Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1882-07-18
Jim Rhodes, the Murderer Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Massie.
Chm lottesyille Chronicle.

At an early hour on Saturday last Spe-
cial-Constabe Sandridgc arrives in Char
lottesville with man who Ind been ar
rested In the neighbOrhood of Browns
Cove for petty stealing and committed by
u magistrate under the name of Bruce.
This man was arrested In the house of Il
negro, and 1t was thought possible that
he might be James Rhodes, the murder
or of Mr.. and Mrs. John D. Massic, rs
he answered In some particulars 10 the
description Of that fugitive from JUS
tice. This Suspicion created considcra-
bic excitement, and numbers visited the
Jail. Some persons who had known
Rhodes five or six years ago were quite
positive in their Identification of the
prisoner as the fugitive murderer, and
great diversity Of opinion prevailed I'M
I'll Monday, when he was recognized by
parties who knew him rs Morris, Who
sometimes assumed the name OF his moth
or, which was Bruce.
As Rhodes Is still ut large, the follow
ing letter, descriptive Of his appearance
five years ago when he was committed to
the pcnitcntary Of Tennessee, may be
out for Him. His name Is James Clark
Rhodes, and when he was In Tennessee
he dropped his last name. When writ
Ing to his family It Is said that he always
give the name Of james Clark. He has
been seen IN this county since his escape
from the Tennessee prnlcnllary only by
one or two persons outside Of his immc-
diatc family. Hence 1t would probably
be somewhat difficult 10 identify him
positively should he be arrested. Pa
pers that ARE interested IN securing the
pCrpctrutor OF one Of the most atr0ciOus
murders ever committed In Virginia may
aid In the accomplishment OF that object
by publishing the following letter Of the
warden Of the Tennessee penitcnlnry:
TENNESSEE STATE PENTTENTIARY,
WARDEN's OFFICE,
NASHVILLE, Tenn, June II, 1882.
Mr. Mcdjdh Woods, Aitorney for Com
mOnlocdih NJ Virginia.
Sir,-Yours vi tho 10th instant herJ
aud noted. james Clark was sentenced
from Sullivan county for larceny, two
cases, and arson one casc--in all for eight
years-Dcccmbc IL, 1877. Nineteen
years old, six feet high, weight 100, scar
on back Of left hand, blue eyes. fair COM
plcxlon. Escaped from prison Decent
Der ., 1881. The above Is all that Ii rec
orded Of him here, aud II was recorded
when he WINS received. lie Is now about
twcnty-four years old, and has perhaps
grown little In height and weight. He
while here worked In the foundry, aud,
| think, learned TO be u mouldor, which
he will perhaps follow ms trade. While
working In the foundry he got one or
both feet burned. On examining his
feet you will flnd scars from the burns,
Sears from burns caused by hot iron, es-
pccially on feet covered with shoes, are
not very easily detected. When they
AFRO washed aud clean they resemble
marks made by smallpox aud wrlnklcd,
I mention tho above thinking you might
after arrest tlf you should be 10 fortu-
nate as TO got HIM identify him more
readily. HE general appearance II bad (,
he seldom II ever looks you In the face
while talking, has thin, long face, aud
long nose.
II you could by some means get pie.
tllrc of him and send u here wo would
readily recognize him. Any information
which may come Into Our possession will
be rhsrrI,illy furnished you.
You're, &c.,
1uoMAs WATERS.