The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-04-08
A Desperate Negro.

A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE on BEING CAP
TCRED ATTEMPTS TO KILL PETERSBURG
MISUNDERSTANDING CHASE AND RECAP
TURE.
The following appeared in the Peters
burg bdeI-AppedL OF Thursday:
A few weeks ago one Moses Medley
(colored), who for a long time has borne a
very bad reputation in the community, was
arrested on the charge OF house-bIeaking
and larceny in Prince George county. AT
the examining trial before the Mayor the
evidence against Medley was not deemed
sufficient for conviction, but in view OF MS
general bad reputation, which fact was tes-
tilted to by number OF witnesses, he was
required TO give bond and surety in the
penalty Of two hundred and fifty dollars
for his good behavior for the period
Of twelve months. In default OF giving
this bond Medley was committed to Jail,
where he remained for several weeks. He
was occasionally detailed while in jail, rs
other prisoners are who are not charged
with serious offences, TO attend TO the fur
mace and other fires about the building.
While discharging this duty early one
morning, some two or three weeks ago,
while the attention of the officer Of the jail
was otherwise engaged, Medley saw an op-
portunity to escape and was not slow to
take advantage of it. Since then 4 strict
watch has been kept for him. He has been
absent from the city until day or two ago,
when he returned home.
Intelligence OF his return reached Officer
Akers, Of the police corps, and yesterday
afternoon that officer went TO Medley's
house, on an alley between Harding and
Halifax streets, in search Of him. He
found Moses at home lying upon his bed,
and told him that he wanted him. Med
lev at once expressed willingness to SUBJ
nit to arrest and to go with Officer Akers
to Jail. As he got up TO put on his coat
the officer noticed that Medley turned and
slipped something in his pocket, though
it was not suspected that he intended
anything wrong. On going down stairs
Medley asked and obtained permission
to return to his room, the officer fol-
lowing to guard against any attempt at
escape As the officer reached the front
door coming out Medley suddenly seized a
billet OF wood and struck heavy blow at
his head, which Mr.. Akers fortunately per-
ceived in time to ward off with his arms.
Both men then drew their pistols. Moses
fired first, with his weapon so close to Mr..
Akers's face that he was burned quite Sc
verely by the discharge. He was not struck,
however, by the ball or shot with which the
pistol was loaded. As soon as he fired
Medley jumped behind the door for protec-
ton, and Mr.. Akers, reaching his arm
around, fired at but missed him. Then
commenced struggle, which was pro-
longed out in the yard; but Moses,
being man Of great strength, re-
leased himself from the grasp OF the Off
Ger and took TO flight. As he jumped q
fence near by, Mr.. Akers attempted to fire
at him at very close range, but his pistol
failed to go off. Medley continued his
flight through the yards and over the
fences OF different citizens. Mr.. Akers
was Joined In the pursuit by Officer Walter
Payne and citizen from one Of the ada.
cent counties Mr.. Schank, who was
mounted. Mr.. Payne discharged his pisto
several times at Medley without effect, and
MIR. Schank shot at him once, the ball pass.
ing through the fleshy portion OF Medey's
leg above the right ankle.
| Medley made for the country, passing
over the heights out into Prince George
county around by Ragland's farm, and
came back towards the city by the new
road in the rear Of the water-works. Here
he surrendered to High-Constable Mine.
tree and the officers in pursuit, and wa
brought down TO Jail. Medley discharged
two or three chambers of his pistol ian old
fashioned six-barrelled revolver) at tn,
officers. The matter caused good deal Of
excitement In the neighborhood where thu
chase commenced and the shooting oc
Cured.
Medley will now have to be tried for
serious offence.
UNRULY IN COURT.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG, April 6, 1882.
In the Mayors Court this morning thu
negro Medley was exceedingly impuden
and insulting, and had to be ordered bacl
TO the jail until tomorrow, when his exam
nation will take place. He swore ant
cursed and told the Court 10 send him Il
the penitentiary or anywhere else, and sale
he had been kept in Jail by reason OF pacl
OF llss that had been told upon him. Tn
escape OF officer Akers was very narrow
one. II was evidently the intention OF th,
negro to kill him either with the billet o
wood or the pistol rather than be captured
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Owen Maloney and James Weeden, TIVE
noted pugilists Of Pittsburgh, Pa, hav'