Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-05-21
MurdsTous Attack on an Aged Couple,

kuTdeTouS Attack on an Aged Couple,
Correspondence of the Baltimore sun.
RICHMOND. VA, May I'm
formation was received here today
of a dastardly attempt last night
by negro man to murder the Rev.
w. G. Hall, pastor of the Four Mile
Creek Baptist Church, IN llenrico
county, and his wife. II appears
that Mr.. Hall and wife had Just re
tired for the night. when some one
knocked at the front door. He
asked the man what he wanted,
but without replying the negro as
saulted Mr.. Hall with a club, telling
him to the floor. lie then entered
the chamber and attacked Ms.
Hall with a club, striking her sew
eral blows on the head. tits thought
the negroes purpose was robbery.
The lives of the old minister and
his wife were saved by the heroism
and GOODNESS of Maggie Hall, 4 lit
tie twelve-year.old granddaughter
of the old couple. This child Occu-
pied room over the old people
She and her brother arrived at the
farm house from this city in the
afternoon, and when the attack was
made upon their grandparents were
snngly tucked up in bed and fast
asleep. The cries of Mr.. Hall
aroused the girl. Approaching the
danger Of the situation, the child
sPrang out of bed and jumped out
of the window to the ground belOw,a
distance oftwelve feet. Although an
utter stranger in the neighbOrhoOd,
she determined to make the effort
to secure assistance. She saw the
farmhouse of Mr.. Graves half a
mile down the road, and hurried
through the darkness to rouse the
family. Her story was soon told,
and Farmer Graves and two cOlOred
farm hands FASTENED to Mr.. Halls
relief. The venerable couple were
found insensible and in critical
condition. But for their arrival the
old man and his wife would prOba-
bly, have been murdered outright.
The scene of this murderous attack
is Immediately on the road travers-
ed by Buffers army when they left
their boats and occupied Fort Uar-
risOn, on the north side Of James
river. Mr.. Hall is scvcnty-three
years old. a posse of citizens are
out searching for the negro, and if
found he may be summarlly dealt
with.
NOT THE RIGHT MAN.
A colored man named George
Forfolk was arrested Friday night
charged with being the assailant.
He was taken to the Police Court
yesterday morning, and was there
turned over to Deputy-SherillGunn,
who took him down to the county
court house to be examined before
Justice Atlee. Accused had wit
nesses TO clearly prove an diibi,
and was discharged. Norfolk was
down in the Four Mile.C Creek. church
neighborhood Monday doing some
ditching, bnthad been in Richmond,
where he lives, every day and night
since.
DETECTIVE WREN EMPLOYED.
The Henrico Board of Supervis-
ors met yesterday and discussed
this matter, and finally decided to
employ Detective John Wren to
work up the case and bring the
vile criminal to Justice.
This act OF the Board is highly
commendable.
No pains should be spared to
find the guilty party.
Last night as Mr.. Lewis Aigner,
a respected citizen of HenricO coun-
ty, was driving home with his
family on the Charles City road,
about four .and.a.half miles below
Richmond, he noticed a man hiding
in the woods and acting suspicious
~ near the house which was the
scene of the late brutal assault on
Dir. and Mrs. Hall.
After carrying his family home
Mr.. Aiguer concluded that he would
return and search for the man.
Fixing up his saddle horse he went
and informed Sheriff Southwark
and Mr.. Gunn, neighbOr Of the
latter. The three came back and
after considerable search found the
man first seen by Mr.. Aigner. lie
seemed to be a Swede and was eyi.
IDENTIFY a tramp. The tracks made
by his shoes corresponded with
those found around the Hall house.