Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-27
STRUCK A FATAL BLOW
A DEADLY AFFRAY IN ROCKETS AT
TENDED WITH SOME MYSTERY.
srmnsrasld simsos Killed and James
Bowen Arrested as His
Murderer.

utcs psSi O'Clock last night and was uttered
by Ernest simcoc. lad about thirteen years
old, who,c father. summcr6eld SImcoe. lay In
the ibfoes Of death not many feet away.
The iitle boy was weeping bitterly. and
his shrieks attracted the residents Of the
nciehboghood sud The psssers-bv, and tho
result was itst 10 few MINUTES y large
crowd assembled around the dying man,
wso never uttered a sound. In few mo-
ucnis be was ushered into the presence Of his
Maker
The fatal blow was inflicted by stone or
huck thrown hy or used IN the hand Of James
Bowcu, and the latter was soon arrested, and
will be held responsible 10 The law for SIM
eoe's death.
THE LOCALITY.
The ARRAY hsd its origin IN a grocery store
snd bar-rOom kept by Bowen's mother at
the corner Of Graham street and Williams
burg avenue, ~ Rockets. and II eliminated
in o small field about haif square distant
and just 10 front Of the Dcnny.Sireet church,
10 which revival services were being con-
ducitd at the time. Whether the fatal blow
W.s struck M this open spot. which
o. thicsy coated with pebbles and
small stones. or just In the mouth OF the al
Jew where tue decreased breathed his last il
not at all clear. but the preponderance OF
sircums iances aud the statements Of persons
who saW part Of the difficulty 20 to show
that tue two men scu1led upon the stones IN
The field. snd tbat Simcoe, irving 10 free
hitnsou and 10 make for home, scufled as FAR
- the alley. whste he fell never again to rise.
The occurrence very naturally caused the
wildest excitement IN this section OF the city,
and the news spread with such rapidity tbatit
was heard In many localities uptown in less
than fifteen minutes Many people from
the central portion 0i the city and some lew
from even the West End visited the scene OF
the killing.
ruE CORONER CALLED.
The first man 70 reach the body was MIR.
James e.. Morris. and MeSsfs. +. NJ. Gibson
and james Nsges were soon upon the scene
Nv this time no least a sCO.e Of persons were
running no from various directions, and
ibis number was soon augmented to nun
dreds.
one Of the first gentlemen TO arrive, tnd'
ing that the injured man was breathing his
lssl and bey0Hd human aid, ha.tened TO the
engine house. and from there message was
sent over the private wire 10 the oflce OF
the Superintendent Of Fire-Alarm, and DR..
Lewis G. Bosher, sctiog Coroner In the alb
sence OF Or. Taylor. was summoned by
'phoue The Doctor reached the scene about
9 O'Clock, when the Dispatch reporter had
uesu on the ground only about ten minutes.
The Doctor made n careful inspection and
notation OF the pos tion and appearance oil
the deceased and the surroundings. lie dld
not enter INTO an examination OF ihe body at
ALL but after closely inspecting the imme-
dlste locality and the place about forty yards
distant where the first scuiile occurred and
where numerous blood-splotcbes were found
on the stones, he had the body taken TO the
house Of the dfceased-twO back upstairs
rooms at 202t Denny street
Posr.MoRTEM ANO INQUEST.
The body was laid out on mattress, where
twill remain until this morning, when Dr.
Bosber will make a post nlOTtem. As early
IN the day as practicable alter tue post NOR
= tenn he VIII hold an inquest at the house,
when the following witnesses. and probably
others. will be examined; l.. NJ. GIBSON
James c. Morris. James Nsgles, Chsrles
Phillips. George h. Simcoe, Ernest simcoe'
Ike McDermitt. Gnd Willie Cartwright.
Sergeant WbltlOck and Policemen Brown
ard Kelly. all % whom were engaged In
connection with tue affair last night, Will also
he present.
BOWEN ARRESTED.
Policeman Robert T.. Brown. who was on
his peat 10 tbe immediate neighborhOod,
heard of the killing in less than three MIN
utes after 1t happened. and going to Bowen's
house said: "Mr. Bowen, / have come ior
you.'
''What for" querled he.
"For killing SImcOe," replied the ofleer.
''No, DO not think he Is dead remarked
Bowen.
Without Offering any resistance Bowen ac-
companied the officer and they went by
where the body lay 10 be certain whether or
not the injuries were fatal.
When they reached the body, Of which
officer Kelly had charge, this officer asked:
"Jimmie, Whist does this mean!"
The reply came: We had difficulty"
or words to that effect, and the prisoner
again said "Simcoe Is not dead, Is heY
am certain l did not Kill him, nor dld in-
tend TO-"
.He is certainly dead,' said Mr.. Kelly.
The prisoner then took hold Of SimcOe's
wrist aud felt the pulse. Finding that II had
ceased 10 beat he relaxed his hold and with
ont another word went with Officer Brown
10 the street.csr line, aud being placed on a
car Was taken TO the First police-stalion.
TIE BODY.
When the Dispatch repOrter reached the
srot Simcoe lay hlt of bis back. with his legs
crossed. Hls mouth. nose, and the middle
81 ms face were covered with thick blood.
and II was hard TO ascertain from superb
cial examination the real nature OF his inlu-
ries. ON The right side OF his lace was
mark that indicated a blow iIom stone,
and his nose was split for bali inch or
more. Further than this no wound could
be found.
Ills collar had been torn from his neck,
and after A long search was found sOme feet
ewav. HE cravat-a red checked scarf that
showed long serylce-huOg on the OUTSIDE
OF bis vest, with the string that passes
around the neck hid from view under bis
clothing. lie wore good clothes OF very Or
dtDsry grade.
FACTS HARD TO GET.
The facts IN connection with the killing
V-cre almost unobtainabie last night. The
locality is not vel lighted, and very httle
could he seen OF the alteration, even 10y
those who were In the immediate vicinity.
>.ryeapt Whi,locb, who was diligently at
vork on the case. said at a late hour tnAt ne
bad not been able 10 learn anything dehnfe
ssto the origin OF the difficulty or the causes
which led 10 It.
Az EYEWITNESS.
Little Ike McDcrmitt. boy about twelve
wears old. will probably be the most lm-
portant witness i0r The commonwealth. lie
iN,s ysith his mother over kraker q Sons
shoe store. on Main street near Fifteenth, but
pappcped 10 be in the immeiiate neighbor-
hood II the time OF the outbreak OF the
sIray. IN conversation with DlspAtch
reporter Ike gave the following version oi
the nfiair
81 was there and saw the whole thing.
Mr. slncoe went to Bowers store aud got
after him about selling liquor TO his son
fGrorgeL who IS = minor. They qusrrelled,
and during their dispute Bowen said some
thing about Mrs. SimcOe that seemed 10
make her husband very mad, and they ap-
peared 10 get more excited. After quar-
Ioli.ng pr some time Dir. simcoe came
out Op toe store and Dir. Bowen
followed hin. George simcoe was also
there. and / suppose he thought his fatoer
and Bowen were going TO hgbi. Anyho",
he picked upa rock or brick and threw Il ~
Rowen. striking him over toe eye snd knock
ing him ooi a. II be was dead. Bowen soon
Got up all right, and with an oath pitched OF
after George ~imc e, who mad rue away. lie
did not catch George. but soon overlook MT'
g,mcoe Who WAS ctossing the field IN the