The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-25
TELEGRAPHIC SUMMARY.
A Horrible Crime fn Southampton
GOuufy.


TWO YOUNG MEN MURDERED IN 4 STORE AND
THE BUILDING BuRNED-THE BODIES con-
sUNED IN TIE PLANEs-PsRTIcULARs or
THE AFFAIR.
Especial telegram to the DIsps:eh.I
PETERSBURG, VA, December A.-The
particulars OF what is believed TO have been
a horrible double murder in southampton
county, coupled with robbery and arson,
was received here this evening, OF which
the following are the details:
Messrs. Joseph II. and ]. u. Prince
owned n large store at Green Plains, South
ampton county, just across the Greensville
line, five miles from Belfeld station, on the
Petersburg railroad. In this store two
young men were employed as clerks-yiz.,
John Murrell, aged twenty-one years, and
Thomas Glover, aged sixteen years-wor-
thy and respected young citizens. The
Messrs. Prince and Williamson Glover,
father si the younger OF the clerks, live
near by. Between 10 and II O'Clock Mr..
Glover heard two reports as OF pistol dis
charges in the direction OF the store, but
thinking they might be from fireworks set
off by some Of the people there paid no
attention TO the matter. About IL O'Clock
a negro man in passing stopped at the
store 10 make some purchases, and finding
the doors locked, he called TO the young
men to let him i'm, but received no re-
spouse. The lights in the house were
burning, and on listening he heard groans
from within, and looking under the door
he saw one Of the young men lying on the
floor near the stove. The negro went to
Mr.. Williamson GlOyer's house and told
these circumstances, and said he supposed
young Glover must he sick. Mr.. Glover was
incredulous, believing the younemen were
playing some Christmas prank, and didnot
20 at once. Soon thereafter an explosion
OF powder was heard in the direction OF
the store. which induced Mr.. Glover TO go
there without further delay, and he found
the building on fire. lie went into the
young mems bedroom, but they were not
there lie called TO them, but they did not
answer. The front door Of the store was
found locked, but the rear door was open.
He entered here to search for the men,
but was met by such a volume OF
smoke that hc could see nothing, and
was forced to retire. Soon after the flames
burst out and the smoke cleared away,
when by the light the horrible sight OF the
two young men lying dead on the floor was
witnessed, with no power to rescue them
from the fire. The people were compelled
to stand by and see the house burned and
the bodies consumed. This morning the
charrcd remains OF Murrell and Glover
were taken from the ashes. There seems
no doubt that the two clerks were muir
dercd and the store robbed and then
burned. There is, however. no positive
clue to the perpetrators OF the dark deed,
though suspicion points to two white
men, strangers in the county, who
were seen about the store for the first
time on Friday. From their dress and
manner they are believed TO be sailors, or
tramps dressed in the garb OF sailors. \
negro was arrested at Bellficld to-day sus-
pectcd Of the crime, but he proved his in
nocence and was discharged. II is report
ed that q posse Of citizens have been form
ed to 20 in pursuit Of the suspected parties,
and such is the excitement and indignation
in the ncighborhood that If caught and
their guilt is established summary justice
will probably be meted out to them. They
had not been seen at last accounts. Muir
rell is a nephew OF DR.. sykes, OF Rich
mond. There was no insurance on The
property.