Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-29
HENRIC0'S MYSTERY.
AN AUSTRIAN PEDDLeR DIES UNDER
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
He Loses His Money While Asleep and
Receives Injuries that Result
In his Death.


Tho Henrico authorities have a case TO
investigate that within the next day or
two may lead TO some interesting if not
sensational developments.
Sammox Rosdeitcher. an Austrian ped
dler about twenty-six years old, died at
the county almshouse Sunday afternoon
under circumstances that point to the dou-
BILE crime Of robbery and murder.
IL was on the night of July lst that the
young Austrian, who was stopping on the
plantation of Mr.. Jacob Feitig. a truck
farmer who resides near Oakwood oeme-
terry. lost all his money while asleep IN the
barn and received a wound on the head
that mainly caused his death.
The supposltion, and 1t is supported by
strong circumstantial evidence, is that
after he went to sleep unknown parties.
knowing that he had considerable money
Oh his person. undertook to rifle his pock-
cts, and in 30 doing aroused him from his
slumbers and then dealt him a severe blow
over the head TO prevent discovery and
make sure OF the success of their under
taking.
The Coroner's inquest. held yesterday
morning. failed to disclose any further facts
than above recited and the Jury reached
the conclusion that the young man. who
was commonly called Mars." came 10 his
death by blow from blunt instrument
IN the hands OF some person unknown.
FACTS IN TIE CASE.
The facts of the case. AZ far as could be
gathered from the statements made at the
inquest and from the physician. DR.. James
w. Bryant. who attended the deceased be-
fore his death, are as follows: Rosdeitcher.
n Il .la
tho counties adjoining this city selling his
wares-eggs, butter, old clothes. dry goods.
notions, &c. came to Mr. Feitig's on the
lst of July and requested to
be allowed 10 remain there for
8 day or so. He was acquainted with Mr..
Fcitig. having worked for him some years
ago and proved himself reliable man,
and Mr. Feltig consented TO allow HIM to
stop on his premises es he had often done
before, but a. there was no available room
in his house where the peddler might sleep
he could only offer him his barn.
sLEPT IN THE nAEN.
This Rosdeitcher accepted as his place
Of lodging for the night and retired with
out taking of his clothes and with $50 IN
money and check for $40 IN his pocket.
During the night no disturbance Of any
sort was heard. and even Mr. Feitig's two
watch-dOgs. who are untlrlng IN their vigils
over the premises, were not heard TO bark,
although they are very fierce towards
strangers.
On the next morning, however. some
time before II o'clock, Rosdeitcher was
found in the barn in a totally lnsenslble
condition by Mrs. Feitig, who hastily noti-
fed her neighbors and sent for her hus-
band. who had come to the city Oh busi-
ness.
LOOKED TO BIZ DEAD.
He upon getting home found the peddler
living apparently lifeless with the frontage
bone OF his head mashed in and his fore
head fractured about an inch and hall
across. His face was covered with blood,
and after the wound was washed of he
still remained in that condition.
Mr.. Feitig straightway notified Dr:
Bryant, who is his family physician, and
resides at No 2j00 east Marshall. DR.. Bry-
ant upon his arrival suggested that the
man be removed from the barn In which
he was then lying and carried 10 the county
almshouse, about three miles from this
city on the Nine Mile road. This was ac-
cordingly done and DR.. Bryants services
were retained, although the county aims
house had a physician.
hE GREW BETTER.
He was carefully attended and soon raj
lied and recovered sufficiently TO tell how
he supposed he was hurt. According to
his statement. made to DIR. Bryant, he was
attacked by two men-a white man ana
negro-and robbed of his money and q
check for $40. He also had two cheap
watches on his person, but Of these he was
not deprived. While recovering he wrote
his name on piece of paper for DR.. Bryant.
After about eleven OF twelve visits from
the physician the young man had so far re-
covered as to be able to walk about, and
on last Saturday DR.. Bryant paid him what
he considered the last visit necessary. lie
was then walking about perfectly con-
scious and able to take care OF himself,
and it was thought that he would soon re-
cover entirely.
HE HAD A RELAPSE.
He left the almshouse and on Monday he
came up 10 Richmond on business, but ac-
compllshed nothing, be said, and went
back TO the poorhouse. On Tuesday ne
complained little but on Wednesday he
came up the Nine-Slile road some dis
tance to sell horse. He then walk
ed about three miles under some excite
ment. and il is supposed from what the
physician heard after his return that he
had drank either VINE. beer, or whlskey.
He complained of his head, and that night
became wildly delirious and soon went oil
into comatose state, from which he could
not DO aroused. Strenuous efforts were
made 10 revive him, but such was his sink
ing condition and rigidity even In life that
his Jaws, which became locked, could not
be opened. Ar efforts to save HIM were
useless, and he died Sunday afternoon be-
tween and o'clock.
VERDICT OF THE JURY.
DR.. A. l.. Leftwich, who resides on Nena-
ble street not far from the corporate limits,
held an inquest over Rosdeitcher's body at
the almshouse yesterday morning. Com
monwealth's-Attorney Wash. Thomas was
present. and there were several witnesses
examined. The jury returned the. follow
ing verdict, winch late in the afternoon
was sent to the county courthouse:
HExRIco COUNTY ALMsHoUsE,l
July Is, 1890.
We, tho jury sworn to inquire into the
cause of the death of Samnox Rosdelt-
cher, as to how, when. and by what means
deceased came TO his death, do say that he
died on the 27th day of July, 1890, from the
effect Of wounds produced by some blunt
instrument in the hands of some person
unknown. :.
Witness our signatures this 2sth day OF
July. 1890. Il. Dickinson, JR.,
WILLIAM +. CRIcK,
o. j. CHAPMAN,
AMMO LANCE,
X. Is. ALLEN,
X. W. GRAVES,
JAMES NJ. PoNDExTEB,
Y NJ SISGIr rTON.