Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-04
SHIFLETT MURDER.
HISTORY or THE ATRocIoUs, LAW
LESS DEEDS or Q. C. GENTRY.
he EvDlcdes . Roller and Poisons His
Fathsr--fruitiess Efforts TO Capture
Ixim-The shcrin determined.

CaAaIoTTEsvTIi.x, Va. April J.--Ine reao"
sFs Of the DrmArcu will remember the ac-
count of the killing OF Luther Shi6ett by b.
G. Gentry, which was Published exclusively
In this paper the day after the murder IN
November last Interest In the case has
been considerably revived in Albenisrle
and Greene counties since the indictment
OF Gentry at the March term of Greene
County Court. The history Of the case IL
a foilows: There had long beena feud be-
tween Gentry and ShiHett. the exact.nature
OF which could not be learned, but which
was the smouldering FIRE that led to the
dsstardly deed.
THE MURDER.
The scene OF the murder is near Nortons-
vile, In Greene county. near the border OF
Albemarlc and about twenty-five miles
northwest OF Charlottesville. Shifett, in
company with Layton Morris. was return
ing to his home at night from distillery,
where be had been 10 transact some brsi-
ness. Gentry was in hiding by the way
side, and as Shifiett came along fred the
fatal shot. He had some hot words with
6hiAett the same night and took bis re-
venge under cover of darkness. After the
shot Shifett walked about ten steps anu
fell MORALLY wounded.
THE LIGHT OF THE FLASH.
Morris, In his testimony at the inquest,
stated that he recognized Gentry by the
light from the fash Of the weapon. Cen
try 10 small. wiry man, talks with
whine and always was OF very WICKED
disposition. He was a owner OF O steam
thresher year or 50 ago, and ~ ID ss,n
that being the fireman himself he would
often run the engine at a dangerous rate
end without a water-euage. and when re.
monstrated with by his workmen. would
fly into O passion and remark that he
wished the id thing would burst and
blow them all TO HI.
DEADLY EXPLOSION.
The boiler finally exploded, with the re;
eult of killing JEFF Mooney. Jr.. and
Elijah Cox, and seriously injuring several
others Of Nortonstonville. Gontry's ma
hoiousness knew no bounds. Once when
angcred be cut his cousins ben. Gentrys
peach-orchard down and was arrested for
the offence by the Sheriff of Greene county
in Charlottesville, but was never convict
cd.
ALLEGED TO HAVE POISONED HIS FATHER.
He also poisoned his father by giving
him doctored" whiskey while he (his
father was serving term In the Stanards-
VILE Jail, so 1t was reported. and the
stomach was brought to charlottesville
for analysis, the result OF which is not
known. To his list of crimes is also added
The burning Of church near Nortons-
vile. Altogether his actions before the
murder show him 10 be dangerous man.
After firing the fatal shot at Sbihett he
turned westward and fed into the noun
tain forests.
WILD SCENE.
The appearance Of the country round
about where the foul deed was committed is
wild and picturesque. Semi-perpendlccular
cliffs tower in grim and silent majesty above
numerous gorges through which mountain
torrents rush. Many of the more gradu-
ally-rising slopes are covered with dense
growth of ivy and evergreens which inter
yenes 20 closely as 10 be penetrated only
by person long accustomed to such o
locality. There is many q secret path
through this mass of underground ira,
yelled only By the solitary huntsman and
by the wild animals with which this section
abounds, which would render it compa-
ratively safe hiding-place for person
having O knowledge of its dim recesses.
Here he need have no fear of stranger
entering, and O desperate man could easily
intimidate the simple denizens OF the rural
district.
RINGS A BELL.
II Is now reported that Gentry makes
frequent visits to his house. and actually
ringing bell in his yard dehes the law.
IL is also said that his wife assists him to
eyade his pursuers, and in one instance she
was known to say that he was concealed
between two beds while the house was
being searched by the officers.
ToGIvE HIMSELF UP.
However, he has secured as his counsel
Mr.. II. s. Thomas, a prominent lawyer OF
Standardsville, who says that Gentry has
about come to the conclusion to give him
self up, but is afraid of being lynched: that
there is not particle of evidence TO con-
vict his client.
DETERMINED TO HAVE HIM.
Owing to the swollen condition of the
streams your correspondent could not in
terview MIR. Thomas or Mr.. Joe Smith, the
sheriff of Greene. who has served in that
capacity for forty years, but was able to
see his (Mr. Smith's) nephew, who saws
that his uncle has put forth every effort to
capture the desperate and IS still deter
mined on having him in custody If posi-
BILE. IL is a well-known fact that Mr..
Smith is brave and fearless officer, having
repeatedly arrested many desperadoes.
SAW HIM ESCAPE.
On one occasion he went TO the house of
Gentry and saw him escape by the rear
door. G.. Il. Parrot, the deputy sheriff,
saws he has never seen the murderer since
he committed the deed. 1t is to be- hoped
that he may be brought to justice and that
such heinous crime may not 60 unpun-
ished.