The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-26

and down the eorn.rows freshly worked, az
Ii accompanying Groom at bis work. Not
far from the scene Of the struggle was Il
hickory tree. from which considerable
quantity OF bark had been stripped. The
apron OF the girl was also, found at the
former place. The woods and fields and
branches were thoroughly examined with
out result until Sunday by a large crowd,
when the body wax found in the North
Anna river, dead, and bound with the hick-
DRY bark and cloth, as previously stated. 1t
further appeared that Groom had been en-
ployed at a gold-mine near TolerSyille, in
Louisa county, working for Colonel John
u. Jenkins, but had left for the week to
work his corn, and had returned TO the
mine on Saturday. He was unable to show
how he disposed OF his time on Friday (thc
presumed day Of the murderh though he
stated that he was working in his corn,
which was very near the spot where the
woman was murdered, and his sister was
unable 10 testify that he was never absent
from the field for any. considerable time.
Furthermore. black skirt OF dress was
found hanging IN his corn-field as a scare
for crows. from which the black strip, some
sixteen feet long, that was bound round the
dcceased'S neck appeared to have been torn.
LINKS IN THE CHAIN.
These links, and the known intimacy be-
tween Groom and the deceased, together
with an alleged attempt to poison her
short time since, made out strong case Of
circumstantial evidence against Groom.
Other evidence went 10 show that Joseph
II. Clements was also implicated. 1t APP.
pearcd that he and Groom had been toseth-
or several times Immediately precedin" the
day OF the murder; that they were together
ut O'Clock on that day; that Clements had
had quarrel with the girl some time ago
(she bad accused him OF stealing); that the
hickory rope found drawn round her neck
was tied with well-digger's knot. and pre-
cisely like what Clements "a welldigSer by
trade) has been known to tie; that Clements
cannot prove his whereabouts on Friday
evening and Friday night; and it Ia posi-
tiyeiy sworn that one OF the tracks iound
near the woman's in the corn-field was Gle
mentS'S, and that it was also bis track winch
was on the river tank where the body was
thrown in. Again: that the killing took
place over a half mile from the river, ana
that more than one person was required 10
convey the body to the water.
These facts appearing, the coroner's jury
brought in verdict OF murder, and that
THE DEED WAS DONE BY WILLIAM J. GR0oME
AND JOSEPH Ii. CLEMENTS,
who, bcin. present in the crowd, were
forthwith arrested. and were tried to-day
by justice in the presence OF large
crowd. which, whilst exceedingly orderly
and we'll behaved, were deeply interested
in The detection and punishment of the
murders. The young woman was colored,
but the very best citizens were present, and
were very emphatic in their denunclations
OF the crime.
Both the parties above mentioned were
sent on by the justice for further trial, and
lodged in the Louisa Jail.
Groom is q young man Of respectable
family; is about thirty years old, dark com
DlcXon, slender form; q member OF the
church, OF temperate habits, and not at all
badly di>posed-at least so regarded here
tofore Clements is about the same age !;
sandy-haircd, hard-ieatured, tall, and OF
doubtful repute in the neighborh0od.
1t is believed that Groom did the MUIR
der, and Clements helped him TO dispose OF
the body.
POSTSCRIPT.
Since writing the above another link in
the chain OF circumstantial evidence seems
to have been discovered. The carpet-sack
belonging to William J. Groom at the
mine has on it leather strap OF precisely
the same appearance, texture, and quality
rs the one found tied to the murdered wo-
mans bands, and he (GroomJ stated that he
was engaged in menuing his carpet-sack the
evening Of the murder. Both pieces Of
leather are freshly cut, and apparently from
the same side OF leather. 1t is reported that
Joseph II. Clements, also charged and ar
rested for completely, is anxious to confess
his share in the deed, and will likely do so
before court.