The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-08
DETAILS 81 ti. ID j IIaInp.on Fratr,elde

Corrsspouden Of the RiehEoDd Dlspatshl
.FoRr MoNRoE, " A., August 6. 1S Is.
| One Oh the most diaboaical murders that
ever startled community took place on
SATURDAY. evening last In Elizabeth City
county soHie two or three miles west OF the
town OF Hampton, and forms a strong
parallel to the frst murder on record, the
only Indifference being that, In this case the
brothers were black and the implement
used was a large, clasp knife. s.t.s -
Al short distance, from Hampton, and
fronting on the Roads, lies the Bates farm,
(which during the, war was freely Hsquat-
Pted upon by the Fcontrabands, and who,
when an attempt was made seine eight or
nine years ago to remove Them declared
war, and a. company OF ,troops from The
Fort had to be sent there 10 preserve order.
| An amtcabie arrangement was finally effect
| ed between landlord and tenant, and quiet
was again, restored. Among those who re-
mained were two brothers, John and VIII
liam Bird, the principal and victim OF the
tragedy Bott, followed. the water and
titled small piece OF land fora living, and
were always regarded as quiet and respect
able among their associates. VILLAIN for a
time run on coastiHg vessel between. here
and New i ork. and some four or i've years
ago was shipwreeEed of: the Virginia
coast. !, He managed to secure a piece OF
plank from the wreck; upon which he main
tanned himself for four, days, until he was
picked up bycsg passing vessel. TWO or
three years ago his brother John married
and came to Hampton To live, where he still
fellow ed the water, and OF late. has been In
the habit Of assisting his brother Ia Guilt
waiting a small. piece OF land which he had
purchased. It seems from the evidence adj
duced, in the preliminary examination held
| to. day before Justice Jones (colored) that
there had been dispute between The two
| in regard to wages, John claiming 5000 tor
| his services, while William claimed that
$3.50 was sufficient. On Saturday eve
ming neighbor passing heard them
quarrelling about the matter. William
| was in tie house and John was
out in, the yard He states that The beard
John say to William, - II you come out Of
| that house Fll kill you"; but thinking Il
was merely an idle threat paid no attention
to it and passed on. From what afterwards
occurred it appears that William did come
out 4of the house, when bis brother drew
out large boue-handied .clasp-knife with a
blade about FIVE inches long and struck
him several blows4with> it. One of them
cut his throat, another entered the meek
|
aimed at the heart, one OF which
nearly severed a rib, while the other
cut the poor fellows heart nearly
I'M twain Shortly afterwards John called
| ones OF. ! the neighbors and .,teld him
| that he had killed his brother-had cut bis
throat with knile-but gave no reason foi
| doing So. The authorities were: promptly
notified and Sheriff Hans made the arrest
| about midnight. The murderer made nc
attempt to escape, and seemed to manifest
40 concern whatever in regard. TO the maj:
tier. He was found Sitting beside the body
I with the knife still in bis hand, which was
identified to-day By, a number Oh witnesses.
/ 49, William was "a small mar. about thirty
years OF age;aud leaves aHWlfe and three
small children. &. The prisoner is about thir-
ty-tive years old; very dark, with low, re-
cedins forehead ;, rather-spare built, and is
five feet six inches high. He seemed per-
fectly cooi aud collected, and did no. seem
to take any interest in the examination. His
trial will take place at the next term OF; the
court. and. unless the plea OF ilSaaity,ls as,
| tahlished ne wilt probably suffer the full
| penalty OF the lawi:j ,lf2.!I,:e2 ~. -.