The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-04-29
Alleged Death.Bed Confession Of
aQuintuple Murder In Norfolk,

NORFOLK, VA, April 2b.-Ihis com
munity was thrown into excitement to
day BY the startling details OF q comics
sion made by the late ]. w. Weeks, keep
er Of drinking saloon, made just beiorl
his death, few weeks ago, and revealing
the particulars Of Eve horrible murder
committed by himself and sccompllce. Il
seem that about 0 o'clock this morning I
white man giving b is name "a Leandel
Wlthington met Mayor Tucker, who Wal
on his way TO the city hall 10 open court,
and stated to him that he had a secret e
dipclose, one which ought 10 be made
public. The mayor requested him to pro
ceed, when, Wilmington submitted The
following statement in writing, which he
says was made 10 him by his vile The
evening previous, and which be had
written out.
aNoRPoLK, Va, April 25-statemenI
OF the late ]. B. Week 10 Mrs. Julia G
Wilmington: ale called me into his room
and told me he had q secret 10 disclose
that he was going TO die soon, and be
would tell me his secret II would do a.
be said. This / promised TO do. He then
told me that he and another man, Whose
name ] do not now recollect, got poses.
sion Of = large amount OF money from
some drunken gamblers, and that foul
play was resorted 20, and that they were
all murdered and buried on the premises
he then occupied in this city. They were
sailors and strangers. The man who was
Weeks accomplice died very suddenly a
short time after, leaving all the money at
his disposal, but he did not dare TO use
any Of his ill.gotten gains afterwards,
and that he secreted the money. He fur
thermore stated that to the best OF his
knowledge there were Eve bodies buried
on the premises. Weeks requested me TO
wait for about four weeks after his death
and then 20 to the Mayor Of the city and
disclose the secret, and that 10 all prob
ability would get one third Of the money.
I asked him why would not have all oil
It. BE replied that that was the best
plan, for would be more likely to get a
part Of the money II proceeded In that
way. He said that one.third would be
enough for me-"
: After reading the above statement
Mayor Tucker sent for Mrs. Wilmington,
who promptly appeared and made oath
to 1t before him. The Mayor summoned
Chief OF Police G. G. Benson, with whom
be had a consultation, which resulted In
dispatching the chain gang, under Officer
Butt, to the house No. II Church street,
which waa occupied by Weeks at the
time Of his death. Capt Benson, who
directed the operations Of the prospecting
party, directed the first lloor Of the build.
Ing to be taken up, and the members Of
the gang went vigorously to work with
pick and shovel In search OF the rem aims
OF the murdered men. The work was
continued until Q o'clock P. N the hour
when the daily labors OF the gang Is sus.
pended, at which time the earth within
The boundaries Of the building had been
excavated TO & considerable depth, but no
human bones were found. Several bits
Of cloth and q variety Of poultry and beef
bones were unearthed, but nothing more.
The search will be continued tomorrow.
The news spread through the city like
wild.fre, and the house was constantly
besieged by large throngs Of curiosity
seeking citizens, but only favored few
were admitted. Mr.. Wilmington was
present, and repeated to'ailWho inquired
the substance OF his wifes statement. The
police have charge Of the premises to.
night, keeping strong guard around
them. Wilmington was employed as
Weeks barkeeper, and roomed with his
wife above the saloon. During Weeks
last illness Mrs. Wilmington used to pay
him little attentions. There is great
diversity Of opinion in regard to the
matter. Weeks came here during the
war as q Federal soldier from New
Haven, Ohio.