The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-04
DOES 4 MURDERER 90 FREE?
Interesting Facts About the Foul Killing of
Farmer 7. u. Neal.

RrSGGoID, Mar. 3.-lSpecial.1 - Murder
most foul ndrObbery most fragrant are thetwo
crimes that NAV vet be unearthed and shown
M in connection with the Sandy Creek bridge
tragedy. Fresh on the minds Of many of THE
TIMES readers are the circumstances IN con-
nectiOn with the finding Of the lifeiess body
Of Mr.. Thomas b. Neal on Thursday morning,
February 5th. at this notably Inflated wa
duct. Mr.. Thomas Neal had for many years
stood in the front as on OF the successful
farmers Of Pttsylvania. He had IN his long and
honorable life accumulated and amassed quite
q snug fortune He has owned several GOOD
farms IN this State. and over bis broad acres
had grown many thousand pounds Of the
fine yellow tobacco that has SO long made the
farmers Of this section noted for the fine quail
iiy of the weed they produce. Mr.. Neal was
a man not without his thrifty qualities, and
occasionally he purchased or sold "A farm. IL
was for The purpose of collecting % payment
on farm he had sold III Stokes county,
North Carolina. that he took the journey
which terminated in his death
After collecting $3.50 there he put II in his
pocket and started for his home. From all
that can be learned. it is only reasonable 10
suppose that he made no disposition OF hls
money; that he, was bringing IT To his nome
where he resided with his son. Mr. William
Mead. lie came direct from Greensboro 70
RinggOld, Va. by the Richmond and Danvllle
u.
day. he spent several hours in the village. lie
told several Of his warmest friends he had
been successful in collecting the $3.50, and
stated lac had the money with him. and EN-
lhasIcd this fact by pulling out the pocket
book from his pocket. which he sad contain
ed the money
FOUL MURDER.
So. without q doubt. he left Ringgold with
this money 1t was "a cold. rainy day. THIS
4 t4I lt
made his way down the railroad track. ne was
leaving never again to return. This old gen
tlcman. apparently SO. cheerful. could have
walked home in IN hour, in 50 short a time.
no doubt. be had anticipated the comforts Of
his sons home that was awaiting hint the
warm ire. the devoted grandchildren, and the
loving hearts 10y which he would soon be sur
rounded. But, alas, in that cold, bleak, rainy
valley. with the picturesque Rock Arch tower
inc sixty feet over his head he was TO meet
the grim reaper-death Al alone, save the
tread of the outlaw and the murderer
lie went unto the vast unknown. Evidences of
this atrocOus crime We're left behind him.
The victim carried pair of saddle-bags on
ms arm containing his important papers.
These were found near him. His pocket-book
was cmptied of its contents and left. Also
other articles that were IN hi, pockets were
scattered about the place. where an apparent
encounter had taken plack. One theory is
that he was showed of the bridge and robbed.
and another j. that he fell OF and was There
discovered injured or dead and robbed OF his
money
Every means should be employed 10 track
down the pcpctratOr of so dastaTdly
crime. Suspicion. pointed strongiy.to ne
gro who had been near the scene OF the muir
der Ii develops too. after his arrest. that he
was a gambling and vicious character. lie
was also a farmer. very remarkable thing
Is that this negro spent the same week Of this
robbery about 800 in the most reckless and
eXtravagant manner; greater portion being
lost, as he admitted, al cards.
THE NEGRO ACQUITTED.
All eyes were turned to this negro. Suspi-
ciOn rested strongly upon him. lie was IN
fore a magistrate 10 be sent on 10 the grand
jury. Many witnesses testified before the
magistrate the impatient crowd listened at
tentively 10 il, and when all the evidence had
been given and the case submitted 10 the
4 magistrate in less than moment the large
crowd of spectators were astounded 10 hear
him discharge the prisoner. Many think
the honorable Justice conscientious. but many
think it % deplorable blunder on his part.
The consequence is the negro left his home rs
soon as he was acquitted and has not been
seen 10y his wife since. He has never returned,
and probably never will. unless brought back
by the law officers
But il Is believed that the guilty party will
be brought 10 justice, and The TINES may
give its readers further facts IN the case anon.