, six miles West Of this place. La
tel in the day the report was fully con-
tirlned, and was even worse than had beeh
at first reported. The victim of this hor-
rible affair was Mr.. A. j. Dodson, clerk
in the store of j. C. Bright u Co., at the
place above mentioned.
The only knowledge that could be gain
ed of the affair yesterday morning was
that at an early hour of the day DR.. Mel
son Of Lewisburg was passing the store OF
Messrs. Bright u Co., and seeing a light
therein went in the store and found Mr..
DodsOn lying on the floor i'll d pool OF
blood and in an inSensible condition with
his head fearfully and horribly crushed,
and a twO-pound weight near him OH the
floor with blood on it.
An old gun that had been left at the
store by negro, some days previous, was
also lying On the floor near by, with the
barrel discharged, the contents OF which
had entered the floor near MI. Dodson.
Many were tine conjectures and suspic-
ions as to the party whe committed the
horrible deed, but nothing positive could
be obtained that would lead to the arrest
of the guilty party, until late in the even
ing. At that hour of the day Mr.. DOdSon
had been removed to Mr.. Collin IS residence
which is two or three hundred yards from
the store. During the day his wife and
daughter (who live in Lewisburg) arrived,
and many other friends of the seemingly
dying man Frequently during the day he
became rational, and his friends tried to
obtain from him a clue to the fiend who
had tried to take his life; but they sue
ceeded in learning nothing until about
seven O'Clock last night when MI. A. c.
Liggett Of Lewisburg.(a special officer sent
out by the Commemorative Attorney, to
detect, if possible, the murderer) called
He found Mr.. Dodcon yet unconscious, but
after sitting down by his bed few min
utes he became suddenly rational and OH
being asked by MI. L. if he would not tell
him something OF the occurrence or Difficult
ty in which he had been engaged, said GEL
tainly he could, and made the following
statement
He said few minutes after twelve
Eo'cloek Wednesday night. rSeon after Mr..
Collins had left IT, store, a negro, whom
he recognized Rives, came i'll and
commenced Hse bill OF goods ;
after getting ted, the amount OF
his purchase was ael Isup by Mr.. D., and
amounted to $26,65. He then refused to
pay for it.and tried to go out of the store
with the bundle, and on being stopped by
Mrs. D. said if he would knock off So he
would pay the bill. Mr.. D. refused to
do this (slnd here stated that the negro be-
ing d desperate character he was afraid of
him) and proposed he would wait until
morning when they would adjust matters,
This was agreed to, the negro taking a
seat. MI. D. then around the counter.
took his pistol out of a drawer and put it
in his pocket and moved the gun, hereto
fore mentioned, to a convenient locality.
He then took seat himself and presumes
he must have fallen asleep. When he
became conscious again it seemed he was
awakened by the report of a gun, and he
imagined he was shot, but found himself
mangled about the head. He drew the
pistol and discharged one barrel-and that
was the last he remembered. The pistol
was found in his pocket with one barrel
discharged and blood on it.
Mr.: Liggett came to this place last
night and succeeded in arresting Ned.
Rives, who had arrived at the Railroad
Depot, but few moments ahead of time.
He was arrested in a shanty neal the De-
pot, tied and taken to LeWlSDurg by Mr..
Liggett last night, arriving there about
enc O'Clock.
MI. l.. deserves great praise for his skill
and promptness in bringing to justice this
fend in human shape. The people Of
Lewisburg are said to be in a high state OF
excitement over this affair and it is more
than probable that Mr.. Lynch's Law will
be visited on this wretch ere many days
pass over his head. Mr.. D. was alive at s
O'Clock this A. NJ, but his physicians say
he cannot possibly live,
]. M. T.
p. S.-Wednesday-M Dodson has so
far recovered as to be able to sit up.