The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-13
FOUND DEAD AT HIS POST
EXPIRED WHILE GUARDING THE
CONFLICTS.
MFR. John 7. Mills, one of the Watchmen NJ
the Penitentiary, Found Dead In MS SEN
try Box at 1 O'Clock Last Nighttime

MFR, John T. Mills, one of the Watchmen nj
the Penitentiary, Found Dead In his SEN
try Box at O'Clock Last Nighttime
Details.
Mr.. John T. Mills, one Of the guards at the
penitentiary, was found dead last night on ms
post. 1t is the custom at the penitentiary Tor
the guards 10 be relieved at l o'clock. and at
that time last night. or rather TINS
morning, Mr.. J. II. Martin went to relieve
Mr.. Mills. He found the door Of the watch
box closed and knocked, but received no re-
ply. He then pushed open the door, and
saw him sitting in one corner Of the
box on tin bucket. He was leaning
against the side Of the house and
Mr.. Martin thought he was asleep.
After calling him repeatedly and gaining no
reply he shook him. and Il was then; wneh ne
felt the clammy GOODNESS OF his hand that ne
recognized that he was in the presence OI
death.
He passed the alarm down from man 70
man. and soon all the officers and guaIus
were informed OF the sad occurrence
Mr. Mills is a man about siXty-hve years or
age and il much esteemed wherever Known,
and several Of his comrades expressed l.st
night. in tears. the sorrow which they ieit.
WIFI AND CHILDREN.
Mr. Mills lived at No. 223 south Second
street and leaves a wife and several children.
At 23O this morning his family had not
been notified, but messenger was sent soon
afterwards 10 bear the sad intelligence
Mr.. Mills was at one time very prominent
truck farmer near this city. but met with mis-
fortune and was forced to move 70 hlchn0nd
and TO earn his support and the support ot his
wife and children by working as guard at
the penitentlary.
The box in which he was found is on top Of
the high wall which surrounds the prison,
and is on the northwest corner.
1t was his duty to SIT in this
box. and watch the north side Of the yard,
that no prisoner might climb over. This box
is reached by a long fight of stairs on
the south side of the prison, and then
a walk over the top Of the wall across the
western side II would have been matter
Of mpossibility for anyone 70 have reached
him without passing several OF the other
guards.
no VIOLENCE.
His body bore no marks Of violence what
ever, but he rather seemed 70 be IN calm
and quiet sleep.
A TIMES man reached the penitentiary
about o'clock. this morning IN
after a long walk on the top of the wall
reached the little sentinel box.
The coroner made a careful examination,
and asked numerous questions, but failed 20
find il necessary 10 summons jury.
His pistol could not be found, but his gun
was hanging Just above his head In his
pocket was Il bottle of whisky and bottle 81
hartshOrn lnlment
After the examination was made two
stalwart prisoners We're sent Tor
and they. with some difficulty, bore
his lifeless body on a litter over the mar
row stone pathway and down the steep and
crooked stairs.
Mr.. c. p Ailstock one Of the guards. said
that he had talk with him at o'clock
as he went on duty. and that he was
complaining of a severe pain IN his chest ana
shoulders. and told him that he had been rub
hing with turpentino and hartshOrn.
It is not known how long he had
been dead, but Mr. Martin said that
when he touched his forehead II
WAS still warm, and in fact, when the
coroner saw him his head was not entirely
cold although his body was stiff and only
Strengthened with difficulty.
The doctor decided that he had either died
from the rheumatism which had touched hls
heart, or from heart disease