Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-11-23
Atrocious Murder.

The Lynchburg correspondent of the
Richmond Dispatch gives some particulars
of the atrocious murder committed in Camp.
bell county, about thirteen miles from that
city, Friday evening last:
81 Robert Hammersley, worthy young
planter, residing near Marina, seven miles
north of Brookneal came to Lynchburg sew
eral days ago with load of tobacco. He re-
manned here until Friday morning when he
left for his home with wagon laden with
goods consigned to tradesmen of his neigh
borhood. When he left town it appears
there was no one in the wagon with him,
but it is stated that when the wagon passed
beyond the city limits negro man was
seen following in its wake. When Ham.
mersley hauled up at the store of Robert
Perrow one mile this side Of Rustburg, the
negro was in the wagon with him. 1t is
alleged that Hammersley was seen to count
his money at Perrows store. As the wagon
passed through Rustburg the negro was
seen in it with Hammersley, and some say
the former held the reins. Soon after
dusk two young negroes hurried into the
village of Rustburg and reported that they
had come across man in the road, one
mile beyond, who had been killed. The
ling piece of intelligence, and a large mum
was in what is called the 'rowdy' neghbor-
hood. There they were Mortified to find
The body OF Hamnersley lying in the road,
with the skull crushed in two places and
frightfully cut in another. The deadly wea.
welded with such horrible effect lay beside
ha hoir nd
clots Of blood. Hammersley's body was yet
warm, but he was beyond the skill Of the
physician. Further investigation developed
that Hammersley had been robbed of his
money, and that the thief and murderer had
taken box Of candy from the wagon con-
signed to James Moore at Naruna, and had
broken it open in an adjoining field and
stolen part Of its contents. The whole sur
rounding country was aroused and every
effort made to run down the fiend who had
perpetrated the foul crime.
zone of the murderers-for there appears
to be two of them-was captured late Satur
day evening. The fellows name is Henry
Mason, and he answers exactly to the de-
scription given Of him. lie is resident OF
Marina neighborhood, and well acquainted
with the man he murdered. Mason was
tracked partly by the candy which he stole
from the wagon, pieces of which were found
along the road leading to his home. The
pursuing party consisted Of young men from
Rustburg, headed by the sheriff, Ma or Adam
Clement. They came upon Mason near his
home, and at once recognized him by the
description which had been furnished. They
took him in custody and charged him with
the murder Mason confessed the crime,
and implicated another negro, upon whom
he charged the principal part of the MUIR
derous business. Hammersley's tobacco
statement and other papers, part of the
money, and several pieces ofthe stolen candy
were found on Mason's person. The MUIR
derer stated that the killing had been plot
ted in Lynchburg by negro named jeff.
Wilcher and himself, the former being the
first to suggest the assassination and rob-
berry. Wilcher had knowledge of Hammers
ley's having money about him, and commu-
nicated the fact to Mason. He proposed
to do the killing and divide the proceeds
of the robbery and to this Mason agreed.
This is Mason's version Of the muir
der, but no doubt when Wilcher is taken it
will appear that Mason is just as positively
O party to the actual killing as Wilcher !
The latter is triAing fellow, with no stated
employment. After the killing he and Ma
son divided the spells and separated, Will |
cher coming in the direction Of Lynchburg
Sheriff Clement, with his prisoner, rode into
Rustburg Saturday evening while the cor.
oner's jury was sitting. A large crowd was
assembled at the place, and the instant the
officer and the negro were caught sight of
the crowd, with wild yells, rushed forward,
with the unmistakable purpose of swift ven.
With consummate GOODNESS Major
(,lomapt 1ached tho hnrses into q ga Hon
and managed to reach the Jail before the
crowd. He hastily dismouuted the
prisoner, and, placing him in one of the
strongest cells, barred the doors of The Jail
against outside interference. It was close
CALI for Mason, and but for the sherifis
presence of mind be would have had sum-
mary punishment dealt him. The police
are making dilgent search for Wlchcr."