The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-06-13
LOCAL MATTERS.
Ont of The Hands Of the LAW.

Ont of the Hands Of the Law.
DEATH OF ]. y. MURDOCH, THE RECESTLY-AR-
RESTED MAIL ADMINISTRATIONS OF SUI
CIDE-LAUDANUM AND ARSENIC FOUND UPON
PERSON OF DECEASED.
X. N. Murdoch, mail agent on the rail-
road between Richmond and Danville, died
yesterday morning about Q O'Clock. Last
week deceased was arrested and brought
before Commissioner Atkins, in this city,
charged with rebbins the mail Of pack
age containing three shirt-buttons valued
at s.. 25, which had been sent by c. Gen
net, ieweller, Of Richmond, to lady pur-
chaser in Charlotte county. In consequence
OF frequent losses OF small packages on this
route lately the detectives were on the
watch for the thief. A package containing
the shirt-buttons and several other articles
was found by them in the mail addressed
to Mrs. Murdock, at Bellefonte, Nottoway
county.
The detectives took possession OF the
package and arrested Murdock.
He confessed that the address was in his
writing; that he put up the package, and
claimed that the articles (buttons, book, n
New York illustrated paper, and neck-tie)
had been found by him in his car, without
direction, and that having no clue to the
owners he had thought it not wrong to for
ward them to his home.
The little packet in which the buttons
were sent had on it Gcnnet's business-label.
Some one had defaced it after it had left Mr..
Gennet's hands, but still it was easily read.
The case was partially examined by Com
missioner Atkins last Saturday and con-
tinued until to-day wednesday,. Accused
then gave bail for appearance, with w. Il.
Lester (colored) as surety.
Mr.. Murdoch did not 60 to his home in
Nottoway county, but remained here with
q friend who lives on Clay street, near Blen-
ner's Park. For two or three days Muir
dock had been complaining OF the diarrhGa.
and his friend on one occasion gave him
twenty drops Of laudanum for his relief.
At an early hour yesterday morning Muir
dock was found in Blenner's Park by the
keeper. Murdoch said he was quite sick,
and was advised to go home. It seems that
he started on his way, but after reaching
the street was unable to proceed, and fell
down. Mr. Lotsey, one OF Babcqek'S ice
cart drivers, saw him lying against the
fence and helped him up. About O'Clock
Murdoch died. .
The police notified the Coroner, and the
latter official had the body removed to the
city morgue, where an inquest will be held
this morning. On his person were found
two-drachm vial OF laudanun, purchased Of
Mcdowell & Beveridge Ito whom Murdock
said he wanted the stuff for the diarrhea),
and a package Of white powders, which,
upon analysis by Dr.. Taylor, proved to be
arsenic. Death, it is believed, was caused
by the use OF the latter poison.
Mr.. Murdock was native OF the State OF
New York, but had long resided in Virginia,
and during the war was a soldier in the
Confederate army. He was about forty
wear. OF age. He had been sheriff OF Motto
way and held other important positions
there. and had, it is said, up to the time OF
his arrest borne good character for hon
esty. He remained here after going before
Commissioner Atkins because he could not
collect the money that was due him by the
Post Office Department. He was restless
throughout Monday night, and had probably
taken arsenic before that time. There is no
doubt of his having suffered from the COM
plaint above spoken Of, and it may be that
the laudanum was really purchased as
remedy some time before suicide was deter
mined upon. Deceased leaves wife and
four children His friends, it is expected,
will come here to-day to take possession OF
the body. - - -. .......