Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-01
coLKNAN,s CRIME.


On the asternoon OF the 9th Of last Sep
TENDER Huntersville, near Norfolk, was
thrown into the widest excitement by
what was thought TO be double murder,
and IL wal soon aseertsined that MI. James
Grant, a well>kBown dairyman, had beer
murdered by his negro farmland, Henry
Coleman. and the housekeepeT, Mrs. Louisa
Spratt, had been assaulted bv Coleman aud
had her throat cut and was supposed TO be
dying. Dir. ThaIly Mayo, farmer, while
driving along the Indian Poil-Bridge rosd
found Mrs. Spratt 10 front OF Father
O'Keefe's farm in a ditch, with her throat
cut and head aud bresst covered with blood.
helpless but conscious. Mr.. Mayo carried
the woman to the residence OF Mr.. Edward
BrickhouSe, and DR.. j. W. GUrley sooa
attended her.
Mrs. Spratt was soon able 10 tell whoSer
assaiant was. and in searching for himHhe
party came across the body OF Mr.. giant
hidden under pile OF straw, hs head icing
nearly severed from his BODY. Justice A. III.
Hawks summoned jury OF inquest. Mrs.
Spratt stated that shortly after Coleman had
eaten his dinner that day he came into the
house ard told her that Mr.. Grant was in the
meadow cutting hay, aud standing in water
no to his waist, and wanted her 10 come 10
him She went out with him, aud when they
were between the house and the stable Cole
msn knocked her down and stabbed her in
the neck. She tainted. and then remem-
bered nothing more until she found herself
living ia the rain and covered with blood.
She dragged herself and crawled to the road,
where she was found by Mr.. Mayo.
Dir. Grant was murdered with 40 axe and
was ia the act OF milking one OF his cows
when Coleman went up behIad him and
struck the fatal blow. Death must have been
almost instantaneous, as the spinal column
was completely severed and the head hsug-
ing only by small bit OF skin and flesh
After killing Mr. Grant sud leaving Mrs.
Spratt for dead Coleman proceeded 10 the
house and bro6e open all the trunks and
drawers After riliDg everything about the
premises be took gun and two pistols and
made his escape from the neighborhood AVID
got into the woods. Four days after the
murder Coleman was captured by two CO.
lored men, W. I. Mayo and John J. Jones,
NJ Chatham Cross Roads. Ia Princess Anne
county. not far from Cape Henry. and was
brought TO the city and lodged in the
station-house amid great excitement and
threatened lyncbiDg bv En immense mob that
followed toe officers and prisoner from the
depot. Ia his cell Coleman made full con-
fession Of bis crime. giving the details Of the
murder and robbery and stating that he
kilfcd hf. Grant because he owed Dlm ~,
and attempted To Kill Mrs Sprait TO keep her
from giving the alarm. That night mob
OF three hundred men attacked the Jail for
the purpose Of lynching the prisoner, but the
determined resistance OF the police force in-
side the Jail and the efforts Of Mayor Banks
protected Coleman. At dsYbreak a military
company and a detachment OF sixteen police
men carried the prisoner to the county Jail
In Portsmouth, where the Sheriff had 20
guard the jail for twenty-four hours with
military company and strong police force 10
keep the mob from making an assault on the
building.
1t Was eight months before Coleman could
be brought 20 triai in the spring tern OF the
Circuit Court OF Norfolk county. The prI-
scner was defended by W. NJ. Reed, COL
ored LAWYER, aud prosecuted by j. Z. Reed.
tue colored Commonwealth Attorney. In
iestIfying IN his own behalf he confessed his
crime. The Jurors were out OF the box
shout ten minutes, when they brought Ia
verdict OF murder In the first degree, and at
the close OF The term Judge c. w. Hill pro-
nouDeed the sentence OF the law and directed
that the prisoner be executed che last Friday
In NAV