The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-11
A sCmOOLBOY's TRAGIC FATE.
Tho Jealousy Of nrother and the
Fidelity on Sister fn Striking Con-

The peculiar death o. bright young
schoolboy, the son Of Mr. and Mrs. John
Labus. OF Franklin county. Is now under
going legal investigation, notwithstanding
the tact that his demise occurred on the
Goth of last month. A hasty inquest was
held nj the time, nothing suspicious devel-
oping, and the body was consigned TO the
grave with the usual solemnity. Since
then there have been hints OF foul play.
Prosecuting Attorney j. c. kiskaddon
being informed OF She rumors ordered
Coroner Dotweilcr 10 disinter the body ana
hold a second inquest. The services OF III.
Martin, OF Union, were procured for post
norton examination. At the second III
quiry it developed that there was an exam
nation at IT. AIMS school on the day mat
Young Lahus lost his life. Among the pG-
pills were Charles. Frank, and florentln1
LabuS. Their parents were present TO
witness the exercises. The Younger bro
Their. Frank, acquitted himself rcmarka-
hlv well. and his father and mother eX-
messed their delight. When the pro-
ieromme closed. at { II. NJ, Mr.. and
Mrs I.abus proceeded TO friends
housc. remaining there over night. They
nar,ed with the children at the school,
5uilding. and the little ones went on in the
direction of home. Charley reached there
in GOOD season. but his sister didnOt arrive
until the following morning, when she
told those In waiting that her brother Frank
was dead in st. Johns creek, n quarter OF
a mile distant. The child had left the re-
mains bat q short time when they were dis
covered by Miss Drueggc and Mrs. MoX.
when the body was taken up II was found
that Franks temple had been crushed by a
blow from some blunt instrument.
The little girls remarkable story is about
as follows: On the way home the boys be-
came involved in an alteration about their
relative abilities, when Charley, preSuma-
blv Jealous al his brothers success, picked
up a club and dealt him a blow on the head.
knocking him sensceSs TO the ground.
After time he recovered consciousness,
but was in sucha condition that he was I'M
Die TO proceed hOmeWard. Charley left his
brother to the tender mercicS OF his sister,
deserving them by the roadside in the woods.
and then following a winding path TO
the parental residence. Little FlOrentina
remained with her injured brother, doing
AL in her power to revive him. Taking
her dinncr-bucket TO The creek she secured
the sufferer drink OF water, and cooled
his brow with her wet apron. This simple
treatment refreshed the lad considerably,
and with his sisters help he was able TO
reach the bank Of the creek. 1t was then
growing dark rapidly. The creek had to
be crossed on a lOg, and Frank felt too
weak TO make the attempt. The task
had u be accomplished. or the altcrna-
tive remained of spending the night in
the woods. Fl0rentina spoke words OF
encouragement 10 the sufferer, but he
was too dizzy 10 make the passage on
foot. Taking his sisters advice, he placed
himself on his hands and knees and at
tempted to crawl across. When midway
OF the stream the boy lost his balance and
tumblcd into the water. In the fall he
seized some bushes and succeeded in keep
i'm his head above water until the brave
little girl waded in and dragged his half
lifcle>S form 10 shore. The sufferer was
benumbcd and could hardly speak. Hope
for some improvement in his condition
made the girl cling TO him hour af hour
through the long night. Stripping herself
Of wraps. she folded them about her bro
theirs form and waited bv his side until
morning, and then ran home for assistance.
While she was absent his body was dlscoY-
cred.
THE RESULT or THE SECOND INQUEST.
This remarkable story OF suffering and
hcrosm instigated the second inquest,
which was concluded Yesterday, the jury
returning verdict that the boy "came to
his death from conclusion OF the brain.
caused by blow on the head" II could
not be determined when he received the
blow. 1t was either before reaching the
creek. at the hands OF some one, or he re-
ceived it when he fell among the driftwood
in the creek. The evidence strongly indi-
Gated conclusion OF the brain before he
reached the creek.