The Virginia star., 1880-03-27

colored girl about IL years old, residing at No.
los west Leigh street, was accidentally shot
and killed BY Walter Johnson. colored boy,
the sad affair were brought out in the
Police Court Tuesday morning during an ex-
animation on The question Of bail: Robert w.
johnson, father Of the boy; said that Ellen
Ryley was bis adopted daughter. Yester-
day his son Robert returned from hunting
about 8 o'clock, and placed his doude-bar>
relied gun behind the door. Knowing that
one of the barrels was loaded he took the
precautIon to remove the cap. Sometime
afterwards his son, Waiter. took up the gun
and went out in the back porch in order to
see If IL was loaded asking one ofthe children
to put his finger over the tube while he blew
down the barrel The child did as requested
and said that he couI feel The wind. Walter
thinking that the gun was empty placed caps
upon the tube TO snap them for the amuse~
ment of the children. He raised the gun to
his shoulder pulled down The hammer, ard
q loud explosion followed. The girl Ellen,
who was coming out of the back door
when the gun was discharged, received the
entire. .loadtin her right side. She fingered un-
til O'clock, Monday evening, at which hour
she died.
The Juatice decided 10 continue the case
until Thursday. to await the result of the
Coroner's inquest. The accused was bailed
for his appearance.
Coroner Taylor viewed the body Tuesday
afto full t,,xya a. In
circumstances, being thoroughly satisfied
that it was undoubtedly case of accidentally
shoonitg deemed I'D inquest unnecessary.
Mary Ellen, the victim of this fatal accident
was The daughter Of Ellen and - Ryley.
Her parents did not live happily together
and finally separated. The girl was adopted
BY Mr.. johnson while very yonng and grew
up in bis family She was Of most amiable
disposition and excellent department, and
was greatly beloved by het adopted family as
well as by aIl who knew her. She had for
some time professed religion b-t was not
permitted to JOIN the church because her
friends thought she was too young.
Her funeral took place on Wednesday
from the residence of her adopted father on
Leigh street. The ceremony was conducted
by Elder w. Fl. Brooks and her remaias in>
TERED In the family section Of Mr.. johnson
81 Cederwo0d cemetery,
Honorable Robert w. johnson. the affllct-
ed father OF these unfortunate children, is
we'll and favorably known in this city and
state lie IS a shoemaker by trade and has
held many honorable positions and has
always been q leading man in whatever
movements he conceived to be for the weI>
fare OF our race. He is an honored member
Of the Graud United Order Of Odd Fellows,
and permanent secretary of James Needham
Lodge Of that order. lie was long MEM
ber ofour City Council and has represented
his people in many important deliberaive
bodies. His generosity and love Of man~
kind are evidenced by the fact that notwithS
standing he has large number Of children
and grand children of his own, he had adopt
ed as his own daughter, the little girl who
so unfortunately met so untimely death.
We are sure Mr.. johnson and his family
have the sympathy OF this entire community
10 this their sad and unlocked for affection.
Death by Drowning OF Paul FIeEnming.
Paul Flemming, oolored stevedore, while
attempting TO board a coal bardge Wednes-
day evening, which. the lug Hero was towing
up to Richmond, was thrown from his boat
and drowned before assistance could be rem
dered. The accident happened opposite
Drury's Bluff, and should be a warning to
those attempting this dangerous experiment.
nHr hnA
1t is with heavy heart that we record the
death; the sudden, unlocked for, sad death
OF this usefnl young man in the bloom of his
manhood. He had always been greatly at.
tached TO the STAR and lately had acted IN
The capacity of local reporter fer it, picking
up for il every item which be believed would
be OF interest 10 its readers,
He was quite young man, had served in
the army of the United States, was good
soldier. Tie was Of pure African blood and
nobler character and disposition was never
possesse1 by any mau of whatever race.
How is thy life blasted
In one short day, noble mani
tie was unmarried and had no relatives in
This city. He had brother who lives in
Steubensville, Ohio, who has been tele-
graphed about his brothers death.
Fatal burning.
Monday an old colored woman who lived
Id rear Of 10. 3l7 north Fourth street tMr.
L. l.. Cary's property was so badly burned
toal she died The next day. She had
Deen engaged in baking bread and il is sun.
posed that her clothing took fire from her
liif' as she was q habtual smoker. Her
clothing WAS entirely consumed and her BODY
burned to crisp. She is described as hay
ing burned - knot. DIR. Wexford was cale0 |
3D. Dut me unfortunate woman was wells |
nigh beYond human skill. she was seventy.
hve years Old
Leg Crushed.
dohn FaHor, colored rows boy Of the
State newspaper bud his leg caught in the
press OF that manner iasf aF,,o,a.v go - :. Ii,