The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-03-26
The Richmond Tradegy.
ARREST OF THE ACCUSED. STRONG CIR
CUMsTANTIAL EVIDENCE POINTING
10 Ills GUILT


We mentioned briefly last week, the
fact that the body Of a young girl named
Fannie Lillian Madison had been fonnd
dead IN the reservoir at Richmond, on the
morning OF the 14th, and that she had been
employed as teacher in the family of
Mrs. Dickinson, at MillboTo, Just before
going to Richmond. Since our publica-
tion, column after column has been writ
ten on the subject, and the tragedy has
created the greatest excitement in Rich
mond, and a general interest all over the
Union.
The facts developed since the recogni-
ton OF the body, have pointed strongly to
the theory Of murder. No one now be-
lieves that the poor girl committed suicide,
as at first supposed, although it was ascer-
tanned by the post nsoytem that she would
have been mother in month OF so.
The theory of murder is borne out by
the fact that there We're evidences of a
struggle on the gravel walk surrounding
the reservoir, and by the further fact that
the deceased, in the condition she was,
would not have been able to scale the
paling fence. Her face also showed two
distinct punctured wounds over the right
eye, resembling the marks that would have
resulted from well delivered blows. On
the morning preceding the finding of the
body, Miss Madison reached Richmond on
the G. q o. road, and registered at the
American House as +. l.. Merton She
had her meals sent to her room, and did
not come down until Friday night about
8 O'Clock. when q note was sent to her and
she replied to the colored boy who carried
it, that she would be down directly. She
did come down and met an old and young
man. Half an hour later she left the hotel
with the young man, and that was the last
seen Of her in life. After the body was
identified suspicion pointed to 7. J. Cluv
erlus, a young lawyer Of King and Queen
county, and officers were sent to arrest him.
He was brought to Richmond and identi-
fled by the hotel boy as the man last seen
with Miss Madison. He had known the
girl well and was distantly related to her.
In her trunk which was brought on from
Bath, were found several letters from
Cluyerius, the contents of which are said
to have been revolving in their coarseness.
CluyeriuS was in Richmond at the time Of
the death, but states that he did not see
the dead girl on that trip. Where the
gravel evidenced a struggle at the reser
voir, a watch key was found, the owner
ship of which is sought to be fixed on the
accused. When arrested the officers say
that several pendant links were hanging
from his watch chain, which were subse-
quently removed. 1t is stated also that
the hands Of the accused were scratched,
as if by finger nails, and the theory is that
in her struggle for life the girl inflicted
the wound. Whilst at the hotel she wrote
a note and directed it to Cluverius, and q
car driver stated that he had put off q
couple answering to the description, near
the reservoir, on the night of the tragedy.
The ground for belief in the guilt of
Cluyerius, is that he is supposed to have
ruined the girl last summer, and when it
was known that she would shortly become
a mother had induced her to meet him in
Richmond for the purpose of having Il
criminal operation performed. For some
unknown reason this program miscarried
and he prevailed upon her to accompany
him to the reservoir, and there deliberately
murdered her.
The jury of inquest. after hearing all
the evidence, rendered verdict that her
death had been brought about either di-
rectly or indirectly by Cluverius.
Both the family Of the dead girl and
the family of the accused, are shighly re-
spectacle people, and the young people had
stood well in the community where they
are known.
CluveriuS has engaged Judge Crump and
other prominent lawyers for his defense,
and the case will come up for trial in
Richmond next Monday.
1t has been ascertained that Mr.. S. B.
Witt, the Commonwealth Attorney for
Richmond, is distant relative of the ac-
cused, and he has retired from the iprose-
cution Of the case. Hon. Geo. d. Wise
will probably act in his place.
An additional motive for committing
the crime on the part of Cluverius has
been discovered. His uncle, who was a
well-todo man, left $4,000 to Richmond
College, and the remainder of his estate,
after the death of his wife. to the accused
and his victim. In case either died the
Will provided that the survivor should re-
ceive the whole fortune. With Miss Mad
ison dead, Cluverius would have been the
heir