The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-04-16
A BOrETOURT HOMICIDE.
The GreenEyed MOnster-A Rival
CIubbed 10 Death-The Alleged
PerpetratOr In jail.

On the G'h Of March tue neghborhood OF
the Blue Ridge Springs, Bo,etourt county,
was thrown into very great state OF eX-
element by the deliberate and cold-bloOded
murder, at point about two miles there
from, OF Mr.. Simon Pawpaw. He was
about twenty.cight years Of age, was super
intendent o. Munford's iron mines, and
was greatly respected and admired by all
who knew him. For some time pre-
vious to the murder Mr.. Pawpaw was
the known and accepted suitor OF the
daughter n well.to do farmer OF the
county. At the same time Mr.. William
james Peters, a young farmer, twenty
one years Of age, was also warm admirer
and yistorof the young lady. Mr. Paw
paw, however, was engaged to her; but
this fact was not generally known. Peters
was desperately in love with the young lady,
but had been given TO understand that mel.
ther his addresses nor his visits were any
longer agreeable. He then became jealous,
and uttered numerous threats against the
peace and life Of his assumed rival. On
two occasions be made attempts TO way
lly Pawpaw at night on the latter's
visit 10 the house OF his afiianced.
On the last occasion he attacked Paw
paw. who shot at him, when he decamped.
hlN'i " dluSy WI .lNlbu DAu, ~ ni't it'hN'N'
the murdered body OF Simon Pawpaw, with
the skull crushed, evidently by blows from
club, was found IN the road. There was no
clue to the murderer, and all attempts at un-
raveling the bloody mystery seemed futile.
An inquest was held by the coroner, and
a verdict returned death from violence by
unknown parties" The remains OF de-
ceased were inferred amidst the regrets Of
his friends aud the tears OF his betrothed and
surviving relatives. The murderer had ap-
parcntly covered his tracks in most ample
fashion, and The deed BID fair to be bid
den mystery for all time. a few weeks
since Governor Holiday offered a reward
for the arrest and conviction Of the
"unknOwn murderer Of Simon Paw
paw The offer OF the reward proved
wholly ineffective so far a. any good
was accomplished so the matter stood TIL
last week, when General Thomas L. Nun.
ford, president OF the IrOn-Mine Company,
determined on his own account and costs
to enlist the services Of detective. He
sent to Richmond and engaged Detective
Jack Wren, who, with deputy, departed q
few DAYS since 10 the scene OF the tragic
occurrence. On his arrival there he made
himself acquainted with the facts as far as
| known, formulated his own theory OF the
| identity the pPrpetrator. and proceeded 10
work ont the clues suggested. There was de-
veloped network OF circumstances that
unmistakablg implicated William James Pc
tiers a. the murderer, and formed the basis
for a warrant, which was obtained for his
arrest from Justice r. K. Lun,ford, OF
Botetourt, on the affidavit OF Wren. The
execution OF the warrant was entrusted to
Special Cons,ableS George Il. Ridgeway and
william Munford, who were accompanied
| by the de;ec,ive and his deputy. They
found the su> pccled man compOsedly plough
ing in a field on bis fathers farm, about a
mile and bali from the scene OF the muir
der. On Peiers'> being informed OF the er-
rand Of his clptors he admitted that he struck
Pawpaw. but did not intend TO Kill him.
He was taken in custody, and, being carried
before Ju.tice Luusford, was committed to
! iail at FiHclstle. without bail, 10 await an
examination, TO take place on next Thurs
dav.
The excitement in BOtetOurt about this
murder. always great, has been very con-
siderably increased by the revolutions above
given. Defective Wren and his deputy re-
turned to this city last evening.