Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-13
SHOT In HIS CHAIR.
A MOST DEpLoRABLE TRAGEDY ON Tbs
EASTERN sHoRE.
A Game Of Cards. Liquor, and ristol-A
Murder that Yxeites the
People.
Special telegram to the pispatch.l ]


EAsrvuLE, Va, March l2.-Eastyille and
the country adjoining were much excited
and greatly sOocked this morsing when Il
became known that dunng last night JefeF-
son Adair, a resident OF Onsncocs, bad shot
and instantly killed Peter h. Smith, highly
respeoted apd wel-known farmer residing
lust outside the town limits. A more brutal
murder has never been committed in this
section, aud indignation and threats ran
high.
The facts are these: Some time during the
night Adair and deceased went 10 WE'LL
known place in Esstyille 10 join In game
Of cards which was In progress. Everything
ran along smoothly until late hour, when
the effects Of liquor were felt. Final.
ly Adair picked up the cards and
dealt tue hands around. Mr.. smith re-
celyed three Jacks and Adair three queens.
Betting became lively. 4 call was made,
aud the hands being shown. Mr.. smlto took
IN the pile Of money that was upon the Ia
BILE, remsrking that Adair had cheated In
the deal. Mr.. Smith is entirely deaf, but
was made 10 understaud by signs given by
Adar thst be must give up the money.
Smith refused, saying that be would not be
CHEATED by anybody out Of his money. With
out another word and while the rest OF The
party were sitting at the table, Adsir
jumped up, drawing his pistol simultaneous
ly, aud fired, the ball entering Just below
Smiths right eve, penetrating the brain, and
causing instant death. Smith died as be
sat I'm the chair. IL was several hours alter
the occurrence before any one was per-
mItted TO enter the room, and then
Smiths corpse, almost rigid, was
erect in the char with his head
bent forward. The murderer was im.ne-
diately placed under a strong guard until
placed in jail. The deceased was son OF
the late DR.. W. q. Smith aud served In the
Confederate army. being at one time men,
Der OF Otev's battalion. He leaves wiie
and six children. Most OF his children are
grows. lie was well known throughout
the eastern part OF Virginia and IN Baltimore
and Philadelphia, where be had many
friends and scquaintances. His death was a
terrible sheck 10 bis wife aud children, VINO
loved him devote0iy. as he was kind aud
indugent father and husband.
A cOroner's inquest WAS held this aiIer.
noon. After the testimony Ia the case had
been heard the jury rendered the following
verdict: That Peter b. Smith came to us
death by a pistol. bullet fred from pistol In
the hands OF Jefferson Adair. aud tred by
said Adair without any provocation.
1ne remains OF tue uSCeNcu WIN pN 'HNNi
! red tomorrow.
After the rendering OF the verdict Adair
was brought into court for a preliminary
| hearing, but he waived an examination ana
| was committed to jail to await the action ol
the grand jury.
The prisoner expressed great sorrow Tor
his crime, and attributes 1t TO the effect Of
| liquor.
Yesterday was the first day Of the Marco
| term OF the County Court. On account ol
the illness OF the Commonwealth's Attorney
the trials OF samuel Roane aud j. J. Bunting,
under indictment for hnuse-burning In jan
uary last, were continued until next month.
A large meeting OF the farmers of thH
county was held here yesterday. aud resolu'
tons we're adopted urging the authorities u
establish branch experimentation station
at some polnt on the Eastern Shore. IL L
hoped that their efforts may be successful
as this section offers great inducements ioi
such purpose and II would be OF great ln'
terest TO the farming community.