Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-24
THE STATE AT LARGE.
PETERSBURG AND VICINITY.

The Murderer Clarke Brousht 10 the ctr;
Heesed and Jeerod In she Streets BIS the
Nssrees, Death OF the fpjured Woman. &C.
Correspondence ofthe Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG, Nov. 20, 1885.
The negro George Clarke, charged
with the murder Of his wife, Anna
Clarke, who was arrested in Norfolk on
Friday, was brought TO this city yester-
day morning and lodged in jail. Before
going to jail he was taken into the
presence Of his wife, but her condition
was such that she was unable to speak
or recognize any one. lie admitted
that he struck her with the axe, but
SAYS the blow was accidental, and
struck without any intention to do the
woman an injury. In view Of the fact
that Clarke has frequently quarrelled
with his wife that on the night after
he had assaulted her with the axe he
lied about her condition, and that he
Immediately left the city for Norfolk,
his story is not believed by any one.
The woman died last night.
As soon as Clarke's arrival in the
city Yesterday became known, large
number of negroes collected and follow
ed him through the streets. Their in
dignation against him found vent in
boots and jeers and cries Of "hang
him." The prisoner was, however, SO
well guarded by the police as to afford
him thorough protection. Otherwise,
could the people Of his own race have
gotten hold OF him, he would no doubt
have suffered severely. lie is secure
now, and will have fair trial. lie
appears very unconcerned about the
matter.
An inquest was held upon the body
of the woman this afternoon. The
most important witness before the jury
was Mrs. Ellington, the lady on whose
premises the parties lived. She stated
that the window Of Clarke's room, be-
fore which a very thin curtain was
drawn. is on a line with that of her own
room; that her attention having been
attracted by noise and quarrelling, she
looked towards Clarke's window and
saw through the curtain the forms of
two persons, one apparently dealing the
other blows that she heard the woman
CRY out {" For Gods sake, George,
don't do that; that directly afterwards
she heard a heavy fall upon the floor Of
Clarke's room that almost Immediately
Clarke came hurriedly out, and she
asked him "What the matter was "
He replied that his wife had bad head
ache that he was going for medicine,
and had left two women to wait on her.
lie hurried away, and Mrs. Ellington,
suspecting that something was wrong,
sent at once for the police. The officers
found the woman alone, and nearly
dead from the wounds inflicted with
an axe. Mrs. Ellington further stated
that the woman told her two days be-
fore the difficulty that she was afraid
her husband would kill her. The jury
rendered verdict that the wOman's
death was caused by blows inflicted
with an axe by her husband.
Senator Malone returned home from
New York yesterday with his wife and
daughter. who have just arrived from
Europe, where they spent the summer.
Messrs. George 5. Bernard, Judge r.
II. Jones, Jr., and William A. Madi-
son, the delegates appointed by the
Mavor to represent this city in the
River and narbor-lmpr0yement Con-
vention to be held in Savannah, Ca,
this week, left for that city yesterday.
The announcement is made here for
tho benefit Of those who wish to save
money by paying their State taxes in
coupons. that coupons will be furnished
in any needed amount. 1t is probab's
that a number Of persons may avail
themselves of this opportunity to save
money, but it is also certain that many
others will refuse to purchase coupons,
and will pay their State taxes in
money.
Willie Jones, white youth, aged
about thirteen years, had one Of his
arms so badly crushed Saturday eve
ming by the falling upon it Of heavy
lump Of coal that amputatiOn was found
necessary. ROBIN ADAIR.