Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-07-10
MuRDkKkD at MIDNIGHT.
RazOred by a. Rival-A YounE Negro
Beaton Down and Killed ON tine
RathrOa

/
xaii road.
The body OF negro was found lying be-
tween the rails OF the Delaware railroad
track about II miles south Of Green
+, Springs station Arly Saturday morning by
John Wright. Shortly after the finding
the dead man was recognized as Charles
BARLEY, young colored man residing in
the vicinity. The peculiar nature OF the
wounds, which apparently had not been
caused by being struck by train Of
oars aud the fact that Emory Blaicher.
colored, had several times made threats
OF doing BARLEY violence, at once gave
rise to foul plsy.
Deputy Coroner Palmer was at once
notified of the affair, and accompanied by
special officer Jones, went to Green Springs
station on the p. m. train to hold an
inquest and investigate the cause of
death. A large crowd Of excited oo]ored
people were awaiting the ooroner's
arrival, and the inquest was at once
begun, after the swearing in Of jury
composed entirely of oolored men. A
number Of witnesses were examined.
The testimony went to show that Blatoher
had been paying his attention 10
. young mulatfot dAn,sel, susis Clifton,
but when BARLEY had appeared
upon tbs scene as claimant
for her affections the first swain had
been rejected and the rivals ardent
vooing accepted by the fokle woman.
The dropped suitor was very much en-
ragged that his affairs Of heart should
have proven 30 unsuccessful, but he
determined not to give up his bronze
complexioned sweetheart go easily He pub
lioly threatened to 'trot" any other niger
who welt TO see Susie, and determined II
she would not accept his attentions she
should 60 heart hungry. Bartley, in
spite of the threats, continued paying
his addresses to the dusky maiden, and
he two spent many evenings In each
other's company. Blatohsr very recently
expressed himself quite freely concern
iog the couple and it is stated repeate
his threats Of numbering his rival.
On Friday evening the murdered man
and the girl were in each others com.
pany ard attended Fourth Of July
gathering near their home. Emory
Blatoher and Emory Brown were there
and were heard TO make threats. Barley
escorted the girl home at night and they
parted about II O'Clock, he walking up
the railroad in the direction Of his home.
He was not afterward seen alive. 1t is
suspected that Blatoher and Brown lay
in waiting along the railrosd and as the
young man walked along, ran up and hit
him on the head Telling him to the
ground, and then cutting him with q
knite, until life was extinct. The
wounds consist of broken leg,s fracture
OF the skull, aud number of deep, sharp
cuts about the face and scalp.
After hearing the testimony the jury
returned verdict that the deceased came
to his death from injuries inflicted by
Bmory Blatoher and Emory Brown.
The jurymen made their marks oppo.
site their names on the verdict, none be.
ing able to write, although they are said
to be fairly sensible men.
Special Officer jones at once took the
men in custody, and searching them
found dull barlow knife in the pockets
of Blatcher, and revolver on the side
Of Burha' trouser leg, with the end rest
ing in his boot leg, also razor and
blackjack. Upon the razor was spot OF
something supposed to be blood. The
two accused men were taken to New
Castle jail, and the dead body brought
here for interment by the county. II
was buried Sunday by the county.
On Saturday night Drs. 0sle and
Springer made an examination OF the
wounds.
On account of the. peculiar nature of
the cuts about the head and face, the
physioisns were unable to determine by
what means they had been made. The
cuts are OF an incisive character and very
deep. There are no scars about the body
or hands, and where the leg ia broken
no abrasion Of the skin appears.
II BARLEY WAS killed, as suspected, by
Blatcher, the theory that he was struck
down with blackjack and rendered un-
conscious by out with razor or knife
is quite tenable, except for the broken
leg, which cannot be accounted for, IL no
struggle ensusd. Another theory ad-
vanced is that the man was killed short
distance from where his body was found,
and that in carrying II to lay on the
track in hopes that It would be run over
by train and the murderous wounds
obliterated the bone Of the leg had been
broken.